Knife Shows in this Economy?

Kevin Jones said:
Very pleased to see this thread veering towards the positive.
Even more pleased seeing both new and established makers with very positive and productive attitudes. :thumbup::thumbup: :)

Would like to hear from more collectors as to their views.
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Don't think I would qualify as a "Big" collector, but I do have some by some names. This economy has killed my business as I sell to folks involved in the new home industry. So many of my customers ran out on me owing me money and bankrupting, that I may well lose my business. I went to Blade last year and decided then and there I would go this year. My how things change. I would say that this economy is affecting "some" collectors, folks like me who have had their life work pulled right out from under them. I have been in business in same location for over 22 years now and this is the worst I have ever seen business. So for folks that run their own business and do not work for some large company, it is bound to cut down on purchases. I use not to think a thing about dropping 2K a month on knives, but no more. Those days for me are gone. Sorry to rain on your parade Kevin, but this is how it is for me and many small business men.

Jim
 
Sorry to hear that James.
I'm in the construction industry as well and as you know it's always HIT by a bad economy early and HARD. MANY construction companies from the mom & pops to the giants will not make it out of this mess. This makes it particularly tough on those such as yourself whose businesses support the building industry.
If there's a silver lining its that construction is usually one of the first and most robust sectors coming out of recession, crating many opportunities for those who see and are able to take advantage of them. We just have to hang in there.

Some how we missed one another at last BLADE, hope we can meet up this year. We will be the construction guys who can't afford to buy anything, but will still have a great time. ;) :D
 
James Todd said:
Don't think I would qualify as a "Big" collector, but I do have some by some names. This economy has killed my business as I sell to folks involved in the new home industry. So many of my customers ran out on me owing me money and bankrupting, that I may well lose my business. I went to Blade last year and decided then and there I would go this year. My how things change. I would say that this economy is affecting "some" collectors, folks like me who have had their life work pulled right out from under them. I have been in business in same location for over 22 years now and this is the worst I have ever seen business. So for folks that run their own business and do not work for some large company, it is bound to cut down on purchases. I use not to think a thing about dropping 2K a month on knives, but no more. Those days for me are gone. Sorry to rain on your parade Kevin, but this is how it is for me and many small business men.

Jim
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I can certainly identify with your situation Jim. I DID work for a BIG company and worked for 30 years thinking my livelihood and retirement were secure.

I won't bore everyone with the details or politics, but I now find myself in a situation witout a job or hopes of finding one in the near future. My budget for buying knives is zero.

I went to Blade for the first time last year and had a great time on the trip and experiencing the show....even though I did not buy any knives because money is needed more for other things.

I may make the trip again this year, but once again the disposable income is in about the same situation.

Peter
 
Kevin Jones said:
Some how we missed one another at last BLADE, hope we can meet up this year. We will be the construction guys who can't afford to buy anything, but will still have a great time. ;) :D
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I am sorry to have missed you, perhaps the Mrs. will want to take a weekend trip and I can make it again. At this point, it does not appear if I will have the funds. But things may change, I know not what tomorrow brings, but I do know WHO brings tomorrow.
Thanks for the concern
Jim
PS, Peter, sorry to hear of your situation, I also can identify. Thank You for your input.
 
This is just the time that I am thinking about starting to take in a few shows. It probably won't happen this year, but 2010 might see me at one or two venues.
 
I'd really like to start getting to some of the Canadian shows, and especially to Blade West, so I can finally shake hands with some of the people I've befriended.
The whole community experience really is only part way there if ya only ever communicate in the intranets. Gotta have that interpersonal thing for it to be all the way there. Anyway, that's where I want to be down the road, so economics aside, there will always be shows and gatherings and one day down the road I hope to have the freedom to attend.
Human interaction is priceless, and I think that knife people and in particular, show promoter types, are highly aware of that. So, while some shows may falter and fall due in part to The EconomyTM, others will rise.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
This is just the time that I am thinking about starting to take in a few shows. It probably won't happen this year, but 2010 might see me at one or two venues.
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A collector receives an enormous education from seeing and handling hundreds of custom knives and talking with hundreds of makers and other collectors at shows over the years. I'm absolutely amazed by your VAST knowledge of custom knives in spite of not attending many shows.
 
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Hi STeven,

Paul doesn't NEED to make money on a show like this, it is the cherry on top of his business.
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Paul does need to make money and is entitled to do so. From a purely business perspective (I know this really doesn't exist in custom knives) it is a smart move for Paul.

