First show, need some advise.

JTknives

JTknives

Joined
Jun 11, 2006
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In a few weeks I will have a table at my very first show. Just a local gun/hunting show but I'm still excited. But I'm kinda concerned having many extremely sharp objects on the table, how do you guys deal with this. Also I'm not going to have a bizzilion knives to fill an entire 8 foot table so I'm looking for ideas to dress up the table to make it look good and be educational and maybe show kinda what I do. I don't want a table with just 10 or so knives in the middle lol. Also planing on doing a free drawing for a Damascus striker and a $2 raffle for a knife. Thanks guys and any other tips you have to make this a smooth experance I would be greatly thankful for.
 
I dont want to get myself in trouble again, but here's what i would have done, had i went to a show and had a table before. Personally I think there are some things you can add that would show the process. I find that people who see my knives or find out i make knives ask where i get my blades. It seems that the idea of me actually forging and grinding them never occurred to them. Take a bar of steel, a forged profile or a profiled blade, a beveled blade, maybe a couple blocks of different handle materials. These things show some of the process and the work involved, and that each knife really is hand made. People will pick stuff up if its just sitting there, so if you plan to have them accessible, make sure you put a sign that says something to the effect of "please use caution, knives are extremely sharp". I feel that gun shows are mostly adults, and if an adult picks up a knife or handles it in a way that they manage to cut themselves, they are probably dumb enough the sign wont help, but at least its there. A photo album of previous work or shop action shots can be an attention grabber as well. Make sure you take a soft cloth or towel because you will be wiping finger prints and smudges all day. The knife raffle could be a good idea but depending on the crowd may not be a money maker so keep that in mind when deciding which knife to raffle, as far as your expenses into it.
 
Grayzer86 said:
IPersonally I think there are some things you can add that would show the process. I find that people who see my knives or find out i make knives ask where i get my blades. It seems that the idea of me actually forging and grinding them never occurred to them. Take a bar of steel, a forged profile or a profiled blade, a beveled blade, maybe a couple blocks of different handle materials./QUOTE]

This is such a true point. While I have not done shows, people LOVE the idea of seeing the knife in the different stages and more than that the idea of customizing the knife. Granted, I have a few more woods than the average maker to show clients, but showing them all the different shapes and steels and woods really gets people thinking.

Another note is that while touching is a little annoying to deal with, research consistantly shows people want to buy things more and are willing to pay more if they hold them. So "under a watchful eye, people can have some sticky fingers" let them handle the blades! If you are bringing chef knives I would advise you have a cutting board on hand some people can feel the roll of blade, and maybe bring along some sheets of paper or pine dowel, people love to see and feel the edge of a knife in action.


"my sources on the touching comment"

http://content.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1889081,00.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-stores-make-you-spend-more-2014-1
Click to expand...
 
I should weld up a billet and bring it but leave it in its first welded state where you can see All that layers in the stack. Honestly I'm going mostly becaus I want to spread the word around my local community. And might pick up some additional orders from people seeing that o make custom knives and thy have always wanted X knife. I'm bringing a few Damascus blades to show off as thoes always seam to grab the eyes. I like the idea about a photo albums and also some pictures of WIP. Thinks guys
 
Where is the gun show you are going to?

I agree with the bring raw materials and showing progress, so people get it.

I have to say, you are going to get a lot of people at a gun show who know nothing about knives.
 
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My first thought was the same as the others. Samples of various stages of the making of your knives would be an interesting way to fill up the table. Also, bring a friend or family member who can keep you company at your table. That way you have a backup set of eyes to keep on the merchandise while you are busy talking to a customer. They can also take over for a few minutes if you have to hit the restroom. Don't forget your business cards and any swag you might have like stickers etc. Good luck and have fun.
 
JT , say hello to Bob Brothers for me if he is there . He use to live in Colville .
 
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Take a few raw materials to show the process as others have suggested. Leave knives out and encourage folks to pick them up. The first step to buying one is picking it up. I have a nice walnut sign that I prop up with antlers. I put each knife with the sheath for it. Get a table cloth to cover the table. Talk to everybody you can. People want to know the maker and a conversation can lead to more. There are usually a ton of production knives at shows so I would have something that lets people know that yours are handmade. Don't get too fancy that it takes away from your work. I like things symmetrical and in order. My biggest problem is that 90 percent of the people that pick up a knife put it back down facing the wrong way or upside down. I spend a lot of time reorganizing my table but that's just a little of my OCD I guess! Good luck!
 
Thank you guys for all the tips. I was woried I was just going to have a 8 foot table with a few knives in the middle. I like the raw material idea as I have it happen to. Oh you make knives, sweet, where do you get your blades. Just putting a handle on a knife does not make you a knife maker. I also like the idea of a photo album of pictures of knives bring made and at different steps, I have lots of pictures.
 
Good topic JT. My first show is coming up in April.

Aside from knives, I'll be bringing a few pieces of wood to sell, a photo album with previous works, business cards, and my brother to talk to.

If I have any unfinished knives I may bring those as well. I like the idea of people seeing the process we go through to get to the final product.
 
I think if it was a dedicated show like blade you might not need the steps or raw stages as you have a specific crowd. But a gun show is just a big mix of exert body. I like the box of bandaids on the table as well lol.
 
I have noticed that some makers will put out a few less expensive pieces on their tables in order to drive customers to them. I was thinking of doing some simple forged 1084 knives with hemp wrapped handles, and maybe kydex sheaths. Not my usual style, but it will help fill the table.

I don't think I will get around to those until my other fancier knives are done.
 
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