Knife shows and traditional blades

[silenthunterstudios]

One of the local knife shows is no more down here in Maryland, leaving a small club run show in the western portion of the state the only dog in town. That show has had two locations since I've been attending. I hope they stick around, but they don't really advertise the show on social media or the forums, or they put ads in Knife World that show up a month after the show. The dealers at this show have mainly slipjoints or old traditional knives, Courtney Daniels from Queen does come by with some wares, most of the knives are vintage pieces. I've only been to the dear, dead and departed Baltiomre show, I'm hoping like anything that the western Maryland show sticks around. I can't afford to get to Blade, let alone buy some knives while I'm there. Good memories are made over great blades, good friends and bbq afterwards . I love looking at pics online, but you just can't beat the feel of a good knife show. I trade, but I also spend hard earned dollars on knives, but the dealers have got to show up. I love visiting gun shows and junk malls, looking for old knives, but knife shows seem to be folding up and leaving town, never to be seen again. One of the best places to find old slipjoints in good working condition.

 

[Railsplitter]

I couldn't agree more. There was a gentleman at the last knife show I attended that had one of the original Northfield knives. It had the original UNXLD stamp and the whole nine yards. The knife was in very good condition for an original 19th century piece of cutlery. He didn't want a lot of money for it either in my opinion.

Generally speaking, I'm not a collector of antique knives but I wish I would have bought that old Northfield.

 

[singin50]

Yes, online is one thing but not all of it. Going to knife shows is real education and a lot of fun too. It gives an idea on what's trending and what's coming out soon. But it's the ability to touch and feel knives before spending that hard earned cash that I love!

 

[Cory Hess]

I'll be attending my first knife show in two weeks. I'm pretty excited about it, and after mentioning it to my daughter she is pretty excited too. I'm really excited to get to spend some time with her one-on-one doing something that we're both interested in.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Looking on here, and in the various slipjoint groups and pages, people are hell bent on getting the hot lick slipjoints. TC barlows, 77 Marlows and Northwoods seem to be the hot ticket right now. There are so many other slipjoints out there available at shows that have that "slick" look or feel. I should've gotten an original Remington spear point jack last year, but I was happy getting the knives I got. I'm trying to get a small get together of my group Slipjoint Addict together at the show in western Maryland.

Cory, these shows will last because of kids that go with their parents, grandparents. It's good to see the kids haggling with old vendors, they love it. These kids are having the time of their lives in the show, and talk with the vendors and buyers about their collections and outdoors uses. I thought I was the youngest guy there, at 35, but it's good to find out I am not ...

 

[singin50]

Good point, Dixie! We need to bring the younger ones in or it will all end, someday. Since it's going to be your first show, here are a few tips to keep in mind. Always ask before picking up any knife on a dealer's table. Also ask before opening or touching the blade, some dealers are strange about this, most are not, better to be safe than get yelled at by some crazy dealer. It has happened to me. Most dealers are very inviting and friendly so take all this in stride and enjoy your first experience at the knife show!
Perry

 

[Rockon75]

Silent Hunter - Pls email me. Im curious as to what happened to the chesapeake k ife show, and I'm not too far from you. Might be interested in participating.

 

[jackknife]

I'm looking forward to the April show in Hagerstown. I was very pleasantly surprised last year at how much traditional cutlery was there! And of course some good BBQ Texas brisket after is a good thing. They kind of go together, old jigged bone and BBQ.:thumbup:

 

[Cory Hess]

Thanks for the tips, as I wouldn't have thought anything of picking up and handling a knife that I found interesting. I got lucky in that my daughter gets as excited about knives as I do. She is pumped because she's going to get to take her knife and show it off. She is obsessive about a little MOP Primble whittler that Brett sent me, and I think I'm going to surprise her by letting her carry it at the show.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Silent Hunter - Pls email me. Im curious as to what happened to the chesapeake k ife show, and I'm not too far from you. Might be interested in participating.

Bad time of year, bad weather and controversial management is about it. I'll email you.

 

[black mamba]

I try to go to at least one every year, they are great fun. I've always come away with some good deals, too.

 

[knowtracks]

I think I'm going to surprise her by letting her carry it at the show.

Now that's right there! Good for you Cory!!:thumbup:
It looks like I am going to finally get to the Eugene show this year! Haven't been to a knife show since `94.
Bunch of Gun shows with knives thrown in but not a real knife show.
I'm STOKED!!


Dave

 

[singin50]

Dave, that's great!! I finally get too meet you, after knowing you online for more many years! There is no better place to meet for the first time than at the best old knife show in the country.
Perry

 

[glassjaw]

In my neck of the woods, southeast missouri, all you get are gun shows with a spattering of about 50/50 traditional/ tacticool. Only one seller at the show I went to last Friday had anything GEC. I wish I had a knife show close that I could attend and have the real experience. I take my oldest (5)every chance I can. And it's kind of funny to see him run up to a table and tell them what is there. Mainly patterns but still. Amusing for me.

Cory have a blast with your daughter. I always have fun with my son. Even though sometimes I just leave with beef jerky and Girl Scout cookies. Still a great excuse to have some one on one time with your kid.

Gabe

 

[knowtracks]

Look forward to meeting you to Perry! I'll need an autograph! Not every day you get to meet a famous artist and a famous cutlery entrepreneur!!!

Dave

Reminder to self... bring extra batteries for camera!

 

[singin50]

Dave, I'm not famous, I just like knives! I think I do know what your favorite movie is though, JJ?

 

[Cory Hess]

Thanks for the well wishes, guys. We'll be going to the Badger Knife Club show in Janesville, WI. Looking through the exhibitors list I'm seeing multiple names that I recognize from the forums here. I really have high hopes that we'll see lots of traditionals sprinkled throughout. We've tried the gun show route, but unless you're interested in modern flippers there hasn't been much there to look at knife wise.

 

[singin50]

Very true Cory, gun shows are great for guns and some tacticals but you won't ever see many Traditionals at all.

 

[waynorth]

I think Ken Erickson will be at the Badger show! Look him up - a real nice human being!!

A lot of BFers will be at Oregon this time around!! It is the knife highlight of my year!! A big show, and it is hard to see all the old knives, there are so many!!!
I look forward to meeting, and meeting up with everyone.
See you there, Dave and Perry.
I have the same old table - U-2!!

 

[Cory Hess]

I think Ken Erickson will be at the Badger show! Look him up - a real nice human being!!

Ken Erickson and Ken Coats are the two biggest draws for me. It could be just their two tables in the middle of an empty warehouse and I'd pay the price of admission. I'm assuming that both will be busy enough that I'm not expecting too much one on one with either, but just to see their work and eavesdrop on their conversations will be treat enough for me.