What Can I Expect @ BLADE 2005?

J

jemelby

Joined
Feb 20, 2005
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I was planning to attend Blade 2005 in Atlanta this year. Sort of as a pre-deployment treat to myself. Never having attended a major knife show, I really don't know what to expect. I've attended gun shows and sporting goods shows, and they're all pretty much the same as the next. Are knife shows any different? Are there any deals to be had at them?

I am mostly going to window shop. The opportunity to see all the latest stuff, and maybe meet a community celeb or two will be well worth it.

Blademag.com has precious little information, so I implore all of you to share some of your experiences from past show. Let me know what to expect, please.
 
Good, comfortable walking shoes
A carry bag for all your loot
A bottle of water - prices inside the show are very high
A digital camera with a good closeup attachment. If you put the maker's card next to the knife that you are photographing, you have a record of the knife and the maker's address
Courtesy - don't pick up anything unless you first ask permission. I have never been refused, but it really is nice to ask before you touch.
Be willing and ready to make some new friends
 
jmknife said:
Courtesy - don't pick up anything unless you first ask permission. I have never been refused, but it really is nice to ask before you touch.
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I'll second this. It really goes a long way towards being remembered as a polite customer. Also, be prepared to take all three days to see it all! It's a huge show, I went for two days two years ago and there was more than I had time to take in. Of course I loved every minute of it.
 
What to expect? Total sensory overload, for starters.

Bring more money than you plan on spending, because you will.
 
How does Blade compare to Shot Show for content? I wanted to go for the fisrt time to SS this year, but couldnt manage it. I could possibly make it to Blade but I don't know how much different stuff will be there.

I had a look around on Google, but there does not seem to be a specific site for it.
 
It's a very large show, with more tables than I've been able to visit all 3 days I was there. My feet hurt alot after day 2, and my backpack was quite full. Aside from the walking shoes recommended above the first thing you should do is get a map of the tables, and where the people/vendors you want to see the most are, as well as exhibition events to plan around. Plan ahead, don't need to go strictly by your schedule but it really helps so that you don't miss things you really wanted to see.
 
dsvirsky said:
What to expect? Total sensory overload, for starters.

Bring more money than you plan on spending, because you will.
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It doesn't matter how much money you bring. It's never enough. ;) :)

I agree about the total sensory overload part. :eek:
 
Also lets not forget that Danbo, Ren, Ken, Bastid, and the rest of the pirates will be raising a incredible stink in the pit each and every night...for a good time..plan on being there tooo.... :D
 
Ren the devils trailboss said:
Also lets not forget that Danbo, Ren, Ken, Bastid, and the rest of the pirates will be raising a incredible stink in the pit each and every night...for a good time..plan on being there tooo.... :D
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I plan on being there so I will be on the lookout for you bastids. :D
Scott
 
Always my favorite weekend of the year.

The Blade show is quite a bit different from the Shot Show in that in addition to the major knife companies, you will see many dealers as well as the largest gathering of custom makers that can be found at any show.

Friends, knives and overload is what to expect. Like RR stated 3 days is not enough.

I hope to meet as many B.F. folks as possible.
I live about 15 miles away so if anyone needs anything, let me know (early), I am difficult to find at home or on a computer after Wednesday night.

For those arriving on Thursday, you are invited to the annual Thursday dinner.

We will leave the Galleria lobby (the pit) after gathering at the elavators in front of the desk between 6 and 6:30 that evening.
 
Damn it, I won't be there! I promise to be good if anyone wants to take me down! Razorback Knives, I will pay for gas and sheep!
 
I remember that someone (Ren, maybe) had asked about hotels within walking distance. As I recall, the answers were not really helpful--does anyone have any info about that?
 
Atlanta has a pretty good mass transit system (MARTA). Though I am not sure if the venue for Blade is on the route. Being at the intersection of I75 and I285, I would imagine it most certainly would be. I could tell from the MARTA site that the train doesn't go there, but one of the busses certainly would. Perhaps someone more familiar with the 150+ different Atlanta bus routes could enlighten us.

Here is a MARTA link to hotels serviced by MARTA:
http://www.itsmarta.com/explore/hotels.htm
 
shaldag said:
I remember that someone (Ren, maybe) had asked about hotels within walking distance. As I recall, the answers were not really helpful--does anyone have any info about that?
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Courtyard by Marriott is 2 or 3 blocks away and is quite reasonable (~$65/night, IIRC). I stayed there in 2002. Rumor has it that they now offer a shuttle to the show.
 
In another thread, there was mention of Maps and Exhibitor listings. I don't suppose that's in a legally reproducable format?

It would be nice if a blade subscriber could post a copy when it comes out. Only if it's legal, though.
 
Bastid said:
We will leave the Galleria lobby (the pit) after gathering at the elavators in front of the desk between 6 and 6:30 that evening.
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Can you make it 7 PM? My flight gets in at 5:46 PM and I have to get my luggage and car and drive to the Gallleria. It should take me until at least 7 PM to get there.
 
Does this mean that most won't return to tables they've passed along the way? At smaller regular shows, I find myself doing rounds several times over. Sounds like one HUGE knife gathering. :eek:
 
It depends, I spend more time at some tables than others, and when there's a purchase I want to make, and it doesn't look like it's at risk of being sold by the time I get back, I'll keep shopping around to see if there's something else that tickles my fancy even more.

This is the real problem, and is why people say bring lots of $$$, so you won't have to pass up "that killer deal" just to find "that awesome knife". Because chances are you'll end up doing one or the other eventually, and not have the cash to spare.:grumpy: Wait too long though and it'll be gone, it's frustrating sometimes, but also part of the fun :D :cool:
 
jemelby said:
In another thread, there was mention of Maps and Exhibitor listings. I don't suppose that's in a legally reproducable format?

It would be nice if a blade subscriber could post a copy when it comes out. Only if it's legal, though.
Click to expand...
I'm at work now but I'll try to post last years list and map later if no one beats me to it!:D
 
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