To Blade or not to Blade

Atlas Knife Company

Atlas Knife Company

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
3,668
I've got forges, burners, and etchers now. Would Blade be a wise decision, or should I stick to online retail? I'm actually staying busy making them, but could always make more.
 
Tough call. Most would want to see your forge fired up and that might be a problem. Better check with the Blade folks to see if you could demo your forge. I know they allow grinders to run but there is quite a bit of difference.
 
Blade is a big step up. It may work well, and it may eat the profits for the next 20 or more forges. The cost of the table, lodging, meals, and travel to Blade can get close to $2000. I haven't been to blade in several years, but from my understanding, most folks look at lots of different equipment there and decide what to order later. Some place an order at the show, and you ship it later. You usually have to offer a "Blade Show" lower price to get that. With rare exception, tools and equipment that won't fit in a back pack is not bought over the counter at Blade.

I would do some mid-sized shows and see how sales at a show do first.
 
I agree with Stacy's comment about doing some other shows first.
But then, I have never been to Blade so take my advice with a grain of salt.
Many of the mid/small shows will have forging demos and such. That would be an opportunity to demonstrate your products.
At the shows you will run into people who have been on the fence and need to see things in person before they make up their mind.
Even then, they do not always make their purchase at the show.
Myself I do pretty well at the shows. But the big plus for me is that I see a flurry of new customer orders during the weeks following the show.
I agree with Stacy's estimate of 2K for expenses. My opinion is that much should be set aside and not count on show sales to cover it. I think of it like an advertising expense. Pay it and forget about it. That way you can be yourself and not desperate to make sales at the show.
When you do a show also be nice to everyone. People are buying you almost as much as they are buying your product.
Good luck whatever you decide to do.
 
I've been advised to hit the tradeshows and hammer-ins, rather than knife shows. Having never been to blade, I'm not sure which category it fits in.
 
If you haven't been selling your items at the hammer-ins and mid-sized shows, I would definitely do several first.

While not a complete parallel, going to Blade right when you are getting started is like thinking you are going to go to the Super Bowl when you are just a rookie player.
 
Having only been to BLADE once as a spectator, I can say that I saw relatively few people carrying anything out except promo stuff like brochures, maybe a few books/magazines/a few chunks of handle material etc. I think there's a misconception that BLADE is a big flea market packed with people itching to spend money... I really don't think that's the case. It's more like a convention.

By far, most knifemakers advise not getting a table unless you can afford to basically write it off as an advertising expense, with the hope of taking orders... especially your first time. Some guys sell out, many break even, and a whole lot take a pretty steep loss. Now a lot depends on if you sell one $3000 knife or three $100 knives, so there's that to consider as well... anyway, I would imagine the same is true if you're making gear for knifemakers (which is a much, much smaller market than knifebuyers).

I don't know how big your forges and stuff are, but Ill hazard a guess that bringing/shipping a briefcase full of knives there is quite different than bringing along three or four forges to try and sell.

Quit honestly if I wasn't so close (Atlanta is only a 3-hour drive from here), I wouldn't even go for fun. As it is I really only plan on going back to socialize with other makers and vendors, and to pick up a few small supplies so it's a business trip for tax purposes.
 
My approach to a trade show is to already have it budgeted and paid for, prior to going. Expect to sell nothing. Not that you won't ... just don't count on it.

It sounds kinda crumby to think that way but it is well grounded and from my perspective, very positive. I see shows as an opportunity to network, drum up future business and see my friends. I can't imagine having to count on table sales to pay for the show. That kind of situation is stressful(Like gambling without the funds to back your bet.) and will show through to the public, come crunch time. Stress out in the comfort of your own home, while getting ready for the show... or better yet... stress out over how you are going to fill all the orders you just got because of the show. ANY SALES AT a trade show should be a pleasant surprise.

