Buying custom knives at knife shows, good deals or not?

[magilla]

The Blade Show West will be coming to California in October. Seems far off but as I am itching to buy a custom knife to wear on my belt, I am very much looking forward to it. I was looking for comments regarding the above mentioned post. I wanted to hear from makers, sellers, and experienced buyers. Inevitably someone will inquire as to what I mean by good deal. In response to this, I will say a good deal to me is a quality product for a wholesale price.
Thanks much,
Mike

 

[lifter4Him]

no offense, but if you're not a dealer, why would a maker give you a knife at the wholesale price? Knifemakers are entitled to make a living too. They put a price on a knife after figuring what they need to make on it. If you figure out the price of a knife by the amount of time put into it, most makers do not make alot of money per hour.
The good part of buying at a show is that you get to handle the knife and inspect it before buying.
BTW, check out Darrel Ralph and David Broadwell's knives at the show. I cant say enough good about these 2-they each did me a big favor in the last couple of months at no charge. And neither of them knew me before I emailed them to ask what it would cost(I dont wanna say what they did for me so they dont get swamped with 50 requests).
Anyway, enjoy yourself at the show.

------------------
Dave (Phil.4:13)
I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me

 

[Burke]

If you want a good deal on a knife to use, buy a used knife. If you want a good deal on a brand new custom, buy from a high-quality, low-priced maker, like Bob Dozier. But it's a little rediculous to say that a good deal is wholesale price. After all, makers have to make a living, and it costs them money upfront to go to shows, ship their knives, etc. I'm sure most reputable makers already price their knives as low as they are able, so to me it seems almost sleazy to haggle for a lower price. Guess my .02 cents are up now.

 

[Paracelsus]

Mike, the economics of custom knife buying are entirely different from production knives. There really is no such thing as a 'wholesale' price. You are paying for a makers time, experience, knowledge and reputation. Most custom knives have an asking price. That is not different at a show.

Most custom knife dealers sell knives for near the makers normal price. Obviously the dealer is getting a price break, but this pays the maker back in advertising by exposing his work to a larger knife buying market.

The best thing you can do before the show is to decide on first, the style of knife you are most interested in. Fixed or folder? working knife or fancy folder? natural handles or synthetics? Once you know sort of know what you want, try to select a few makers who make that style of knife. Look at www.knifeart.com and www.arizonacustomknives.com and www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com and www.bladegallery.com and www.nordicknives.com

Here is where it gets tricky.

The work of all makers is not equivalent in price Or quality. Some are better than others. Some relatively new makers produce a very exceptional product for much less money than others. And some new makers with a relatively poorly made product charge just as much as long time, established and credentialed makers with an outstanding history of work.

I suggest you try to select one to three makers who produce the kind of thing you are looking for. Look them over. Ask LOTS of questions. Makers love it when they know that their customer is actually interested in Using their knives.

Buy what you like and you will never be dissapointed. I never buy knives thinking about their potential return as investments. The stock market does much better than knives. Searching for the Perfect knife is most of the fun. The quest will never end.

Welcome to the world of customs!

Please look at this recent thread in the custom forum on Haggling at knifeshows:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001288.html

Paracelsus

My custom knives:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=953840&a=6978796

 

[Bronco]

Mike,
I'd hate for you to miss your chance, so doublecheck your calendar

. It looks like Blade Show West will be going down in September: http://www.krause.com/shows/bladewest/bladewest.html

------------------
Semper Fi

-Bill

 

[Boriqua]

The good deal part comes from being able to buy some things that have a super long wait period. And have the ability to fondle them before hand. For me and other sick knife Aquireers like me its nice to be able to buy A Polowski, Randall, Martin and so many other customs that usually require a 6 months wait or more. Much more. right there on the spot.

------------------
ALex

http://home.att.net./~a.boriqua

 

[memnoch]

i have to recomend al polkowski. 1st rate knives, and a very nice guy to boot.

i was going to post pictures of his stuff from the last show, but i havent gotten around to it quite yet. ive been swamped and im trying to figute out how to do it.

sooner or later ill get those picts up.

buy a polecat, you will be glad you did.

 

[sing]

I agree with Alex. The "deal" is in being able to handle the knives and to look close, and being able to purchase what you like then and there. It's nice to be able to look at the knives on the internet sites. Sometimes you buy and find the knife is just not quite right for you... The next best thing is to probably go right to the maker and talk about what you want as specifically as possible. And be ready for a wait if the maker is good and famous. There are makers who are good and not as famous with a lesser wait.

sing

AKTI #A000356

 

[HJK]

Knife shows are great for many reasons, most them of already said by the posters above. But to answer what I think you were asking, yes, I think that if you are going to get a good price on a custom you're probably you may have a chance of getting it at a show. Some makers do give a little better price and many give you a chance to buy something you couldn't get unless you ordered it and waited a very long time. But you should check out the threads on haggling etc. I wouldn't push a good maker on price,at least not much, out of respect for his art and his time. Some dealers are a little more receptive, but not too often. The custom world is different than production. If it's really hand made and the price isn't inflated, it's a personal thing you're dealing with. If you have a good personal relationship, a continuing one where you order and buy repeatedly, the opportunities will be there. But it's a two way street. That's MHO