Santa Barbara Premier Art Showcase Review

Nice Review STeven. Your best work yet. Very interesting on which makers sold and didnt. Scary actually. The maker list is impressive as there are some of the biggest names in the business there. It must have been awesome to simply observe the show even if momma keeps your wallet. If you dont get there the first day ya miss out for sure.
 
It was a wonderful show.....

as for the thread drift.

I think it would come back on a makers head to be dishonest, and at the same time the buyer needs to do some homework, like in anything one buys!!!!
 
Great review!:thumbup:

I have to say, that the biggest difference between the Solvang and Santa Barbara shows,(in my opinion) was that in Solvang the collectors were lined up early to compete with the dealers. At this show the dealers all had tables. I had not been a participant in Solvang, but have attended the last couple years. I may be off base here, but that's what it seemed like to me. Other than that I thought it was a very nice show in a beautiful venue. Just needed a little
more food at the reception!:D
 
Good job on the review STeven. The Fuegen knife is a beauty. Larry always does a great job. I would have loved to see Loerchner's piece. Both makers are super.
Looking forward to seeing you in Atlanta and at the AKI.
C Gray Taylor
 
Don Hanson III said:
Some don't wont a sticky sticker on their knives.
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LOL
Well, I DO often get accused of over analysing things :eek:;)
Your right though..........................

I was hoping when I wrote my post you guys wouldn't think that I am insinuating that 1st degree price discrimination is unethical or immoral

I think if you discriminate (charge more or less) because of race, color or creed===>illegal
As far as I know there are no laws against INCOME discrimination....hehhehehhe

If I were a maker/seller
I guess I would price a knife that I wanted to get $1K for, at $1,200
Put the $1,200 sticker on the knife===>
"Allow" the potential buyer to "talk me down" to my $1,000 price target....

A seller not having a listed or even a particular price in mind is not necessarily price discrimination. He may prefer to negotiate a sales price with a potential buyer and there's nothing wrong with that. Actually it's an equatable solution for determining value of an object at a particular time.
A seller may prefer a negotiated price to a listed price if he/she wants to insure everything in inventory is sold.
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Well said Mr. Jones :thumbup:
I agree

Sorry about the thread drift
I was just curious about the no sticker philosophy
You guys answered my questions
Thanks..........
 
Thanks for the review STeven. Typically comprehensive and enjoyable to read. I am really bummed to hear you won't be at Blade - I do hope you will reconsider.

The approach Don takes (and Burt and a few others) is the one I recommend - a small card with the price and specs that the buyer can take with him.

I have NO interest in engaging in an impromptu price negotiation with a maker for a prospective knife purchase. As a buyer, it is information I need before making a purchase decision. Simple as that. I don't want to have to ask. And if I have to ask, I want a straght answer - not a song and dance. Of course it's their choice to conduct business that way if they choose to. Just as it's my choice to take my business elsewhere.

Roger
 
RogerP said:
Thanks for the review STeven. Typically comprehensive and enjoyable to read. I am really bummed to hear you won't be at Blade - I do hope you will reconsider.

The approach Don takes (and Burt and a few others) is the one I recommend - a small card with the price and specs that the buyer can take with him.

I have NO interest in engaging in an impromptu price negotiation with a maker for a prospective knife purchase. As a buyer, it is information I need before making a purchase decision. Simple as that. I don't want to have to ask. And if I have to ask, I want a straght answer - not a song and dance. Of course it's their choice to conduct business that way if they choose to. Just as it's my choice to take my business elsewhere.

Roger
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I agree Roger.
As negotiating construction contracts is part of how I have made a living, it's the last thing I want to do when purchasing a knife. Show me the price and I will decide if I want it.
The point I was making is that just because a maker (or any seller for that matter) doesn't display a price doesn't mean he/she has something sinister in mind.
 
RogerP said:
Thanks for the review STeven. Typically comprehensive and enjoyable to read. I am really bummed to hear you won't be at Blade - I do hope you will reconsider.

The approach Don takes (and Burt and a few others) is the one I recommend - a small card with the price and specs that the buyer can take with him.

I have NO interest in engaging in an impromptu price negotiation with a maker for a prospective knife purchase. As a buyer, it is information I need before making a purchase decision. Simple as that. I don't want to have to ask. And if I have to ask, I want a straght answer - not a song and dance. Of course it's their choice to conduct business that way if they choose to. Just as it's my choice to take my business elsewhere.

