Why many top names not at Blade?

I CAN TELL YOU THAT TO ME, SHOWS ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THING MAKERS CAN DO FOR THERE WELL BEING.
I KNOW MANY MAKERS THAT CAN NOT GET PAST THE COST OF THE A TABLE,HOTEL,AIR FARE ETC.
ALL THIS IS A GAMBLE UNLESS YOU ARE AMONG THE FEW WHO SELL OUT EVERY WHERE THE GO.
I KNOW I HAVE SPENT EVERY LAST DIME I HAD TO GET INTO SHOWS INCLUDING, N.Y. ,LAS VEGAS, AND ATLANTA.
SHOWS ARE THAT IMPORTANT IF YOU ARE REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT STAYING IN THIS BUISNESS.
SHOWS ARE WHERE YOU CAN GET MAGAZINE ARTICLES,COLLABORATIONS,NEW IDEAS, MEET NEW PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD NOT MEET ANY OTHER WAY.
YES, YOU SHOULD SELL KNIVES AND TAKE ORDERS IF YOU ARE MAKING WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS.
AS FAR AS ORDERS GO. I PUT ASIDE A MONTH INFRONT OF EVERY SHOW TO MAKE KNIVES FOR THAT SHOW.
WHEN I TAKE ORDERS I DO NOT COMMIT MYSELF TO MORE THAN 10 CUSTOM ORDERS A MONTH.
SOMETIMES I DO MORE AND GET AHEAD AND SOMETIMES I GET BEHIND BUT I ALWAYS TRY TO KEEP TRACK AND PLAIN DOWN TO THE DAY .
I THINK FINISHING WHAT I START IS IMPORTANT.
I KNOW I AM NO VET. IN THIS BUISNESS BUT I KNOW NOT TO FOOL MYSELF INTO THINKING I CAN DO WITHOUT SHOWS BECAUSE I KNOW I CAN NOT...
I WILL SEE YOU ALL THERE.
BRAD
 
Brad is correct, it is essential for makers to attend shows, perhaps now more than ever. As the competition grows every week.

For those of you upset that makers bring a knife to a show your not being fair or realistic. The Blade Show is the second most inexpensive show I do every year. I drive to the show, I don't stay at the Waverly and it still costs over $800 to do. Imagine if you have to fly and are staying at the Waverly! You are pushing $1,400. For that kind of money you could go to Europe or Hawaii for a week...now thats a vacation.

Consequently, makers have to pay for these expenses. Boys and girls they do this by bringing knives to shows. Knives for you to look at, knives for you to hold and yes, knives for you to buy.

This is one way a maker stays in the public eye. Increasing their knives desirablity. Making your knife more valuable. Making it easier to sell or trade if you are inclined to do so.

Ed, I hope you don't use that line "I refuse to look at this as a business" if the IRS ever audits you. Because, they will be more than happy to belive you. With both interest and penalties! As they will disallow all of those business dedcutions you have been taking over the years ;)

That being said, Ed and Pam are correct in that it is a chance to see old friends, get your creative juices going, see whats new. Or as Kit wrote, load up on supplies for a year. Or as Brad wrote, look at a collaboration, talk with knife magazine writers and editors, etc.

A lot of what happens at a major show like the Blade Show. Can influence the business of custom knives and the trends that are the result of this.

Joss, of course all the big name makers are at the show. They are at every major show. Well let me clairfy that..not the makers, just their knives. There will be between 5-10 major dealers at any given major show. Im not talking about those Internet types. Im talking about the professionals who set up at shows. Those dealers who between them will bring an additional $500,000 to $1,000,000 worth of custom knives to a major show like the Blade Show. So don't worry, those makers may not be there, but their knives will be!

Yep, being involved in custom knives full time is work! Just like when I was in the Army, jumping out of planes, rapelling out of helicopters, going to Sniper school,etc. I used to smile to myself thinking, I can't belive I get paid to do this!

It's that same smile I get when the doors open to a show and I get ready to go to work!

When your doing what you love for a living, it's work...it just doesn't seem like it sometimes.
 
I just spoke to one of my favorite makers the other day, and I assumed he would have a table at Blade. I was wrong! He told me he'll be there for meetings, supplies, and that sort of thing. He has about a year backlog and often goes to a show to take orders with VERY FEW knives available for sale. The reason, he's trying to keep up with the orders he already has! As some people have mentioned it would really tick a collector off to see the knife they're waiting another 6 months for, sitting on a table for sale! This maker does bring about 5-8 finished knives which already have homes waiting for them so a potential customer can see what the product will look like. At first I didn't like this idea, but then I realized if he didn't do it this way, the wait would be more like 2-3 years, and the prices on the secondary market would explode!
 
Les: My accountant and bride take care of the business stuff, I just make and write about knives and enjoy.
 
Originally posted by Les Robertson
Joss, of course all the big name makers are at the show. They are at every major show. Well let me clairfy that..not the makers, just their knives. There will be between 5-10 major dealers at any given major show. Im not talking about those Internet types. Im talking about the professionals who set up at shows. Those dealers who between them will bring an additional $500,000 to $1,000,000 worth of custom knives to a major show like the Blade Show. So don't worry, those makers may not be there, but their knives will be!
Click to expand...

I thought so. Say, this probably warrants another thread, but I wonder why some dealers are not on the net yet. It seems to be an obvious move.

JD
 
Hi Joss,

The reason some dealers don't have a web site, is the same reason some internet dealers don't set up at shows.

It is a lot of work to do either.

It appears that it is even more work to do both! Only 2 Custom Knife dealers in the US set up at 5 custom knife shows or more per year and have a web site.

Bob Neal and Myself.

I didn't even realize that myself until reading this thread.

I love going to and setting up at knife shows. While the Internet is a big part of my business. I refer to updating my site as "feeding the pig". As it is always hungry and always wants more.

However, for me, the Internet will never replace setting up at show.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top