Prices at Gun/Knife Shows

[neosporin]

yeah, i've only been to 2 and both were in the past month or so and i heard so many mistruths about the law here in FL i wanted to say something myself. i was lied to my face both knowing it and not knowing and its a real turnoff. it wont stop me from seeing other shows though, theres good and bad wherever you go.

 

[textoothpk]

I sell knives (and outdoor collectibles) at local gun & knife shows, just one day affairs put on by sportsmans clubs. A magnifying glass and my copy of BRLevines is right there on my table, and anyone is welcome to look up any knife (those from other sellers are popular searches- makes me a lot of friends). I don't sell China junk, I let my knives sell themselves. I answer questions honestly. My table is decked out attractively and it is neat. I give away recent issues of knive magazines. My prices are a bit on the high side. And you know what? I do OK. I wish every dealer I dealt with at other shows was just like me.

Phil

 

[allyourblood]

This last weekend at Del Mar, I had a great time chatting with Barry Dawson, and the rest of the show sucked.

nuts, i knew i forgot something! sounds like i didn't miss out on anything, though.

abe m.

 

[trane fan]

A couple or four times a year C&E Gun/Knife show comes to two different cities that are in close proximity to me so I've been able to build "relationships" with some of the dealers. There's two or three that know I'm fairly educated about knives and tend to be attracted to high-end knives that not everyone there will want to buy. Consequently, they've been willing to offer a good price or work a trade or two. So to me the keys to the equation are be educated, let the seller know you are educated and get to know the dealer a little.

 

[bladefoolish]

Some years ago I had my FFL, and sold at gun shows. Gave the FFL up about eight years ago -- it got to be more trouble than it was worth -- but have recently started setting up at shows again, selling knives. Most of what I sell are Bark River products (I'm a dealer), but I also carry some old Marbles, Northwoods, etc. I try to keep my prices in line with what a person could buy these products on-line for. I know other dealers who regularly have good deals on quality items.

I WANT a customer that knows knives, because then they can understand and appreciate why the knife I'm selling is worth $100.00 when they can buy one that looks similar for under $20.00 three tables away. The bottom line is that I will not carry any knife in my inventory that I would would not be pleased to own myself.


Having said that, let me also add that I am very often amazed at the prices that SOME individuals are asking for . . . junk. There seems to be a school of thought that thinks any knife that appears old or beat up must be a valuable collector's piece. I guess someone must buy that stuff, 'cause these guys keeps showing up at shows.