The custom makers made the show for me. Getting to meet the owners of different brands was amazing, but most jacked their prices to almost full MSRP. The custom makers there however really wanted to talk to you, hear your thoughts, and teach. Their passion was evident and while they appreciated the sale, they certainly found more joy in the art and hobby. I enjoyed the quality found there immensely. I also enjoyed meeting the makers that you often see here, Big Chris, Adam Gray, and others.
The vendors that sold second hand traditional knives surprisedly spoke to me often in a way that assumed I knew nothing of the knife in question.
Not uncommon but Blade Show and the bigger international shows aren't the place to learn show etiquette, there are people there who are there because of the love of knives and there are folks there to make money, (on both sides) woe is the hobbiest /enthusiast who dares to come between a deal or question an established collector with a big table at the show...
On the other end, the people who you meet, the collector, end user like yourself, they make the show, havin' drinks at the end of the day with Ethan Becker or running into AG Russell at diner and really just puttin' faces to the other people from the different forums and the rest of the knife community.
The other knife prices were laughable and I think I accidentally offended one vendor when he quoted me a price and I immediately started laughing. I tried to stop but couldnt.
You can't please 'em all. I think it was Ed Chavar who told me at the first show, "... Any show where someone doesn't cut themselves on one of his knives is a good show." I asked him if it happened often and he showed me a half empty box of band aids and said, "I guess I'll just have to settle for sellin' more knives." The overall experience is usually positive and leads to goin' to more shows.
My first big show was in the late 80s at either the ECCKS or NYCKS I forget which but I bought 3 handmade knives that day.
A Bud Nealy Aikuchi, a Dozier Arkansas Toothpick and a Pat Crawford Framelock. Sadly I lost the Crawford about 2 or 3 years ago with my wallet and a set of lock picks but the other 2 I still have and carry. Sounds like you had a great time and broke your big show cherry.
As overwhelming as a big show can be, it's such an assault to the senses and if you're new to the game you're starry eyed, star struck and in sensory overload. I remember Talkin' to so many custom makers that by the time I was done makin' my first go around I had to step out and get some air. I remember havin' a cigarette and the guy next to me was smokin' a stogie and I saw he had a name tag on, turns out he was Blackie Collins and we had had a nice little conversation about his time at Gerber International. Impressed the hell outta me that he spent 10 minutes shootin' the s**t with me while the show was goin' on just beyond the doors.
One of the reasons I support smaller clubs and shows is the atmosphere was more laid back and I met many custom makers and smiths in the local shows. Price's tended to be more in line with my wallet at the smaller shows. I'd save for a year to go to a big show and buy a few knives. I used to make a family trip out of it too, dinner and a play with the wife and daughter in NYC and a couple of custom or vintage steel could easily cost me a few grand. Luckily I could go to the east coast shows and not have to get a horel, I was within driving distance of home.
Again, glad you had a positive experience overall. Next you need to go to a knife rendévous, hammer in or a cutting competition and experience the rest of the knife culture.
Chris Montgomery
I am going to try and make it down for the Arkansas show next year, looking forward to a fish fry!
