All About Pocket Knives

Brad Lockwood just sent me the vendor list for next week's show. Looks like another good show! I will have a couple tables, hope to see some of you there!

I wouldn't mind meeting Mark Zalesky some time.

This event grows larger every year. Look forward to seeing familiar faces. Gene thanks for posting the list. I think ill be allowed to go on Saturday. I’ll be sure to bring plenty of cash to stimulate the economy. See you there, Steve B.

Yes, thanks for posting this Gene. It will be good to see you there.

This will be the third year for this show. The first year the second building was sparsely occupied at best. Last year I was amazed to see all of the quality vendors in this building.
If you can get to this show I am sure you won’t be at all disappointed in the quality and quantities of fine old knives. You should recognize several AAPK members on the list Gene provided. There are newer knives and custom knives for sale as well.

I will have 3 tables in the first building. Please stop and say hello if you get the chance.

I'll be there setup in the main building, supposedly at the same place.

Looking forward to seeing you Steve, Wayne, and Roger! Would be great to see you up there John!

I assume I'll be in the first building again same as last year, with some tables set up. Any AAPK'ers that come through please say hello.

There's a few names on the list that I know for sure won't be there.

No clue where I'll be, but we'll be there. Pretty excited
Wait.....my name is not on there......

TripleF wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2026 12:45 pm No clue where I'll be, but we'll be there. Pretty excited
Wait.....my name is not on there......

The list does have some names that won't be there so the omission of your name isn't the only mistake. Looking forward to meeting you Scott.

Wayne and Roger are correct, I am also looking forward to meeting you Scott.

Well, there's day one......not happy, not even disappointed yet....
They had a table at the end of nothing down by the bathroom for me. No name tag.
Sales were absolutely dismal.
Accidentally met Wayne because I changed spots and he happened to ready my self written tag.
Roger made a huge sale next to the guy next to me who I believe was an AAPK member....never got introduced.
Right now.....it's like how can we s... on the new guy I'm feeling.

TripleF wrote: ↑Fri Jul 10, 2026 11:26 pm Well, there's day one......not happy, not even disappointed yet....
They had a table at the end of nothing down by the bathroom for me. No name tag.
Sales were absolutely dismal.
Accidentally met Wayne because I changed spots and he happened to ready my self written tag.
Roger made a huge sale next to the guy next to me who I believe was an AAPK member....never got introduced.
Right now.....it's like how can we s... on the new guy I'm feeling.

This picture was taken from inside my food tent set up today. All those trucks and trailers are the other food dudes, and that is the food court. I got stuck 100 yards away by myself, by a busy road and.... the bathrooms.

You know what I learned though buddy?

Everybody pisses

Free business my way all day

Stick with it homie, it's all about perception and attitude

Bad experience.
Definitely won't be going back. Had $16.00 in sales Saturday until some guy watching me set knives for a huge lot of knives photo to list on eBay asked how much do you think they'll sell for on eBay? O said around $300. I replied. Would you take $300 cash right now? Of course I will.

Total sales for the weekend $550.00. Definitely a waste of time.

And I remember asking my gf where are the people coming from to buy knives, this is such a rural town and the houses were all in such poor condition.

It's a good show if you're a dealer in the dealer secret group, but we weren't.

TripleF wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2026 10:35 am Bad experience.
Definitely won't be going back. Had $16.00 in sales Saturday until some guy watching me set knives for a huge lot of knives photo to list on eBay asked how much do you think they'll sell for on eBay? O said around $300. I replied. Would you take $300 cash right now? Of course I will.

Total sales for the weekend $550.00. Definitely a waste of time.

And I remember asking my gf where are the people coming from to buy knives, this is such a rural town and the houses were all in such poor condition.

It's a good show if you're a dealer in the dealer secret group, but we weren't.

Humm,you must not know the secret handshake.

peanut740 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2026 12:54 pm

TripleF wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2026 10:35 am Bad experience.
Definitely won't be going back. Had $16.00 in sales Saturday until some guy watching me set knives for a huge lot of knives photo to list on eBay asked how much do you think they'll sell for on eBay? O said around $300. I replied. Would you take $300 cash right now? Of course I will.

