Is this normal behaviour...?

Stephen F

Stephen F

Joined
Sep 28, 2003
Messages
1,235
So this will be my first time at Blade, hell my first US show full stop. I am flying to the States end of May ....... so far I have:

  • Checked my flight tickets 3 times (usually I don't look until I hit the desk)
  • Phone the hotel twice, emailed once "just to check"!
  • Printed off a list of table holders!
  • Highlighted said list showing makers I must visit.
  • Currently on my 4th version of prioritising the tables to visit first.
  • Keeping adding more names each day.
  • Have 3 lists of what I want to come back with based on availability and price of priority pieces!
  • Changed said lists 4 times.
  • Made a shopping list of 'accessories'.
  • Changed my mind again about what I want!
  • Realised I don't have enough money .... and no matter how much I take it won't be enough.
  • Had several anxiety attacks about missing out on certain makers, but don't want to restrict myself from all the treasures on offer.
  • Posted a meaningless thread to pass the time and seek assurance I am not completely mad!

I feel like a 6 year having to endure a 3 week long Christmas eve!

Stephen
 
Of course it's normal. Knife people are the only sane people on the planet. Everbody else is strange.
 
Don't forget the camera (for those of us staying home) and
Directions to the "Pit"
Have fun, spend a bunch!
 
Also on your "to do" list figure out which seminars to attend. The Sword cutting demonstration is awesome and the cutting compitition is a hoot.

Figure out where you're going to have dinner and with which group.

Get a map of the tables and plot the fastest route to your top makers.
Of course on those big double doors open you'll forget all about your map in awe of the sheer size of what you'll be experiencing. Keep the map tho...once you come to your senses you can use it to figure out where the bathrooms are. :D
 
Absolutelly normal!
Or, at least, I did the same, and not only on my first show...
Have fun!
 
Stephen,
Actually, you seem quite afflicted. I suggest you see a therapist on an emergency basis prior to the show. :rolleyes:
Buddy T
 
Just kidding! I agree with everyone else - sounds like you're on track for the big one.Don't think I ever said this out loud before, but after my first BLADE Show I told myself, "I'm not doin' that again"! Frankly, it was overwhelming - right around 500 tables as I recall, and louder than a Las Vegas casino. But I went back, and back again and now back again. There's no denying it's stressful - but a ton of fun as well. I read in the BLADE magazine (just arrived today) that there will be 660 tables this year!
So, no need to see a therapist before the show - but you will definitely need to see one after the show! ;)
BT
 
Okay Guys - how do I get a map of the layout prior to arrival, given that the only copy of Blade I have ever found was actually in a second hand book stall in Malaysia !!!!!!!!! :D

Cheers,

Stephen :D
 
just a little warning the home land security act is a bit much when leaving the US and the TSA requires all check in luggage to be left unlocked for inspection at any time.I got my knives through ok but i was freaking out no body had lite fingers if you know what i mean.If the tsa do find some thing suspicious they check it out and leave a tag in your luggage i had 12 cans of bakebeans tagged this will get explaned to you when leaving also they will bust open your locks if you don`t comply i saw a suit case open when i got back the tsa have a web site if you want to do a search WWW.tsa.gov any way have a great trip youl have a blast
 
shappa said:
Also on your "to do" list figure out which seminars to attend. The Sword cutting demonstration is awesome and the cutting compitition is a hoot.
Click to expand...

They have seminars at blade?!?!?! :D

I'm too busy looking at knives to attend any of 'em. I usually think about the seminar about half-way through the thing.
 
I was at the show almost every hour it was on...except when I saw a couple of the seminars and grabbed a quick sandwich for lunch and the whole time I wasn't I was thinking..."what am I missing now" :eek:
 
I'm going to say something here and people will disagree with me.
I make anywhere between 6 and 8 shows a year including BAKCA, and the Blade Show is not one of them.TOO FRIGGEN MANY PEOPLE.I like a show where the makers and purvayers have time to talk to you.
Been to Blade a bunch of times and to me it is overload. TOO MUCH.I always get a headache.
Lots of commerce happening but I personally do not like the competition.
Sorry guys.
Randy
 
True, there are a lot of people... Lots of compitition for the coveted makers.

But, the people is one of the reasons I go to Blade. Nifrand you're one of the guys I like to meet...sorry to hear you'll not be there.
Maybe one of these years I'll be able to afford to get to BAKCA Show. :D
 
Randy,

I hear you on the competition thing, but all my money has been spent on this thing we call....... knife orders.

The way that I play it is like this mostly. I go to a show early in the year, and place orders for knives that I like, for delivery at a show later in the year.

I only have two makers that are a maybe for knives at the show. One of them refuses to "hold" knives for collectors, so I have to beat the crowds back on that one. Maybe I get it, maybe I don't.

If I don't get it, then that is 7 of 8 knives that I get, instead of 8 out of 8.

The trip is worth it for........the Pit, everything being self contained, being able to see makers/pictures of knives/knives that you would not otherwise get to see, seeing guys like Wheeler get his JS, meeting/interacting/trading with other collectors like Danbo, Ptgdvc and Gus Kalanzis. (That is a big part of the appeal in collecting for me, the interaction with like minded people) You also get to collaborate with makers on future orders that you can place at the show, and pick out materials with them while you are there.

I don't see a whole lot of people that can "compete" with you, frankly, but as sorry as I am to not being seeing you there (I was bringing the Jelly Roll Fighter specifically to show YOU), that means that those of us that did not pre-order our knives actually have a chance to get some of the good stuff! :D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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