Knife Show Wisdom

Kohai999 said:
...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...
Click to expand...

Just a potentially helpful note on "friends":
"A friend is someone who will help you move. A good friend is someone who will help you move a body."

Cheers,
Dave
 
Lots of good knife show wisdom so far.

I would suggest doing your homework before going to the show. If there's specific makers or knives you are interested in then contact the makers a couple weeks before the show to see what he's going to bring and find exactly where his table is located.
Blade magazine publishes a very good BLADE Show table holder's map in their magazine's show issue. I usually use the map to identify the maker's tables I want to visit first so I don't miss anyone and know exactly where their tables are located.

I always try to remember table holders are working. So if shooting the bull with a maker and a potential customer approaches, step back to let the maker take care of business.
 
Well you guys have covered most of the big nuggets.

I would pass along not to lay your stuff on tables. I have seen where numerous times people will start working a trade in front of...and then on to my table.

They will lay their bags, back packs, etc....right on top of my knives.

Then they get annoyed when I throw their "stuff" on the floor...goes for their food and drink as well.

Remember, the table holder paid a minimum of $425 for their table (For 3 days). Unless you are going to pay the table holder to "rent space"...don't put your stuff on their table.

Oh the other big no no....don't lay your stuff (to include magazines and programs {people figure it's just paper and won't hurt the knives} ) on someones table to look at other knives...especially their neighbors table full of knives. A table holder, especially if they are having or had a bad show may not look kindly on this.
 
If you go to a knife show the size of the Blade Show you will suffer stimulation overload--more knives, makers, manufacturers, events than can be properly viewed over a long weekend. If you allocate time at every table, you will not have time to speak to everyone. And that is part of the problem, because every good show reveals some treasure that unless you break out from your standard circle of friends and makers, you might miss. Don't just make a list, but prioritize that list. Get business done first, and then go exploring for treasure. And that real treasure may be a new friend.

And at least some point stop, listen, and take in what you're seeing--and recognize that you might have to consciously tell yourself to slow down.
It is hard to go through a show too slow, but you can miss a lot by going too fast.

Far too many times I've left a Guild show, or a SHOT Show, or a Blade Show and on the way home realized that I had not seen as much of the show as I could have, but I got distracted.

One of the beauties of the smaller shows is sometimes a smaller show forces you, through nothing more than boredom sometimes, to spend more time with some makers and dealers you might not get to know.

So here are my show rules:
1. Go. You will never find anything staying at home.

2. Part of the joy of a show is handling knives--so handle them. (With permission of course). This is the one vital thing the internet cannot provide.

3. Communicate with people. And don't be offended if you shook a dealer's hand two years ago for 15 seconds, introduced yourself, and he doesn't recognize you instantly. Some people do have that talent. A great many of us do not. A lot of shows, and a lot of handshakes may have gone under the bridge since you two first met.

4. Stay at the show hotel. It helps the promoter, and is easy on your feet. Also you are in the center of the action for the after show/after dinner lobby get-togethers.

5. Carry water if you can, and build in your rest on a big show.

6. Wear your name badge. Just because you know who you are doesn't mean everyone else does. I've met people who have bought knives from me for years that I've never met--and recognized them only because of their name badge.

7. Keep your eyes open. Larry McMurtry said it best in "Cadillac Jack", "Anything can be anywhere."

8. Savor every moment, because far too quickly the living, breathing, vibrant room of people interacting, of knives gleaming in the light, will be nothing more than a skeleton of empty tables, trash, and folded chairs. There is an inherent sadness in a knife show room after everyone has headed home.
 
Excellent topic! In addition to all the good advice so far here are some other things I've found over time to be important:

1. Shows are an essential part of a collector's growth and education. Go and learn, even if you don't plan to buy.

2. Consider tracking down some of the show's award winning knives, examine them closely to get a feel for what makes an exceptional knife. Ask the maker, "Why do you think the judges liked this knife better than the others entered in that category?"

3. What follows may run counter to what others have said above, BUT... I've trained myself not to worry if a knife I was interested in gets away from me. If I'm contemplating a significant purchase I'll take a break, go outside, call my wife and talk it over (she's into knives too, so I'm lucky that way). If I go back and the knife has been sold - so be it. My personal experience has been that this has helped me make better choices over time, it reduces stress and has ultimately caused me to become more discerning in my evaluation of potential purchases. Funny thing is, I've "lost out" on some great knives in the past by not pulling the trigger immediately, but have never regretted losing any of them in the end. There will always be more great knives.

