What are the current economics of exhibiting at Blade Show?

C_Claycomb

C_Claycomb

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Pretty sure I have seen something about this, but no idea how long ago it was....and things change over time.

Wondering how being an exhibitor at Blade (and being part of the attraction for all the visitors) pays off for makers?

When I was at Atlanta Blade a couple weeks back it struck me that there were a lot of people with a lot of knives and materials still on their tables come Sunday. Some had a lot of stuff on their tables at the end of Saturday and didn't come back on Sunday. One of the makers I wanted to buy from had all their stock stuck in US Customs and had to do the whole show with just a few items that one of their dealers happened to have.

I worked out that just attending the show as a visitor cost me just shy of $2500 (flights, hotel, local transport, food and basic tickets). Don't know what the current rate for a table is...last time I heard it was $500 and I would expect it to be a lot more now. That is a fair few knives in the $250-$500 that one needs to sell to break even on just being at the show. Potentially good chance of advertising, especially with folk doing long form video tours for Youtube, but everyone seemed to be on Instagram already.

Are there folk just aiming to make enough to pay for being at the show? That might have been the case with the guys I saw pack up on Saturday and not come back on Sunday, although they looked to have quite a lot to pack up.

Chris
 
While we haven't been to the Blade Show in quite a few years, it was always an expensive trip.
I usually made 1-4 knives to sell at the show that more than paid for the trip. Buyers were waiting for me because I promoted the work beforehand.

The show is/was a great place to buy materials and supplies for future work.

It's a good place to introduce yourself to manufacturers and suppliers, to see what other makers are doing-as well as meeting the serious buying public. And if you collect knives it's a great place to buy them.

I understand the show and clientele has changed a lot over the years and attendance is down, but it was always a fruitful trip for the above reasons and we got to see old friends and make new ones.

It's not always just about making a profit at the show. The entire experience is good for you and your business.
 
Just curious, never been....I plan on it one way or another.... probably just a pipe dream, but ya never know ....

What always stuck me in seeing it, seems like massive crowds.

Something that always peaked my interest, and maybe (most certainly) I'm wired differently....but, what do makers do to prevent theft?

*Edit Question One:
Seems like most tables are open, full of knives?

Next Question:
I know this sounds silly, but are knives Sharp?
Like normal sharpness levels?

I try to make My knives sharper than what most people will normally get, I can't imagine doing that with people casually out and about
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Just curious, never been....I plan on it one way or another.... probably just a pipe dream, but ya never know ....

What always stuck me in seeing it, seems like massive crowds.

Something that always peaked my interest, and maybe (most certainly) I'm wired differently....but, what do makers do to prevent theft?

*Edit Question One:
Seems like most tables are open, full of knives?

Next Question:
I know this sounds silly, but are knives Sharp?
Like normal sharpness levels?

I try to make My knives sharper than what most people will normally get, I can't imagine doing that with people casually out and about
Click to expand...
The knives are sharp. I know a handful of makers that had tables this year and they set up for it like any other show. Some folks had signs that basically said “if you break it or bleed on it you buy it.” I can’t speak for the theft aspect. I assume it’s fairly secure because you see the absolute highest caliber and prices of knives there.

Most of the tables are open but the larger manufacturers generally had display cases like you would see in a store. In general it seemed like basic knife show etiquette governed everyone’s behavior. It’s just on a much larger scale.

Most of the people I know are doing it as much for networking and exposure as anything. I’m debating on getting a table in the next year or two. This year was the first time I’ve ever been and it was pretty much a scouting mission. Here in a few weeks I’m going to be in a show with 3-4 of the makers I know that had tables at Bladeshow this year so I plan to talk to them more about their experience.

It’s only about a 2 hour drive from my house so I’ll definitely be going back whether I have a table or not.
 
A few knife makers I know have other sources of income so it makes doing shows possible.

Everyone says it’s not about the sales but for me as a full time maker if I’m not selling I’m not going. You have cost like transport there and back, lodging, food, transport while you’re there, time lost in the shop, and the table cost. My rough calculation is that it would cost me over $3000 for the 3 days.

That being said I’d want to sell 20-30 knives over the 3 days. It’s a hard market to predict but I know EDC stuff does really well there.
 
