Which shows should a new knifemaker from Texas attend?

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I had a tough time deciding where to post this. I figured there is more experience looking here than anywhere else so...

Being a new knifemaker and being very dedicated to making quality knives and a name for myself, I am going to try to show my knives at 3-4 shows next year. I know there are some big shows that are probably out of my league and unavailable. I do plan to go to the combined Guild/ABS show and Blade as a spectator but, what are some good shows that have tables available and are worth the effort? I don't mind traveling but closer to home is good too.

Bob
 
The Arkansas Knifemaker's Association show in Little Rock is a really great show. It's my number two right after Blade. It's very early in the year, generally in Feb. Lots of traffic, lots of great makers and lots of $$$. Table prices very reasonable.

The down side……..there isn't one!

Paul
 
I'll second that. The AKA show in Little Rock is great fun.

This year's show is at a larger venue just up the block...same surroundings and atmosphere with a nicer, larger venue.

There will be more tables available this year.

The venue that we typically use is not available due to renovations. Upon completion, the renovated area will be too small.

I highly recommend the AKA show.

Tad
 
Little Rock is supposed to be great.

If you do come to the ABS/Guild show, you ought to bring some knives. IIRC, you need to have four inspected by Guild members to get your endorsements. No better place to find out about the guild than the guild show... might as well have all the stuff you'll need to go ahead with it. While you're at it, join the ABS now, regardless of what you think you'll do in the future. There's a three year wait before you can test for journeyman, whether you do anything useful during that three years or not. Might try to hook up with me or Travis Payne. We'll both be at the combined show finishing out our probationary membership and hopefully getting our voting memberships. Jerry Moen from Dallas will be there as well.

The Dallas show reportedly fell apart, and the ABS Expo is gone as well.
 
What types of knives do you make? Do you forge your own steel? Do you use stock removal? Do you make fixed blades, or primarily folders? Art knives? Tactical knives? Bowies and hunters?

IMO, the kind of knives you make and want to sell will have a major influence on the best shows for you to exhibit them.
 
What types of knives do you make? Do you forge your own steel? Do you use stock removal? Do you make fixed blades, or primarily folders? Art knives? Tactical knives? Bowies and hunters?

IMO, the kind of knives you make and want to sell will have a major influence on the best shows for you to exhibit them.

This is interesting. I did not realize there were enough shows in this country to be that selective. I am a new maker (under a year), making fixed blade general use knives. I would say EDC's and hunters mostly. My knives are clean and well made using stock removal with various stainless steels (440C, CPM-S35VN, AEB-L) and nice stabilized woods and synthetics. I wouldn't say I've developed a style yet but, all my knives do have bolsters. I am starting to get into folders but will probably not have anything to show for next year.

Bob

Examples:

Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr

IMG_3890 by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr

IMG_3884 by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
 
There are a lot of knife shows in this country. Some cater to tactical knives, others to forged blades, others to art knives.

If you want to stay local to save money you might have to stick with the more local "gun-shows-with-some-knives-and-other-stuff" of which I am guessing there are a helluva lot of in Texas. All of the "real" knife shows of which I am aware will require some travel from Texas.

Now that they have combined the ABS and Guild shows (have they actually announced that, yet? Gee, I remember some folks here suggesting earlier this year that they combine . . .) I guess that show would be good for you to attend, and maybe you might think about joining the Guild at some point.

Probably Arkansas which Paul mentioned, since it is reasonably close to Texas - although I still mainly think of that more as a forged makers show. If you can travel to North Carolina, the Southeastern Custom Knife show might be a good one. The Greater Shenandoah Valley Knife Show in April in Virginia is a good show. Maybe the California Custom Knife Show. I'll try to think of some others.
 
There are a lot of knife shows in this country. Some cater to tactical knives, others to forged blades, others to art knives.

If you want to stay local to save money you might have to stick with the more local "gun-shows-with-some-knives-and-other-stuff" of which I am guessing there are a helluva lot of in Texas. All of the "real" knife shows of which I am aware will require some travel from Texas.

