Suggestions for making the most of Blade Show 2016, even though I can't be there?

[knife2knowya]

I'm unfortunately not going to be able to attend Blade Show 2016, and I wanted to know if you guys had any suggestions as to how I could still reap the benefits of the show without actually being there.

Is it commonplace to reach out to a dealer (or multiple dealers) and ask them to keep their eyes out for something specific to grab for you (for a finders fee)?

What about all the raffles, contests, opportunities to get my name on custom makers books... Any suggestions for somehow partaking in any of these, as an absentee entry?

Do manufacturers and custom makers often tie in something online to go along with whatever they've got going at the show that I'd be able to capitalize on?

Do online sale in these and other forums (and on Instagram) tend to spike during the show, with dealers often trying to sell online some of the special items they have at the show?

I'm certainly not asking for ways to game the system here... I planned on attending this year, but as fate would have it, work and family have prevented me from taking the time to do so and I just wanted to know if there were still ways to get something out of it without actually being there.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

 

[benchwarmer380]

Can't help you with any of that, but there will be plenty of folks posting pictures of what's going on. Some will be posting up as it goes on others afterwards. Keep an eye out in the Custom & Handmade Knives forum as well as other places.

Always an enjoyable time of the year, even for those that have to enjoy it vicariously.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I have never been able to attend BLADE, and will not this year either. However, from what I've read here from prior BLADE shows, the custom makers tend to sell at reduced prices, and dealers who have new product lines will also be selling at prices less than what we'll see later. I suspect that you need to be there, in general, in order to reap the benefits. I have not seen any "online deals" that would mirror the prices available at the SHOW.

 

[eisman]

First, start looking at the "what are you bringing" thread in the Custom Forum. That will show you about 0.01% of what's actually going to be there. Then look thru David Darom's books. That will make you compile lists of who/what you want to see. Then start calling makers and distributors; they'll all tell you everything they are taking is already sold. That will make you frustrated. Next take $100 and put it away somewhere safe. Do this every two weeks for the next year and you'll be able to afford to go to Blade next year.

Then you'll see stuff you never knew existed, meet some very cool people, and have the ability to talk with the makers of your preference about the custom blade you want made and hope they'll have it done by the following year's show.