Blade Show Advice as seller

WillB

WillB

Joined
Feb 3, 2007
Messages
492
I have never been. I have some higher end knives i want to sell, such as a Loveless, etc. I'd be interested to rent a corner of someones booth for say 6-8 knives if anyone here will have a booth and open to the idea. I assume there's also plenty of private sales happening for people like me? I'm total newbie on all that. Of course, I might buy something too, but my main reason for going would be to sell some knives as a non maker/dealer. Advice?

Thanx!
 
There are a number of tables with signs that they will buy knives, I have gotten very fair prices, don’t expect top dollar that way
 
Jody744 said:
There are a number of tables with signs that they will buy knives, I have gotten very fair prices, don’t expect top dollar that way
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Are there areas for direct private sales? Someone mentioned "the pit"?
 
WillB said:
Are there areas for direct private sales? Someone mentioned "the pit"?
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The pit is a lobby area in the adjacent hotel. A lot of socializing and horse trading takes place there during the off hours.

n2s
 
Candidly, I'm not sure a seller who is already invested in their spot at BLADE will want to rent space to you, as your knives might take attention away from their products. Just going to sell several knives doesn't seem very cost efficient, so if I were in your position, I would either try to sell the knives online (such as in the Exchange here), or else try to make contacts through various other online places like Reddit/Facebook/Instagram/Other forums/etc. in order to find people who would be willing to meet up with you to buy your knives. I wish you luck, but just know that if you are an unvetted stranger attempting to sell very high end knives (like an actual Loveless as you mentioned), you may not find many folks willing to hand over thousands of dollars without some recourse to get that money back if the knife turns out to be a fake.
 
Quiet said:
Candidly, I'm not sure a seller who is already invested in their spot at BLADE will want to rent space to you, as your knives might take attention away from their products. Just going to sell several knives doesn't seem very cost efficient, so if I were in your position, I would either try to sell the knives online (such as in the Exchange here), or else try to make contacts through various other online places like Reddit/Facebook/Instagram/Other forums/etc. in order to find people who would be willing to meet up with you to buy your knives. I wish you luck, but just know that if you are an unvetted stranger attempting to sell very high end knives (like an actual Loveless as you mentioned), you may not find many folks willing to hand over thousands of dollars without some recourse to get that money back if the knife turns out to be a fake.
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Tanx, all good points. Some of those knives are in the exchange here (see sig) and on FB knife pages and such, and I have sold various through them in the past few months. Having never been to that show, and looking for a good excuse to go, it occurred to me I could possibly also sell some of the knives I have.
 
WillB said:
Tanx, all good points. Some of those knives are in the exchange here (see sig) and on FB knife pages and such, and I have sold various through them in the past few months. Having never been to that show, and looking for a good excuse to go, it occurred to me I could possibly also sell some of the knives I have.
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Well, hey, don't let me or anyone else discourage you from going and seeing what happens! I mean, you could simply hang a sign around your neck that says "HEY! Want to own a Loveless? ASK ME HOW!" and you'd probably sell it quickly. :D
 
For those who go to sell, how do you get the knives to the the show? It's approx 8 hour drive for me (FL->GA), so long, but not impossible. I hate long drives personally and would much prefer to fly.

On that, unlike firearms, knives don't need to be declared, so major risk is loss or theft. Experiences with that?

Or, ship them to the hotel you're staying in?

Never been to a Blade Show, but obviously need to decide asap and would be bringing knives, none inexpensive, to that show.

Anything else I'm not considering?
 
One thing I will caution would be private sellers about is called "Brown Bagging." Essentially, selling knives in the show hall without a rented space to do so, unless, of course, you are selling to a table that advertises buying knives. It used to simply be frowned upon, but now may get you ejected from the show completely if caught.
 
navman said:
One thing I will caution would be private sellers about is called "Brown Bagging." Essentially, selling knives in the show hall without a rented space to do so, unless, of course, you are selling to a table that advertises buying knives. It used to simply be frowned upon, but now may get you ejected from the show completely if caught.
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Apparantly "the pit" is where the person to person sales takes place if I understand correctly. I'd approach a table that advertises buying knives also and see what they offer at least. Of course I'd enjoy seeing tables full of knives too and meeting people, etc, but a primary goal would be to sell a few if possible.
 
