Knife Shows~Do we need them?

Just examining the ivory is worth the trip to Blade.

If makers are being paid to attend shows, I don't see anything wrong with it.
Top artist, entertainers and athletes are paid for appearances at events all the time.
It's just promotion.
Now when they start getting tennis shoe company money, that's where I draw the line. ;) :D
 
I too know of no one getting paid to do a show. I did hear of Buster not having to pay for his table but I don't even know if that's true.

Shows are important but there are too many. How to solve this I don't know. I do ABS, New York, Atlanta, and now my show. I try to hit different regions of the country. There are three shows I would add if asked. AKI, Solvang, and Milan. There may be one or two more I'm not thinking of but that's about it.

If your not out there you will be forgotten. My show expenses average $1500. New York is usually $2000 and then I bought $2500 in handle material. I consider shows a crucial part of getting the good handle material. It's nearly impossible to get what you want for materials unless you personally inspect it. For this reason alone 2 or 3 shows are important to me.

I think the advantages of meeting new collectors are obvious.
 
Les Robertson said:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5404795&postcount=18
Click to expand...
Post #18 was the most entertaining information I've gleaned from the mighty WWG in years! I loved it! :thumbup:

striper28 said:
Makers have to do shows, out of sight- out of mind! People tend to forget about you, especially if you don't advertise, have a website or participate in forums.
Click to expand...
You're kidding me, right? The anonymous striper28 describing how to stay in the radar. Chuck, you don't even sign your name to your posts! He he he! What a lost opportunity.

I do applaud you doing shows. Continue.

Coop
 
Joss, yes, I have had one in the think tank for a year and have about got the bugs worked out.
 
Joss said:
Has anyone ever considered putting together a virtual show?
Click to expand...



I could have never imagined the overwhelming positive response we experience at the SnodyLand Virtual Knife Shows.

The electricity and energy level are simply beyond my ability to accurately describe.

In a word, Money!!

My Last Show featured 9 previewed pieces and One Encore Knife that was posted after the show began.

We had over 3,500 (Three Thousand Five Hundred) views on the Encore Knife in less than three hours.

Total views exceeded 5k.

Money$$

Ask about me on the streets, I'm Certified.

Thats how we roll in SnodyLand!!
 
Snody said:
I could have never imagined the overwhelming positive response we experience at the SnodyLand Virtual Knife Shows.

The electricity and energy level are simply beyond my ability to accurately describe.

In a word, Money!!

My Last Show featured 9 previewed pieces and One Encore Knife that was posted after the show began.

We had over 3,500 (Three Thousand Five Hundred) views on the Encore Knife in less than three hours.

Total views exceeded 5k.

Money$$

Ask about me on the streets, I'm Certified.

Thats how we roll in SnodyLand!!
Click to expand...

You sir are on to something :)
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
You sir are on to something :)
Click to expand...

Whats shaking Big Guy??

Hope your having a memorable weekend.

The last two SnodyLand Virtual Knife Shows were held on the same days as conventional shows.

The vast majority of people can not attend knife shows so having a Virtual SnodyLand Show the same day as say the Chesapeake Show gives all these individuals the ability to participate in a Highly Energetic, Fast Paced Virtual Show from the comfort of their respective homes.

One of my goals for 2008 is to attend more shows and conventions but my purpose for doing this is solely to interact with potential clients and spend time with existing friends and clients. I will not be attending shows to sell knives, just to sell myself and see some fine friends.

I think alot of makers get paid to attend shows, not by the Show Promoter but by a Sponsor, Client, Dealer or Production Co.

I have been payed to attend the SHOT show for Four Consecutive years.

When they buy your airfare, meals, cuban cigars, casino tab, hotel and all lodging expenses thats what I consider getting paid.

This is my fifth year as a Fulltime Knifemaker and I just set up my Sixth Shop, actually its a Pimp Ass Studio with Granite Counters and a seperate industrial area for grinding but it is my Sixth Shop none the less.,

My views have changed over the past five years and one thing I really, really Respect in my fellow Knifemakers is the ability to actually earn a sustained, secure living.

Anybody can build a really nice knife given enough time and guidance but what about actually making a respectable income solely from Knifemaking.

Those are the Makers I really Respect.

If anybody has any doubt as to why Snody permanently quit taking orders in 2006, or why I have SnodyLand Virtual Knife Shows, or why I sell Knife designs to the Worlds top Manufacturers, its all about the Money$$$

Knifemaking is easy, show me the money, thats the hard part,

I Salute any Maker who can earn a sustained income solely from Knifemaking>,
 
Well said, Mike. It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to be successful in ANY competitive business environment. Knifemaking is no exception.
 
