To do the Blade Atlanta show or not. Advise?

Todd Miller

Todd Miller

Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Messages
149
Hi all,
I am considering entering Blade Atlanta this spring and would appreciate any input. I have only been in two shows, last year's Boise show and the OKCA show in Eugene. I won a couple of the awards in Boise and my knives always seem to get second looks but I would like to expose them to a wider audience. I don't expect to sell out or anything but I wonder if they will be noticed by collectors. My question really is whether the show is so big that a relative unknown maker like myself will just get lost with so many makers?

I wouldn't be betting the bank on this show in that my financial well being isn't tied to knife making, I have a regular job that I like. And on one hand I would like to attend the show at some point regardless but I wonder if showing there is worth the cost and effort.

Thanks
Todd
 
this thread is useless without pics!:D
 
Todd,
My opinion is that your unique style and sculpted handles would definitely get noticed by a larger audience by attending Blade.
As for being cost effective.....? I would consider it an advertising expense.

.....and to paraphrase Lorien.
Photos......we need lots of photos.
The exposure you get by showing your knives here should match or maybe exceed what you will get at Blade.
 
Highly recommend the A.G. Russell show. A bit smaller and more geared toward custom makers. Pretty comfortable and a great crowd, although the Blade Show is pretty great too, it's just massive.
 
Todd Miller said:
Hi all,
My question really is whether the show is so big that a relative unknown maker like myself will just get lost with so many makers? Thanks
Todd
Click to expand...

Todd, your work is good enough to be noticed, and IMO there's no better exposure for a knifemaker than Blade Show.

If you do decide to attend, I would also advise you to join the CKCA and attend their banquet on the Thursday night before.
It offers knifemakers a very favorable and relaxed atmosphere to meet and converse with the full range of collectors from the novice to those with multi-million dollar collections.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Todd, your work is good enough to be noticed, and IMO there's no better exposure for a knifemaker than Blade Show.

If you do decide to attend, I would also advise you to join the CKCA and attend their banquet on the Thursday night before.
It offers knifemakers a very favorable and relaxed atmosphere to meet and converse with the full range of collectors from the novice to those with multi-million dollar collections.
Click to expand...

If you want to expand beyond what shows you have already attended, take Kevin's advice here. Just go for it. Expect a table nowhere near where you'ld like to be (they'll probably put you in the back somewhere), but the experience of going and/or attending (either as a maker or collector) is something you cannot beat or get from any other show, bar none.
 
Your question is: Are there too many custom knifemakers? That thread's already done. ;) Short answer: No.

Too many at Blade? Yup, that's where the rubber meets the road, and EXACTLY where you want to be. Bring your 'A' game, and you've got one.

At some point wayyy in the future, you won't need to go. But, you'll want to go.

Worth every effort. Prepare some great knives, show them clearly beforehand, and announce yourself. Preparation = Good fortunes.

CKCA is a resource you will thank.

Coop
 
Don't count on making back what you spent to get there. If you do, its gravy but, IMO, that should not factor into you attending Blade the first time. BUT, count on being seen by more potential customers that you ever thought possible and meeting a bunch of great people.
 
Great advice here. The Blade Show is the greatest and you will learn more than you can guess. You need to focus on the folks passing your table and NEVER sit down and read a book or magazine.

good luck and have a great show.
 
Todd -- I don't think that there is any question that you should attend blade particularly with the nice knives you show here and in your website. Contact David Lisch of Seattle who is with a group of other makers that has a large area to themselves at Blade. Also, to create excitement about the knives you will have to show at Blade, make sure you have nice images of them and post them into BF Custom prior to Blade. Kevin took the words from my keyboard so be sure to join CKCA and then attend the dinner and also talk to Kevin about being involved in CKCA as many of the makers you see in this forum have. Be sure to go to the CKCA website and join the forums there also and post knives. The more people see of your work and that which will be at the show, the better chance you have that folks will stop by and buy at your table. I for one will certainly be stopping by but remind me before hand too please.
 
I agree, Blade shows a must for serious knifemakers if you can swing it in any way, been doing it 6 yrs. now and I look forward to it every yr. Customers want the chance to see up close and to handle your knives and the Blade show gives lots of folks that chance.

Bill
 
I have been waffling on this for about a month and my wife finally said just do it. I wrote the check this morning and this will be my first "Knife" show.
 
Bottom-line.......it's the World's Largest Knife Show. ;)

Your knives are unique and would be very well accepted. I started going to Blade when it was in Knoxville, TN, at the Olympic Village and went every year until 2007 but, with that said, I'm paid up for 4 nights at the Waverly and very much looking forward to seeing you and everyone else there. :)
 
Tood yes you should go to blade the first year I went I did not get a table I just went to check it out this gave me the chance to walk around meet all kinds of folks and really see what blade is all about if you get a table the first time you go you have a ball and chain keeping you from seeing all that is blade. your knives are very cool and you will have chance to show them to collectors that you know from the forums. My thought is that if you are going to be a custom knife maker you need to be at blade and see what is current in the knife world and see the best collection of handle stuff ever under one roof . and meet all the folks that can help you out collectors and makers.
 
It's a tough call Todd to recommend whether or not you go WITH a table or WITHOUT. I've only been once (the year before last) and I didn't have a table and it was amazing. I will never NOT have a table again.. but I will never regret the experience of soaking it all in the first time. Even though I didn't have a table.. I still met a ton of people walking around and attending the CKCA dinner.
 
Sorry I haven't responded earlier. I have been distracted in that my 27 year old daughter is riding out hurricane Sandy in Cape May New Jersey a seaside town. I have talked to her and she assures me that all is fine, but I remember being in my twenties and "fine" is a relative term that means different things when you are the child as opposed to being the parent. In any case thanks for all the encouragement for doing Blade. I think I will go for the gusto and give it a try. It will give me an incentive to get some new work out and work on some special pieces.
Todd
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top