BLADE show in Atlanta

[Guest 10mm4me]

I'll be there June 10-12. Anybody else going? It should be pretty awesome. The tactical expo will be there too and the BLADE tix get you into that as well.

[willis68]

If not working I will be there for sure

[mav]

I am still 50/50 on it. I want to go and see if I can find anything interesting. I don't want to go because I am sure I will find several things I want and I don't really want to spend any money.

Well.... I have a month to mull it over.

From seeing pics of theirs, Willis and Major Kong have got me interested in a Hinderer XM-18 flipper or XM-24. Unfortunately they are impossible to find and the prices on the secondary market are absolutely crazy. I know they are nice, but what some are paying for them is mind boggling.

[willis68]

Mav, if you go to Ricks Booth you can buy his knives at his prices that in itself is worth your trip to Atlanta

[Major Kong]

I'm going, reservations made and VIP tickets in hand. I'll be at the show Friday and Saturday.

[willis68]

Fred,

If I cant make it RJ is bringing me one knife there, I will Pay Pal you the funds to pick it up for me

[Major Kong]

Fred,

If I cant make it RJ is bringing me one knife there, I will Pay Pal you the funds to pick it up for me

No problem, just let me know.

[Guest 10mm4me]

I'll be going to visit the Steven Kelly of S.K. Knives booth. I am a huge fan of his work and hope to pick up another piece of his.

www.skknives.com

[Major Kong]

I'll be going to visit the Steven Kelly of S.K. Knives booth. I am a huge fan of his work and hope to pick up another piece of his.

www.skknives.com

He does nice work. I'm hoping I can make it past the Busse table without taking out a second mortgage. Then there's Hinderer and RJ Martin and all of the custom makers who are making things that I don't even know I need yet. I'm afraid it's gonna be an expensive weekend.

[mav]

I'm going, reservations made and VIP tickets in hand. I'll be at the show Friday and Saturday.

I assume you guys have been to this show before. What are the prices like? Anything like gun show markups?

[GaryXD]

I'm planning on going.

[Guest 10mm4me]

I assume you guys have been to this show before. What are the prices like? Anything like gun show markups?

BLADE has alot of custom makers there and they set their own prices. It is a good chance to see some amazing blades made by ABS Journeyman and Master Smiths. Most knifemakers, due to the rigor and time it takes produce their work, are by nature extremely honest and will ask a fair price. The guy I'm going to see, Steven Kelly, is one of the most honest, sincere people I have ever encountered. You will not be disappointed if you go, but do realize a custom knife is going to be quite abit more than a factory knife. It is no gun show though.

[willis68]

wish I could make it but does not look good

Edited May 12, 2011 by willis68

[hso]

I've only missed a couple and should be there this year.

Anything like gun show markups?

Blade is an entirely different sort of show so there isn't much of a good comparison to make. It is a mixture of trade show with companies showing product and custom makers at tables selling their knives. Folks like Ernie Emerson and Busse set up booths instead of tables. Some of the most famous custom makers in the world set up at the show and lots of knife makers with the potential to become the best on the world do as well. A lot of knife making material is available and some retail production knives as well as vintage. There are seminars and demonstrations and competitions and more knife nuts in one place than you've ever seen.

Edited May 14, 2011 by hso