I think you have a great, well priced product that someone could literally walk out the door with. Have you looked into sharing space with another vendor? Hell, I'll let you throw a forge on my table... you'll owe me a beer if I sell it for you.:thumbup:
 
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If there is ONE knife show you do NOT want to miss - it's Blade.
Nowhere else will you see more people, or more people see you.
Knife shows - or any type of trade shows - are living advertisements for most vendors.
I will bet that 9 out of 10 people attending the show do not even know you exist.
But they will afterwards. :thumbup:
Rick said it really well, "My approach to a trade shows is to already have it budgeted and paid for, prior to going. Expect to sell nothing. Not that you won't ... just don't count on it."
But the people you will meet, the new friendships you will create and the new business possibilities you will establish will not be possible sitting at home or working in the shop.
Plus, ya' just need to get out every now and then. :D
 
Rick, if you display one on your table I'll give you more than a beer. I looked into splitting with a vendor, but the paperwork says they frown upon that. Having not been there, I don't know if it's split into knives and non-knives, or if everything is mixed. I was thinking to take a half dozen forges to the show, especially since they ship so well and cheap. I could easily take more burners and regulators, they are much smaller.
 
james terrio said:
Having only been to BLADE once as a spectator, I can say that I saw relatively few people carrying anything out except promo stuff like brochures, maybe a few books/magazines/a few chunks of handle material etc. I think there's a misconception that BLADE is a big flea market packed with people itching to spend money... I really don't think that's the case. It's more like a convention.

By far, most knifemakers advise not getting a table unless you can afford to basically write it off as an advertising expense, with the hope of taking orders... especially your first time. Some guys sell out, many break even, and a whole lot take a pretty steep loss. Now a lot depends on if you sell one $3000 knife or three $100 knives, so there's that to consider as well... anyway, I would imagine the same is true if you're making gear for knifemakers (which is a much, much smaller market than knifebuyers).

I don't know how big your forges and stuff are, but Ill hazard a guess that bringing/shipping a briefcase full of knives there is quite different than bringing along three or four forges to try and sell.

Quit honestly if I wasn't so close (Atlanta is only a 3-hour drive from here), I wouldn't even go for fun. As it is I really only plan on going back to socialize with other makers and vendors, and to pick up a few small supplies so it's a business trip for tax purposes.
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James, I have heard from Stacy for north of me, but what are recommendations for shows down your way? I have free lodging in K-ville... Just starting to get to where I could push out some product to have a table. It may not all have sharp edges, but anyplace craftsy. The Highlands festival here absolutely sucks.
 
LucyCustomKnives said:
James, I have heard from Stacy for north of me, but what are recommendations for shows down your way? I have free lodging in K-ville... Just starting to get to where I could push out some product to have a table. It may not all have sharp edges, but anyplace craftsy. The Highlands festival here absolutely sucks.
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There's a fairly big gun show almost every month, but as far as knives goes it's usually 99% import junk and 1% stuff some guy cobbled together out of a broken saw blade. They often have a lot vendors with craftsy stuff, too. I keep thinking about trying it out because the tables are pretty cheap, and it's like a 10-minute drive... but I never seem to have enough knives that aren't already spoken for, to make it worthwhile. Here's a link to the ones I'm talking about: http://www.gunshows-usa.com/tennesee.shtml
 
Thanks. They actually have the ones here in my town listed too which is cool.

I'm usually in the same boat with stuff spoken for but have enough old knives and tools to add to the fray I may have a go at one of the shows this year... I was given a pointer to try one of the more crafty shows here to hit the 'women who buy for their men' crowd, but don't know that's really worth the $200-300 fee. I'd hate to be set up with a bunch of 'man stuff' right next to the flowers and lace crowd for a whole weekend... :))
 
LucyCustomKnives said:
...I was given a pointer to try one of the more crafty shows here to hit the 'women who buy for their men' crowd...)
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Speaking of women, I've been thinking pretty hard about the farmer's market and a couple home/crafts shows here in town, when I get more kitchen knives finished... but I digress.
 
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