Custom show strategy

dsvirsky

dsvirsky

Joined
Aug 2, 1999
Messages
1,910
Michael's thread, "What would you do w/ $600?" brought to mind a similar quandary that I'll be facing next month. The South Eastern Custom Knife Show will not only be my first big custom show, but also the first custom show where I'll have buying intentions (and the money to back them up). However, there's nothing specific I'm looking for, except, of course, the "perfect" knife.

There'll be several makers at the show that I could just hand my money to and say, "Please sir, may I have a knife?" and walk away happy (well, yeah, they'd actually have to give me a knife in exchange for my money :)). I could also spend all day Saturday going from table to table, look at lots of knives, and then go back to buy the knife/knives that I like best -- only to find that they were all sold while I was looking elsewhere. :(

So, how about some recommended strategies?

Thanks.
 
Actually, it was my wife that ended up giving me the following strategy for just such an occasion.

When looking at a knife, there are three classifications (for me)
1) This knife is unbelievable - I have to have it - buy it on the spot.

2) I really like this knife, but it doesn't reach out and yank my chain. - Wait and look around so you have money if you find a #1.

3) I really think this knife is cool/interesting/novel, and I really like it pretty well - generally I am inclined to buy it as such knives (particularly if made by reputable guys) can be sold later if you see a #1, and such knives have a tendency to grow on me.

It also helps that in general I have certain classes and specifications of knives that I am interested in (like a certain size, user vs. art, fixed vs. folder, etc). So far I have never bought one I regretted, but there are definately some I wish I hadn't left on the table.

Good luck!
 
i had the same problem at blade show.
i KNEW i had to get to kit's table FAST because he would sell out.so i bolted to his table as soon as the doors opened,grabbed my two knives, and then enjoyed the show. that was all i had to have,the rest were just extra toys ;)

if youve got your mind set on something be in line before the doors open and RUN if necessary to get it. after that,just stroll around end enjoy.
 
If you want a certain knife,do not snooze,[walk away] I've had a few get away like that.
 
It took me a couple of years to develop a Successful show strategy, but this is basically it:

1. Budget ahead of time and bring cash
2. Research the show, know who will be there, and ask for a table map when you go in so you can find people you want to see first, first
3. Go early, be there at opening, or earlier if possible
4. Try to know what you want before you go. Makers, styles, sizes, etc. Do not buy a makers Name. Go to buy knives. I do not like every knife my favorite makers make.
5. Go see your favorite makers early and if a knife fits your criteria, do not walk away, buy it
6. Pick up knives that your eye draws you to. Then close your eyes. Sometimes knives don't Feel as good as they look. Or the reverse. Let your hand inform your eyes.
7. Do your buying quickly and then enjoy the show
8. Do not spend all your cash and then start writing checks or paying with VISA. Be firm in your resolve not to enter bankruptcy (I admit blowing my show budget by Three fold at one show).
9. Remember that there are Always more knives that you Want than you can Afford
10. Have fun!

Paracelsus
 
there's a 3-day show down in Denver this weekend. Only time I can get there is the middle of the last day. From what you gents with experience at these events are saying, I get the distinct feeling it's going to be reminiscent of the year we ran out of Halloween candy early due to unexpected hordes of kids, so I went to the supermarket in search of candy on Halloween night only to find a vast barren wasteland of empty shelves. Will I find nothing to look at Sunday afternoon but a broken bag of Neccos?
 
"Will I find nothing to look at Sunday afternoon but a broken bag of Neccos?"

Ginsu. :p
 
Or you could take the “divine intervention” approach – see something you want, but can’t really buy…wait until the end of the show, if by some miracle it’s still there buy it!

In Eugene I did this, and it kept me from buying a bunch of knives I wanted but couldn't really afford ;)

~Mitch
 
my advice is to take way more money than you could imagine spending, cause you will need it all. :)
 
Originally posted by Paracelsus
Do your buying quickly and then enjoy the show
Click to expand...

I wish I had remembered this.

I bought a Mayo TnT fairly early, then spent the next couple hours looking for a knife that didn't exist. I skipped over a lot because it wasn't what I had in mind for the amount of $$$ I had left.

I skipped the show today, because I didn't want to spend any more money. I just realized though, that I could go up tomorrow with absolutely no intention of BUYING anything and just check out some great knives to put on my list for the future. Wish I'd thought of that this morning. :-(

Mike
 
Im not saying you shouldnt do that.....but if you read my first post you will understand what I mean....you get there and then, with no money in your pocket, start figuring out how you can get what you want, down to trading the guy your old car!! :(
 
Actually, I have had some pretty good luck on "last days" of knife shows. I certainly found that all of the "name" knifemakers have probably sold out, but this is also a better time to talk to them, as they don't have as much gear on the table to sell, so they can be a bit more relaxed as well. Also, it can be a great time to talk to them about a true "custom" knife that you and they design together and they make for you. I'm having that done right now in fact.

Also, it can be a great time to tour the tables of some of the lesser known knifemakers who may have had trouble moving some of their knives. In one case I picked up a hand hammer forged damascus utility knife, with an integral twisted handle, about 7" blade really interesting pattern and well made from a Danish maker for about $100. He had been asking more earlier in the show, it hadn't moved, and he reduced the price. I'm very happy with it. Particularly at the really big shows, there are always guys that still have alot of stock for whatever reason at the end of the show. In alot of cases it is quite good, maybe just not as trendy, or maybe they had a bad table location or whatever. Remember, every Tom Mayo or Ken Onion had knife shows where they were the new guy making really nice stuff, but no one had found them yet.

So, don't dispair. You may not find what you originally thought you were looking for, but that isn't always a bad thing.
 
I never go to a show looking for something specific. Something has to "grab" me. It has to be so beautiful that I can't live without it.

Sometimes you get lucky if you buy early in the show, and the knife later wins an award. I bought a very lovely Jerry Hossum scalpel-style trout and bird knife early in a show, and he asked me to leave it on his table, because it was in the competition. He said that he would throw in a sheath if it won and I would let him take it back home. Long story short, it won Best Trout and Bird, and I got a sheath out of the deal along with a copy of the winning certificate. It gave me more confidence in my "eye" for a beautiful knife, because the judges liked it too!

Mikey - Littleton, CO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top