Gun / Knife Show question

panch0

panch0

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
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I am going to do a gun show in a few months hopefully. I wanted to see how many knives, variety of knives and/or other things you take to make the outing profitable? I was planning on 10-12 knives 3-4 different styles with different type of handle materials. I am not sure how micarta or g10 will sell? Thanks!
 
Take a decent range of stuff. If you sell anything at a gun show it's more likely to be your lower-priced stuff. It's the same old "$1000 for a gun?" Check. "$1500 for glass for gun?" Check. "My god! $100 for a KNIFE!?!?!?!?! I can go to WalMart and blahblahblah".

For your sake I hope I'm wrong, but that's the story I've heard most often....

-d
 
deker said:
Take a decent range of stuff. If you sell anything at a gun show it's more likely to be your lower-priced stuff. It's the same old "$1000 for a gun?" Check. "$1500 for glass for gun?" Check. "My god! $100 for a KNIFE!?!?!?!?! I can go to WalMart and blahblahblah".

For your sake I hope I'm wrong, but that's the story I've heard most often....

-d
Click to expand...

Yea I guess I better get ready for those comments. I am going to have my wife put me down from now till then to thicken up the hide some more.:cool:
 
Gun/Knife shows definitely present you with a different class of buyer versus an all Knife show. Expect to get a lot of what Deker mentioned, but every now and then you do run into someone who knows about custom knives and their value. Many years ago I used to do the local Gun/Knife show...the best I ever did was to trade one of my knives for a used Remington 700 BDL. Cash wise, the highest dollar knife I ever sold was $300...but that was a one time thing. After a few times around, I realized that I was wasting 3 days of shop time, and could make more $$ filling orders in the shop.

That being said, a person has got to start somewhere, and most makers do it via the Gun/Knife shows. It does give a venue to get your name out there, and to practice your "show skills".
 
I'll third what Rob and Ed are saying. Personally, I'll never do a gun & knife show again... unless maybe it was the big one in Vegas or something. I did a couple, and I got so sick and tired of the attitudes I was dealing with.

I actually had several, "I can get a knife at Wal-Mart for $30!!!" comments. :rolleyes:

There was the guy who came back repeatedly offering me $45 for a knife I had listed at $185...even after I explained in detail the costs to make it, as well as the time involved.

The BEST though, the ABSOLUTE BEST... was the Indian fella who stood in front of my table like a drunken street side preacher telling people that I was selling lies, that my knives were not what I said they were, and that I was trying to sell them all bull-shit.

I was 22 and had no idea how to handle it. I'd kick in right square in the balls now ;)

Frank, I REALLY REALLY hope the gun&knife shows are different in your neck of the woods.

In all fairness, I did end up selling a knife and taking an order for one from a fella who looked like he wouldn't be able to afford a newspaper!!! :foot: :)
 
The only person I had ever seen do good selling cutting devices at gun/knife shows was Rob Chriswell back in the 90's. The first time I had met him was at a 3 day show. I was there all day Friday and Saturday morning with out a sale and little interest in my knives. Rob table was next to mine. Rob showed up at 1pm Saturday and by 3pm he was sold out and on his way home. It always amazed me how news of his arrival spread.

I find it hard enough trying to sell knives at a knife show. Gun/Knife Shows are all about the gun pretty much.
 
Frank, even at the Blade Show, it's not unusual to see tables with only 6,8,10 knives on them.
Don't get discouraged if you don't sell many, remember you're also there to create awareness of yourself and your craft.
As for the attitudes and annoying comments....that comes with the territory when dealing with the public.
Hope you have a good experience.
 
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