Total sales for the weekend $550.00. Definitely a waste of time.

And I remember asking my gf where are the people coming from to buy knives, this is such a rural town and the houses were all in such poor condition.

It's a good show if you're a dealer in the dealer secret group, but we weren't.

Humm,you must not know the secret handshake.

Do you mean the one with the folded up $50 dollar bill in your palm?

This was my third time setting up at this rather young show. I have had a great time at each of the three shows and sales for me have been very good. I never buy much at shows but use them to reduce the inventory I build during the year. Was good to meet so many old knife friends and finally meet Scott and Rookie.

Scott, sorry you had a lousy time, but there is no "secret" group of dealers, most come from all over and many had not met before the show. Some have been involved for may years and are friends and often do business with each other. Complaining about your table table location is poor etiquette, George the guy you were right next to at the original table did very well. As far as table assignment all the vendors towards the front have been with the show since it began only three years ago, and any show gives the front area tables to those regulars, there is no "secret" group. Barry, my friend from Long Island was right behind me towards the front and did poorly in sales. I did pretty well myself and I know a couple guys in the back room who also did well. My perception is that if you have what collectors or users want you will do well and that applies to any show. If you don't have what folks are looking for or your prices are too high you won't do well and that applies to any show also. I don't know if you are aware that this is a sort of "charity" show, all the proceeds from table sales and entrance fees go to the Little Valley Fund and some goes to the library. The promoters are local and many of the workers are volunteers who don't get paid. Brad Lockwood and John Burrell don't make money on the show although they have worked hard for years to make the show happen and neither of them have done any other shows. Again, I am sorry you didn't have good sales and didn't enjoy the show. I hope you have a safe trip back home from Rochester.

Gunsil wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2026 10:22 pm Scott, sorry you had a lousy time, but there is no "secret" group of dealers, most come from all over and many had not met before the show. Some have been involved for may years and are friends and often do business with each other. Complaining about your table table location is poor etiquette, George the guy you were right next to at the original table did very well. As far as table assignment all the vendors towards the front have been with the show since it began only three years ago, and any show gives the front area tables to those regulars, there is no "secret" group. Barry, my friend from Long Island was right behind me towards the front and did poorly in sales. I did pretty well myself and I know a couple guys in the back room who also did well. My perception is that if you have what collectors or users want you will do well and that applies to any show. If you don't have what folks are looking for or your prices are too high you won't do well and that applies to any show also. I don't know if you are aware that this is a sort of "charity" show, all the proceeds from table sales and entrance fees go to the Little Valley Fund and some goes to the library. The promoters are local and many of the workers are volunteers who don't get paid. Brad Lockwood and John Burrell don't make money on the show although they have worked hard for years to make the show happen and neither of them have done any other shows. Again, I am sorry you didn't have good sales and didn't enjoy the show. I hope you have a safe trip back home from Rochester.

He did very well because Roger dropped $2500.00 on him. And I saw many sales being made from dealer to dealer.
Right next to me on day 2 Wayne and I shared a table full of sheaths.....dealers were lording over Waynes sheath but never even glanced at mine. I finally sold my lot of sheaths to Wayne for $20.00.
My GF and AI both witnessed the sales being made between dealers.
My table was an accident.....Brad forgot about it. and also forgot about my name badge.

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade... if the lemons are rotten, take out the seeds and plant them in order to grow new lemons.

bestgear wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 1:16 am If life gives you lemons, make lemonade... if the lemons are rotten, take out the seeds and plant them in order to grow new lemons.

Cute.....but don't have time to wait for the new lemons.

I've probably been to 15-20 shows in the past three years and set up at three of them. From my experience, I would guess 80% of sales are made from dealer to dealer at these shows. Probably >90% of my deals have involved selling or trading with other dealers.

