What are the most prestigeous knife shows?

These are my preference in order:

Blade Show - It's by far the biggest and best in the World. The most prestigious IMO. If you are a serious you go to the Blade Show. If you are a serious maker you go to the Blade Show. If you are a serious purveyor you go to the Blade Show.
If the Blade Show was to stop, the industry would be affected, not sure I could say that about any other show.

ABS San Antonio - Considered Very prestigious to the forged collector.

AKI - I'm sure it's a great show. Top collectors, top makers. Well managed. As I'm a forged collector it's not as important to me as some others. Would have definitely gone this past October, to experience it if it had not been so close to the Fisk Micro Show (one week difference). It seems to be a status symbol among both makers and collectors.

Solvang - Have never been. Hear it's a nice show. Very beautiful location.

Fisk Micro Show - Again prestigious to the forged collector even though very limited. Among the year's best knives for the three makers that attend. A waiting list of collectors to attend and I feel most forged makers would jump at the chance to be invited.
 
Hi Kevin,

ABS San Antonio??? When was that show, I missed all the advertising on it??? :D

Shouldn't a show actually happen before you consider it prestigious? :D

Fiskapalooza! Great Fun, always quality knives...from all 3 makers. I see you are using Joss's logic. Quality of knives per maker at the show. Jerry's show blows away the Reno show using that Math! 2007 Jerry Fisk, Harvey Dean and Lin Rhea! Whoa!

Kevin, you need to come to the ECCKS next month in New York. Lots of forged blades from all over the world.

I suspect you would add that to your list..for the forged collectors.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Les Robertson said:
Hi Kevin,

ABS San Antonio??? When was that show, I missed all the advertising on it??? :D

Shouldn't a show actually happen before you consider it prestigious? :D

Fiskapalooza! Great Fun, always quality knives...from all 3 makers. I see you are using Joss's logic. Quality of knives per maker at the show. Jerry's show blows away the Reno show using that Math! 2007 Jerry Fisk, Harvey Dean and Lin Rhea! Whoa!

Kevin, you need to come to the ECCKS next month in New York. Lots of forged blades from all over the world.

I suspect you would add that to your list..for the forged collectors.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Click to expand...

Reno is no more, so I decided to start calling the ABS Expo by it's new name.
And will give it the benefit of the doubt that it will be as least as Good.

I may go to the ECCKS, however I heard last weekend that a few of the regular forgers will not be there this year?
 
Hi Kevin,

Benefit of the doubt...Reno was not a "prestigious" show. There was at least one BIG time maker who didn't sell out.

Im hoping the show will be better.

Anyway, yeah I was surprised to see that Harvey, Steve, Don and Josh were not on the list of exhibitors.

The makers I was referring to were many of the makers from Europe. These guys definitely bring their "A" game. They do some amazing stuff with mosaics.

Their knives are very distinctive.

BTW, did you get the voice mail I left you earlier tonight regarding the LLC?

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Les Robertson said:
Hi Kevin,

Benefit of the doubt...Reno was not a "prestigious" show. There was at least one BIG time maker who didn't sell out.

Im hoping the show will be better.

Anyway, yeah I was surprised to see that Harvey, Steve, Don and Josh were not on the list of exhibitors.

The makers I was referring to were many of the makers from Europe. These guys definitely bring their "A" game. They do some amazing stuff with mosaics.

Their knives are very distinctive.

BTW, did you get the voice mail I left you earlier tonight regarding the LLC?

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Click to expand...

Les, Reno has always been a great show. Even this year after being totally revamped. Yes, there's room for improvement in the new format, but was very good just the same. You are going to be impressed next year, if not I will buy you dinner. I'm talking a Texas Steak Dinner. Texas is as well known for them as they are for their Bowies. ;):D

I will call you tomorrow on the LCC. :thumbup:
 
Les and Kevin,

I will be at the New York Show along with Rick Dunkerley, Larry Fuegen, Steve Dunn, and Hank Knickmeyer just to name a few of the ABS forgers.

Thanks,

Josh
 
Hi Josh,

They must have just updated the show exhibitors in the last week. You and Steve were not listed a week ago.

I knew Larry was going to be there, just had a brain fart. Love his Knives.

See Kevin, now you have a reason(s) to go.

See you there.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Prestigious? I guess that is decided by who you are and what your interests are. Tactical guys probably Chicago, Art Daggers maybe AKI, Forged blades, Blade Show or the ABS Expo.

I rate shows based on sales, new contacts and how much fun the trip is. I am sure the AKI is great but I don’t see it in my future so I will rate my shows.

The Fisk Micro-Show I feel sure will be among the top shows I’ll ever do. Jerry knows what he is doing and I look forward to being there this year. I can’t really rate it with other shows because it is 1 time for everyone but Jerry. For Jerry and the collectors that attend, I think it is probably #1.

#1 Solvang - Great sales, always-new contacts and a beautiful area of the country. Comfortable show hours and the best banquet period. Changing to a drawing format in 2009.

#2 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Charleston SC – Not a knife show but always near the top for sales and new contacts. It’s always fun with a lot to do and eat.

#3 ABS Expo – I have had potential for increasing sales each year for the past 5. Only limited by how well prepared I am. Contacts were better when more accommodations were made for the Safari Club members. Personally I like Reno and have fun. The new show format was good for me and was a learning experience. I look forward to the move to San Antonio but will miss Reno. I may look into doing the Safari Club Show in the future.

#4 Blade Show – Great sales, most contacts are with established collectors with a few new contacts. Best place to buy materials and a lot of fun because about everyone is there.

#5 Knifemakers Guild Show – Used to be at the top. Family feuding cost the show a lot but there seems to be an upward trend, I hope.

#6 Chicago – Not great for me but I was treated very well by the show promoter and the show attendees. I can see where this could be “the” show for some makers.


Daniel
 
Never been to AKI, but definitely to Solvang, and others. I would have to rate Solvang as the top one I go to, luckily only one hr away..
 
AKI

Solvang

Plaza Cutlery Show-Like the AKI, it is by invitation only. A few new faces there for Octobers show. Bill Rupel, Harvey Dean, and I will be there. Very much looking forward to it. Harvey is now attending the AKI. Big congrats to Harvey!!!

Mike
 
In Europe, the Milan show is top I think. The German Guild Show each May in Solingen is the best German show in my experience. The Paris show is also good.
 
From my point of view, which is to meet many world-class custom knifemakers
from a variety of knifemaking disciplines, I found that the AKI, then the
Atlanta BLADE Show in the USA and the Milan Show in Europe were the
best for my purpose.
These were the shows where I could meet with the makers that are potential
candidates to be represented in my books. There was usually more than enough
time to sit quietly and talk with each and every one of them, discussing plans for
future projects.

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
Bailey Bradshaw said:
Joss,

From my experience,

AKI
Solvang
ECCKS
Plaza ( it's invitation only as well, and last year was awesome)
ABS ( because as a maker, I know what we put into this one)
Blade ( it's a must if you are a maker serious about your career)

I do the last three on the list. Would LOVE to do Solvang, and what maker wouldn't be honored with an invite tot he AKI.
Click to expand...
Hey Bailey, how about doing the last 4 on the list next year? ;)
 
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