Want to attend Blade show atlanta this year- need input

Cardinal Knife

Cardinal Knife

Joined
Nov 25, 2007
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I've never attended this show and am trying to get a feel for how big it is. MY day job is in the automotive industry, and I've done the SEMA show a couple times, which is almost impossible to cover in one day. Can the blade show be covered on Fri from 12-7pm or would I be rushing through to accomplish that? I would like to take my time and probably buy some things, would Fri and sat be better?
Thanks Chris
 
Simple arithmetic will tell you that you have no chance to see the 1200 or so exhibitors in a few hours. I am there for a solid 3 days and I still miss stuff.

You really want to maximise your time and I would say at a minimum you should be there on Friday and Saturday.

You also really want to attend the Blade "afterparty" in the pit at the Waverley on Friday night. Always huge fun were you can rub shoulders with the knife worlds elite.

Have fun!:)
 
Okay thanks, that's what I needed to know. One more thing, i will be flying and don't usually check my bags, so if I buy any knives I would have to ship them, is there any form of shipping service on the grounds that you've seen or do you just check them in your luggage?
 
cwiehle0 said:
Okay thanks, that's what I needed to know. One more thing, i will be flying and don't usually check my bags, so if I buy any knives I would have to ship them, is there any form of shipping service on the grounds that you've seen or do you just check them in your luggage?
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I'm not sure what checking them in your luggage means as I have never flown :o, but as far as I hear there is a zero tolerance for knives on a plane. They WILL be taken away and you may be in serious trouble.
 
You can store them in your bags so long as you check your bag at the counter. Problem with that is that i don't have lockable luggage and they (baggage handlers) can basically unzip and free knife
 
cwiehle0 said:
Okay thanks, that's what I needed to know. One more thing, i will be flying and don't usually check my bags, so if I buy any knives I would have to ship them, is there any form of shipping service on the grounds that you've seen or do you just check them in your luggage?
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There is a UPS facility 50 yards from the show entrance and a USPS post office in the Cumberland Mall which is a few hundred yards from the show.
 
Blade is a great show and worth your time to attend. I have generally done it in one day and return home afterwards. The problem I have is that you sort of burn out seeing all the stuff. From that point of view, two days are better and certainly if you want to join some of the meetings or spend time with the exhibitions, it takes more time and they are scheduled when they are scheduled. Bring money.

Added: If I were traveling any serious distance, I would spend TWO days. In my case, if I really want to, I can drive back down the next day. Friday is my favorite day as there is more stuff that hasn't been sold yet.
 
Plane tickets are booked I'm coming from Illinois decided to take my 15 year old son with me since I'm already spending the money on the hotel room going to spend two full days there Friday and Saturday come home on Sunday and yes I've already started saving money. Thanks
 
I suspect you can take a hotel shuttle (vs renting a car) if you are staying there at the show. Me, I'd probably rent a car so I can cruise around a bit. But that takes even more time. The other side to that is you probably can rent a car right at the hotel. There is also public transportation which I am not familiar with.
 
Cardinal Knife said:
One more thing, i will be flying and don't usually check my bags, so if I buy any knives I would have to ship them, is there any form of shipping service on the grounds that you've seen or do you just check them in your luggage?
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In addition to the mentioned UPS and USPS locations there are several FedEx locations fairly close by, if you have a car, that run 24/7...very convenient to do your shipping when it doesn't cut into show hours. I've shipped my show finds FedEx for the last five shows plus and never had an issue.

Oh, and plan for two days, especially if it's your first time, and if you're into boy's toys add another day as there are some great army-navy and survival type stores within twenty minutes/half hour of the Galleria.
 
22-rimfire said:
I suspect you can take a hotel shuttle (vs renting a car) if you are staying there at the show. Me, I'd probably rent a car so I can cruise around a bit. But that takes even more time. The other side to that is you probably can rent a car right at the hotel. There is also public transportation which I am not familiar with.
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FYI there is an AVIS agency across the road in Cumberland Mall.
 
I would also assume that you have FedEx pickup and shipping at the hotel. This is a full service hotel. Nice place.
 
If you get a car be sure that your rental or your smart phone has GPS. Atlanta is the easiest place to get totally lost in I have ever seen.

There is no such thing as "I missed my turn so I'll just go around the block" in Atlanta.
 
That certainly happens with the exits and getting back to the freeways or main arteries. I really hate to drive in Atlanta during rush hour (7:00-9:00AM and 3:00-6:00 PM). I have been known to visit Bass Pro or similar store to kill some time if I am anywhere in the neighborhood to avoid rush hour in the afternoon. If you intend to do much driving as in cutting between major highways in the suburbs, I definitely recommend a map. A GPS doesn't really do it other than giving you a way from point A to B without regard to traffic and sometimes common sense.
 
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