How many knives for a show?

[Jason Fry]

How many knives is the "right" number for a show table? Too few and you leave money at home. Too many and you look like you don't sell any knives, and you visually overwhelm your customers. Where's the "just right" point?

 

[Erik Fritz]

My opinion, take it for what you paid for it. This is something I have struggled with since I went to my first show. What I have come away with is quality over quantity. What is hot at one show will not be at the next. For example you may make a couple of hunters that sell really well right out the gate at the show and everything else sits for the weekend. The next show you make six hunters and they will sit on your table. What do we learn from this? I don';t know I can't figure it out. What I do know is if you make 4-6 knives of the best quality you can make even if you sell out of a certain styles you can take orders if your design/fit/finish/quality is there collectors will order. If you try to bring to many I believe that it overwhelms possible customers and if you have a turd in the pile they wonder what is wrong with the rest of your knives. Build the best ones you can and spend time on the finished product rather than spending time on cranking out to many knives. Like I said take my advice for what you paid for it............Erik

 

[Lon Humphrey]

i dont know about numbers. im sure if any of you have ever seen me at blade show know i like to bring as many as i can fit on the table. my thoughts are if you have a knife that languishes on the table for 2 or 3 shows get rid of it give it away or throw it over the hill, cut the price and move the damn thing. collectors see this same knife on the table show after show and it is like having a dead cat somewhere close you might not be able to see it but you can smell it and it will drive them away

just my 2 cents

 

[Kevin Jones]

I've been asked this question quite a few times and my answer is always the same, you only take the number of knives that are the absolute very best you can make.
I believe one of the biggest mistakes newer knifemakers make is having a table full of mediocre knives as opposed to having 3-4 that are their very best.

 

[james terrio]

Bring everything you're proud of and think might sell.

Too many and you look like you don't sell any knives, and you visually overwhelm your customers.

Am I the only one who's ever thought of leaving some in a box under the table?

 

[Kevin Jones]

Bring everything you're proud of and think might sell.


Am I the only one who's ever thought of leaving some in a box under the table?

That can be risky.
For example, suppose I visit your table on day one and purchase a knife, then my buddy shows me a knife which I like more or perhaps seems a better value that he bought off your table on day two that was not there when I visited your table.
Then you may have angered a customer.

 

[Murray White]

There is a difference when having too many knives and having a lot of knives many of which are very different. The best proponent of this was Ron Gaston who often had a multitude of very well made knives with lots of different handle materials and styles from hunter, boot, fighter to dagger and was always a pleasure to visit and buy knives from. Also, I have been to shows that Harvey McBurnette was at and I have seen him sell 35 knives and maybe take less than 6 home -- actually 5 the day I recall as I bought one from him when the show was almost over and I still have it today. Variety and quality make the difference. I have also seen tables where the knife quality and variety left much to be desired and most of them were on the table at the end of the show. And boy does Kevin hit the head right on the nail. Nothing would bother me more than to buy a knife from a maker only to find out a friend bought one I preferred that came on the table after I had made my purchase. you can imagine the thoughts!!!

 

[Murphnuge]

I'm subscribing. This is something we've struggled with since our decision to attend Blade a couple months ago.

 

[Ed Fowler]

The way I see it is that a show is just - that a show. I take as many knives as I can, I have no desire to sell out, I feel the last person to come into the show has paid the price and has the expectation of seeing knives. I believe that empty tables hurt attendance to future shows and discourage visitors, some come to buy, some come to look, or just visit with makers and pay the price of admission to do so.

My thoughts of makers who pack up and leave early are well known.

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

The way I see it is that a show is just - that a show. I take as many knives as I can, I have no desire to sell out, I feel the last person to come into the show has paid the price and has the expectation of seeing knives. I believe that empty tables hurt attendance to future shows and discourage visitors, some come to buy, some come to look, or just visit with makers and pay the price of admission to do so.

My thoughts of makers who pack up and leave early are well known.

God bless you! :thumbup:


My advice is to take as many different examples of your very best work that you can, and show them. I see no good point in "artifically" limiting the number of knives you bring when you can do he same thing torganically anyway simply by spending more time on each knife that you bring to take its fit and finish to the Nth degree of perfection, to add appropriate embellishments, etc. But I am not a big one anyway for a bunch of reindeer games, such as trying to look like your knives are sold out, and other such nonsense.

