Bladeshow West?

Matt Behnke

Matt Behnke

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
May 3, 2022
Messages
175
Hi All,

I was interested to hear if any of you have ever attended Blade West? Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a table at the upcoming Blade Show due to wrist surgery, however I am considering attending Blade West in October. Is Blade West a sizable show? I'm just trying to figure out if its large enough to justify flying out from NJ.

I appreciate it

Matt
 
Once again, it's at a new location this year. While Salt Lake City is far more knife friendly than both Portland and Los Angeles, constantly moving hurts it. Blade Show, whether Atlanta, Texas, or SLC, is a true "knife show" that will have high to medium end knives, and very few "gun show" knives. Gun show knives don't do nearly as well at the knife shows. I think it should be similar to Blade Texas, which was about 1/3 the size of Atlanta.
 
I live in the Salt Lake City area and I've been waiting for a major knife show to come here. I'm hoping they will stay. Salt Lake City is a very knife friendly environment and the Salt Lake Chamber does its best to hold on to major venues. While I won't have a table or anything like that, I will be there soaking it all in.
 
I will try and make it to Blade West this year depending on my coaching assignment...i went to Atlanta as a spectator a couple years ago and was gonna get a table this year, but was too late, they were sold out. I did pretty well at Blade Texas this year and thought I might try something new...never really been out that far west
 
I've never attended Blade Show either, so at 1/3 the size, would flying across the country to have a table be worth it? I know most serious makers attend Blade Show for obvious reasons, but the fact that a lot fewer attend West/Texas makes me think I might be better off waiting until next year's Blade Show. Not really looking to sell, just hoping to increase my exposure and in return get more future customers.
 
This will upset some, but Blade Texas and West are not yet destination shows. They are not Atlanta, most of the visitors are local. That's why they moved to Los Angeles last year, the 21 million people withing 100 miles. Atlanta has thousands of people from all over the country visiting it, having planned for the "first weekend in June, in Atlanta" for years. If you're trying to build a brand, save for Atlanta.
 
Exactly what I was looking to hear, thank you! Fingers crossed I can get there next year!
 
Atlas Knife Company said:
While Salt Lake City is far more knife friendly than both Portland and Los Angeles, constantly moving hurts it.
Click to expand...

Blade Show West was in Long Beach, not Los Angeles. Utah is not "far more knife friend" they both have very similar knife laws.

California is knife friendly and has had some of the best knife shows in the US
 
Adam, are you serious?

In California: Switchblades, autos, assisted openers, basically any knife with a spring, balisongs, all fall under California Penal Code 21510 PC
In Utah: It is LEGAL to own and carry any type of knife in the State of Utah as long as you are not a restricted person as defined in 76-10-503. Legal knives include a butterfly knife, dirk, dagger, stiletto, bowie knife, automatic*, gravity*, switchblade* or a disguised knife (in a belt buckle, necklace, etc.)

You're right about LB and LA not being the same city, LB is merely a suburb of LA.
 
I would recommend doing the Blade Show West, especially if you are looking to get more exposure. Blade Show (ATL) is huge, and a maker like yourself, trying to get more exposure is going to be lost in the sea of makers from all over the world. Unless you have something very unique you aren't going to stick out at ATL. I believe West is about 250 tables, and you will get more notice from the people that do go. Also, getting into a market that is far from your normal area is a good thing. Even though the internet allows people from around the world to see your work, they don't always know how to find you. I had always done shows in the upper midwest, and I noticed when I branched out to other states I got new customers and new followers, because they were first learning of me. I think Salt Lake is going to be a great show, and if I had the ability I would definitely do it.
 
Atlas Knife Company said:
Adam, are you serious?

In California: Switchblades, autos, assisted openers, basically any knife with a spring, balisongs, all fall under California Penal Code 21510 PC
In Utah: It is LEGAL to own and carry any type of knife in the State of Utah as long as you are not a restricted person as defined in 76-10-503. Legal knives include a butterfly knife, dirk, dagger, stiletto, bowie knife, automatic*, gravity*, switchblade* or a disguised knife (in a belt buckle, necklace, etc.)

