Actually the earlybird hours are more like vendor to vendor sales & trades. There are a few preferred customers that do come in at that time - they usually have a "hit" list and aren't there to browse. The regulars that come to my table during that time are after the best choices before they're gone. I kind of like that myself.I don’t have a booth, nicaburns is who is posting his work.
Good luck scoring early bird passes, usually a few shake loose closer to show time. Honestly, early bird is such a colossal clown show, I don’t fool with it. A bunch of folks do, though, so props to them.
Vendor to vendor deals are usually really good if you know who's who, what's what and move fast. Not likely to get real deals as a spectator/visitor until Sunday. We don't invest all that money and time to give big discounts on our salaries - speaking for custom makers here. Be like giving up a trip to Europe and settling for Smyrna or Homerville just so someone can get a "deal".
Best deal I can give - if you don't want to pay $500+ for my custom knife, pay me $400 for a days instruction and make your own (if you can). That or save your money and get a really good deal at Wallymart.