Now that they have combined the ABS and Guild shows (have they actually announced that, yet? Gee, I remember some folks here suggesting earlier this year that they combine . . .) I guess that show would be good for you to attend, and maybe you might think about joining the Guild at some point.

Probably Arkansas which Paul mentioned, since it is reasonably close to Texas - although I still mainly think of that more as a forged makers show. If you can travel to North Carolina, the Southeastern Custom Knife show might be a good one. The Greater Shenandoah Valley Knife Show in April in Virginia is a good show. Maybe the California Custom Knife Show. I'll try to think of some others.
Your getting some very good advice here. The Little Rock Show has been known as a forged blade knife show but there are getting to be other styles showing up. I know there were multiple Guild makers with tables last year, including Gene Baskett the Guild President. As I understand it the guide makers sold knives and had a pretty good show.

If you are thinking about trying to get a table for Arkansas you might want to get on the list as the tables do tend to sell out. The Arkansas Knifemaker Association has a a Web site that will give you instructions.


Chris
 
My personal experience with selling knives at "gun and knife" shows is that folks are there for guns and ammo, and if they buy a knife, they think that spending $40 is big money. You may generate interest, or make a handful of sales. Heck, you may have a completely different experience from me and do well. :)

But if it's anything like my experience, you'd be better served to spend your time working on commissions rather than inventory for a gun show.

The tables are usually cheap enough to warrant a few months experimentation if you're curious to give it a try.

Personally, I do Blade and the Usual Suspects Network Gathering. My focus is primal/tactical fixed blades, and I'm a bit oddball to the usual knife market. I am at peace with that, and have plenty of work to stay busy in spite of it, thank God. :D
 
Little Rock is supposed to be great.

If you do come to the ABS/Guild show, you ought to bring some knives. IIRC, you need to have four inspected by Guild members to get your endorsements. No better place to find out about the guild than the guild show... might as well have all the stuff you'll need to go ahead with it. While you're at it, join the ABS now, regardless of what you think you'll do in the future. There's a three year wait before you can test for journeyman, whether you do anything useful during that three years or not. Might try to hook up with me or Travis Payne. We'll both be at the combined show finishing out our probationary membership and hopefully getting our voting memberships. Jerry Moen from Dallas will be there as well.

The Dallas show reportedly fell apart, and the ABS Expo is gone as well.

Jason, do you have a table at the Little Rock show or the ABS/Guild show? I sent a message to the AKA (using the form on their website) asking about tables a couple days ago but, haven't received a reply. I'm not feeling I'm ready for a table at a big show like the Kansas City show yet. Bringing some knives sounds like a really good idea though.

It seems that most of the shows have a wait list for tables, another good reason to start figuring this out early. I've been to gun shows and I don't think that is the venue for me. I may be a new maker but, I'm not giving my knives away. Also, a big part of wanting to go to the knife-specific shows is meeting and interacting with other knife makers. I think we're up to four or five shows for me to take a look at. Thanks, and if you guys come up with any other suggestions, post up.

Bob
 
I'll have a table at the combined Kansas City show. Still on the fence as to whether or not to do Little Rock. I've had it on the agenda, and I have a place to stay for free in Hot Springs, just haven't committed yet.

I totally understand the big shows being intimidating. I have not done Blade yet primarily for that reason. Being on the back row of the guild show last year, with Hibben, Loerchner, Edmund Davidson's crazy integrals, etc in the same room was quite an experience for a young man from Texas who makes knives in his garage.
 
I am no source of good advice on shows.

Just wanted to say if that's the kind of work you're doing after only a year, that's extremely impressive.
 
I had a tough time deciding where to post this. I figured there is more experience looking here than anywhere else so...

Being a new knifemaker and being very dedicated to making quality knives and a name for myself, I am going to try to show my knives at 3-4 shows next year. I know there are some big shows that are probably out of my league and unavailable. I do plan to go to the combined Guild/ABS show and Blade as a spectator but, what are some good shows that have tables available and are worth the effort? I don't mind traveling but closer to home is good too.
Bob

A good strategy, A newer and observant knifemaker can benefit immensely from attending the right shows as a spectator. You can pickup very valuable info on technique, design, pricing, marketing, competition, what's selling and make contacts.
 
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