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What do knife shows add to our community???

When we talk about going to knife shows, many times I hear...I don't have one close by, I would have to drive a couple hours and go spend the night somewhere. The other thing I hear is, is this show worth going to?

Let me talk a little about both those aspects. For me, a knife show IS a destination. Yes I have to travel, I have been known to spend 2 days on the road for 2 days of shows. That may be a bit on the extreme side for some of you LOL.

Lets just take a look at the Knife Road Show we just went to. We met members, saw old friends and met new of both. I went hands on with 2 new knives I have been looking at online and I learned about a company I did not even know I had a big desire to learn more about.

When you look at a list of vendors going to a show, are you only looking at the manufactures or does it also strike you that the knowledge in that room will be more than you can resist? Lets take a quick walk through this one

Between just these 2 gentleman there are over 11 books dedicated to knives and darn close to 100 years of knife knowledge.

Below is Tommy Clark, the buyer for Blue Ridge Knives. Tommy has been the collection buyer for 30 years. Raised on a farm in east Tennessee and developed a love for knives at the age of eight. Tommy would take the money he made working in hay and tobacco and buy knives at the local flea markets and gun shows. He was literally hooked on knives and was setting up and selling knives at these same shows and markets throughout my teenage years. In 1981, he was able to turn passion into profession when offered a job by Phil Martin who is the owner of Blue Ridge Knives.

David Clark, hooked on knives in elementary school, David took one of the first tours of the Schatt & Morgan factory. There he met Mr Fred Fisher, the most knowledgeable collector of Queen cutlery. That just fueled the fire, His education of antique cutlery and cutlery manufacturing continued with

many discussions with Joe and Betty Dial of Alabama, who were collectors of Queen Cutlery
for many years; and with Pete Cohan, Jim Sargent, Mark Zalesky and Bruce Voyles.

And speaking of Mark Zalesky,

what he doesnt know

about knives, he can send you

to the right person for the answer.

As for knowledge, you can usually find more than you will ever need at a knife show. Some of the dealers themselves have been on the buying/selling knife circuit so much that they can answer most anything or point out someone in the room that can. One of my favorite TV characters has a motto...GO, LEARN THINGS! That about says it all for me. In another article this week I will be sharing what I learned about a company I didn't even know I wanted to learn more about.

Tags: 2017, KNIFE, ROAD, SHOW

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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Steve Davis on March 22, 2017 at 9:34

Lol.....My ugly mug....I enjoy doing knife shows a lot. (One of the reasons I make knives is so I can buy.....more knives,
Robesons in particular.) I also get to reconnect with friends and peers, and unfortunately, see find out who has passed away.

Jan Carter said:

So know that we have decided show knowledge is awesome, lets look at some more aspects of any knife show. Meeting folks that share your interest

This is after setup as folks are coming in, JJ and his daughter drove in to see us and the show (probably not in that order LOL) Custom makers are always among those hanging out

Danny and Tracey Reed came in from IL.

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Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on March 24, 2017 at 19:26

Glad you joined us here at iKC, Steve.

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Permalink Reply by Denny Smith on March 29, 2017 at 21:08

The Tarheel did move to a different location, But it was a GREAT show, Well worth the little extra drive. I found a few knives I was looking for. And the most interesting thing happened, I got to meet and talk a minute with a member of Schrade family. I believed he said he was a Grandson of George.

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Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on March 30, 2017 at 10:14

I really hated that I had to miss the show, this year. Had some issues cime up, that prevented me from going.

Usually in May, after the SC show and well worth the drive. I'm hoping that they'll be able to adjust their timing for next year.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on March 31, 2017 at 8:27

Denny,

Yes, he is a great guy and actually a member here at iKC

Denny Smith said:

The Tarheel did move to a different location, But it was a GREAT show, Well worth the little extra drive. I found a few knives I was looking for. And the most interesting thing happened, I got to meet and talk a minute with a member of Schrade family. I believed he said he was a Grandson of George.

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Permalink Reply by Denny Smith on April 1, 2017 at 21:11

Hi Jan, Oh really ,, What does he go by here at iKC ??

Jan Carter said:

Denny,

Yes, he is a great guy and actually a member here at iKC

Denny Smith said:

The Tarheel did move to a different location, But it was a GREAT show, Well worth the little extra drive. I found a few knives I was looking for. And the most interesting thing happened, I got to meet and talk a minute with a member of Schrade family. I believed he said he was a Grandson of George.