First time going to a Gun & Knife Show in years...

[DAVE_M]

And boy did I get some laughs

Two of my buddies called me up and said they wanted to go ride out to the Gun & Knife Show, so I decided to tag along in hopes that I might find something of value, even if it were a $1 part. We get out there and start making our rounds. The first knife booth, with legitimate knives, was a larger table claiming to be the largest knife dealer in the state of Louisiana. It wasn't Knifeworks, so I had to chuckle :foot: The table was full of CRKT, Kershaw, Smith & Wesson, Gerber, and some no name junk. The lady at the booth was spoon feeding B.S. to everyone there while I slowly crept away to look at a giant chunk of curly maple on another table. Skipping along to the next few booths, I was amazed to see how many junk knives were made out of Damascus. I asked the scruffy man at the booth, "Who is the maker of these knives?" To which his response was, "I get them from a distributor." Golly Gee that sure answered my question :yawn: We slid down the aisle a few more booths to find the ever elusive mystery stainless steel zombie slayer double hand swords and wolverine claws! I'm sure the booth owner hated our group as we just laughed our way along the 30' long table of toxic green. A few rows down we found a booth selling what appeared to be legitimate Benchmade's and Spyderco's, or so we thought. One Benchmade in particular caught my eye, as I had never seen it before. It was a small liner lock, with a strange blade. I asked if it came with the box and papers and he said yes, but when he showed me the box, it was a dead giveaway. The box was a long thin black presentation style box with toxic green lettering. :thumbdn: At that point, I took a further look and inspected the Spyderco's. The cheaper models looked real, but the rest were horrible fakes.

Finally! We found a booth that was worth while. It was a small table setup with new and used knives of varying quality. Most notable was a Benchmade Bob Lum Tanto. I picked it up and began my inspection. Lockup was 90%+, I wouldn't doubt if it were ready to fail. No blade play, but the lock side was scratched to hell and back. Then I saw the price... $185 LOL NOPE! After that, we decided it was time to depart. For $8, I did get to see some interesting things and got to fondle a few knives, including the LionSteel Dendra Tiger Jump Flipper.

However, not all was lost! We ended up at Cabela's and I picked up a Gen 3 Glock 17 FDE on Clearance

 

[6.5swedesniper]

That must have been the Gonzales show. I've noticed the same thing there. Had to work this weekend, so I didn't make it this time. I too fondled the tiger jump last time I was there. Really felt good , even though the blade is a little thick for my taste. IMO the Kenner show is better, but it is a farther drive for me.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Honestly gun and knife shows arent what they used to be. The internet is the dealers worst enemy and the consumers best friend. The literally isnt anything you cant get cheaper on line and have it shipped to your door. Back in the day shows were the only way in my area to get decent knives. Especially if you wanted something special. Now its nothing more than a giant bud K catalog. Still I occasionally love seeing the free knife sharpening service using a stone wheel bench grinder.

 

[EChoil]

I find the gun shows to be hit and miss where knives are concerned. I've come out with a few good deals but most time is spent listening to lies and B.S. at most of the dealer booths. The latest one about a year ago----dealer told me Boker would repair the spring if it broke on their Kalashnikov AK-74 conversion auto under warranty. I bought the knife anyway and it's been a lot of fun. Boker damn sure won't replace the spring when it breaks though.

Where I do see obvious fakes of brand name knives I try to report it to the show promoter. If the same dealer appears again and again after I report it I'll then call an assignment editor at a local TV station and kick it up a little. Once media contact a show promoter they tend to clean things up a bit.

 

[corwise]

I went to the Raleigh Gun and Knife show this weekend. Mostly junk, although I did see a bunch of Kershaws being sold which was higher end then I expected. There was one table that had some very nice Sebenzas, Striders, and other high end knives. Pretty much a bust though.

 

[DAVE_M]

That must have been the Gonzales show. I've noticed the same thing there. Had to work this weekend, so I didn't make it this time. I too fondled the tiger jump last time I was there. Really felt good , even though the blade is a little thick for my taste. IMO the Kenner show is better, but it is a farther drive for me.

Yep, the good ole Lamar Dixon Center extravaganza... lol
That's funny that you tried the same knife!

Honestly gun and knife shows arent what they used to be. The internet is the dealers worst enemy and the consumers best friend. The literally isnt anything you cant get cheaper on line and have it shipped to your door. Back in the day shows were the only way in my area to get decent knives. Especially if you wanted something special. Now its nothing more than a giant bud K catalog. Still I occasionally love seeing the free knife sharpening service using a stone wheel bench grinder.

I usually don't mind paying a bit extra from a dealer. Nothing beats being able to try it out and have it in your hands immediately. However, $50-100+ over MSRP is insane and I don't see how dealers can try to sell the same over and over again.

 

[Forgedfixedblade]

Same here, it's horrible, I did pick up a 20 dollar Browning skinner that I liked, table next to him had Benchmades and I heard someone asking how he could sell them so cheap, I had a pretty good idea why.

