Quantity vs. Quality at Blade '08

[thepaintedbird]

In 2006 I made the pilgrimage to the Blade show. At that point I wouldn’t say that I had a collection so much as an accumulation of production knives (i.e. Benchmade, Etrema Ratio, Crusader Forge, Robert Criswell, etc). My motivation for attending the show at that particular time came from some articles I had seen about a few particular makers that caught my eye: Burt Foster, Jason Knight, Adam DesRosiers and Daniel Winkler (whom I was a bit familiar with from back in my black powder shooting days).

I bought a knife from Daniel at the show and got a knife from Burt a couple of days after the fact, but other than that I left a lot of what I was familiar with – production or semi-custom stock removal knives. But here I am two years later and after reading a lot on BF and becoming a dedicated customer of a great MS my tastes and interest have changed, but my budget hasn’t.

Thanks to the U.S. Government ABS stimulus package and a part time job delivering pizza on the weekends, I think that I might be able to eek out a couple of grand for the show, but that doesn’t spend quite the same when you’re on the ABS side as it does when you’re working the whole floor. So here I am trying to decide, do I go for 3 or 4 knives at a more modest price point or do I put all my cash into one or two knives.

So all of that being said, I’m curious as to if anyone else has a particular strategy or do you just wing it? Any insight from those of you who are veterans would be greatly appreciated.

Scott

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I'm not a veteran knife show attendee, and I can only tell you what I would do. You may have a completely different way of looking at things. If it were me, I'd look for one or two higher end knives. Though if I were to see something really nice from one of the up and coming smiths for a good price, I just might end up taking it home.

Have an idea of which makers you are interested in before you go. If they are popular, get to their tables as early as possible (get a VIP pass so that you can get in an hour early [I here makers are being charged $5.00 each for VIP passes this year]). You probably won't have time to hum and haw, because those makers are going to sell out early. If you are are interested in knives from some of the lesser known makers, you will have more time to check around before having to make decisions.

Go with a game plan.

 

[Lorien]

aren't you supposed to be using that money to pay down your debt?

 

[Kevin Jones]

I had to think on that question almost a micro second before reaching the answer.
IMO, it's ALWAYS QUALITY.

Buy the highest quality knives you can afford no matter if you are collecting forged, stockremoval, folders or whatever. And two grand is certainly enough to buy quality.

I suggest as Keith, go to the show with a plan. Contact your favorite makers and ask what they are bringing. Many makers will send you photographs. Get prices. Decide what you want before you arrive at the show. Sometimes, it may even help if you tell the maker what piece you are after. Get a VIP pass and get in line early. Use the exhibitor table map located in the current addition of Blade magazine to find where your favorite makers are located. Yes, you can loose out on a knife hunting for their tables.

Using this strategy, you should have no problem getting the knife you want.

If you seek great knives from the best makers there's no time for indecision.

 

[GigOne]

If you're not careful, you can run through several grand at Blade Show as faster than a Top Fuel dragster at the NHRA Summer Nationals.

Restraint should be exercised, but that's not often the case. It's like observing the reaction of a thousand knife knuts as they patiently (sic) wait for the doors at Blade Show to open at noon.

Obtain a Blade Show "Exhibitor Listing" several days. . . .OK, months before the show. Carefully develop a strategy of the top five or six makers you want to visit first. Just as important. . . .learn and develop your checking skills. Here's a cool link to get you started. . . . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checking_(hockey)

IMO, quality always rules. Maybe an example is in order. Would you rather have one cool knife from "X" maker (example price: $1,000) or purchase a Frost Cutlery Premium Knife Package (4,000 knives at $44.29) ? I know, tough decision. :grumpy:

 

[RogerP]

I say go for both. No, seriously.

Top quality value-priced knives are available at a wide range of price points. While it is true that you can get exceptional value in a $3000 bowie and poor value in a $300 hunter, you can also get the reverse. Which is worse?

As others have mentioned, having a plan is key. Ask makers you are interested in what they are bringing - and importantly - what the prices will be. Give thought to the type of knives you want to grab and what the ideal mix would be. The NFL guys do a "mock draft" - if player A is unavailable at position 1, my next choice is player B at position 2. Try doing a "mock Blade" closer to show time when more is known about who is bringing what. If you are into the forged pieces, give particular thought to who is testing for JS and MS and also consider the ABS banquet and auction which, in addition to being a good time, can present some unique purchase opportunities.

