Blade Show: Why Go?

BePrepared

BePrepared

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Aug 26, 2010
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Might sound like a dumb question, but bare with me. I'm seeing a bunch of custom makers talking about going to blade show, and making a large amount of inventory to take to the show

But many of these same makers sell anything they can make within 5 minutes of posting it for sale... they can't make them as fast as people will buy them as it is, so why spend the money and take the time to go to blade to sell their wares?

I understand going cause you want to BUY something, but i guess i don't see it from the makers perspective.

someone cure me of my stupid ;)
 
it increases demand, which is always good for your bottom line. plus it is fun. and a lot of makers buy stuff there too, like fancy handle materials. And I'm sure they like to see what other makers are doing too
 
If it was possible for me to go, I would go there just to see all the cool stuff and goodies. Damn, I would be like kid in toystore.
And that could lead for future buys, from knife maker perspective.
 
Blade show is also not ALL about buying and selling knives.

There are tests given each year for makers who want to become master smiths. That's another reason, on top of it just being plain fun.
 
I think the reasons vary from individual to individual. Darkaether (LOVE that handle!) listed a few. For many, it is just a tradition they have done for years where you meet up with guys as you have for years. There are also other meetings and banquets that some attend, and the awards which can be good for business . . . .

In the short term I think that you are right that for some makers it is lost money.

And indeed several top custom knife makers (including a few of my favorites) no longer have a table at Blade, and some do not go to Blade at all. Time will tell whether or not this is a good strategy. But for many of the high end makers, there are just other shows which are much more important for them and their collectors than Blade and they do still tend to attend those shows.
 
People go for different reasons:
Wanting to see prototypes from their favorite manufacturers
Talk and rub shoulders with custom makers
Education regarding new or existing products
Meet with friends and catch up
Purchasing knives that would otherwise be unavailable due to wait times or secondary market costs
Pretty simple really.
 
RevDevil, i totally get why a buyer would go... i hate the idea of a 6 month wait as much as the next guy

I was more wondering why someone who can't make knives fast enough to satisfy demand would get a table there... but it looks like that questions has been quite thoroughly answered.

Thanks folks. I hadn't thought of some of that stuff at all
 
I go there to meet my dealers, customers, suppliers, collectors, friends, fellow makers... to aquire materials, contacts, skills, reputation.... but most of all, to get out of the shop and drink beer.

BTW, I had to cancel this year... argh!
 
Many of the top makers don't need to be there to sell there knives. Many only bring a few and sell out in a few minutes, and still stay for the whole weekend.

The knife world is about more than just peddling your goods.
 
Ken44 said:
Many of the top makers don't need to be there to sell there knives. Many only bring a few and sell out in a few minutes, and still stay for the whole weekend.

The knife world is about more than just peddling your goods.
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I usually bring about 10-12 blades and have sold out within the first hour of almost every show I've been to. I don't need to sell knives at shows. I do need to be there for folks who want to talk to me. I am far from a prominent maker but just having 6-7 people recognize me means the World to my self confidence. What a motivator!

Knives... The best thing to come along since just before sliced bread.
 
The Blade Show (this will be my 20th one) is not just about knives. Some folks will never understand that. I have maker friends that will be there without knives to sell. Some will be at their tables taking orders for knives that will be ready in 5 to 10 years.

A maker needs to pick a few shows each year if he wants to stay on top. Might as well pick the biggest one there is.

For me, it is like a family reunion and not many things could come up that would make me miss it. I get to see friends that mean the world to me that I only see once a year. Many of them participate here.
 
Bastid said:
For me, it is like a family reunion and not many things could come up that would make me miss it. I get to see friends that mean the world to me that I only see once a year. Many of them participate here.
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I am looking forward to seeing you Gus.:)

As for the OP's original question........come to Blade and then you can decide for yourself. I fly 20 hours to get there and it is ALWAYS worth it!

Steven
 
I am going to meet makers (like Rick!), see some of the demo's that will be put on, and to check out a lot of ridiculous custom knives! But meeting people from here and from YouTube will without a doubt be the best part.
 
id like to go just for the knife throwing classes and other fun activities. all the knives are perks compared to all the fun.
 
As knife shows go, Blade is, IMO, not one of the more potentially finacially lucrative ones for many knife makers because it can be a rather expensive outing and you have a LOT of competition. But it, like the Rose Bowl, is the "grandaddy of the all." There is a big social element. You get to see people and things that you might not be able to see in person anywhere else. You have access to supplies that might be hard to find anywhere else. Perhaps most importantly for the newer maker, you can get advice from a huge number of people that you would not be able to get face to face many other places. Another big piece is that YOU get seen by a lot of people.
 
I go to blade show pretty much just to hang out and talk with my papa Melvin I bring knive to sale but being a new knife maker I don't expect to sale anything and consider myself lucky if I do. I go to meet people and hand pick higher end materials. I always love to walk around and check out all the different styles of knives and bs with everyone.
 
RevDevil said:
Purchasing knives that would otherwise be unavailable due to wait times or secondary market costs
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Any chance Rick Hinderer will be selling a few knives, i.e. a knife that will be there from the minute or two the door opens and the time it takes to walk to his booth?
 
Barfly said:
Any chance Rick Hinderer will be selling a few knives, i.e. a knife that will be there from the minute or two the door opens and the time it takes to walk to his booth?
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Rick does a lottery. Grab a ticket, and wait for the drawing. The demand is way too high for it to be first come first served.
 
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