Knifemaker's Guild Show Sept 17-20

Michael J. Smith said:
Did you find out how many knives were sold at this show?
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I don't know how many were sold.

Michael J. Smith said:
Biggest factors today effecting the Guild show is the number of attendees, customers willing and able to buy knives, and number of top named makers with knives available.
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The crowd was pretty good. I don't have attendance numbers but I thought there was a decent size group in there Friday and Saturday as is seen in the photos. Sunday's crowd was smaller. The list of table holders is on the website and there are quite few big names along with some hot newcomers.

Michael J. Smith said:
From comment in this thread the present guild show had a lot of probationary members. How many people that attended this years show were probationary? Even more important how many were top makers?
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Sorry. Again I don't have those figures. Maybe somebody can answer.

Michael J. Smith said:
Makers will not go back to a show unless they are selling.
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The majority of the makers have already signed up for next year.
 
Mike I want to join more than ever now. I like the way you are handling this thread BTW
Please hook me up.
 
rickmenefee said:
I think bruce and les need to start a show.
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I did start a show, back in 1982. It was called "The Blade Show." I'm reasonably certain it is still in business and doing ok. Under my management (with the assistance of my partner Jim Parker until 1986) of that show we invited Bill Moran to bring the ABS in for their annual show in conjunction with us, we began forging demonstrations, seminars, a color show program, the Cutlery Hall of Fame, and the Knife of the Year Awards.

I also started the Knives Illustrated Spirit of Steel Show, going into I think our 10th year in 2010. Date has not been announced yet for the coming year.

I also assisted the Knifemakers Guild for three years recently--under my management the show added the Gala, seminars, knifemaker competitions, cutting competitions, the state leader program, and the state knife program for fund raising. I also composed the "What this emblem means" about the Knifemakers Guild emblem that is on the back of the Guild program. Come to think of it it was my idea that the Guild members coming to the Guild show send a photo of their knife so we could put it on the Guild website.

Bruce Voyles
 
Bruce Bump said:
Mike I want to join more than ever now. I like the way you are handling this thread BTW
Please hook me up.
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Great and thanks.

PROBATIONARY MEMBER APPLICATIONS

Applications for probationary membership are available by contacting the following Membership Chairman:
Gene Baskett
427 Sutzer Creek Road
Eastview, KY 42732-9753
270-862-5019
baskettknives@hotmail.com

Requirements and more information is available on the Guild website at http://www.knifemakersguild.com/about.shtml#PROBATIONARY
 
I want to take this opportunity to thank and recognize our better halves.

My wife, Karen, is always at the shows with me and holds down the fort while I am running around looking at knives or taking pictures.

Many other spouse are often there helping out.

Three ladies who definitely worked their butts off for this years show and deserve recognition are Linda Hibben, Mary Bray and Becky Hensley.

Linda was our show coordinator and did a magnificent job working behind the scenes before, during and after the show. She handled or helped with hundreds of details including coordination with the hotel, menus, table layout and assignmet, mailings, exhibitor packets, advertising, awards, flowers and much more.

Mary and Becky were the lovely ladies at the front desk who handled, among many other things, greeting our guests, making badges, handing out show packets, prize drawings, shirt and cap sales, and virtually everthing that was thrown at them.

I know there were more spouses who contibuted to the success of the show. Please forgive me if I cannot name every one.

Thank ALL of you for everything you do to support us.
 
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This was my fourth Guild show, three in Florida and this one in Kentucky, all of them
were great. Slippies "hot item" maybe. I try to sell my knives at a low enough price, When a purveyor contacts me and wants to buy a couple three of my knives and "their"
discount is 25% to maybe give me a write up in a magazine if they think my knives are
good enough I just don't answer their emails.
Ken
 
this has been a great thread, with lots of interesting content, and Mike Carter you have a lot of class:thumbup:
I'm looking forward to your review. Where did you say it was going to be available?
 
Lorien said:
this has been a great thread, with lots of interesting content, and Mike Carter you have a lot of class:thumbup:
I'm looking forward to your review. Where did you say it was going to be available?
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Steve Shackelford of Blade Magazine asked me to cover it since he wan't able to come to the show. I don't yet know when, or even if, they will publish it. I would hope that it will be in the next issue.
 
Bruce i know who you are and what you have done i never questioned that. I didnt know we were talking about the blade show or the spirit of the steel show. Thank you Bruce
 
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Hi CFendly

Les, I don't even know you but I've been following this thread and am scratching my head wondering why do you feel there is such a problem. I'm a probationary member and there were many others there. I was actually surprised at how many probationary members there were. I talked to one knifemaker interested in joining and Rob Hudson and I talked to a young knifemaker showing his fine work if he would qualify. To have more table holders all they need to do is find more room which has already been discussed. The move to Louisville obviously was excepted beyond what anyone expected that it sold out and has a waiting list. I think I heard someone say it was three fourths sold out for next year when the show ended. I know I didn't waste any time signing up.
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I would encourage you to read between the lines. I have asked Mike, AT and any other member of the Guild to list what they would do to improve the show and how they would implement these suggestions.