I'd say that for any show I attend, approximately 75% of my funds are already decided before the show ever opens. I like to leave something behind for the "gotta have it" piece(s) I come across on the show floor, but particularly at Blade, it is helpful to have made the majority of your purchase decisions (or at least, purchase intentions) early. Deciding what you want is always the hardest part, because at Blade, you are spoiled for choice.

As for spending the show budget on 1-2 pieces versus 3-4 - I have done both and been happy with the results.

Roger

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

You only cry once when you buy the best!

 

[thepaintedbird]

aren't you supposed to be using that money to pay down your debt?

Paying down debt is important and something that I am fully committed to, but as a new member of the collector community I see it as my responsibility to help my favorite makers to pay down their debt as well.

 

[thepaintedbird]

You only cry once when you buy the best!

Chuck that is great!

Good advise everyone and I do appreciate it. I only wish that having a plan made desicions easier.

I printed out the list of table holders as soon as it was available and then printed out the floor map when it was posted. I've got my "first five" highlighted and a plan of attack, but jeez, I like them all and want one (at least) from each of those makers.

Oh, the things we love, how they torture us for our affection and test us for our commitment...this is worse than dating.

Scott

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

You could contact makers before the show and see if they could send you pics of what they will have available.
Many makers, including myself will post a blade show preview in this forum about a week before the show. This shows what you have to potential customers and lets people not going see some cool knives.

 

[thepaintedbird]

You could contact makers before the show and see if they could send you pics of what they will have available.
Many makers, including myself will post a blade show preview in this forum about a week before the show. This shows what you have to potential customers and lets people not going see some cool knives.

I have to admit that I am a bit shy and I really hate to bother people. The one maker that I already have an established relationship with is scheduled to be a stop on my road trip down south, so I'll get to see his wares first hand before the show. A second maker that I recently contacted to get on his list was kind enough to extend me an invitation for a preview of his show knives as well. And Keith was kind enough to reach out to a third maker for some pictures that he's going to post in a thread once received.

So all in all I think I'll be fairly well prepared except for that pesky little detail of not having nearly enough money.

But I guess it's not about getting everything all at once, so much as meeting people and finding makers for future projects. We need something to look forwar to; right?

 

[Joss]

Thanks to the U.S. Government ABS stimulus package...

Huh.... Remember that the US government is being generous with other people's money. Since they didn't lower their expenses, this "tax rebate" will have to be paid for - more likely mine than yours, but still.

So all of that being said, I’m curious as to if anyone else has a particular strategy or do you just wing it? Any insight from those of you who are veterans would be greatly appreciated.

Scott

You seem to be good at picking high potential makers. This is a good strategy.

 

[thepaintedbird]

Huh.... Remember that the US government is being generous with other people's money.

Joss, not to get off track, but being a single male with no dependants, the US government is very good at being generous to OTHERS with MY hard earned money 99% of the time. So with that in mind, the $600 that I recieved yesterday is not being paid by anyone else but me...it was a small portion of the money that I paid in and I'm getting that very same money back. Then, after I pay that money to a hard working artisian, the government will swoop in, goble up a good portion of it out of their pocket and once again our ever more ravenous beast of a government is fed.

See, it all works out. :thumbup:

Oh, and thanks for the compliment. I think I was really lucky to start out where I did since all those gentlemen are examples of what is good in the custom knife world. I'll be looking forward to making the acquaintance of many more of the other generous and skillful smiths this year.

 

[Joss]

I'm glad we're on the same page. You do realize then that you will be asked to pay for that $600 later, and maybe also for your neighbors'. With that in mind, I would caution you against thinking of those $600 as disposable income. As for me, I have the privilege to pay for it but am not eligible, so it's not in question.

Like most here have said, quality will get you more pleasure over time than quantity.

 

[notdos]

As you already know, it's easy to get stars in your eyes when you walk, er run, into the Blade Show, so a plan is a good idea. If you get to your favorite makers table and don't score, don't give up. I suggest visiting the dealers tables as you just might find some good values there as well. While I don't generally deal in any ABS stuff, many dealers do.

Phillip

 

[Greg]

Buy what you can't live without...
I once didn't buy a knife that grabbed my attention and the memory of that knife hung on for a year, making me unhappy with everything else I saw.
Fortunately it was there the next year (a longish story) and now it's mine! Even though it was too expensive for me I get a great deal of satisfaction whenever I think about it, and even more when I handle and use it.
You can't take the money with you, but it wouldn't be heaven if your memories didn't go.
Greg