The Pit is lots of fun! I'll be there this year. One year the guys from SOE Gear dropped dozens (if not hundreds) of little army parachute men with prizes attached. It's a good time, but chaotic.
 
navman said:
The Pit is lots of fun! I'll be there this year. One year the guys from SOE Gear dropped dozens (if not hundreds) of little army parachute men with prizes attached. It's a good time, but chaotic.
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Worth attending for someone with some high quality blades to sell?
 
Possibly. I have never sold or bought in the pit, just drank copious amounts of adult beverages and met with friends in the Knife community (the real reason I go to blade show.)
 
WillB said:
Worth attending for someone with some high quality blades to sell?
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Your comment makes it look like selling the knives is the sole purpose you'll attend, to me at least. I would say go there with the purpose to meet people in the community, have a great time and enjoy the experience. Take the knives with you as well and believe me the more relaxed and open to the experience you are the easier you'll sell them. Don't spend your energy in trying to sell the knives cause that'll keep you from enjoying the moment (i'm writing this assuming that there's nothing that urges you to sell those knives/if for some reason you really need the money then it does change the balance a bit).

Good luck and enjoy it :thumbsup:

**I know that there's a website called Arizona Knives that can sell your knives for you. I have never dealt with them and i don't know their reputation, it's up to you to research on it. I have stumbled upon it once or twice but there was nothing there for me.
 
Chris*33 said:
Your comment makes it look like selling the knives is the sole purpose you'll attend, to me at least. I would say go there with the purpose to meet people in the community, have a great time and enjoy the experience. Take the knives with you as well and believe me the more relaxed and open to the experience you are the easier you'll sell them. Don't spend your energy in trying to sell the knives cause that'll keep you from enjoying the moment (i'm writing this assuming that there's nothing that urges you to sell those knives/if for some reason you really need the money then it does change the balance a bit).

Good luck and enjoy it :thumbsup:

**I know that there's a website called Arizona Knives that can sell your knives for you. I have never dealt with them and i don't know their reputation, it's up to you to research on it. I have stumbled upon it once or twice but there was nothing there for me.
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Sole purpose no, a key reason, yes. I'd enjoy seeing great knife makers, etc. I've had good luck selling knives here, various FB pages, etc. just thought perhaps I could kill multiple birds with one stone by attending that show. It's a short flight or a long-ish drive for me.

PS, AZ knives appears an option, but at 25% for them to sell it for you, difficult to justify for me at least.
 
I'd just drive iff'n I was you. So much more simple than arranging transport to and from the airport, and to the Cobb Galleria zone, dealing with TSA, checking luggage, etc.

Then when you're there, just wear a trenchcoat with knives hanging inside. When you see a potential customer, you just stare at them until they notice. Then you slowly open the trenchcoat, show them the goods and say, "Nice knife. Nice and sharp, cute nice and easy..."


Fwb8mMr.jpg
 
Mecha said:
I'd just drive iff'n I was you. So much more simple than arranging transport to and from the airport, and to the Cobb Galleria zone, dealing with TSA, checking luggage, etc.

Then when you're there, just wear a trenchcoat with knives hanging inside. When you see a potential customer, you just stare at them until they notice. Then you slowly open the trenchcoat, show them the goods and say, "Nice knife. Nice and sharp, cute nice and easy..."


Fwb8mMr.jpg
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Being knives, TSA should not be involved with the checked in luggage per se. I'd be more worried about the bad getting "lost" due to contents. I'm talking a 4-6 knives here, not needing transportation beyond Uber, etc. I'd think a backpack vs trenchcoat would make more sense. ;)
 
Are you guys talking about the blade show in Atlanta starting on June 7th?

We scheduled a mini vacation around attending the blade show. I have never been to one before and I will have my wife & two young daughters (3 & <1) with me. Will the blade show be an appropriate environment for young kids? I didn’t foresee any issues, but the above posts about “the pit” are reason enough to inquire if the atmosphere is kid friendly?

Anyone have advice, thoughts, suggestions to ensuring a positive experience?

How about advice for someone determined to land a specific blade from a custom maker’s booth at the show?
 
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