Welcome Home...THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

iKnife Collector

The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel

Invitational Style Knife Shows

Hey Trent as a pure capitalist (I'm sure there is an economic term for it, but I didn't finish college, as you know, so don't know it), like a Keynesian :), I'd think you'd like the model they have gone to. Seriously, this approach is VERY interesting. Sell spots to come to the show. REVENUE for the show promoter /SERIOUS BUYERS/EASIER TO APPEAL TO DEALERS- when you can say, "We've sold out every year and we charge $125 for these buyers to attend." Dealers will have to give a show like this serious consideration over the typical show model, where they buy a table, travel expenses, etc, in hopes to sell.

I prefer the term Free Market Enthusiast....hehehhehehe You right.....I can see how it is advantageous to the knife makers and the show promoters. Is there a "win" or gain for the buyer buyer with this style of knife auction?
I'm still trying to figure out WHY I should spend an extra 125 bucks for the CHANCE to get a knife from my favorite maker?
Why can't I just call up the custom knife maker directly (or look at his webpage or Facebookpage) and order a knife for directly from him? Saving the 125 dollar entry fee?

Any thoughts?
Maybe it has to do with bypassing the long, multi year, waiting lists some makers have for orders?
My 1st thought was, "Hmmmm.....I wonder if I could consume 125 dollars worth of wine and food at the dinner???"
Maybe they got prime rib and unlimited shots of Maker's Mark whiskey....;)

http://www.nordicknives.com/show/solvangshow.php

http://www.artknifeinvitational.com/how_to.html

Each of the 25 makers will bring to the show a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 8 knives created especially for this show. Collectors will receive a catalog listing every knife in the show and a price list for each knife. Nothing is pre-sold. The first three hour segment of this show is the “intent to purchase” period where a collector will have the chance to place an “intent to purchase” slip on any knife he/she wishes to buy. At the close of this period the luck-of-the-draw begins. The collector drawn for each knife has the first option to purchase. If a sale does not occur within thirty minutes, subsequent drawings are held at 15 minute intervals.

This show is held every other year to allow the makers time to prepare and is limited to 175 buyers. It is a completely hosted day, both food and drink in an elegant atmosphere. The sale portion of the show closes around 2:30 pm and the rest of the day is a hospitality social where collectors and makers can socialize and trade knives. A buffet dinner is served at 7 pm in the hotel.

Tags: Knifeshows

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Strauss on December 11, 2009 at 16:48

You hit the nail on the head with your speculation "Maybe it has to do with bypassing the long, multi year, waiting lists some makers have for orders?" Look at the list of makers and virtually everyone of them has a long wait list of a year or more or they are not even taking orders. I attend these type of shows and always enjoy them, even if I don't get drawn for the opportunity to purchase a knife. There is always the social aspect and the food and a good opportunity to put in that order for a new knife with a maker were you have a chance to discuss ideas in detail and face to face.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Trent Rock on December 12, 2009 at 1:53

Can you explain to me how the "intent to purchase" tickets work?
How many intent to purchase tics do you get?
So if I really want a makers knife, I can put his name on 10 ITP tics? To increase my probabilities of getting my name picked for that maker?
What is the avg price of the knives that you can commit too?
$1,000? $5,000?
If they have some knives in the 500-1000 range I might actually think of going......

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bruce Piehl on December 12, 2009 at 5:09

Hey Trent, Sounds like they intend on you drinking, than buying! I'll stay home for this one. Bruce

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Strauss on December 12, 2009 at 9:07

At most of these type shows there is 1 ticket/knife (vs what you see at some open to the public shows were it is 1 ticket/maker and 1st draw 1st choice of knives, 2nd draw 2nd choice, etc..) Most of these shows I've been to end up having about enough knives so that in theory each attendee could get one knife, i.e. 125 knives available 125 attendees at show. Often attendees trade tickets so they can get multiple shots at specific knives they really want (much controversy about this, whole other thread). If drawn for multiple items you can decline and a backup will have been drawn who may now make the purchase. Shows I've been to most knives in the $ 2500 - 5000 range with very few below $1000 and several much more. The Tactical Invitational is an exception with prices more in the $ 750 - 1500, a few less and many much more. Hope this helps clarify.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Strauss on December 12, 2009 at 9:11

Bruce, a smart strategy to get the customers drinking and loosen up the purse strings. The social time is fun. I see many of the same people at all these shows so you make friends also time to talk with makers while they are not behind a table focusing on selling knives. You get to talk other things; family, hobbies, life, etc..

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Trent Rock on December 12, 2009 at 19:17

Yes i did help alot!!
Thanks!!
I aware of the "other thread" regarding ticket tampering/ collusion :(
I don't have 2.5-5K dollars lying around
Wish I did.....hehehehehe

I still might go I Steven Seagal, Bo Derek or David Crosby are gonna be there!!! ;)
I work in Solvang
Nice little town
I saw Robert Cray at the Post Office about a year ago.................

▶ Reply

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Scott King on December 16, 2009 at 21:43

....wonder if Charlie Platts is going. I'd really like a brand new jumbo swellcenter :) If I could just quit buying old toenails, I'd have some $$ left for some customs.

Seriously- the more I think about it, the more fun this sounds.