The Oregon Knife Show, 2023!!!

joeradza joeradza . Knives are the only product I can think of where people give you grief over how much you pay for them, how much you sell them for, how much you offer or do not offer, and how you use them! I have been offered less than I paid for knives, and sometimes I was glad to get it! In any event, I have never been offended by an offer. If I receive an offer that I believe to be too low, I just say no.

Where are the photos of the show guys! I live vicariously through this thread every year! Please post your photographs and tell us what was going on!
 
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Sidehill Gouger said:
Give me less than I paid for it? I consider that very low class. But then there is a certain type of knife trader that feeds off the bottom for sure.
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But we the buyers don’t always know how much the seller paid for It. Maybe the seller overpaid initIally and if so, that’s not my issue if I know what the knife is worth and going for. I wouldn’t necessarily call that “low class.”

That said, I hope I don’t piss off any dealers when I finally make it to a knife show! I haven’t been to a knife show since I was a kid (am 54 now).
 
I've been to a fair number of shows (gun, knife, car, etc.) and that is literally the place where you go to dicker. Granted, I don't know the context for the present complaint but most folks are there to get the best bang for their buck so I'd say it's all in good fun.


On to more pleasant things. The show was a lot of fun and though I missed a few folks I was hoping to connect with at the show, I still got to visit with Charlie, meet Neil and Lloyd, as well as Rhidian and a few other makers that I was looking to connect with. I had an excellent time meeting Joan Mae and her daughter from GEC - I believe it was their first time to the Oregon show and I hope they enjoyed it. It was wonderful to see the show in full swing, everyone I talked to was happy to be there and relieved that the event was able to take place again. There was legitimate concern that it would not come back after so many years of being sidelined.

Aside from finalizing a custom (which was a singular highlight) my acquisitions remained a bit modest. I scooped up a Case Loom Fixer from Charlie and a GEC #59 in Stag from Joan Mae. A handful of tables had some nice assortments of large folding hunters (coke bottles) - a collecting focus of mine - but at the prices that those are commanding, I'm a little picky on condition.

I'm afraid that I have a hard time remembering to take pictures when I'm having fun so this one that I took when I got home will have to suffice.

G05TzRH.jpg
 
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Pàdruig said:
I've been to a fair number of shows (gun, knife, car, etc.) and that is literally the place where you go to dicker. Granted, I don't know the context for the present complaint but most folks are there to get the best bang for their buck so I'd say it's all in good fun.


On to more pleasant things. The show was a lot of fun and though I missed a few folks I was hoping to connect with at the show, I still got to visit with Charlie, meet Neal and Lloyd, as well as Rhidian and a few other makers that I was looking to connect with. I had an excellent time meeting Joan Mae and her daughter from GEC - I believe it was their first time to the Oregon show and I hope they enjoyed it. It was wonderful to see the show in full swing, everyone I talked to was happy to be there and relieved that the event was able to take place again. There was legitimate concern that it would not come back after so many years of being sidelined.

Aside from finalizing a custom (which was a singular highlight) my acquisitions remained a bit modest. I scooped up a Case Loom Fixer from Charlie and a GEC #59 in Stag from Joan Mae. A handful of tables had some nice assortments of large folding hunters (coke bottles) - a collecting focus of mine - but at the prices that those are commanding, I'm a little picky on condition.

I'm afraid that I have a hard time remembering to take pictures when I'm having fun so this one that I took when I got home will have to suffice.

G05TzRH.jpg
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Man, that Case is SWEET! Of course the 59 is no slouch. Sounds like a great time - thank you for the report.
 
Reference the Low Ball bid, that individual knew exactly what the knife had cost. Another positive incident, I met the male half of Rose and Thistle as well as a brief conversation with Charlie Campagne. Charlie hope you have a safe trip back home! John
 
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TheIncredibleHoke said:
But we the buyers don’t always know how much the seller paid for It. Maybe the seller overpaid initIally and if so, that’s not my issue if I know what the knife is worth and going for. I wouldn’t necessarily call that “low class.”

That said, I hope I don’t piss off any dealers when I finally make it to a knife show! I haven’t been to a knife show since I was a kid (am 54 now).
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It was the 23 OKCA club knife. They only offer a 100, they sell out early to club members, and everyone knows what they cost. There is no "wholesale price" for dealers. I tacked on $30 to the spare I had which I thought was fair compared to what the Bay flippers will be asking next week. But this guy wanted it for less than I paid and spent some time arguing with me about how unreasonable I was on my pricing. He also gave me the boo hoo story about having already spent all his money at the show else where. Take a hike Jack and don't come back no more, no more!
P.S. Maybe you should get out more.
 
Being my first show I didn’t know what to expect and how things would go with having a table but the whole experience was fantastic and couldn’t have been better for me!
We were piped in Saturday morning which was amazing ! It was a pleasure hanging out with Charlie, Lloyd, Neil, Myron, my dad and everyone else. Everyone at the show was in great spirits and so kind. The staff and organizers do such a good job !
I entered some knives for judging and could not believe that I was awarded best New Maker for my Congress, best miniature for my mini Zulu Spear, best folder for my Lockback Whittler which also won Best of Show! I’m blown away!
Being so busy I too didn’t take many photos. I always forget but here are a few
https://imgur.com/a/Ya02qt3
https://imgur.com/a/TWj6o1L
This is a shadow box Charlie put together of some of my knives in his collection
https://imgur.com/6xlY6N7
https://imgur.com/yiWgl3t
https://imgur.com/AUqT7SE
 
Sidehill Gouger said:
It was the 23 OKCA club knife. They only offer a 100, they sell out early to club members, and everyone knows what they cost. There is no "wholesale price" for dealers. I tacked on $30 to the spare I had which I thought was fair compared to what the Bay flippers will be asking next week. But this guy wanted it for less than I paid and spent some time arguing with me about how unreasonable I was on my pricing. He also gave me the boo hoo story about having already spent all his money at the show else where. Take a hike Jack and don't come back no more, no more!
P.S. Maybe you should get out more.
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Helpful background, thank you. I wouldn’t do that to a dealer.