My guess is that many if not a majority of the makers don’t come near recovering the entire cost of the trip. Plus, a lot of them spend a lot of money buying materials and equipment. I could see value in having a table without breaking even on the trip financially. That doesn’t include the feedback you get and what you can learn talking to different makers. There’s a lot of knowledge sharing.
 
You can't look at it purely from a nett sales perspective. Blade gives you a chance to do so much more than you can accomplish online or by phone. Some examples.......

Viewing and purchasing all manner of supplies for your shop. You can actually see and choose what you want and talk to the experts about it.

Networking with other makers to see current trends, tech and process's.

Networking face to face with your customers and potential customers which definitely could include dealers and other resellers from all over the world.

Blade serves as fantastic marketing tool for your knives. People get to actually hold them and handle them. They get to ask you questions and basically see the product in person. Potential dealers/resellers can talk to you about your future products and discuss terms and conditions of business.

When you think what advertising costs $2500 to immerse yourself in knife central for 4 days is really not that much.
 
C_Claycomb said:
Pretty sure I have seen something about this, but no idea how long ago it was....and things change over time.

Wondering how being an exhibitor at Blade (and being part of the attraction for all the visitors) pays off for makers?

When I was at Atlanta Blade a couple weeks back it struck me that there were a lot of people with a lot of knives and materials still on their tables come Sunday. Some had a lot of stuff on their tables at the end of Saturday and didn't come back on Sunday. One of the makers I wanted to buy from had all their stock stuck in US Customs and had to do the whole show with just a few items that one of their dealers happened to have.

I worked out that just attending the show as a visitor cost me just shy of $2500 (flights, hotel, local transport, food and basic tickets). Don't know what the current rate for a table is...last time I heard it was $500 and I would expect it to be a lot more now. That is a fair few knives in the $250-$500 that one needs to sell to break even on just being at the show. Potentially good chance of advertising, especially with folk doing long form video tours for Youtube, but everyone seemed to be on Instagram already.

Are there folk just aiming to make enough to pay for being at the show? That might have been the case with the guys I saw pack up on Saturday and not come back on Sunday, although they looked to have quite a lot to pack up.

Chris
Click to expand...
I’ve had a table at Blade Show for the past three years, and I can confidently say it’s 100% worth it.
  1. Early Access for Setup – You get access the night before to set up your table. This time is also perfect for networking and building relationships that can open up future business opportunities.
  2. Early Entry Every Day – As a table holder, you can enter the show early each day without waiting in line. This gives you a couple of hours to walk the show and connect with others before the crowds arrive. Again, it's a valuable time to build relationships that may benefit your business in the long run.
  3. A Home Base at the Show – Having a table gives you a place to return to, relax, and regroup. If you bring a helper, you can alternate between working the table and exploring the show freely. This also creates more opportunities to network and build meaningful connections.
One of the biggest mistakes I see is people trying to network during peak show hours. That’s usually not the right moment—potential partners are focused on talking to customers and making sales. If you walk up while they’re busy, you’re not likely to get their full attention, and it can come off as poor timing. The best opportunities to connect often come before the doors open, after hours in the pit, or during slower moments when the table isn’t packed. If you don't have a table the only window you'll have is when their table is packed with customers... Good luck...

Notice the common theme here: building relationships to grow your business. It's not just about selling a specific number of knives at the show—everyone there is selling knives. If that’s your only goal, you’ll be just another needle in the haystack.

I wouldn’t go in expecting to make a lot of sales at the event itself. The real business growth happens before and after hours—in the pit and through the relationships you build. If I were a knife maker I would go with the intent to build relationships with amazing people that will lead to mutually beneficial future collaborations.

If you truly just want to sell knives than you have to have items that are NOT knives on your table. This will catch the eyes of people. After about and hour of walking past tables with knives they all seem to just blend together in a blur. Once you walk the show long enough you'll stop and realize you don't even know what the last 3 tables had on them or who was standing behind them. This is why I show up early and re-walk the show every day before the doors open.

P.S. Always look for me in the Pit. I come with a loads of free cocktails every year to pass out.
 
navman said:
This year was the first year I had 5 different makers say I should get a table for Blade. I still don't want to, I enjoy walking the show and talking to makers. And of course buying supplies.
Click to expand...
I would say this is the only downside to having your own table/booth vs going as a spectator. I find myself so busy at my booth that it's very difficult to actually see much of the show.
 
