What do knifemakers get out of knife shows?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
Messages
4,453
I mean besides collecting a small fortune in sales.

I know knife collectors have a lot to gain from these shows, like having a panoramic view of the latest range of knives on display and meeting their favourite makers.

I suppose from the knife makers' perspective, it would be a different experience.

For one thing, you would have a fair idea of what kind of knives are currently popular in the market. And of course, who are the serious collectors.

Not every knifemakers attend all the shows during the calender year. I suppose some of them will participate in as many shows as their schedules will allow.

But what do knifemakers really expect to get from participation in some of these knife shows?
 
I don't really understand the small fortune part of the question. If you were to get paid once a month, does that mean that you made a months salary on one day? For those that really believe that knife makers bring in huge bucks for just a few paltry knives, please consider that some of the knives have been in the making for 6 months to 2 years.

What I get from the knife shows is an enjoyable time spent with friends and potential friends (customers). Exposure to people that would otherwise never see my knives and a chance to acquire knife making material that I have no idea that existed. I also compare my products quality with others to find out other finishing techniques.
In other words, it is a win, win deal.
If I sell a few knives to help pay for the expenses, that is great. The Blade show costs me about $1300 and then another $300.00 or $400.00 for supplies. If I had a mark up of 35%, I would have to sell $5000.00 worth of knives to just break even.

I really go to just have a good time and visit.
 
Thanks Ray for illuminating my mind on the financial aspects of participating in these shows.

Now, I really know better. It's definitely not as rosy as I had originally thought.
 
My guess would be that the most important part of knife shows for makers is exposure. They get to put their knives in front on the people that are interested in them, These people will hopefully want to buy a knife, but even if they don't maybe they will in the future. Or maybe they will tell others about the great knives they saw from this maker when they were at the show. A show is good advertising.

Golok, I thought you were joking about that small foryune thing. You didn't really think that most makers make a lot of money at shows, did you?
 
For most knifemakers, it's about exposure, like Keith said. For the majority of makers, a show is a gamble, like, will I sell even one knife, which will allow me to eat tonight without putting it on the credit card. Or being able to pay the hotel without going into debt. Not even going to mention the price for gas, going to and from a show. Many makers drive in excess of 1000 miles each way.
A show is HARD work, but they are fun. I like catching up with other makers, and meeting new people,etc.
 
 oh no..  we'er suppose to make money doing this ?
:eek:  I missed that boat sometime ago..:)
 
Yes, Keith, you are right. I was half-pulling some of my friends' legs about the money part. I reckon maybe a handful may make some money. A lot would probably break even and some would definitely suffer losses.

I suppose in other terms, the experience and exposure would be worth the trouble. Usually the intangibles are the factors that help push up sales in the long run.
 
I only know one knifemaker that is well off The others are out there doing what they love and enjoy.
Had a knifemaker tell me "Want to make a million in the knife business,start out with 2 million"
 
Well im with Mike it is hard on you to go to some of the shows, you never know if you are going to pay for anything when you go. It is nerve racking at first but if you have a good first day you relax and have a good time but boy if you don't. Specially at a show like New York where it costs $1500 or more just to do the show. Its a little harder when your full time and counting on sales and don't sell anything.
 
I just returned from the show in Eugene Oregon. For me the show was very intense, I met some new friends, folks I had never met in person. Talked to many knife makers and picked up some handle material I have been searching for for a long time.

I always miss those who are not there and find my self filled with lots of good memories.

I arrived there with some definate plans, folks I wanted to talk to but did not get the chance to do 90% of those plans. It was a great time, thoughts shared with some of the blade forms folks I had not met in person and Yes it is about selling knives, but much more importantly sharing thoughts.
 
The big grin on a 12-year old boy's face as his dad hung one of my knives around his neck was that "priceless" moment for me at Eugene. Meeting old friends and making new ones is especially rewarding. Offering encouragement to the fellow next to me who was doing his first show, nervous as I remember being at my first, was part of the satisfaction that goes far beyond grinding steel or making a sale. Meeting a couple of the legends of knife combatives and discussing design philosophy and tactics made the show a short course in what's important about what I try to do. An especially wicked hangover on Saturday morning will linger in my memory for awhile, substituting for my faded memory of how I got that way. And the friendly banter among colleagues whom I greatly respect and admire is just as good as it gets. Money worries are a constant for most knifemakers, but shows remind you of all the other reasons why this is just about the best job on the planet.
 
Trust Jerry to be both correct and poetic about this subject...

Maybe you should consider writing as a side hobby...on second thought - GO back to the grinder!
 
Originally posted by Jerry Hossom
An especially wicked hangover on Saturday morning will linger in my memory for awhile, substituting for my faded memory of how I got that way.
Click to expand...
Originally posted by Tom Mayo

Tired
Click to expand...

No kidding!!! What the heck happened to the Black Angus and their Bass Ale.., that new micro-brewery stuff that Tom kept delivering to tables was beer-on-steroids...lol. Saturday morning was OUCH!!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top