Major Knife Shows Every Maker Should Know

Knife shows are where sales, reputation, and community actually happen in person, and a handful of recurring events are worth knowing whether you’re planning your first table or just want to see what the top of the craft looks like. Dates and details change year to year, so this covers what each show is and what it’s known for rather than specific dates, always confirm current dates directly with the show before planning travel.

BLADE Show (Atlanta)

The largest knife show in the world, hosted by the editors of BLADE Magazine, drawing 900+ exhibitors from dozens of countries. It’s the single highest-visibility event in the custom knife world, covering everything from major manufacturers to individual custom makers, with awards, cutting competitions, and knifemaking classes alongside the show floor itself. If you can only attend one show to understand the scale of the industry, this is generally it.

BLADE Show West

BLADE Magazine’s West Coast event, giving West Coast makers and buyers a major show without the cross-country trip to Atlanta. Smaller than the flagship Atlanta show but carries the same BLADE Show name recognition and draws a serious crowd of exhibitors and collectors.

Oregon Knife Collectors Association Show

A long-running annual show (approaching its 50th year) held at the Lane County Fairground in Eugene, Oregon, respected specifically within the collector and traditional-knife community. A good example of a well-established regional show with real history behind it, not just a generic gun-and-knife show.

Knifemakers’ Guild Show

Run by the Knifemakers’ Guild, established in 1970 specifically to promote custom knives and professional conduct among makers. Guild membership itself is a recognized credential in the custom knife world, and the annual show doubles as the organization’s business meeting where members display work and conduct Guild business. Worth researching Guild membership itself, not just attending the show, once you’re established enough to meet their standards.

American Bladesmith Society Events

The ABS, founded by Bill Moran (see Famous Bladesmiths Who Shaped Modern Knifemaking), runs hammer-ins, testing cutoffs, and educational events tied to their Journeyman Smith and Master Smith certification path, distinct from a pure sales show. Worth knowing about specifically if formal bladesmithing certification is a goal, not just a place to sell.

Regional and State Guild Shows

Beyond the national-level events above, most regions have smaller state or regional knifemaker guild shows (state guilds like the Texas Knifemakers Guild are a good example) that are more accessible for a newer maker, lower cost, less travel, and a more approachable scale for a first table. These are usually the right starting point before attempting a major national show.

How to Actually Choose Which Shows to Attend

Start regional and local before committing to a major national show’s table fees and travel cost, see Where to Sell Your Knives for how shows fit into a broader sales strategy. Attending a major show as a buyer/observer before ever setting up a table there is also a completely legitimate way to learn the format and scale before committing real money to a booth.

Is BLADE Show worth attending as just a spectator first?

Yes, many makers attend BLADE Show or similar major shows as visitors before ever setting up a table, it’s a low-risk way to see the scale, meet other makers, and understand what a competitive table actually looks like before investing in one yourself.

Do I need Knifemakers’ Guild membership to attend their show?

Attending as a visitor is generally open to the public; exhibiting as a member carries specific standards and an application process, worth researching directly with the Guild once you’re at a point where that credential matters for your work.

How do I find smaller, regional knife shows near me?

State-level knifemaker guilds and general gun-and-knife show listings both track regional events, and searching for your state’s knifemakers guild specifically is usually the more targeted starting point than a general show search.

Sources

BLADE Show, BLADE Show West, Oregon Knife Collectors Association, Knifemakers’ Guild.