NY Show - Symptomatic of Knife Making Malaise???

A

akula57

Joined
Jul 24, 1999
Messages
198
A great show, but the excitement seemed muted. Well attended, but seemingly modest buying.

Les had some great Kaspers at his table for a long time. Sebenzas sat at Chris's table, too - even the lefties. Elishewitz had some nice pieces left in the evening. As for the lesser known makers, they seemed to be selling very little (Even Bud Nealy had a seemingly full table late on Friday.) Perhaps attendees already own a Pesh or Sebenza.

It struck me that the show was too similar to last year's show. The same nice pieces from the same makers. The same colors - tactical black on black. Not much which was new or extra special.

One gripe - too may knives were not sharp. Step away from Chris Reeves' table and most knives couldn't shave hair.

One gem - the attendees and makers. Intelligent, courteous, and interesting individuals. I actually dropped my Serengeti sunglasses and someone turned them in - a great bunch of people!

And one suggestion - how about more new, special, and daring knives at the show? (Yes, the Sebenza is great, but I have one.) For example, how about more color - say mother of pearl or white micarta handles on that tactical? I'll gladly pay a bit more! (One can take only so much black G-10.)

Just my $.02 cents.


 
It's hard to tell how well a knifemaker did without knowing what he brought or what on his table might have already been sold. Some people bring a lot of knives.Those that told me they did well on the first day John Kubasek, Jim Siska sold out quickly. Wally Hayes said he was extremely happy with how the show went for him. The South Africans seemed pleased. Two of them said they did well.
 
I agree to a point Akula, but Tom is also right. Some makers (Elishewitz in particular) have more knives and as one is sold off the table, he replaces it with another. Also, I think people are starting to get a little tired of just black and bead blast on their tacticals. I was 8th on line Friday and went directly to Les's table with full intention of buying a nice folder. He and Bob had a huge selection but all the handles were black. I wanted either wood,stag, or bone. I ended up buying a Terzuola folder with ironwood scales from Rhett Stidham(Randall), but I would have preferred to give my money to Les or one of the other guys who is helpful on line. I sure did miss my buddy Ed Fowler this year though, he couldnt make it due to business dealings at his ranch. He always has a good story ready.

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lifter
Phil. 4:13

 
I've never before been to a knife-show, but I must admit that several of REALLY good makers sat long times with no-one coming up to their tables. For instance Chris Reeve sat alone a lot on saturday.

But it's true that many makers had a lot of knives with them. I saw Elishewitz fill up many times. A problem then is of course that even though it's possible for a maker to bring more of something he anticipates will sell well, he'll probably still sell out of the knife You want just before You reach his table.

+ I bought an Elishewitz Ares. I wish I'd have gotten there in time to buy a persian as well. I must say Valerie (and Allen too) seems like an exceptionally nice person (after 5 minutes conversation

+ I bought an R.J Martin Kwaiken - the quality and mass of the knife is astaunding. I wish I could have aforded a Kozuka as well (and a wasabi)

- I didn't by a Sebenza (I didn't get it that there is a plain - less expensive version)

- I would have liked having more money to spend. Also having more experience would have meant being able to ask better queations and learn more.

Overall - fantastic selection of knives at the show

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Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent. - Wittgenstein
 
There are always several makers who attend the shows but can only have available what one pair of human hands can produce at a time. And consequently, along with the huge demand from LEO and gov' t contracts, the demand for those knives exceed the numbers available. Foe example, those who are regular readers of TK Mag will know of Al Polkowski and his Kasper designed blades. They are practically gone after the first day of any show. And that is to start with only a few pieces from the beginning. I' m sure there are others who are a one person shop fall into this category. FYI, Al' s usual and current delivery time is 13 months+! That' s all one pair of hands can do.

L8r,
Nakano
 
Akula,
If you want other really sharp stuff, drop by the Busse table next time. Andy Prisco must have run out of arm and leg hair by the time the show was over on Sunday afternoon.

-Greg
 
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