If I feel a sense of urgency about buying a particular knife "right now" that 's when I'll take a short break, force myself to look at some other knives then reassess how I feel about the original knife. That sense of urgency is, for me, a signal to slow down and figure out what's really going on in my head.

4. Here is one of my favorite things to do at a show because it's so incredibly educational. If I meet up with someone, often a fellow forumite, who I know to be experienced, I'll ask, "What have you seen that impressed you?" 9 times out of 10 they will say, "C'mon, I'll show you." Then we're off together, going around to different tables talking about the knives we're seeing.

I also enjoy talking with makers in somewhat the same way IF the maker is interested in their own work enough to show me something I might not see right away and explain it to me. The reality is, I don't always know what I'm looking at or 'see' what I'm looking at, so to speak. When a maker sits back and says, "Let me know if you have any questions" I'll say "OK" and that's usually the end of that. Why? Because I don't know what I don't know! But when a fellow collector or a maker says, "Hey, did you happen to notice..." or some version of that - then I'm engaged at a higher level of curiosity and desire to know, paying more attention and therefore more likely to develop an appreciation for that particular knife.

For me, knife events (shows, hammer-ins etc.), knife publications (BLADE, Knives Illustrated, Knife World and the American Bladesmith Socitey Journal) and the internet (maker and dealer websites and especially knife forums) are the three essential ingredients fueling my growth as a collector.
 
I just have a couple of things to say. I attended the gun and knife show in Orange Co CA in Jan. I brought the wife, and all 5 kids. This is not recommended, the boys thought it was cool, but the wife/daughter basically put up with it,as I do their girly outings as a family (paybacks from attending the Jonas Brothers concert). I did not like the White supremecy slant of one particular booth, nor did I care to explain to my kids how wrong it is. (Yes, I am white). What really pissed me off was I finally found a table of things I wanted to see! Fight'n Roosters end of day! a boat load of them, and the guy selling them was trying to buy a pistol from someone else. I was going to make my only purchase, even if I paid slightly higher than I should. It was the price of the hunt. However, I was completely blown off, the wife saw it and could not believe it herself. This show was very crowded, and I was proud of how good the kids really were. So tomorrow I will be in Pasadena CA at noon for the knife show. Mainly to potentially meet some other BF members....I may not have any money for knives at this time. May join the So Cal knife club....I will be the tall goony looking man with the beard wandering around.
 
I have only one thing to add and that is a tip to avoid what Karl said:
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.
Click to expand...
and that is to bring a set of fresh cotton gloves with you, that you can use when you handle those precious knives.

Marcel
 
Marcel54 said:
I have only one thing to add and that is a tip to avoid what Karl said:

and that is to bring a set of fresh cotton gloves with you, that you can use when you handle those precious knives.

Marcel
Click to expand...

I've seen guys do that and I'm sure that level of care is appreciated. My approach is that I simply do not touch the blade steel.

Roger
 
Excellent points here folks.
I am sure beyond any doubt that if I could not or did not attend knife shows, my collection would be a small fraction of what it is and the quality level in my collection would be lower. Buddy brings up a very valuable point, in spending time with others. By doing that you and hopefully they broaden education as well as enjoyment.

I am seldom seen walking a show alone, since seeing things through the "eyes of others" so to speak has been a boon to new knowledge as well as friendships. :D.
 
Last edited:
I've been going to shows for about 10 years now but they are mostly smaller shows up here in New England.

I finally made it to Blade last year and spent two full days and that was NOT nearly enough to see everything and it was definitely sensory overload. It was a great time and great learning experience.

I think just about every aspect of attending a show has been covered already, so all I will say is, if anyone hasn't gone to a show reading this should make the effort and go. You won't regret it.

Peter
 
Wow, there is good info in this thread. I am still learning.

One thing that was taught to me about delicate folding knives is that liner locks do not always have to be closed with one hand. A fingernail press may be all it takes. Don't struggle. Only working knives are best suited to one-hand operation.

Slipjoints and multiblades: Be VERY careful opening multiblades. You want to draw the blade out without any side pressure which may scratch an adjoining blade. Use the nail nick carefully and pinch it if possible. (Probably best to ask the maker his method)

Closing slipjoints: the same way and order you opened them. Let it slowly draw back into the well. No snap.

Coop
 
Good info here! Really good!

All I can add; don't stay home and wish you had gone :D

Thanks Jon! and hope to see all of y'all in Atlanta!
 
As a maker I don't mind finger prints at all. The person that made them is checking out the knife and you can tell a lot about edge geometry by "coon fingering" the blade as Joe puts it. Just lay it back on the table and I'll be glad to take care of it. I keep a cloth just for wiping the blades off and I am glad to do it. I would rather you take my word for it that the knife is sharp though, or at least be willing to accept a band aid and not bleed on my table cover.:D The knives are there to sell. I want my customer comfortable with his purchase and they need to be able to handle it if they want to.

