Disappointed in NY Knife Show

H

headshrinker

Joined
Nov 22, 2005
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8
I took a drive to Jersey City to attend the New York Knife Show, firstly it was a hellish drive, thru some of the worst neighborhoods I have seen in quite awhile. Secondly, and more importantly, the best knife makers at the show were by auction only. Hinderer, Emerson, and Begging had no knives for sale; Beeg having three left over knives, that we're priced at $1,300 and up. Emerson sold only production knives and t shirts. One maker stood out, in my opinion, was Wes Crawford and family. They had an excellent assortment of their work. I purchased one of their more elaborate custom creations for just over $1000, and was not disappointed. The quality and workmanship were second to none. I wanted to go to the show because we collectors rarely get to handle the products we covet. I heard so much about Strider, and that was what I originally intended to purchase, but after handling several I was not that impressed over the Zero Tolerance models I already have. I am glad I went, but the location and the selection would deter me from going again. I would rather travel to Pennsylvania to a dealer like Fred Eisen, that carries over a hundred customs.
 
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I'm glad I read this.^ Others have said the same thing.
It's getting crazy in Knifeland and crazy in general.
Have you ever used a Strider folder?
rolf
 
Lotteries are pretty much the only way to get customs from big name makers. I don't have an issue with it because it takes the pressure off of being the first one through the door and fighting to get to a table before the sell out.

YouTube and cnc machines have made for a lot of 'celebrity' makers.

Just make smart purchases and wait for the bubble to burst so you can be there to pick up the pieces.
 
I was pissed that I wasn't able to go but after reading this I guess I didn't miss out on much and I also probably saved myself a bunch of money:p
 
Lotteries are the only fair way of selling their knives.. If they sold them of the table just like everyone else, they would be soldout very quickly and to the people that got in the doors first.
 
I wanted to attend just to be able to handle all the knives. I have just stepped up into customs and higher end production so still knew to the game, but it sure helps to handle knives by different makers and get an idea of what I want. Lotteries really suck, but also do not and make the most sense otherwise tables would be cleaned out in 20 min buy people that were the first ones in.
 
I saw some photos from the show and was surprised at how low-tech it seemed.
The tables I saw had a few knives laid out on what looked like blankets. To me, the whole thing looked more like a flea market than a display of state-of the-art knife products.
 
Man, isn't that the truth. There are brand new makers who put a blade between two Ti slabs and charge over $1000 a knife, with zero track record. Yet there are other custom makers who have been around for decades, who sell their knives for under $1000. And they are made with exotic materials and superb F&F. But these old timers are not Youtube stars.

Scurvy092 said:
Lotteries are pretty much the only way to get customs from big name makers. I don't have an issue with it because it takes the pressure off of being the first one through the door and fighting to get to a table before the sell out.

YouTube and cnc machines have made for a lot of 'celebrity' makers.

Just make smart purchases and wait for the bubble to burst so you can be there to pick up the pieces.
Click to expand...
 
By "auction" do you mean lottery? If you mean hugest bidder wins, then it is no good. The auction format is fine for charity knives. It you mean lottery, in that your ticket being drawn gives you an option to buy at a set price, then that is a fair way to let everyone have a chance.

But at lotteries, beware, one of our fine members had a lovely custom slip joint snaked away while he was making his way to the table to claim it!
 
I'm fine with a maker having an open bid knife or two at the table. It gives them a chance to go different places with stuff ahs use crazy materials. It also gives them a chance to partake in their popularity without raising their take prices.

It sucks if you're a maker who sells your stuff for around 1000 only to see someone flip it for 2-5000 a few minutes later. Instead of raising their prices to current market levels then pissing people off and then being caught out when the bubble bursts. The open bid let's them benefit without screwing themselves.
 
It is a lottery based purchase, but from what I heard from several people is that those with special three day passes (many were bloggers and sellers) were allowed in two hours earlier in the day on Friday, further one had to be present at each lottery that were spread out during the day. How many of us "normal" people can attend a knife show and stand around for some twenty hours over three days waiting for a chance to bid on a knife?
P.S. I did not associate any one with Zero Tolerance models I own, I only meant to say that, in my opinion, after handling Strider knives, I did not think they were worth two or three times the price of my ZT 301.
 
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Stoney26 said:
Lotteries are the only fair way of selling their knives.. If they sold them of the table just like everyone else, they would be soldout very quickly and to the people that got in the doors first only to be turned around and sold at a 50% mark-up on the secondary market...
Click to expand...

I added the bold piece because it seemed to flow with what you said Stoney.

+1 on what Scurvy said... :thumbup: Gotta keep it fair.
 
headshrinker said:
One maker stood out, in my opinion, was Wes Crawford and family. They had an excellent assortment of their work. I purchased one of their more elaborate custom creations for just over $1000, and was not disappointed. The quality and workmanship were second to none.
Click to expand...

Sounds intriguing. Pix?
 
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