Been to every Blade Show in Atlanta for the last 30+ years. This year something that stood out to me was a significant increase in the number of makers present and a perceived decrease in the number of suppliers. Never seen that many makers in attendance, which is a great thing! 99% were on top of their game. Sadly, I came needing to purchase some items for my shop that were nowhere to be found. Handle material mostly. For example, Fancy, top grade desert ironwood was nowhere to be found. That was pointed out to me by more than a few friends. Selection of good stabilized wood handle material was also hard to find. Stainless Corby bolts were impossible to find, although I finally located some 1/4” at ONE display. 3/16” was never found. Crazy . Good stag handles were priced so high I just walked away. Wanted to grab a few more bars of CPM154 while I was there…nothing in 1 1/2” width and I was there before the show opened. Puzzling. Got some ProCut though and I’ll be driving by Pops soon so not a big deal. I did hit the mother lode with Ben Greenberg. He had some gorgeous Siam Rosewood as well as other species.

I’d rather just walk around there than tend a table…had a few friends displaying and their break even cost for the tables seemed to be an average of $3500.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Going to the Blade Show and looking at the quality of work displayed there should be a humbling experience.
Click to expand...
I’ve never refused to hold so many knives in my life. I wasn’t even worried about damaging them, I just didn’t want to put finger prints on them… Some of the knives you see there are unbelievable.
 
Several years ago, I watched a gentleman handling a beautifully made piece at a table...and then dropped it. Instant trauma.

I will say, one of the best deals around is if a maker you know is willing to display a few pieces for you at their table.
 
Contender Machine said:
I would say this is the only downside to having your own table/booth vs going as a spectator. I find myself so busy at my booth that it's very difficult to actually see much of the show.
Click to expand...
😄 Well you did bring a LOT of stuff…including a welding table…to your table!

I reckon Grace Horne had the right system. Sell out in the first 15 minutes then be freed up to visit other folks and chat!
 
navman said:
Several years ago, I watched a gentleman handling a beautifully made piece at a table...and then dropped it. Instant trauma.

I will say, one of the best deals around is if a maker you know is willing to display a few pieces for you at their table.
Click to expand...
I was given that opportunity last time I went to Blade, it was a very cool experience! Pretty exciting to see my work on display for the world to see, without all the hassle of being responsible for a table

Beyond that, I haven't technically had a table at any show, but as a maker one of the biggest benefits for me having my work at them was feedback from other makers. At least those who don't mind hurting a guy's feelings! That honest feedback can be gold
 
FACTS! Murray Carter and Jerry Hossom have always provided me with very constructive criticism that helped me get better. In fact, this past blade show, out in the Pit, Jerry and I were laughing about one of the first knife-like objects I handed him to critique 15ish years ago. His response at the time was "This feels like I am holding a dog turd. Focus on your handle ergonomics over looks."
 
navman said:
FACTS! Murray Carter and Jerry Hossom have always provided me with very constructive criticism that helped me get better. In fact, this past blade show, out in the Pit, Jerry and I were laughing about one of the first knife-like objects I handed him to critique 15ish years ago. His response at the time was "This feels like I am holding a dog turd. Focus on your handle ergonomics over looks."
Click to expand...
You should have someone 3D print you some turd scales for a knife and give it to him.
 
Lorien said:
I was given that opportunity last time I went to Blade, it was a very cool experience! Pretty exciting to see my work on display for the world to see, without all the hassle of being responsible for a table

Beyond that, I haven't technically had a table at any show, but as a maker one of the biggest benefits for me having my work at them was feedback from other makers. At least those who don't mind hurting a guy's feelings! That honest feedback can be gold
Click to expand...
Feedback is one reason I like doing shows. Having makers tell you what and how to do better is priceless. Customer feedback is valuable too. What they like and dislike is what drives the market at the end of the day. You can’t win them all but you can lose them all.
 
C_Claycomb said:
😄 Well you did bring a LOT of stuff…including a welding table…to your table!

I reckon Grace Horne had the right system. Sell out in the first 15 minutes then be freed up to visit other folks and chat!
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm good at punishing myself. 🤣
 
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