Guild Show Table Holders

T

The Towcutter

Joined
Jan 16, 2001
Messages
166
I just went over the 2003 Guild Show Table Holders for this year. While there are tons of talented makers going to be there, there are also a bunch missing that were there last year. In fact almost every maker I wanted to visit with isn't going to be there. What gives? Is it to close to the Blade Show? Is it a lousy show from a sales point of view? Any ideas... I don't want to name names, but there are alot missing this year!:confused:
 
Well lots of the things you said are why. The Guild is not what it use to be and a lot of the people that are missing have quit the guild. This year it is way to close to the Blade show as well.
 
Where to start?
Yes, makers have been dropping out. Also consider that Guild members are only required to attend every third year. If it were a great show, we would want to go every year. And being so close to Blade, the layoff would be a relief.
I have been in the Guild since '98 and the level of infighting has increased every year. Makers are mostly tired of listening to the crap. I hate to give up on it, even though the benefits of belonging are few. It used to give the maker greater status. I don't know that it matters as much anymore. Several of my friends have already dropped out. I've been thinking about it.
The biggest issue has been over what constitutes handmade. It started with Bob Terzuola allegedly having all his parts laser cut, and has been raging ever since. I'm definitely not sitting on my back porch in my overalls finishing blades with a file. And I'm not going to lie when a customer asks me how I build their knives.
Sorry for rambling on. I guess the Guild has issues, huh?
JP
 
Originally posted by jpknives
It started with Bob Terzuola allegedly having all his parts laser cut, and has been raging ever since. JP
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There is nothing "allegedly" about Bob and laser cut parts. He lays two liner and the blade on the table, for all to see. All he does is remove the "grunt" work.

A.T.

http://www.customknives.com/
New knives added 6.08.03
"Don't you buy no ugly knife"
 
Point taken. I think we all use the technology available to us in varying degrees. I didn't want to imply that Bob couldn't build a wonderful folder w/o a laser, just that the debate started way back then with him.
JP
 
Originally posted by jpknives
I didn't want to imply that Bob couldn't build a wonderful folder w/o a laser, just that the debate started way back then with him.
JP
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I agree. He makes one heck of a folder. And,... IMO, his knives are as much handmade as mine.

A.T.

http://www.customknives.com/
New knives added 6.08.03
"Don't you buy no ugly knife"
 
Originally posted by A T Barr
There is nothing "allegedly" about Bob and laser cut parts. He lays two liner and the blade on the table, for all to see. All he does is remove the "grunt" work.
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I don't want to start a flame war and I apologize for the thread drift, but I don't know how someone can charge such prices as Bob with all of his grunt work done by machines. I guess his fit and finish justify the price??:confused: Technology is great. It makes things allot easier for all. But it is supposed to make things cheaper too.
 
Originally posted by TheBadGuy
I don't want to start a flame war
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No, no flame war.:) Laser cutting liners and blades is not much different from some makers having their, son, wife, friend, or whoever cut them out. After they are cut out, there is a *whole* lot of skill needed to produce a quality folder. That saves him about 30 minutes a knife.

A.T.

http://www.customknives.com/
New knives added 6.08.03
"Don't you buy no ugly knife"
 
Originally posted by TheBadGuy
I don't want to start a flame war and I apologize for the thread drift, but I don't know how someone can charge such prices as Bob with all of his grunt work done by machines. I guess his fit and finish justify the price??:confused: Technology is great. It makes things allot easier for all. But it is supposed to make things cheaper too.
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This is socialist BS. What determines the price of a knife isn't the cost of what went into it, but how much the market is willing to pay for it. :rolleyes: Would a maker be entitled to getting higher prices for their knives simply because they choose to use less technology? Of course not.
 
This is socialist BS. What determines the price of a knife isn't the cost of what went into it, but how much the market is willing to pay for it.
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Joss Your completely right. It is my choice to not pay the inflated prices for work thats not completely done by the maker. I am sure that people like Bob wouldn't go broke from the loss of sales to people like me.

Would a maker be entitled to getting higher prices for their knives simply because they choose to use less technology? Of course not.
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Yes, thats the difference between productiona and custom knives.


This is just my opinion and I knew it would upset people, but Oh freaking well. I am entitled to voice my opinions. Like I said, makers using this technology aren't hurting for my little knife budget :)
 
Originally posted by Joss
Would a maker be entitled to getting higher prices for their knives simply because they choose to use less technology? Of course not.
Click to expand...

IMO:), the problem is when the customer believes he/she is buying a *one* of a kind, not one of 1,000. That sure brings the value down on the secondary market.

Are those $40.00 kit knives worth $400, just because someone etches their name on the blade?:mad: What's the difference?

A.T.

http://www.customknives.com/
New knives added 6.08.03
"Don't you buy no ugly knife":mad:
 
I, for one, am not avoiding the Guild show. I just finished the Blade Show and for me, there isn't enough time in between to make anything for it. I'll be there next year.
 
I just came back from Blade and will be a the Guild show. It's a grind (pun intended) to do shows so close together but that's the profession I chose. I'm also doing the Denver show a month after Guild! I love shows, not just for the income but for the FUN. Hope to see y'all there. You can check out my laser cut blanks on my table where they have been since I introduced laser cutting in 1986 .BOB
 
Bob,

What a pleasant surprise to here that you will be here in Denver for the PKA. I am doing the show as well.

Will see you there.

Regards,

Bob Glassman
 
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