Tips for going to a weapon collectors show?

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waliguy

Joined
Mar 7, 2006
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You guys are gonna laugh...

Headed out this weekend for my first weapon collectors show. It's a big on going on this Saturday and Sunday at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

This is likely old hat for you schradaholics, but it's my first. Between ebay and checking out the local stores within 30-50 miles, I've done great in the last 2 months building my meager collection of Schrades from about 5 to about 70. Again, that probably pales by most of your standards, but I've focussed on the OTs.

Anyway, I'm pretty pumped up. I've downloaded my "collection" via excel spreadsheet to my iPac pocket pc so I won't double up on stuff, and am not really sure what to expect.

In general, it is ethical to ask the people there for their best price, if I see something I like that I think is a little pricey? Am I allowed to bring knives into the show to trade? All comments appreciated. Thanks guys.
 
"Doubling up" is not a bad thing, since it gives you more to trade, and allows you to upgrade the knives you do have in your collection. I can't think of anything wrong with dickering prices either. Many sellers will price high initially with this in mind. They know what they have invested, and the minimum they have to receive in order to turn a profit. It isn't like going into a retail store where the prices are set in stone. I think some negotiating is expected by most sellers. You wouldn't want to compete with the vendors (among the attendees) with your trade knives, but some vendors may be interested in trading (or offer to buy them all). If an attendee shows interest, it might be best to step outside to transact. I haven't been to a show in a long time, and never to one in that area, but these are my best guesses. Hope you score a good deal or two!

Codger
 
At the last show I went to, I had fun just talking with some of the sellers. After a while of just chatting about knives, sometimes a seller will be more inclined to cut a deal on the prices. I spent about 45 minutes talking to a nice old fellow. He even got out his prized knives (not for sale) and showed me some of his treasures, (some old Press Buttons and Schrade switch blades). After our visit I picked out 5 knives I wanted. I was prepared to pay about $50 for the 5 knives. I asked, "how much for these five?" He asked; "Oh, how about $15?" I couldn't get the money on the table fast enough. :D

Seriously, take your time and do not feel pressured into buying a knife. When ever that happens to me, I usually regret it.

Take a camera with you. Most sellers will allow you to take pictures. There will be some you may want to research later. Also note the table where you saw them so you can get in touch with the seller at a later date, should you decide to buy something later.

Most importantly, enjoy yourself, relax and have a good time. You will meet some really nice people, and they are usually very helpful at answering your questions to the best of their ability. Remember though, not all self proclaimed "experts" know what they are talking about. You may know more than an "expert."

Have a great time,
Dale
 
And, if you see any D'Holders, get the person's name and phone number and send it to me. :-)

Del
 
you are one organized individual. It is perfectly ok to ask what their bottom dollar is, they expect it and as mentioned above they price accordingly. carry CASH sorry to yell but this is an occasion where cash beats anything else. also you now have my permission to use my patented opener. when you find something you like you say "what's your best cash price today and today only". usually it'll get a smile, it helps if you're fat and bald. one other thing if you know a knife is worth $100 don't offer $20 and get offended and stomp off when he says no. main thing is relax, have a good time, and talk to the people you'll be surprised by how much you can learn and probably get a better deal. later, and good luck, ahgar
 
Hey Del.....

I know this guy in Peoria, AZ that has a bunch of D'Holders.

:D

Bill
 
Well I had a great time and spent about 3 hours at the show yesterday. There wasn't an abundance of Schrades; a few here and there. There were three dealers who had more than onzies or twozies of Schrades, but I went to every table and looked.

I found out that a few dealers didn't know too much about Schrades, though some did. I continue to focus on Old Timers, and ended up with only buying one: a 89OT NIB with papers. Asking price $30...I bought it for $25 and was happy, because it's a really nice knife. I saw another 89OT there, but the tang was wierd (no USA on the tang) so I stayed away.

Offered another guy $20 on a 147OT Schrade fillet knife (he was asking $35) as a nice working knife, and he said no.

I was looking as some scrimshaws too (one guy had three SC503s) because I have only one. Thing is, I have most of the common Schrades OTs now, so I'm looking to fill in the gaps, so to speak, instead of just stocking up on 33OTs and 34OTs. Of course, I was hoping to find something really unique, but didn't.

Found two stacks (12 in a stack) of American Rifleman magazines (1978 and 1984) for $3 per stack and bought those too.

Left with cash in my pocket. Had enough for wings and a beer on the way home. Can't wait till the next one. Thanks guys.
 
And now...........................your hooked! :D

Glad you had a good time & even found a knife! Sounds like an all around, good day.

Dale
 
that's one thing nice about a gun/knife show you can have a pretty good time even if you don't buy anything. you mentioned that some of the dealers didn't seem to know much about schrade and i have found the same here. shoot a couple of the guys down here didn't even know that schrade had shut down. I guess since schrade was around so long and most of their knives were affordable{cheap} there are still a lot out there to be had. and if you're like me then orvet is right, you're hooked. later, ahgar
 
Going to attend Michigan's larest knife show myself this coming weekend, held in the same building, in conjunction with a large military collectors show. Lot's of knives to drool over. I'll take the oppurtunity to handle as many knives as I can, to familiarize myself with them, old and new. I'll carry a new handmade by an unknown Michigan maker, to try and ID it. I have a few questions jotted down- various subjects- I'll try and get answered. These kinda shows are great for getting answers. I'll ask many questions about the construction of customs and handmades, I'll visit the knife-parts companies tables, good place to see the raw materials knives are made out of.

Also on the list is perhaps buying a knife or two. I'll go early.. one of the places I will focus on is those people off the street that bring knives to sell.
I'll inspect what they have in an out of the way corner, not there at a dealer's table. I'll carry cash, and bring it out of my pocket as I make my best offer. Might not be a schrade or one of the knives I collect that I buy, perhaps it will be something I can sell at a profit.

I'll have my knife bag over my shoulder. I'll be asked by some of the old knife dealers just what I have to sell. I'll have brought a few that I want to unload; I also know somewhat who will be there, and what they are interested in.

I'll really enjoy the displays my fellow members of the knife club will have, nothing for sale, just show. These folks go to a world of trouble to do this, paying table fees, setting up their displays, being there to answer questions, simply for the love of the hobby.

Lastly on this list of what I will do at the show... buy knives from the tables of dealers. It just always happens this way. Schrades will be priced way high, but there will be some genuine oldies. I won't even pick up something that's been buffed past recognition or 'professionally cleaned', except maybe to comment on how it's too bad someone ruined the piece. It'll also be interesting to try and pick out the fakes and rebuild jobs. I'm familiar enough with some of the dealers to recognize what knives they have for sale. After lugging some of them around for two or three shows, they may finally be ready to deal some on them.

Glad you enjoyed your show, waliguy! Hope you found it a learning experience.

Phil

ps... Here's an interesting 13" handmade or custom that I bought at a small town pawn shop while on my honeymoon trip with the main squeeze. I've posted some questions about it on BRLevine's forum. Fact is, I bought more knives while cruising pawn and antique shops and old hardwares in the last few days than I'll buy at the show this coming weekend.

DSCF4064.jpg
 
textoothpk said:
Might not be a schrade or one of the knives I collect that I buy, perhaps it will be something I can sell at a profit.
Click to expand...

I'll be waiting for your e mail or call, Phil. :D
 
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