Roger
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:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
The lack of a price tag (sticker, label) is what I like to call Bubba or Redneck marketing.
It goes something like this:

Customer-How much are you asking for your knife?
Bubba-Well, let me see, well thats the original prototype of that model. Its one of a kind.
Customer-Whats your price?
Bubba-Well, I was hoping to really keep that one, but I guess for the right price I could possibly sell it. What will you give me for it?
Customer-Well, its your knife sir, whats are you asking.
Bubba-I would like to get $600, you know, there won't be another one like it. Pink giraffe bone is hard to find and...I could do a bit better for cash money..
Customer-Uh, ok. Thanks. I'll be back. I think.
Bubba-Wait, uh, hows about $550? I mean, I gotta have gas money and I really would like you to have this one. Its really unique. The rainbow mokume looks great next to the powdercoated blade...It has a sheath, but I don't have it. I left it home. It wasn't quite ready. I can mail it you. With a certificate of authenticity. And a great chili spice kit and recipe.
Customer-let me think about it, I think I have to go find a restroom, stat..
Bubba-Would you like some candy? Jerky? Stare at my wife's breasts ? LOL..please..don't go..please... LOL
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
Customer-let me think about it, I think I have to go find a restroom, stat..
Bubba-Would you like some candy? Jerky? Stare at my wife's breasts ? LOL..please..don't go..please... LOL
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Now that was funny. Thanks for the laugh

At Blade last year I saw a cool way to do the price. The maker had put the price of each knife on the table on a small tag then set the knife on it. If you picked up the knife there was the price even better you now know where the knife goes back on the table. Things stay nice and neat and and you do not have to say the price of a knife every 10 minutes.
 
problem with this method, David, is that if more than one knife is being looked at by either the same or different customers, it is easy for the wrong knife to be placed back on the right price tag or visa versa. Next customer comes along and finds a $300 price under a $500 knife and says "I'll take it". Now it is difficult to justify the correct price. Much better to use nice cards with full knife info. Then, when the sale is consumated, give the purchaser the card with the knife and sheath (if one is available).

Last year at some shows I gave makers another idea that maybe some have incorporated into their sales procedures.

Try this -- ask for the purchasers email addy. Either that night after the show or when you initially get home (yeah I know you are tired but) simply sit down at the computer and say

Dear (name of customer) Thank you for attending (knife show name). Hope you had a good time and saw lots of great knives and added to your collection. I was very pleased that you found one of my knives to add to your collection.

When we last spoke, I gave you a card with the info about the knife but I know that it is easy to lose this info and thus I am providing you a file containing all that info for your safe keeping. Additionally, I also attach a photo of your knife for your records.

It was a pleasure dealing with you and I'm glad you found one of my knives worthy of being part of your collection. Hopefully at another show or from my website (insert url) you will find other knives in the future that will fit your collection.

Now, David, can you imagine the positive reaction a customer would have upon his returning home from a knife show to find this nice email sitting in the customers inbox?

Whether makers have tried this, I don't know but, David, you and others in the forum might try it out and see what response you get. I'd expect it to be very positive.
 
Kohai999 said:
Likarich, Steven builds his work pretty much with files....I saw about 4 fixed blade knives, with abalone, great lines, high polish, and rope filework on everything...prices ranged from $1,200-$2,000, which is great value considering technique and materials, and if the rope filework had been changed to something more symmetrical to match the pieces, they probably would have all been gone...the work is a fine balance between art and technique, and all the more impressive to see up close and personal.

Loerchner, Wolfe man, o frikkin man....the BEST reason for me to be at this show is that Wolfe had the largest folding dagger he has ever made on his table, which belonged to Don Guild, who does not deserve it(joke). This knife is the closest thing to total knife perfection made by the human hand that I have ever had the joy of holding, and I currently lack the discipline to be able to own something similar, even if Wolfe would build it for me...stainless steel, pearl, damascus and gold have never been shaped into a better folding knife imo...it represents all that is beautiful, and good and of artistic and humanistic value in custom knives. Great pleasure to see it, hold it, and talk to Wolfe and his kind wife about it. At one point I might have started drooling uncontrollably....don't remember, sort of blacked out from satori.

Mayo, Tom sold out...plain and simple...one minute he was pulling out knives from a case, turned my back, they were all gone....saw virtually NOTHING of what he had. DID see ONE gorgeous wharncliffe folder in damascus and carbon fiber for a fleeting second...and that was it the whole weekend. Got to feel Tom's trick right shoulder(grinds and sounds like crunching corn puffs), talk to his buddy Jeff who I met at the Plaza show last year, and met his wife for the first time, she is far prettier than he deserves, and has been putting up with his surf-bum ass for like 30+ years....Mayo lives a charmed life!

