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.
. Steven Garsson
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.
Steven Garsson
3. Besides the many makers there are also a lot of dealers and sometimes they have something you will be interested in, such is the case with the last 2 NY shows. Last year a Fisk, this year a KI neither maker was there but there knives were. I really do not haggle with a maker over price but with dealers it's part of the fun, sorry guy's. jparanee
4. - It is SO worth it;
- 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.
- Always ask before taking a picture of a maker's work.
-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.
-Take in the whole experience - the show itself, seminars, demonstrations, cutting competitions etc.
-Try to find some fellow forumites who will be attending and make plans to hook up with them when you get there. RogerP.
5. 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.
Talk to the makers. Nearly all of them are great people and they like knives too.
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. Hmathews
6. 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 Heger
7. 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! Matt Lamey
8. Bring a knife to get professionally photographed and its like getting a whole new knife. It just re-ups the excitement about a particular peice. And yes, you can send it to be done but its more fun in person when you can meet and talk to the photographers. Jon Brand
9. 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. SharpbyCoop
10. 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. jdm61
11. Get a map of the floor plan for the show, and plan what makers 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. T.K.C.
12. 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. Kevin Jones
13. Do not lay your stuff on tables. 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. Les Robertson
14. 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.
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.
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.
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. TennKnifeMan(Bruce Voyles)
15. 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?".
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. HTMD
16. 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). cj65
17. Bring a set of fresh cotton gloves with you, that you can use when you handle those precious knives. Marcel54
18. 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. SharpbyCoop
19. If you have to sneeze or cough PLEASE at least turn away from the table.... saliva is a wonderful etchant on finely finished blades. Will Leavitt
20. 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. Ren the Devil's Trailboss
21. It's extremely rude to snag somebody away from another maker's table to show them something. You can wait til they are at least between tables. That's happened several times. Many people are expert at martial arts, and I'm sure we could make some arrangements for you to try some movements with a blade in a private room... but the aisle between the tables during the show is not the time or place for that! If people around you become frightened by your actions then they are, by definition, inappropriate. Tmaring
22. Do not walk up to a makers table and grab the biggest knife, show it to your buddy, then look at the maker and say "is this the knife that OJ used? " while laughing hysterically. Bobby Branton
23. 1) Check the dealers. Often, they bring in a lot of inventory, a wide range of makers, often quite a few older pieces, and quite often several very ambitious pieces. Some dealers seem to buy and sell many, many different makers, and if you happen to be a serious enthusiast, you may know quite a bit more about the value of some of those knives than the dealer, which can obviously be useful.
2) If there is a popular maker whose stuff you know you want, be in front of the doors 2hrs before the opening and rush to their table. Several times, I have been at the doors of a show between 7 and 8, for a door opening at 11. Joss
24.Its a good idea to make a somewhat firm appointment with your favorite purveyor, maker or Danbo (LOL). Schedule some time before or during the show to get some real one on one time, get a show preview or even a "post view".Even better, set up dinner with a few of your favorite makers or fellow collectors with similar interests for the night before or first night of the show. bladeandbarrel
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
. What is 'coon fingering'?