 

[Don Hanson III]

I start making knives 5-8 weeks before a show and make as many as I can finish.

Gotta start thinking about the Really Big Show comin up!

 

[Jason Fry]

I start making knives 5-8 weeks before a show and make as many as I can finish.

Gotta start thinking about the Really Big Show comin up!

That's pretty much what I do as well. I built a new grinder since my last show, and so the number of knives in my pre-show run-up is more than it was in years past, even though my quality is also better. I figure to have 17 or 18 done, but it would take selling 5-7 of them to make the price of one Don Hanson

 

[james terrio]

The problem with these conversations about how to set up a table is that we often forget, there's a person behind the table. Contrary to what we often hear, almost nothing "sells itself". Makers need to engage people. If they're not comfortable working directly with buyers, perhaps they should focus less on shows and get to work with some dealers.

That can be risky.

Not if the maker has any marketing skills. What's wrong with having the presence of mind to ask folks if there's anything else they might also be interested in? There's no need to be pushy about it, but a good salesperson in any field will always try to up-sell or add one more item to the invoice while the customer already has their wallet out... even many online retailers put up "you might also like..." etc.

 

[Snody]

How many knives is the "right" number for a show table? Too few and you leave money at home. Too many and you look like you don't sell any knives, and you visually overwhelm your customers. Where's the "just right" point?

The advice I offer is based on 16 years of attending shows.


Your question is like asking what is the best bait for fishing without telling us what kind of fish you wish to catch.

Are you fishing for crappie or blue fin tuna?

Do you build Tactical Knives at a pricepoint under $400.00? (you better bring about 100)

Do you build Art Knives at a pricepoint above $4,000.00? (you better bring about 3)

Do you build ABS Bowies at a pricepoint about $2,000.00? (you better bring about 8)

I work to support my family. I work as hard as I can to give my three sons the best life possible.
It costs alot of money to raise a family of five in a brick house and prepare to send your kids to college.
I go to knife shows to make money.. I start selling my knives when I hit the airport.
I will sell my show knives to the Haitian Taxi Driver taking me to my hotel.
I will sell my show knives to the Security Guard working the show door.
When I sell out one of my friends takes over my table to greet people and I get on an airplane and go home.
If I sell out in two hours I go tell everyone goodbye and I go back to Texas to be with my sons and my dogs.
I do not like being away from my family.

Knifemakers are all different.

Some knifemakers have families to support
Some knifemakers live with their parents.
Some knifemakers like to be broke and live in poverty
Some knifemakers like to make as much money as possible

I always thought I was really selling myself short if I do not provide the best life possible for my family.

For the life of me I can not fathom limiting my output because of fear of "saturating" an imaginary market.

We have over 1 million millionaires living in the United States and I know knifemakers who think if they make more than 50 knives per year they will Saturate their market.

I used to work as a welder and I never shut down early for fear of creating too many welds.. Can you imagine telling your boss " I think I will go home at noon, I do not want to saturate the market with my welds.

I hope everyone has a great day everyone and stay safe in your shop.

 

[Snody]

The problem with these conversations about how to set up a table is that we often forget, there's a person behind the table. Contrary to what we often hear, almost nothing "sells itself". Makers need to engage people. If they're not comfortable working directly with buyers, perhaps they should focus less on shows and get to work with some dealers.



Not if the maker has any marketing skills. What's wrong with having the presence of mind to ask folks if there's anything else they might also be interested in? There's no need to be pushy about it, but a good salesperson in any field will always try to up-sell or add one more item to the invoice while the customer already has their wallet out... even many online retailers put up "you might also like..." etc.

Outstanding Post..
Much Respect

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Good thread.
I will attend my first show next year and I am even thinking about getting a table. If I do and I am really lucky with shop time, I may have 3-4 knives to bring at best. What I was thinking is:

Can you ask buyers to leave their knives there until the end of the show?

 

[Snody]

Good thread.
I will attend my first show next year and I am even thinking about getting a table. If I do and I am really lucky with shop time, I may have 3-4 knives to bring at best. What I was thinking is:

Can you ask buyers to leave their knives there until the end of the show?