“Maybe, I should get out more”??? That’s a bit unnecessary, since you don’t know me from Adam.

I just got back from a long weekend two weekends ago in London to see Elton John. Two months prior, had a big 12-day trip to Italy. The third trip to Italy in the last 18 months. I live in the biggest city in the US, and spend most of my weekends out.

What we don’t have our knife shows. There was one in NJ not too l long ago, but I was in London. Have spent countess weekends at our second home on the Eastern Shore over the last year. There is a Lehigh Valley knife show this fall that I am hoping to go to.
 
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Rhidian said:
Being my first show I didn’t know what to expect and how things would go with having a table but the whole experience was fantastic and couldn’t have been better for me!
We were piped in Saturday morning which was amazing ! It was a pleasure hanging out with Charlie, Lloyd, Neil, Myron, my dad and everyone else. Everyone at the show was in great spirits and so kind. The staff and organizers do such a good job !
I entered some knives for judging and could not believe that I was awarded best New Maker for my Congress, best miniature for my mini Zulu Spear, best folder for my Lockback Whittler which also won Best of Show! I’m blown away!
Being so busy I too didn’t take many photos. I always forget but here are a few
https://imgur.com/a/Ya02qt3
https://imgur.com/a/TWj6o1L
This is a shadow box Charlie put together of some of my knives in his collection
https://imgur.com/6xlY6N7
https://imgur.com/yiWgl3t
https://imgur.com/AUqT7SE
Click to expand...

THANK YOU!! This is what we’ve been looking for. And I saw all your great posts on Instagram. You cleaned up, brother!
 
Sidehill Gouger said:
Give me less than I paid for it? I consider that very low class. But then there is a certain type of knife trader that feeds off the bottom for sure.
Click to expand...

You don't have to sell it for a penny less than you don't want to. But, in the same vein, you can't be mad if no one cares to pay your asking price. You know what you got, and so do others. Others know its worth (or lack thereof) as well. Nature of a collectibles market!

I go to BLADE every year, and sadly, an awful lot of guys at the smaller tables to the right in the main room end up leaving with virtually all of the knives they brought with 'em. A shame. I've spoken with a few of 'em, and they're in the same frame of mind! "I KNOW WUT I GOT, SUNNY!!!" I mean, yeah, you got to pack all these knives back up at the end of the show. 🤷
 
Rhidian said:
Being my first show I didn’t know what to expect and how things would go with having a table but the whole experience was fantastic and couldn’t have been better for me!
We were piped in Saturday morning which was amazing ! It was a pleasure hanging out with Charlie, Lloyd, Neil, Myron, my dad and everyone else. Everyone at the show was in great spirits and so kind. The staff and organizers do such a good job !
I entered some knives for judging and could not believe that I was awarded best New Maker for my Congress, best miniature for my mini Zulu Spear, best folder for my Lockback Whittler which also won Best of Show! I’m blown away!
Being so busy I too didn’t take many photos. I always forget but here are a few
https://imgur.com/a/Ya02qt3
https://imgur.com/a/TWj6o1L
This is a shadow box Charlie put together of some of my knives in his collection
https://imgur.com/6xlY6N7
https://imgur.com/yiWgl3t
https://imgur.com/AUqT7SE
Click to expand...

Well deserved wins, Rhidian! Your work is pretty special and it was a great pleasure to not only meet you and your dad but also to be able to experience your craft in person. I hope you will come back to the show next year!
 
TheIncredibleHoke said:
Helpful background, thank you. I wouldn’t do that to a dealer.

“Maybe, I should get out more”??? That’s a bit unnecessary, since you don’t know me from Adam.

I just got back from a long weekend two weekends ago in London to see Elton John. Two months prior, had a big 12-day trip to Italy. The third trip to Italy in the last 18 months. I live in the biggest city in the US, and spend most of my weekends out.

What we don’t have our knife shows. There was one in NJ not too l long ago, but I was in London. Have spent countess weekends at our second home on the Eastern Shore over the last year. There is a Lehigh Valley knife show this fall that I am hoping to go to.
Click to expand...
I meant specifically about knife shows. It really doesn't seem like you have been to many in, what, the last 40 years by your own word. Nothing to do with international travel. I've wore out a few passports too, including trips to a number of European knife shows. I'm not a dealer, just a guy that likes knives.
 
Sidehill Gouger said:
I meant specifically about knife shows. It really doesn't seem like you have been to many in, what, the last 40 years by your own word. Nothing to do with international travel. I've wore out a few passports too, including trips to a number of European knife shows. I'm not a dealer, just a guy that likes knives.
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Got it, then you are correct. I do need to get out to more knife shows. If you meant specifically about knife shows then you should have stated such.

I’m married to a go go go woman 11 years younger than me, so she’s pushing us out and about all the time, and there are times when I just want to sit home and look at my knives and listen to music.

She’s pretty good at leaving me to my own devices though.
 
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Sidehill Gouger said:
Great show!! Those that didn't go don't know what you are missing. But just don't come around my table at the end and try to low ball me on my spare 23 Club knife!! I really don't understand some people. :)
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Are you directing this comment to someone here on BladeForums or are you trying to let everyone know you have a knife for sale?
 
LastRodeo said:
Are you directing this comment to someone here on BladeForums or are you trying to let everyone know you have a knife for sale?
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I didn't say any thing about selling the knife here. Just want everyone to know they are missing a great show when they skip the OKCA now that its back.
 
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