 

[Blades&Bullets]

Can you report dealers selling counterfeits to representatives of the Gun Show? It seems like this is something they should take care of. Then again, they may not care as long as they get their $$$.

I was amazed to see how many junk knives were made out of Damascus. I asked the scruffy man at the booth, "Who is the maker of these knives?" To which his response was, "I get them from a distributor." Golly Gee that sure answered my question :yawn:
However, not all was lost! We ended up at Cabela's and I picked up a Gen 3 Glock 17 FDE on Clearance

Last gun show I went to had a table of Damascus knives starting around $60-75. I asked the guy were they made and he starting telling me about how 'most' of the work was done in Pakistan because they couldn't make them in the US and still make a profit....

Honestly gun and knife shows arent what they used to be. The internet is the dealers worst enemy and the consumers best friend. The literally isnt anything you cant get cheaper on line and have it shipped to your door. Back in the day shows were the only way in my area to get decent knives. Especially if you wanted something special. Now its nothing more than a giant bud K catalog

They have a few good deals, you just have to look for them.
BudK, that is probably 'scruffy's distributor.

 

[DallasSTB]

Here in Dallas we have surprisingly few "real" knife shops, so visiting these local Gun Shows is about the only way to physically handle and judge decent knife models. You have to wade through an ocean of crap to find them, but there are a select few small independent dealers that regularly sell quality knives at shows in DFW. I do try to hold my tongue as much as possible when the these sellers describe the virtues of their knives though. It makes the conversation much more pleasant.

Btw, that "ocean of crapola" is the best part of the show according to my 2 young boys. If I want their company going to the shows, I always have to bribe them with some $10 ninja stars or Cheapo air soft pistols or something. Ah well.

 

[DAVE_M]

Btw, that "ocean of crapola" is the best part of the show according to my 2 young boys. If I want their company going to the shows, I always have to bribe them with some $10 ninja stars or Cheapo air soft pistols or something. Ah well.

It's worth $8 to see some of the crap and definitely worth $8 if you happen to find a good deal, but some things I just shake my head at... Like the double dragon headed freddy krueger claws.

 

[TravisH]

Here in Dallas we have surprisingly few "real" knife shops, so visiting these local Gun Shows is about the only way to physically handle and judge decent knife models. You have to wade through an ocean of crap to find them, but there are a select few small independent dealers that regularly sell quality knives at shows in DFW. I do try to hold my tongue as much as possible when the these sellers describe the virtues of their knives though. It makes the conversation much more pleasant.

Btw, that "ocean of crapola" is the best part of the show according to my 2 young boys. If I want their company going to the shows, I always have to bribe them with some $10 ninja stars or Cheapo air soft pistols or something. Ah well.

I used to take my boys to the giant Dallas shows. Sometimes took 2 days to see everything. Had to bribe them with blowguns, rubber stars, plastic nunchakus, jerky, and cotton candy.


The recent show up here had a couple of good dealers with fair prices. One had a very nice selection and knowledgeable staff. Bought my Mora and supplies from them. And they let me fondle the Sebenza's without an escort.

 

[22-rimfire]

I went to a knife show in North GA this spring and totally enjoyed myself. I was on the hunt for Schrade USA knives that day and picked up a couple that were within my budget and within my expectations. Also to my surprise, I picked up an as-new Blackjack Trail guide. It was slipjoint heaven at that show. There were litterally thousands of old slip joints at that show. Yes, there were modern knives too. Ethan Becker even made an appearance. Anyway, I was pleased.

At gun shows, I generally am looking for things like SAKs, generally fondling knives, and meeting a few custom knife makers who might have a table. I enjoy them, but you seldom get any big bargains. Yes, there is a lot of junk, Pakistan stuff, along with cheap Frosts. But I still have fun.

As mentioned, used to be about the only way I would see many knives, but I now visit Blade in Atlanta and hit one of the big knife stores near the Smoky Mts a couple times a year to look at stuff and fondle. Last visit was a couple of months ago when I picked up a Condor El Salvador machete (wood handle) and a Condor Viking along with a Mora or two, kitchen knives, and odds and ends. I have fun during these visits.

 

[leghog]

Knives I've picked up at gun shows over the last 12 months or so.

Helle Harding. Since given away.

Helle Viking

Mora Companion Heavy Duty

Western S-109D

Schrade 108OT

Victorinox 108MM Solo Plus. Picked up two. Gave one away.

Imperial Barlow

Some of the knives I picked up at gunshows in the years past.

Case '65-'69 Half Congress

A couple of handmade fixed blades.

Victorinox 108mm GAK

Gravity knife

Couple of patch knives. One a forged flint striker. One an old file.

I find many gunshows great places to find knives, new, used, and vintage.

 

[22-rimfire]

Some gun shows are good for knives. Some gun shows aren't very good for guns if you are looking for extreme bargains. You just need to keep an open mind, bend with the show, and enjoy yourself.

I definitely think a knife dealer can sell Mora's at a gun show if they price them fairly.