Kevin: I could easily go to a show with only a few knives. That is not my goal, when I go to a show it is with the full intent of taking as many as I possibly can. A show is a show, a place where people can see knives on display. I feel the last man into a show on the last day sould be able to see a selection of knives to make his ticket worth paying for. I believe empty tables and makers who leave early discourage visitors to shows. Very early in my knife making efforts I swore I would not be one of them.
 
That's a very good show philosophy in my opinion Ed.

Having knives on the tables reward collectors for making the effort to attend and takes advantage of an opportunity to turn the casual observer into a collector.
 
Keith,

I used to feel like you about going to the Blade show—that I would prefer to spend the money it cost in attendance toward a knife instead. Besides, the ECCKS and NYCKS are local shows for me so I figured I wasn't missing out on quality show experiences. And dealers tend to snap up many of the good knives at Blade and place them on their sites a few weeks later. So money was better spent on knives than cost of attending Blade.

How wrong I was. After reading how Blade should be attended at some point, I decided one year to give it a go. Beyond what others have said about the chance to see makers and seminars, etc, etc, I found that Blade allowed me to see, hold, and compare huge volumes of knives that I was interested in and refine my wants. Alot of makers' work that I had on my list to eventually buy, and only knew of from photos of their work, I crossed off my list because I was able to examine their knives in person against their peers who make the same style. I came across makers whom I hadn't heard of, and whose work piqued my interest and made me make a mental note to keep them in mind.

And not just maker to maker comparisons, but also entire styles of knives that I was interested in could be compared before buying unseen through the web and risking disappointment. For example, I was very interested in many of the rough forged knives from Japanese makers and manufacturers; upon picking them up, I found most to be terrible at handle ergonomics and almost all to be bad at weight balance, but that all were on average way way sharp. I found that forged integrals may look great, but take some getting used to when you hold them because when their handle to blade ratio looks right their handles actually feel long in the hand. Comparisons like that aren't doable through internet pictures. And I was able to feel how smooth and how tight a lock up makers' folders were or weren't, and was surprised by the result.

Blade has ruined me for the ECCKS and NYCKS shows. I still attend those two also but Blade is now the one that I focus my money on. I'm less likely to pull the trigger on dealer sites too after having and continuing to attend Blade. I think the cost of attending it is recouped several times over in the amount of education and comparison that you can do while there and subsequently the amount you save in buying in the future. I ended up and am continuing to become a much more informed collector through attending it.
 
RogerP said:
A most excellent post, Grapevine.

Roger
Click to expand...

Ditto. From a collector's stand point, I think Grapevine has stated one of the main reasons for attending shows. The 'feel' of the fixed blade or folder can not be gathered through our monitors. Other good reasons for shows have been mentioned, but this would be top of the list for me. That, and personal contact with the makers. And Blade, the world's largest knife show, would be hard not to recommend, for collector or maker.
Elliott just started a poll over in the Traditional forums, if you are interested, on slipjoint backspring tension. He has 10 choices of possible tensions collectors/users might like. This says a lot.
"You've got to know when to hold 'em..."

- Joe
 
Mike has had a couple of Virtual Knifeshows now and they are very exciting. You can almost hear the collectors clicking their way towards scoring a Custom Snody. During a Snody V-Show last year I scored one of my favorites knives....an Ivory Sportster with beautiful creamy 30 year old ivory. :) :)

asatshowsportivory.jpg



Snody said:
I could have never imagined the overwhelming positive response we experience at the SnodyLand Virtual Knife Shows.

The electricity and energy level are simply beyond my ability to accurately describe.

In a word, Money!!

My Last Show featured 9 previewed pieces and One Encore Knife that was posted after the show began.

We had over 3,500 (Three Thousand Five Hundred) views on the Encore Knife in less than three hours.

Total views exceeded 5k.

Money$$

Ask about me on the streets, I'm Certified.

Thats how we roll in SnodyLand!!
Click to expand...
 
No doubt virtual shows will make some waves. Thought I'd report here what came in my Arkansas Knifemakers Association newsletter report to the membership about their show . The 13th annual Arkansas Custom Knife Show was possibly the best yet. Many items were donated as door prizes and several knives were made for auction. When a knife is purchased the maker is supposed to put the info about the purchaser into a drawing box who then has a chance of winning a great knife. 168 slips made it into the box (this number is likely less than that actual number of knives sold at the show). Approximately 900 people attended the show, many on both days. Sunday was a little slower but knife sales were strong. According to the tickets 19 makers sold 4 or more knives and several sold 8 or more. Some collectors bought at least 9 knives. 54 of this year's table-holders have already reserved tables for next year's show. There was a lot of data not reported so it's hard to say for sure or not - but by the looks of it this was a very strong and successful show and has been for a number of years. I've attended twice and it's a great size, tons of talent and has a real nice friendly feel.
 