Yes you can but remember that some neophyte will be handling a paid customers knife and if he drops it on the floor and chips the handle it will not be good.
People spit all over the table knives when they talk and it cause corrosion.. Some Veteran Makers call it Table Rash..

Just be cautious about leaving paid knives out on the table..
Your work is incredible and I am sure you will sell out quickly.

 

[Joe Watson]

I'm a rookie as far as shows go, so I don't have much advice. Just what I've found out so far.

As Snody pointed out, I try and do my thing based on what I'm selling.

I'm not making art knives or collectors pieces, and my knives are comparatively inexpensive. I'm also not a big name, so that automatically means likely making less per knife. Quantity is the only way I'm gonna make any money at this point. That means 18 hr grind-a-thons several times a week, on top of all the other fun logistics.

As far as putting stuff under the table-I sure do. I've found that by that through talking with people, if they like my style and are looking for something they don't see, they'll ask.

Say I have a tanto with a black handle on the table, if I have more like it in other formats, I put it on a card underneath the blade, or inform them by telling them: "I also have this in OD, coyote, red, etc.) That is how I've avoided some dude coming back pissed about selection.

I don't see much mention of this, but I personally am real worried about stickyfingers as well. Maybe I'm paranoid from the Army or security gigs. I don't want more blades out in the open than I can keep an eye on. It is hard to talk to a potential customer, giving them your attention while there are other folks at the table picking stuff up, possibly pocketing it, etc. It is a real simple tactic thief teams use, one is a distraction, one swipes the goods. Others rolling solo simply see an opening and get it done. I saw two dudes pull this at a convenience store the other day while I was in line waiting to pay for my Monster. One was paying with a bunch of change, when the clerk was distracted, his buddy swiped up a couple sets of colored contact lenses off the counter.

Jason, I'm guessing you're talking about the Lone Star Knife Expo? I'm planning to set up there too, but I'm a bit worred about them combining it with a gunshow this year. We'll see how it shakes out!

 

[Snody]

I'm a rookie as far as shows go, so I don't have much advice. Just what I've found out so far.

As Snody pointed out, I try and do my thing based on what I'm selling.

I'm not making art knives or collectors pieces, and my knives are comparatively inexpensive. I'm also not a big name, so that automatically means likely making less per knife. Quantity is the only way I'm gonna make any money at this point. That means 18 hr grind-a-thons several times a week, on top of all the other fun logistics.

As far as putting stuff under the table-I sure do. I've found that by that through talking with people, if they like my style and are looking for something they don't see, they'll ask.

Say I have a tanto with a black handle on the table, if I have more like it in other formats, I put it on a card underneath the blade, or inform them by telling them: "I also have this in OD, coyote, red, etc.) That is how I've avoided some dude coming back pissed about selection.

I don't see much mention of this, but I personally am real worried about stickyfingers as well. I don't want more blades out in the open than I can keep an eye on. It is hard to talk to a potential customer, giving them your attention while there are other folks at the table picking stuff up, possibly pocketing it, etc.

Jason, I'm guessing you're talking about the Lone Star Knife Expo? I'm planning to set up there too, but I'm a bit worred about them combining it with a gunshow this year. We'll see how it shakes out!

That is a great post dude.
Having knives under the table is the only way to fly in my opinion.

I get excited when I see knifemakers approaching things from a profit/loss standpoint as opposed to this Romantic Concept of us Spending thousands of dollars to travel to a show so we can stand behind a table for three days and talk to "Tire Kickers" who are just there to look.
If you want to look at my knives go to SnodyLand USA here on Bladeforums where we have a gallery of over 1,000 high resolution images.
If you want to know my biography go to SnodyLand USA here on Bladeforums where I have links to over 400 videos showing everything you could ever want to know about me and my knives. We have worked literally thousands of hours to have this content available to the World so they can make informed decisions prior to attending a show.

If you want to buy a knife come to my table at a show and buy a knife.
Much Respect from Texas.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Yes you can but remember that some neophyte will be handling a paid customers knife and if he drops it on the floor and chips the handle it will not be good.
People spit all over the table knives when they talk and it cause corrosion.. Some Veteran Makers call it Table Rash...

Thanks for the input. That is one of the things I am worried about. Maybe at least bring one personal knife not for sale so that there is at least one to the end of the show.
Thanks for the good words.