Moeller, Harald always looks sharp in a felt hat and western style jacket. Harald sold one of his superb axes, and seemed very happy about that. We chatted briefly, viewed his clean and smooth functioning folders, and moved on. Always a great maker to see at shows, and putting in the mileage to ensure that collectors are aware of his well crafted and various stock removal artworks.

Nealy, Bud had a bunch of fine, mostly concealment-based, knives on this table. One thing I did not care for was the mokume gane' bolstered, white mother of pearl handled fighter he displayed...if it was bolstered in titanium or stainless steel it would have already sold, imo. I DID like the small pesh kabz that he was selling with the MCS system, so I purchased one for a whopping $250.00...knives like this are the gateway drug of the custom knife world, affordable to virtually anyone, and done as well as just about anyone can do...Must have, entry-level collector grade maker.

Newton, Ron is influenced by Loveless style knives lately, informed by his own design sensibilities. Picked up a Wilderness style fighter with stag handles from him back in January and he had a very similar one on his table, also a New York Special type knife....great grinds, fit finish and complemented by excellent leather work, Ron has always been a maker to watch, and this show was no different.

Ohta, Hiraoki had about a dozen slipjoint knives or so, which he was just unwrapping from plastic when I got to his table...all handled in stag, single or double bladed, starting at $420, he sold out by 11:55 am on Friday, and no one but the buyers got to see them. On my advice, Adam picked up a 3 3/4" stag handled single blade folder that is a beauty. I was only looking for pearl handled slipjoints, and Ohta did not have any at this show, otherwise, would have picked up something for myself as well. He also had some wood handled Olfa knives and Japanese styled friction folders with wooden handles....those, he had in stock until at least Saturday afternoon.

Onion, Ken had about 7 knives for lottery on Friday, same again on Saturday. Bernie Pang was out with him to lend assistance and moral support. Ken had his usual stellar SpeedSafe knives, as well as some prototypes of his new flipper knife, everything looked well done, and the knives that I got to handle had the usual smoothness, and excellent lockup. One of the head honcos from Columbia River Knife and Tool came down specifically to see Ken, wonder what that means?

Ralph, Darrel continues to slim down to very reasonable proportions, and had an AMAZING show, another maker who had knives one minute, completely sold out the next....saw literally nothing on his table but photographs and knife parts on Friday around 1:15 pm.

Rapp, Steven had around 4-6 knives on his table, all high-end, including a wonderful San Francisco style dagger with ivory and silver pique pin work. I don't think Steven had a very good show, sadly, but seemed to enjoy the crowd.

Revishvili, Zaza had some knives, but they eye catchers on his table were miniature reproductions of Faberge eggs as pendants in enamel, silver and gold. Hope to see Zaza at the AKI this year and pick one up for my wife...by the time that I saw them was pretty much out of cash.

Sawby, Scott attended the show with his wife, the talented engraver Marion Sawby. Scott pretty much sold out by the time I got to his table around 1:30 on Friday afternoon. He had about 8 knives, some engraved, some not. A white pearl engraved button lock Kittiwake looking pattern was a standout, as was a black jade inlaid custom Selflock. Scott is always excellent to chat with, at the Plaza show last year, was able to speak with him about his many years long history with knifemaker Steve Mullin. Scott's memory is sharp as a knife.

Shadley, Eugene had a probably 8 knives on his table by the time I got there around 4:00 pm on Friday. Two whittlers stood out, in both size, and blade type, excellent walk and talk, and fit, as expected. What was NOT expected was spear point blades....on knives that cost well over $1,000, the smart money is on wharncliffe blades or clip point blades. It was very disappointing, I think I could have scraped up the monies if one of them had a clip point main blade.

Slobodian, Scott is doing pretty darned good, thank you very much! Back at the beginning of the year, we were informed that Scott was knocking at death's door due to a mystery brain aliment. He is 99% percent bettter, but still suffering an occasional seizure, so he cannot legally operate a motor vehicle. Great to see him! I counted about 4 of his awesome Japanese style tanto knives, unfortunately, none of the woods he had selected for scabbards appealed to me at this show. GREAT to see him working , out and about, can say that definitively.

Smith, Josh had a fine selection of knives on his table, both fixed blades and folders, including an amazing gold and antique tortoiseshell folder with composite damascus blade. Josh did not sell anything, but did take some orders, and it was great to see him.

Strider Knives had a smokin' show, the booth was hopping all weekend. Got to chat with my buddy Josh Lee for a bit, and even....actually purchased a Strider knife, an SLCC. What can I say, I like the knife.

Velarde, Ricardo had some nice mammoth ivory knives on his table. I'm hoping that pearl comes back in favor, because he had a very cool integral dagger that I would love to see in pearl. I purchased a signed cigar poker/cutter tool from Ricardo made out of BG42 that was a really cool thing to have from a knifemaker.