He puts on the show, picks and chooses who comes to the show. Most if not all will be makers that Paul works with or wants to work with. He then puts himself in a position to get favorable and/or future consideration for knives...ahead of others. Plus he gets a pass on the first show as those who experience slow sales will chalk it up to "First Year Show" and probably throw in the "Economy" as well...just for good measure.

As well he improves his position among the makers he works with and in the eyes of some of his collectors.

The show will of course have to at least cover the expenses of the show. If not it will fail...no matter how good the line up. Altruism only goes so far. :D

I hope his show fares better than the ECCKS. Seems the big dollar collectors on the east coast may be a little "tapped" out at the moment. I believe Barney "The Banking Queen" Frank(D-MA)...is both literally and figuratively salivating to take as much wealth from people as possible. I don't know how much of an affect this will have on the people of MA.

Anyone who has been to NY lately can tell that it has a negative effect on the economy there.
 
Keith and Lorien are pure examples of why sales have been slowing at shows for years.

Both are purchasing custom knives purely via the Internet. Ten years ago this would have been very difficult...now...no problem.

Don't get me wrong I think knife shows are important as everyone loves some "Face" time.

But with the phone, email, Face book, Twitter, You Tube, et al. There are so many ways to communicate. You could get a group of fourmites and use "Go To Meeting" and hold a conference call.

Lots of ways to stay in touch now.
 
Les Robertson said:
Keith and Lorien are pure examples of why sales have been slowing at shows for years.

Both are purchasing custom knives purely via the Internet. Ten years ago this would have been very difficult...now...no problem.

Don't get me wrong I think knife shows are important as everyone loves some "Face" time.

But with the phone, email, Face book, Twitter, You Tube, et al. There are so many ways to communicate. You could get a group of fourmites and use "Go To Meeting" and hold a conference call.

Lots of ways to stay in touch now.
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No problem? Perhaps not for an internet dealer. ;) :)
However, now many new collectors who don't go to shows are only exposed to custom knife photos via the internet and only come in contact with the few knives they purchase. Not the hundreds/thousands available for inspection at shows. IMO, actually seeing, handling and examining knives is extremely important. Face time is important, but only part of a valuable overall show experience.
 
Hi Kevin,

First I am not an "Internet Dealer". An Internet Dealer primarily sells factory or a combination of factory and custom and generally does not set up at shows.

I am a Custom Knife Entrepreneur.

My point was that Keith and Lorien have gained exposure to custom knives via the Internet. Enough knowledge that they feel comfortable ordering knives via the Internet.

Ten years ago this would not have been possible.

Except with Internet Dealers :D

This goes directly to the point of how knife shows are affected by the economy.

If things are tight for collectors...most would rather go the route of buying a knife via the Internet and skip the show...then to attend the show and spend all their knife money on the expenses that attendance entails.

So while things may be slower at shows for makers and dealers...perhaps their Internet sales will make up the difference. Allow the makers and dealers to stay in business while at the same time allowing collectors to view custom knives. Whether via the Internet and/or shows.

I agree that attending shows to actually see and/or handle knives is important. Having been to a few shows myself.

Ultimately the merits of attending a show is weighed by each attendee. This ultimately leads to their decision to attend or not.
 
I know you're not an internet dealer. You have the miles to prove too. ;)
Probably not many non-maker's that have been to more shows.
 
I have handled hundreds of custom knives. Many at the makers shops, some at shows, but that was years ago, and many at hammer-ins and symposiums. I do know the importance of actually getting to handle knives.
 
Les Robertson said:
My point was that Keith and Lorien have gained exposure to custom knives via the Internet. Enough knowledge that they feel comfortable ordering knives via the Internet.

Ten years ago this would not have been possible.
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Ok, so it's all Keith and my fault!
:p

Your point, Les, is a really good one. In my business there are these cycles, (sorry, no pun intended). Suddenly there's a surge in popularity with road bikes, or bmx bikes or whichever niche. The surge then abates. It is a little mysterious in that there are so many factors at play it's hard to see them all at once.

It's funny I was just watching a show on tsunamis, and the trick, they say of dealing with it, is not trying to predict but rather to prepare.
So, the internet is kind of like a tsunami, bringing copious amounts of debris with it- wiping out institutions and destroying whatever lies in its path. There are those who ran to high ground in time. It'll be those people who will direct those of us caught up in the floodwaters to safe harbour. Most of these people will probably have been around long enough to understand the importance of shows.

