Knife Show Wisdom

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
12,554
I have been going to knife shows since 1986(makes me feel SO old)….started roughly about the same time in my life as Jon Brand, that is, old enough to legally purchase in the Great(haha) State of NY, where I attended the New York Custom Knife Show at the Roosevelt hotel.

People here on the Forums and in other various internet forums always seem to wonder what makes a knife show so special, and why should they make the effort to attend? This attitude SEEMS to come from mostly newer buyers, but I have noticed some long-time collectors that share these thoughts as well.

It was encouragement from a fellow collector(I was into nicer production pieces a the time; Gerber, Al Mar, Buck, Case……especially Silver Knights and Guardians) that got me into custom knives at the time. They have never really been inexpensive, but they were, are, and hopefully will remain, AFFORDABLE.:)

I would like to get some responses from fellow Forumites that have attended shows, and see what advice they have to offer as well……might make for a productive thread….here are a couple of observations that I have made over the years.

1. Plan your work, and work your plan…..There are a lot of things to see at a knife show, and most of the good stuff is going to be seen at whatever public gathering place is closest to the show the night before(common area, bar or restaurant) and the first hours of the opening day of the show. If you can’t make the opening hours, don’t despair, there is always next year. Maybe call a maker you are interested in meeting before the show, and ask what they might have….and could they hold it for you to see? The answer may VERY likely be no, but it never hurts to ask.;)

2. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a roomy backpack with a sweater(air conditioning gets very cold after a while), a water bottle, maybe some beef jerky or nuts to stave off starvation, shoes that can take a pounding without giving you blisters, and plenty of cash…which is king at shows. If you know yourself to be an impulsive buyer, bring a friend who can talk you out of potentially dumb purchases. IF they are that good a friend, and equally educated with knife lore, have them hold your money, too.:D

For me, there is no substitute for a knife show, you get to meet like minded collectors, great makers, and get educated about the difference between a good, great and spectacular knife...fairly quickly.

This thread is meant specifically as a gathering point of advice for those who have attended KNIFE shows, and wish to share the experience with those who may have not been so fortunate. There will be a compilation at the end of the thread with the combined input of the group in one place.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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I have been attending shows for many years and I always enjoy the people alot of weirdo's :D buy alot of good folks also. Besides the many makers there are also alot of dealers and sometimes they have something you will be interested in such is the case of the last 2 NY shows. Last year a Fisk this year a KI neither maker was there but there knives where. I really do not hagle with a maker over price but dealers it's part of the fun:D sorry guy's. But anyway shows are fun and I always enjoy them and the people I see there.
 
Best advice I ever got before attending my first Blade: Wear your most comfortable shoes!

Advice I would give to those that haven't been before:

1) It is SO worth it;
2) Always ask before picking up a knife - unless the maker invites you to do so himself - then be careful how you handle it. Put it back on the table where and how you found it.
3) Always ask before taking a picture of a maker's work.
4) It's a tremendous learning opportunity - so use it! Talk to the makers, dealers, other collectors. Ask a bunch of questions even if you think they are stupid. Genuine enthisiasm for knives is always well received.
5) Take in the whole experience - the show itself, seminars, demonstrations, cutting competitions etc.
6) Try to find some fellow forumites who will be attending and make plans to hook up with them when you get there. Invariably, some of the BEST parts of any show are the social aspects after hours. Last Blade, some of the BEST times of the weekend were dinners with Coop, Susan and STeven one evening, and Peter, Guido, Scott, Burt and a bunch of others on another.

Purchasing strategies can be a much more involved subject - but I will add this one observation: if you pick up a knife that speaks to you with compelling clarity as being "the one" - don't put it down - not for a second - until you've handed the maker some cash.

Roger
 
STeven...I believe you forgot an important tip: try to avoid puking on the dealers. To that end, stay away from Coulter coconut bars (or was it the shrimp?) if you can't handle new and different things. LOL. I would believe that Chuck will be keeping an eye out for you.
 
A warning to all who attend Blade for the first time. Take the previously posted advice on comfy shoes and bringing your own grub and beverages. The food selection in the hall and food court are not so great. The don't have any good on site or close by stuff like Gembloux or SICAC, the hotel doesn't have all that many options and you have to cross a busy road or two to find anything off site.
Blade is the one show that I have been to where you actually need all three days of the show plus Thursday night to see everything and talk to all of the people you want to.
 
WyoNonSmith said:
STeven...I believe you forgot an important tip: try to avoid puking on the dealers. To that end, stay away from Coulter coconut bars (or was it the shrimp?) if you can't handle new and different things. LOL. I would believe that Chuck will be keeping an eye out for you.
Click to expand...

It was a combination of both....and the Coulter Coconuts were not new...just happened to help zap me when I was already hurting...I thought they would help....I'll be snagging the barf bags from the airplane before attending the next Blade show.;)

First time for everything, including vomiting at a knife show.....you really should have seen Brenda's face, though, combination of true concern and more than a touch of disgust.:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
As far as knives are concerned there is nothing to compare to a knife show. If you like knives, the Blade Show will over load your senses. Smaller shows are a little easier to get around in and your brain won't be as numb when you leave. They have some great knives too. Check the attending makers list, but go anyway.

I was going to knife shows when they were gun shows. I have never been to a bad one and don't worry about being there for the opening bell. There will be plenty of great knives at good prices you just have to look. That is why you are there anyway.

Some people like to walk the whole show looking before making their mind up to get serious about a knife that they like. This is one of the major causes of missing good knives, right behind not getting there early enough. If you see a knife you want, buy it then; don't put it down until you and the seller have reached an agreement. Don't expect it to be on the table when you come back if you walk off, because if you like it someone else might too and he might be standing right behind you.