If I am on the customer side of the table and see a knife that is marked as sold on a makers table, I won't ask to pick it up. I know that if something happens it could screw up the knife and the sale. I don't want to put the maker or myself in an awkward situation if an accident should happen.
 
I didn't see this mentioned... if you have to sneeze or cough PLEASE at least turn away from the table.... saliva is a wonderful etchant on finely finished blades. :(
 
When handling your possible Grail knife, do not drool or wet your self.
 
I'm guilty of this too. Most knives are so nice that you tend to hold them tenderly while looking them over. Its so easy to drop one that way. The sound of a knife hitting another knife when dropped can be heard from across the room. It could be devastating to both knives and major repairs would more than likely be neccesary. All knives have a handle so hang on tight to it while inspecting the piece or stoop low close to the soft table cloth.
 
I can't think of anything at all to add about how to prepare for a show or what to do when you get there. Looks to me like it's pretty much all been covered.

However, for me, the importance of meeting online acquaintances face to face is almost as equal an incentive to go to a show as are the knives. Before the internet became our primary means of communication, the social aspect of any kind of show was not nearly as important to me as the show content.

Now, I place great value in meeting others with whom I've communicated via forums, auction sites, etc. Hell, few of us will become "best friends", but it changes a world of anonymnity to one fuller of good acquaintences.

Let's face it, if the knives weren't there, I wouldn't be there. But for those who think it's only about knives, it's not. Knowing I would meet certain people at a certain show has twice caused me to go, when otherwise I would not have. So for me, the social aspect plays a goodly part in going.

Bob
 
betzner said:
However, for me, the importance of meeting online acquaintances face to face is almost as equal an incentive to go to a show as are the knives. Before the internet became our primary means of communication, the social aspect of any kind of show was not nearly as important to me as the show content.

Now, I place great value in meeting others with whom I've communicated via forums, auction sites, etc. Hell, few of us will become "best friends", but it changes a world of anonymnity to one fuller of good acquaintences.

Let's face it, if the knives weren't there, I wouldn't be there. But for those who think it's only about knives, it's not. Knowing I would meet certain people at a certain show has twice caused me to go, when otherwise I would not have. So for me, the social aspect plays a goodly part in going.

Bob
Click to expand...

That would be my reason for going, if I was able.
 
my advice for Knife show attendees.

1. Prior to the show see who is exhibiting to and plan who you MUST see in order of importance. Also plan time to just walk each Isle of the show and enjoy. Take time to look at knives that may not be your particular Genre, ( antiques, tactical, Bowies whatever) you will be surprised what you learn.

2. Be aware that there is etiquette when at a show.
a.) Ask the knife maker if you may pick up his knives and examine them. Do NOT give them the spine whack test or pretend to stab someone with them or try and shave your arm hair with the knife. Be aware that most knives have a tremendous amount of pride and work involved in them. Treat the knife as you would treat them if they were your property.
b.) Don't haggle with a knife maker over price, don't argue with him that he is to expensive or that " you can buy a chute knife just like that two tables over for three hundred less" It makes you look like a idiot. You may respectfully ask for the makers best price. It is what it is.
c.) if you have an Axe to grind with someone. Don't do it at the show. Speak with the maker and either arrange a time to speak in private or at a later date.

3. Budget wisely. I carry only cash. No credit cards, no debit cards, and only money I can afford to spend. I leave all other monies locked up in the car.

4. Avoid drinking too much alcohol at the show. I made this mistake once...three days later I was going ...what the heck did I buy this for???:D


oh and also be aware that RogerP is a great guy to hit up for a " floater loan" he has lots of money. He also usually is wearing the same shirt as me except he is better looking than I am and knows more about knives...LOL..
 
I've been going to shows for about 10 years now but they are mostly smaller shows up here in New England.

I finally made it to Blade last year and spent two full days and that was NOT nearly enough to see everything and it was definitely sensory overload. It was a great time and great learning experience.

I think just about every aspect of attending a show has been covered already, so all I will say is, if anyone hasn't gone to a show reading this should make the effort and go. You won't regret it.

Peter
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat as Peter, there's not many knife shows in New England except for small shows. It's a good hike to attend the 2 New York shows from where I live.

All of the advice here is great. The only thing that I can add is if you can only go to one show per year, try to make the Blade Show.

I attended my first Bladeshow last year. There's nothing like it. I'll definitely be attending Blade from now on.

Jim Treacy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top