Knife Show Drawings

Dan is about as fair a dealer, promoter, collector as you'll find in this world. I really have no complaint, that I need to voice, about any of the promoters, or shows that I attend, it's part of the business and they do their very best. Every show has this or that item that bugs someone, me included and if I have a concern it's good to discuss it with the promoter, but they, in the end, have the final word. They are in the business - as a business. We need to give and take it seems, but I know that sometimes things can get frustrating, from both sides. I do appreciate the fact that there are shows to go to and the promoter has to have the chance to make some money, if possible. Dan and Pam are at most shows, putting their name in the box, never asking for special favors. I'm sure that the custom knife business would be miles behind where we are now without purveyors, or shows. One day, John Young will bring enough knives for everyone to get the one they want. It really is hard to try to figure out what will be good to put on your table. Thanks for all the comments, it has helped me in my looking at the situation. I hope we can just keep this great association with such great people going on and on.
 
Last edited:
dbl-edge said:
You mean you got makers to agree to NOT sell out to dealers up in their rooms the night before the show opens? Did all the makers actually honor their pledges?

David (who probably shouldn't have declined the offer to join this show several years ago!)
Click to expand...

1. EVERY maker had knives on the table for sale on Saturday morning.:thumbup:for Dan!

2. The Evening of the Cutlery Arts Show that Dan had running 3 or 4 times was AWESOME....I have encouraged him to do it again, very high sell through, and all attendees seemed to enjoy it very much. Had a GREAT evening with Todd Begg there in 2008.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
dbl-edge said:
You mean you got makers to agree to NOT sell out to dealers up in their rooms the night before the show opens? That's got to be the biggest complaint from potential buyers. Did all the makers actually honor their pledges? That's more than any other show promoter that I know of has been able to do!
Click to expand...

David I did something only lottery shows had been able to do before.

This is copied from my website: http://plazacutlery.com/PCcustomknifeshowMain.htm

"One difference is each knife maker will be asked to sign a pledge that they will not sell any knives till the show opens to the public and then wait 10 minutes so everyone has a chance to get to the knife maker they want to see. Some knife maker such as John Young, Ernie Emerson and Ken Onion will do drawings a little later after opening. Each maker at 10:10 will then sell his knives and if more then one person wants the same knife they will do a drawing for that knife. Each maker will have a deck of "Plaza Cutlery" playing cards. Hopefully each person gets what they want if you are there first thing. We will also post the names of the makers below who make the pledge and the one's we know will need to do a drawing below next to their names. This way the dealers will not buy everything up, me included! :) We want you at the show and to be able to get a knife! "

I then posted “Pledges” next to their names as they sent in their signed pledge as you can see below. Also to be fair the Japanese did not really understand because of the language barrier but they should understand next year. In California the Republican party was asked to sign a “no new tax pledge”. Last year some of them voted with the democrats to raise taxes and they are now losing in their primary’s or being recalled. This gave me the idea and if a maker did not follow through they would be cannon fodder for here. What did surprise me and I will do next year is have the dealers sign an additional pledge not to buy until the show opens. Deliveries are not included in this. I know Dave and Grace tried to make sure this did not happen at their show also and I have done as much as I could as I want as many people to attend as possible. But if I do not make a living, there is no show.

I am hoping next year more people will make the trip. It is one thing to buy knives online but to be able to meet the makers and others who enjoy knives is something to be shared as most wives do not get it, and maybe your buddy at home also does not get it. There were a few people who flew in just for the day as we are close to Orange County airport and flew back home that night to Dallas and the bay area.

Thank you guys!

Dan

2010 Attendee's



Bill Ankrom Pledged

Thad Buchanan Pledged
 
that pledge thing is a very cool concept.
 
Dan Delavan said:
David I did something only lottery shows had been able to do before.
Click to expand...

Good for you, Dan! I understand those complaints about makers having no inventory when the show opens, and you seem to have taken care of it at your show where other promoters have not.

As for the other complaint . . . You're fine.

Maybe the politicians will learn from this as well!

David
 
Would a $5 drawing entry fee to a local charity do away with the bad feelings. If you are purchasing the knife in question then the minor sum should be of no concern, the knife community gets equal footing, and the local community gets something back that will only look good to the general public.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top