On Friday before going into the showroom, met a knife collector named Ed Stitt(sp?) who just celebrated his 90th birthday....if I am as vital as he is at 65, I'll consider myself quite fortunate. The room was REALLY hopping on Friday, feedback from a variety of sources is that it was about 50% the attendance of the Solvang show. Have never attended Solvang as it is another hour up the coast for me, and reports have always painted it as more of a "makers" show, that is, collectors and buyers outnumber the amount of available knives... I sort of prefer a "buyers" show, where I have some time to pick and choose. Anyway, I enjoyed this show very much.

After a lot of talking with other collectors and makers, it seems the economy is about 30% to blame, the promoter is about 30% to blame, and the makers themeselves are 30% to blame, if they had a bad show. D'lack got a great venue, but it seems that more advertisement might have helped, and making sure that moneyed collectors found a reason to make it a "must do" REALLY would have helped, and I didn't see that. The makers I polled DID NOT get their own collectors in the room, and that hurts everyone. I think the reason that the show was not billed as a knife show is that Santa Barbara would probably have made it really hard for Steve D'lack to do the show under that umbrella...they are kind of touchy up there.

Friday was a lot of fun, Saturday was more of a grind, seemed like a lot of people were only there for the day....they missed out on a lot. I got to meet CharlieMike from the forums, met ExamonLyf's girlfriend and Tom Mayo's wife on Saturday. WHAT SUCKED for me, is that Eric Eggly from PointSeven studios was supposed to be there to photograph, and was NOT, due to another work commitment...HEY...this is serious business...if you can't make it, don't say that you will be there.....he did, in his defense, get Buddy Thomason(HTMD) to step in last minute, and Buddy did a great job, but the whole deal was very frustrating for many collectors and makers. I myself took up a Russ Andrews fighter that I wanted to have photographed back at the Pasadena show...which I did not write up, pretty much because I was so pissed off that there was no photographer at that show..it ruined it....if they don't make the effort, I won't make the effort.

Went to dinner at Rodney's Steakhouse with Mike Donato from KnifePurveyor, and his friend(Jack?) on Saturday night, afterwords, shared a cigar with Paul Schindler from Knife Legends, and Ricardo Velarde. Later, had some seriously enjoyable conversation with Harvey Dean, Josh Smith and Henry Torres.

Next day, more of the same, split the show at 4:00 pm....heard the dinner/banquet was really nice.

I would go back in a heartbeat.

Feel free to comment, e-mail pictures you would like included in the review...and thanks for reading what is probably my longest-winded missive yet.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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DANG! I didn't know Wolfe or Mayo was there. Wolfe is my FAVORITE art knife maker, and the 1st show I went to, I hadn't gotten a feel for mayos yet, but have now and would've loved to meet Tom. Oh well, maybe next time. Great review Steven, and it was nice to meet you.
 
nate3993 said:
DANG! I didn't know Wolfe or Mayo was there. Wolfe is my FAVORITE art knife maker, and the 1st show I went to, I hadn't gotten a feel for mayos yet, but have now and would've loved to meet Tom. Oh well, maybe next time. Great review Steven, and it was nice to meet you.
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Nice to meet you too, Nate....catch up with me at the next show you are doing in Cali, and I will take you around.

BTW, you don't have to quote my whole review, you can pick and choose what you want to quote.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Maybe next time I see you, I'll have black lining around my red letters ;)
 
Charlie Mike said:
Maybe next time I see you, I'll have black lining around my red letters ;)
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If you don't you will have a lot more "holidays" than you have now...and I don't expect to see any more nekkid pictures of your GF plastered on the web now, either.

Having met her brings out my protective "dad" nature.;) Nice girl there, be decent to her.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
For sure Steve. She's all I could ever want in a woman.

Now I just gotta stop buying customs for a month and get my ink fixed :D
 
Charlie Mike said:
For sure Steve. She's all I could ever want in a woman.

Now I just gotta stop buying customs for a month and get my ink fixed :D
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Hit me up sometime, I can take care of you.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson, Old School Street Shop Tattoo Man
 
Hi Steven,

I always enjoy your reviews. The writing is spirited, noteworthy, and engaging. Your choice to carry a voice recorder was brilliant, and it reflected in the notes.

This is the first I have heard of the Point Seven schedule change, and of Buddy Thomason's coming in off the bench. I am sure those who were patient with Buddy's timeframe will be rewarded. I'll be sure to talk to him in person about his experiences, and I'll bet we will see the quality results soon enough.

We lead by example. Your thread is testimony. :thumbup:

Coop
 
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