I always set up next to a buddy of mine who sells mostly good quality vintage knives, and most of the knives I am willing to part with and take to the shows are modern Case knives of desirable patterns. At one show, he did $20,000+ the first day and I only sold a couple of knives. I was joking with him that everybody was blowing right past my table like I wasn't even there, to get to his stash. We always end up doing a lot of trades and I am happy to sell to other dealers for a small discount, as most of my knives were bought years ago for a fraction of what they are selling for today. I'm honestly not a big fan of setting up at the shows because I prefer to have the freedom and time to visit all tables and not have the responsibility of taking care of my own, but I always take a backpack full to sell and/or trade.

With that said, in this area, I feel that most are looking for quality vintage knives and if you are selling the right knives for the right price, people will flock to your table regardless of location.

TripleF wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 12:28 am

Gunsil wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2026 10:22 pm Scott, sorry you had a lousy time, but there is no "secret" group of dealers, most come from all over and many had not met before the show. Some have been involved for may years and are friends and often do business with each other. Complaining about your table table location is poor etiquette, George the guy you were right next to at the original table did very well. As far as table assignment all the vendors towards the front have been with the show since it began only three years ago, and any show gives the front area tables to those regulars, there is no "secret" group. Barry, my friend from Long Island was right behind me towards the front and did poorly in sales. I did pretty well myself and I know a couple guys in the back room who also did well. My perception is that if you have what collectors or users want you will do well and that applies to any show. If you don't have what folks are looking for or your prices are too high you won't do well and that applies to any show also. I don't know if you are aware that this is a sort of "charity" show, all the proceeds from table sales and entrance fees go to the Little Valley Fund and some goes to the library. The promoters are local and many of the workers are volunteers who don't get paid. Brad Lockwood and John Burrell don't make money on the show although they have worked hard for years to make the show happen and neither of them have done any other shows. Again, I am sorry you didn't have good sales and didn't enjoy the show. I hope you have a safe trip back home from Rochester.

He did very well because Roger dropped $2500.00 on him. And I saw many sales being made from dealer to dealer.
Right next to me on day 2 Wayne and I shared a table full of sheaths.....dealers were lording over Waynes sheath but never even glanced at mine. I finally sold my lot of sheaths to Wayne for $20.00.
My GF and AI both witnessed the sales being made between dealers.
My table was an accident.....Brad forgot about it. and also forgot about my name badge.

Scott, Sorry you didn't enjoy the show. A lot of time, effort and money spent to not have a good time. I certainly can say there isn't any click, club or inside stuff going on where sales are concerned. This being my third year at this show many buyers recognize and look for me. Some of the dealers and walk in buyers I have met before at shows In Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Connecticut and elsewhere. I have developed a good relationship with many over time and sales are one thing but seeing so many old friends and making new ones at each show is a big part of the experience. If anyone dropped money at the show it was because the seller had what the buyer wanted at an agreeable price.

My table assignments at the show were initially not what I had requested. I wasn't happy about it and having some dealer rudely butt in and interrupt at length while they were trying to resolve the problem didn't set well with me either. These things do happen at shows and if I said this was the first time I had been on the short end of a show problem that would be a pretty big lie.

I appreciate the deal you gave me on the sheaths but there wasn't much in there that was like what I sold. Many of the sheaths I sold were old brand name sheaths that collectors look for. I had a good number of older, mint Case sheaths as well as some used Case Tested era and earlier Bradford era, Remington, Buck, Cattaraugus and several Union and KA-Bar among others. Sheaths for popular brands in popular sizes. I imagine if you had the sheaths that I did, priced the way I priced them, you would have sold them just as well.

I upped for three tables again at the show next year and am looking forward to going back, good Lord willing and if the creek don't rise as my grandmother used to say.

I had great deals on great knives and a small pile of GEC's which only one person inquired about and we all know how hot
GEC's are and the awkwardly high price they bring as I now have them up for auction on eBay.

Must just be me......I didn't make squat at the Gator Show either.

some pics from the show (I promised Q I'd post some). First table is mine.....the most I've ever had to sell.