You're right about LB and LA not being the same city, LB is merely a suburb of LA.
Click to expand...

Yes, switchblade are illegal in CA. But that point really is mute considering assisted opening knives are legal. Just no knives with a button on the handle.

Ballistic and Gravity knives are illegal as well.

But other then that we have pretty good knife laws. We can open carry a Bowie knife or even a sword in public, and saying "it is not knife friendly" is not true. For a couple types of knives, sure they are not friendly, I guess if you wanted to carry a switchblade or gravity or ballistic knife sure you may be a little buttered over that. But the vast majority of knives it is friendly.

When you consider it was illegal to carry a Bowie knife for years up until 2017 in Texas, but could in California, people were not saying "Texas is not knife friendly"

If California is not "knife friendly" the what are they selling at all the knife shows here? Oh BTW they have switch blades at these knife shows as well as they are legal for law enforcement to use.
 
Last edited:
AVigil said:
Yes, switchblade are illegal in CA. But that point really is mute considering assisted opening knives are legal. Just no knives with a button on the handle.

Ballistic and Gravity knives are illegal as well.

But other then that we have pretty good knife laws. We can a Bowie knife or even a sword in public, and saying "it is not knife friendly" is not true. For a couple types of knives, sure they are not friendly, I guess if you wanted to carry a switchblade or gravity or ballistic knife sure you may be a little buttered over that. But the vast majority of knives it is friendly.

When you consider it was illegal to carry a Bowie knife for years up until 2017 in Texas, but could in California, people were not saying "Texas is not knife friendly"
Click to expand...
I think several makers and suppliers were also concerned with the ivory laws in CA. Material suppliers are one of the reasons makers go to shows, and if you won't be able to get high end handle material they may skip the show for another.
 
Both so Cal and northern Utah were hot beds of knife making back in the day. California had Bob Loveless, Red Watson, Jody Sampson, DE Henry etc…. Most of Utah’s influence came from Gil Hibben and from there came Steve Johnson and Buster Warenski and a long line of knife makers.

California is a great place to have a knife show. I’m hoping that SLC will develop into a stable and profitable place for Blade Show West.

Hoss
 
J. Hoffman said:
I think several makers and suppliers were also concerned with the ivory laws in CA. Material suppliers are one of the reasons makers go to shows, and if you won't be able to get high end handle material they may skip the show for another.
Click to expand...
Yep, the ivory laws are getting stricter just about everywhere.

From what I can tell it is illegal to sell ivory in Utah
 
it would be great, (for me) to have a show that I could drive to. Really enjoyed the Seattle show both times I went. Selfishly, I'd want Blade West in WA, although I doubt that will happen again
 
DevinT said:
Both so Cal and northern Utah were hot beds of knife making back in the day. California had Bob Loveless, Red Watson, Jody Sampson, DE Henry etc…. Most of Utah’s influence came from Gil Hibben and from there came Steve Johnson and Buster Warenski and a long line of knife makers.

California is a great place to have a knife show. I’m hoping that SLC will develop into a stable and profitable place for Blade Show West.

Hoss
Click to expand...

I was lucky enough to have within 40 minute drive Bob Loveless, Bob Engath, Phil Hartsfield and in my home town was Rick Browne and Red Watson.
 
DevinT said:
I miss those guys. Back then, we made knives because we loved knives, money didn’t have much to do with it.

Hoss
Click to expand...
you don't mean you made knives "Just Because" do you ??? (he-he) yea the money part just buys more stuff to make "Toys" from like SS Damascus (he-he)
 
J. Hoffman said:
Can you please cite your source? I can't find anything banning ivory in UT.
Click to expand...
I just did a quick google search and it came up with this

People also ask
​



Can you sell ivory in Utah?


As of the 2016 National Strategy on Wildlife Trafficking law, it is illegal to sell ivory although there are some exceptions to the law. There are several pre-existing ivory items that fall under an ESA antiques exemption which can be sold within a person's state: Items must contain no more than 200 grams of ivory.

Guide to Selling Ivory Antiques Legally | LoveToKnow​

https://antiques.lovetoknow.com › antique-price-guides



Search
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top