Be cautious about taking advice from a friend (read brother here) that likes knives. When he tells you that the knife you like might be a little high priced and you walk off, the next time you see the knife, it will be in his hands.

Talk to the makers. Nearly all of them are great people and they like knives too. I stopped and talked to Bill Moran one day at a show when his table wasn't choked with people and will always remember what a good experience it was. I learn something at every show by talking with makers. I just try to catch them when they aren't busy and move on if someone else gets interested.

People talk about the costs involved with attending a show, but I will gladly pay for the opportunity to meet the makers and see the knives first hand. Nothing like seeing a great knife and being able to pick it up to see if it feels as good as it looks. Some don't and that is good information too.
 
An excellent subject already well covered by a few posts. I love knife shows but living in UT and not caring to travel very far has limited me to a show or two a year. With the economy that's probably a good thing.;)

I want to mention courtesy for buyers. Don't stand in the way of others getting a chance to look at or purchase a makers knives! Make your decision or give others a fair chance. At almost every show I walk away from someones table because someone has blocked my ability to see the pieces.

Win
 
Win Heger said:
I want to mention courtesy for buyers. Don't stand in the way of others getting a chance to look at or purchase a makers knives! Make your decision or give others a fair chance. At almost every show I walk away from someones table because someone has blocked my ability to see the pieces.

Win
Click to expand...

Excellent point Win. I love yakking it up with the makers - but not when there are other potential customers trying to get a look at his work.

Roger
 
RogerP said:
........then be careful how you handle it. Put it back on the table where and how you found it.

Roger
Click to expand...

Thank you, Roger.
My MOTHER taught me that 50 years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!
Put stuff back like you found it and if it isn't yours - have some respect.
You'd think some grownups with some damn learnin' could figure that one out.
That is sooooooooo friggin' rude.
Usually by the time a knife show comes around, I'll bet 90% of the makers have been working 7 day weeks and 12 hour days for a month.
Then, to go to a show and have some pencil neck little geek literally TOSS a blade back onto the table or simply be so inconsiderate as to lay it back down any-which-a-way and all covered with finger prints makes me want to do something illegal.
Many makers have their livelihood tied up in those knives laying there on that table and to think that some folks treat them like they're at a Flea market......
Thanks for pointing that out, Roger.
 
Lots of good information here to keep in mind. Unless something changes I will be attending Blade for the first time this year, so I will take heed and follow this good advise!
 
Good thread. Knife shows are useful for many reasons but this is what stands out to me:

You can view many photos over the internet but its just not the same as checking something out in person. You can often find flaws or uneven grinds, carving or filework that you don't notice in a snap shot. Inspecting a knife in person is king. Had I never been to a show I would think Don Hansons and Cliffs Parkers knives were like other folders but with cool steel and good designs. But when you see them in person, they are slim/sleek and unlike any others.

I agree that courtesy should always be extended to guys around you, but if you see something you really want don't let them snag it first!

Regarding air conditioning.. I feel the opposite. I over heat at every knife show.

Bring MONEY or you will want to cry when you leave. And if you see a nice Tim Hancock bowie, snag it INSTANTLY before someone else does.

STeven I went to my first NY custom show in 1998 so I was 14 or so. Not quite legal yet.. And before that I went to gun and knife shows and made my dad buy me Benchmade switchblades and the exciting Benchmade cqc7 and stuff like that.
 
Without going all Kumbaya on you, I'd add that most makers love knives , that's why they're in the business, and truely enjoy the customers who also love knives. Makers are glad to talk knives and get to know you, so don't be shy.
Of course, the best time to have a long talk with a maker is in the afternoon, or the last day and hours of a show, not early on at Blade when sales are brisk. That's when you should be working your plan. You do have one, don't you? With a list of the makers whose knife you must have, along with their table number?

John
 
Very good topic, I would also add to make sure you bring some cold medicine/aspirin etc... I felt like crap the entire weekend at Blade last year to find out when I got home I had strep throat.

I would have paid $50 for some good medicine sat. night, but was too damn tired to go out and get it!
 
Been hitting the gun and knfe shows since 1965.....Enjoyed them all... And all the suggestions are right on.........................carl
 
Oh I forgot! Going to a show and getting Coop or Eric to shoot your knives is amazing! Its like magic. I'm not even kidding when I say this but sometimes I bring a knife to get shot and its like getting a whole new knife. It just re-ups the excitement about a particular peice. And ya, you can send it to be done but its more fun in person when you can meet and talk to the photographers. Good guys :)
 
Here's an aspect that hasn't been touched on:

You will encounter more tables with knives that don't appeal to you than do. It's a fact. Still, we are all curious, and I like to look at most everything.

As a courtesy to the maker who has a gleam in his eye as you arrive, when it's time to move along, a straightforward look in the eye and an honest "Thank you." will relieve the discomfort on both parties as you continue on.

A backpack takes up less space than a bag or briefcase. My staple.

Those sold out knives you missed? Quite possibly they are on a dealer's table. While it is generally accepted to not haggle with a maker, the dealer is prepared for your queries and is not forboden. Fire away, but with tact.

EDIT: Thanks, Jon! :)

Coop
 
If you are a knife maker, even if you don't have a table at the show, the biggest reason for going to one of the bigger knife shows is that you will be able to find every type of supply and raw material known to mankind and actually be able to "coon finger" the stuff before you buy it. This is particularly nice when buying expensive handle materials like ivory, stag or ironwood.
 
I only went to Blade once. I got a floor olan for the show, and planned what makers I wanted to get to FIRST. I had pre-arranged 2 knives to pick up, so I went there first, then went on to the rest of my plan.

I also wrote my screen name on my VIP badge.

Everyone else gave excellent advice, so there is no need for me to repeat it.
 
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