If anything, the internet washed me over with enough knowledge to thirst for more. It's not the internet itself which provides the good stuff. Nor, this forum or any for that matter. It's the people behind the screens who make up this community, for me, that make this or any interest worth pursuing. There are many people that I would like to meet in person due to this internet, and many knives as well;).

While The EconomyTM washes over us all, those of us lucky or smart enough to find high ground with our community, may likely have many more opportunities to physically meet together at shows in the future and perhaps the community in general will actually be better for the surge and the diversity it brings.
 
Lorien said:
I'd really like to start getting to some of the Canadian shows, and especially to Blade West, so I can finally shake hands with some of the people I've befriended.
The whole community experience really is only part way there if ya only ever communicate in the intranets. Gotta have that interpersonal thing for it to be all the way there. Anyway, that's where I want to be down the road, so economics aside, there will always be shows and gatherings and one day down the road I hope to have the freedom to attend.
Human interaction is priceless, and I think that knife people and in particular, show promoter types, are highly aware of that. So, while some shows may falter and fall due in part to The EconomyTM, others will rise.
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This post describes exactly why should come to my show and hammer in. There is the perfect mix of great knives and priceless human interaction. I'm so excited for this year I can hardly stand it. I was worried that when I added more makers to the show that I may not have enough collectors show up to support it. To my pleasant surprise having those extra makers is what's making it more worthwhile for collectors to attend.

I think shows are becoming entirely about the interaction between makers and collectors. If you just want a chance to buy knives then you can just log on and buy all you want. But shows and especially small ones, provide the perfect venue for interaction. I'm hoping my show turns into a great knife getaway instead of just a show or just a hammer in.

I hope you can make it!:thumbup:
 
Josh, your show sounds really cool. Just the kind of thing I would be interested in being there for.

To me, the idea of going to a crowded convention hall, full of people milling about, with a wad of cash in my pocket and the hope I'll buy a knife or two I like, is counter balanced by the 'after show' rendez vous. I know there's a lot more to it than that for a lot of people, but for me as a guy new to the community, that might be what it could be if I were to go to a show- yesterday.

But today is the first day of the rest of my life:)

Hammer ins and small, craftsmen oriented shows which encourage participation of patrons is just the coolest thing.
I hate staying in hotels. I don't really like eating out a restaurants. I'd rather pitch a tent, stay in a campground or B&B, and hang around drinking beer under the open sky while beast chars on the barbeque, and chins wag. Maybe learn something about how to make a decent knife, and actually DO it. Right there.

I really hope I can come down to your show one day, Josh.

You know, I wonder if it would be a good idea for guys who want to start doing these hammerins and things to start networking with their local chambers of commerce or whatever. The future of tourism is festivals:thumbup:.
 
I would like to thank Les Robertson for all his excellent and accurate comments regarding shows and the internet. Les, your comment about sales at shows being good or bad based on the "personal economy of the collector" rather than the economy of the country is the way I see it too. I plan on attending the Santa Barbara show in April and while the economy in general might tend to make me spend less, I will still buy if something exceptional is for sale and I can afford it. I might even enter a lottery and get a knife I can sell immediately to a "custom knife entrepreneur" and make a couple hundred bucks. If I'm really lucky I'll go home with a Steve Hoel medium coke bottle, brand new from Mr. Hoel. Or a custom Onion, or a Boguszewski to add to the collection. I may go home empty handed, but the show will have been worthwhile anyway. While pictures on the internet are great there is nothing like getting up close and personal with the knives and makers.

On another note, isn't the new Boston show going to conflict time wise with the already established and worthy Plaza Cutlery show? That's the only negative as far as I can see.
 
martinr said:
. I plan on attending the Santa Barbara show in April and while the economy in general might tend to make me spend less, I will still buy if something exceptional is for sale and I can afford it. I might even enter a lottery and get a knife I can sell immediately to a "custom knife entrepreneur" and make a couple hundred bucks. If I'm really lucky I'll go home with a Steve Hoel medium coke bottle, brand new from Mr. Hoel. Or a custom Onion, or a Boguszewski to add to the collection. I may go home empty handed, but the show will have been worthwhile anyway.
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True words about the shows.....I'll be looking for you, martinr....any unique features about yourself make you easier to spot?

I'll probably be wearing a suit and hat on Friday, makes me easier to recognize.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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