Sometimes the personality of a maker alone can help create sales. There is no doubt in my mind that for every reason mentioned, attending shows is an important part of collecting. Once you are familiar with a makers work, ordering it online can be easy and fun. But its those makers who are new to you that can be worth checking out in person.

That said, I just booked a room for Blade. I hope to save enough funds to get myself something nice while I am out there. Hopefully I will see some of you. There is a small chance I will need to cancel but I hope not to.
 
Gene, could you name the makers that are being paid to attend and which shows also. I've been in custom knives for over 25 and have not seen/heard prof of this. Rumors yes but no prof.
Click to expand...

Well, it has been brought to my attention that this (expenses paid) does take place. I'm not really surprised, just never had first hand experience with it. :o

Kevin....Yes, we really need shows :)
 
Knife shows are vital, this coming from some one who travels over to the Blade Show at considerable expense each year from the UK.
Knife makers and perveyors website cannot show exactly how a knife looks and more importantly feels, with the exception of a couple of makers I would not purchase a folding knife without firstly having a "play".

Another aspect which I don't think has been touched upon is is the amount of ideas being bounced around between knifemakers and buyers at shows, new knifemakers getting the opportunity to handle so many knives and talk to some of the established makers.

I wonder where knifemaking would be without shows......
 
Don Hanson III said:
Well, it has been brought to my attention that this (expenses paid) does take place. I'm not really surprised, just never had first hand experience with it. :o

Kevin....Yes, we really need shows :)
Click to expand...


I firmly believe that an artist producing the level of work that you are synonomous with should be sponsored for public events.

I have spent time with several knifemakers who are sponsored and travel to Blade, Vegas Classic etc, etc, etc, all expenses paid.

When I say "spent time" I'm talking about guys who have visited my home, guys that I know really well, that kind of thing.

You can easily get sponsorship for Handball, Hang Gliding, Hockey or Hot Air Balloons but not knifemaking.

Even Manny the Shark Hunter gets paid to go to the SHOT Show.

We have local bubbas here in South Texas who catch an 8 pound catfish in a dirty creek and get sponsored by a multi-million dollar entity.

Look at the Bass Fisherman.

The people need to wake up.

I take the message to the people.

I have over six different active websites and the number one custom knife forum in the world.

Were pulling down serious, serious traffic across all of the websites.

SnodyKnives is Sponsored by multiple entities and actively looking for additional sponsorship opportunities.

Professional Chefs across the world are being payed to use specific cutlery and cook wear. They get paid to endorse and represent.

Professional Mechanics are getting paid to endorse and represent.

Professional Rodeo Clowns are getting paid to endorse and represent.

Here is a list from a popular Sponsorship site.

They guarantee they will get you sponsorship if you are involved in any of the following activities

Acting Fencing Racquetball
Archery Field Hockey Rifle
Artwork Figure Skating Rodeo
Badminton Fishing Rugby
Ballet / Dance Football Running
Band & Music Go Kart Sailing
Baseball Golf Scuba Diving
Basketball Greyhound Skateboarding
Beauty Pageant Gymnastics Skiing
Billiards Hand Ball Snowboarding
BMX Hang Gliding Snowmobile
Body Building Hockey Soccer
Bowling Hot Air Balloons Softball
Boxing Hunting Surfing
Cheerleading Kite Boarding Swimming
Comedy Lacrosse Table Tennis
Computer Game Martial Arts Talent Show
Cricket Modeling Tennis
Cycling Motocross Track & Field
Darts Night Club Trade Show
Disc Jockey Other Triathlon
Educational Paintball Volleyball
Equestrian Poker Wakeboarding
Fashion Design Power Boat Wrestling
Fashion Show Race Car Wedding

If you can get sponsorship for Comedy Lacrosse Table Tennis you can get sponsorship as a Professional Knifemaker.

You have to tell the people why they should sponsor you.

Snody Knives, Snody, Mike Snody, Snody Knife

They google off the hook.

We are reaching people in a big way.

2008 we go live video feed and my sponsors know what opportunity that represents for SnodyKnives to promote their products and or interests.

Like Martha would say, "Its a Good Thing"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top