You will note that only Harry Matthews has contributed any suggestions (other than I).

Mike talks a good game...but has no suggestions.

This is how the Guild has operated for the last 20 years (That I know).

Still Waiting Mike. Oh thats right you won't answer my emails.

CF, how about you ask Mike and see if he will answer you.
 
Hi Bruce,

Glad to read you are excited now more than ever about joining the Guild:

Lets review your posts:

Nice job on the show write up Mike. I'm hopeful for the this show to continue success and is well on its way back up. One thing I want to get info on is that they will accept ABS Mastersmiths in without a probationary period. Can you correct or expand on that Mike?
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Mike's Response:

Bruce, the Guild will grant immediate voting membership and waive the probationary period to Master Smiths in good standing with the ABS provided that their work and business practices meets the Guilds standards.
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After you told him you were excited about joining:

Mike wrote this in response to you:

Great and thanks.

PROBATIONARY MEMBER APPLICATIONS

Applications for probationary membership are available by contacting the following Membership Chairman:
Gene Baskett
427 Sutzer Creek Road
Eastview, KY 42732-9753
270-862-5019
baskettknives@hotmail.com
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Mike Carter is probably not the guy to ask about joining the Guild.

Since Mike won't address my posts you probably want to ask him who you really need to contact.

Better yet, probably best to just contact Gene Baskett who to contact...he probably knows who to direct ABS Mastersmiths to.
 
Hi Ken:

I try to sell my knives at a low enough price, When a purveyor contacts me and wants to buy a couple three of my knives and "their"
discount is 25% to maybe give me a write up in a magazine if they think my knives are good enough I just don't answer their emails. Ken
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LOL

No dealer is going to write you up in a Magazine.

Perhaps you meant they might mention your name in some article? Your right a mention should probably only be worth a 10% discount.

A quick google search bears out what I surmised after reading your comments.

Not a single dealer (at least with a website) offers your knives for sale. At least of today,

I admire your the tac you have chosen for your business. Proudly shout that you don't work with Dealers.

Gene Shadley makes some of the best slip joint folders the world has ever seen...hell some of the best folders the world has ever seen. He too proudly would tell anyone who would listen that he didn't give dealers a discount.

If you get a chance ask him what one of the first things he did after his term of office was up as President of The Knifemakers Guild. Im talking the very next day at the show.

BTW, I'll keep track of you to see if you pop up on a dealers website. I'll be sure to post up on BF your post in this thread and ask you why you are giving a 25% discount.

Best of luck with your knife making.
 
Hi Rick,

Why did you edit your post? You know the one where you said Bruce should hire me to help him with the SOS Show (yea I read it before you deleted it).

First, I would not charge Bruce a dime to help him with the SOS Show.

Bruce has done so much for so many in the area of knives that we all owe him a debt of gratitude!

The very first knife show I ever went to..Blade Show in Knoxville TN.

BTW, did you know that Bruce Voyles is in both the Blade Hall of Fame and the ABS Hall of Fame.

Let me acquaint you with a few others that are in both Halls of Fame:

Bill Moran
William Scagel
Jimmy Lile
Jim Bowie

There may be a couple of others...Sadly the ABS doesn't see fit to put its Hall of Fame members on their website.

Without a doubt Bruce Voyles is a leading expert in Antique Bowie Knives (He literally wrote the book) and collectible factory knives (again he literally wrote the BOOKS)!

Couple that with his knowledge of knife shows Bruce would need no help from me on the antique and factory knives side of the house.

He has routinely asked not only me, but many others about what he can do to improve his show.

MY GOD MAN don't you know he moved the show to Grape Vine ( 5 minute shuttle ride from the DFW Airport).

According to Mike the Guild Moving to Louisville was going to make the show turn the corner!

So you were wise to edit your post.

BTW, I have been to every SOS show...how many did you attend?

AT seemed to put great stock in the theory that if you haven't been to the show you really can't comment.

I don't agree with that....Im just saying.
 
Danbo,

I see you lurking at the bottom of the page.

Im still waiting for you to answer my question to you in this thread. :D
 
Hi Lorien,

The show will get good coverage in the Knife Magazines.

I understand the Editor of Knives Illustrated actually made the trip.
 
Sorry to be posting so many threads in a row.

I had to finish up writing two articles for Blade Magazine today.

That took up a fair amount of the day.

But I wanted to comment on the posts today.

Danbo...I still see you lurking.
 
Hi Rick,

Great you have actually been to 3 SOS Shows. What was the last one you went to? Having been to 3 shows you feel you are qualified to make a comment/suggestion for the show. I agree with that.

I went to 19 Guild Shows (Orlando, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Orlando (none in the last 4 years) I have even judged for probationary and voting members, I was one of two judges for the inaugural Guild Knife awards and even did a seminar for collectors and another for makers. however, I feel I have pretty good understanding of how the Guild got to where it is today.

Yes, history does count.

Im glad to see that you have recognized Bruce's contributions to the knife world.

He has earned it!
 
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