Prices at Blade Shows?

R

Roger Ma

Joined
Jun 12, 1999
Messages
72
Hi all,

How are the prices at shows like the NY Custom Knife show, or other shows. Reason I ask is that there are a couple of items i want to pick up, but am in no real hurry to grab them.

I'm wondering if I should just save my pennies until the NY show rolls around in 4 months, or will the prices there be higher than what I can find on the 'net.

For example, I found an M2 AFCK online for 85 dollars. Should I wait for the show, or just pick it up now. (Actually, thats a bad example, because of the inconsistent quality of the AFCK's, but i digress....)

Thanks!

RM

------------------
I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.
 
That's a good price for the M2 Mini-AFCK. Just got one from James Mattis a Chai Cutlery. Paid a little more, but James checks every knife before sending it out, and mine is perfect. Maybe all the talk about BM quality control is getting back to the factory. Love the M2!
 
Roger, I haven't been to the N.Y. show in a couple of years but it is mostly custom stuff witha couple of tables of production retailers. Sometimes they have great deals but the best deals are on discontinued stuff they pick up at closeout prices. I don't think you are going to beat the price you were quoted on any current production knives.

phantom4

------------------
who dares, wins


 
If manufacturer's are there, you will see higher prices on what they are selling than what you will normally get on line. They will sometimes have specials or close outs, but you don't know for sure.

It has been my experience with the smaller shows I have attended, that custome makers will keep to their advertised price and will sometimes lower it. I haven't seen a maker yet that raises their prices at shows. that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
 
The recent Blade show in Atlanta was my first show. My sense is that you don't get a "better" deal on current production knives and those from custom makers. What you do get is the chance to look, handle and play with the knives and then decide whether you like it. How many folks here have bought a knife over the net or the phone because it looked great in a magazine and then to recieve it and NOT like in the hand. Perhaps, it's just me...
smile.gif


Also, the other benefit especially with custom knives is that you can decide on something you like and purchase it then and there. Ordering one can take a long time, depending on the maker.

sing
 
If you were to buy a production knife at the NY Knife Show you would probably pay list price. Last year BM was selling pre-production Axis locks for 160.00. You will find the best deals right here online.
Nick
 
On the production knives you can get better prices online. I bought a Pioneer II at the Atlanta Blade Show and could have found them $20 cheaper online. But then I wouldn't have been able to talk with Bob. I also picked up 2 knives from custom makers and saved a few bucks according to their sites. This was my first show and I'm saving for next year. I saw some stuff I really liked...
 
Atlanta was my first show in years. Prices from the production guys was at list, more or less. Custom makers would do a little talking. BUT, you did get to talk to the guys behind the knives and get to play a little, but not enough(is there ever enough?)with all sorts of knives. Some were almost a custom fit others fit like a bad pair of shoes.
Lots of fun and information.
Based on this prices not bad. Ya got to pay, or should, for the information and fun. I agree prices are better on 'net but you can't feel the knife before the money is spent.
 
I was in Atlanta last month also. Some dealers there were very expensive (MSRP or just a little under). Others were very reasonable. Plus many dealers at shows are willing to come down a bit on their posted price, especially on the last day. In all it just depends on the dealer in question and what kind of day/show they are having. Plus going to a show is just more fun than surfing the web.
 
Seems to me the real deals at Knife shows are on stuff that's hard to find - older knives and discontinued items. I'm willing to pay a bit more for stuff that I can't find anywhere I go. Being able to dicker a bit on the price adds to the experience for me. Let's be real, it's major hassle for these people to go to a show and NOT a cheap way to sell stuff. That doesn't mean that as a consumer I feel compelled to patronize them, but I am occasionally overcome with lust for something and pay retail-GLADLY.

Preparation, transportation, show fees, SHRINKAGE, and all the other costs of doing business are multiplied in the show setting.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top