"Virtual" Blade Show?

[Shorttime]

I'm posting this in General, for the same shameless reason that everybody else does: it gets the most traffic. Hopefully, it's worthy.

Some/most of you already know that Blade has been canceled. There was a thought in another place, far away, of setting up a "virtual" show.

I don't know what form that would take. Maybe it could be streamed live on a somewhat accessible platform? The "watch" feature on the book of faces comes to mind, even though I'm reluctant to steer people to that.

Even if it's only pictures, it would still take a lot of bandwidth, server space, and coordination, far more than any one person (or probably even one organization), can manage.

Blade is the Chicago or Tokyo Auto Show, for our community, and it's going to feel pretty weird without it.

I'm just some guy, but I was hoping to stir up some interest in putting together something, anything, to take it's place. I know it's not going to be the same, but I feel like it would be something to help people get through.

 

[R.c.s]

In my opinion I doubt it would work . The hole point to the shows is the atmosphere the verbal interactions with the stall holders .and to touch assess and scrutinise the products . To be able to go to the stalls that interests you and avoid the ones that don't . For me this is what the shows are all about . I have watched the YouTube video at the shows which are interesting to watch . But a hole virtual show isn't for me . Maybe is for many others . It would be interesting to see other people's points of views .

 

[not2sharp]

We are already there. Makers have been selling their Blade stuff on line for months. I would encourage them to do that on these forums, where we can all easily see and discuss their products with them.

n2s

 

[A.L.]

I wouldn’t mind some kind of BladeShow Twitch stream. Would be cool to see some new stuff from over the pond.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

You might be able to sell some product, but to me it would not be what you go to Blade for. You go to Blade to meet the makers, have a hands on with the product and catch up with old friends and those you just know from the internet IMO. It's an event, not just a way to buy knives. Crowds enhance the feeling of that event.-There is an energy
I know nothing about the technology to even attempt a virtual show, so I don't know if it would even be feasible to try.

 

[ArchVV]

Olamic (and others) have done this a few times in place of the smaller shows over the course of the pandemic. Perhaps more individuals will go this route now that Blade is officially cancelled, as they still need to move stock to keep the lights on.