May 2006 Why Are There Knife Shows? by Wayne Goddard Shows Can Be Divided Into Two General Categories, Privately Promoted and Club Shows
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KNEWSLETTTER IN A KNUTSHELL Ourinternational membership is happily involved with “Anything that goes ‘cut’!” May 2006 Why Are There Knife Shows? By Wayne Goddard Shows can be divided into two general categories, privately promoted and club shows. I will assume that a privately promoted show is a “for profit” business proposition. The club show on the other hand does not have to show a profit but does need to at least break even in order to survive and grow. The Oregon Knife Show is in the latter category and its 31 years of steady growth shows that things are going as they should. But what is the justification for a knife club to have a show? The purpose of the OKCA Show is defined in the bylaws which are part of the incorporation papers of The Oregon Knife Collectors Association Inc. Following are the purposes found in the bylaws: B. The purpose of this association as also stated in the Articles of Incorporation, filed with the State of Oregon, is to: 1. Provide an organization which will unite persons with like interests in the field of knives, to gather together for the purpose of exchanging ideas and fellowship. 2. Further knife collecting as a hobby in both the antique and modern field, as well as the collecting of related items. 3. To further the general knowledge of the knife field by providing educational displays for the members and the general public to see and enjoy. So, how does the OKCA show do in living up to those purposes? The size of the show proves that it is a “gathering place for the exchanging of ideas and fellowship” as per #1. The variety of tables found in the show covers the full spectrum of age, quality and dollar value found in knives and related items. That more than adequately fulfills the purpose stated in #2. There isn’t another show in the country that has the number and quality of displays found at the OKCA Show. That finishes the purposes of the organization in grand fashion. Is it any wonder that those who attend shows all around the country say that OKCA is the best? 2006 Show tell us. Thank you for the roses. They were Bryan Christensen made 32 The Seek-re-tary an especial treat for me. display cases available for rental at the Show. Each year Report We have pre-sold 72 tables for the 2007 more of them are requested. by elayne Show and had new and renewal memberships to the total of 215 - both single Each of the table holders as well as family. received aSpyderco sharpener Report on the Show: from Spyderco and also a T We had a gate of 4000 paid admission, shirt from Kay & Jerry The Show was held April 7, 8 and 9, 2006 which does not include the persons who are Whitmore. and I am glad it is over. The phone is now extended complimentary entry (members of quiet. (Welcome, my summer hiatus.) No our knife organization, WVACA, law We had 200 present at the Knewslettters until September. enforcement and other uniformed Saturday social (awards individuals.) We also printed 500 free passes presentation). We also had a first It was a very challenging year to ready (each is good for entry for two, a savings of time Thursday social at the ourselves for this event. We had added 50 $10.00). This year 161 free passes were Valley River Inn. We believe it tables for a total of 520 and added an returned. (A cost of $1,610.00.) was a success. We have contacted the Valley additional room because we had extended an River Inn to arrange for a Thursday social invitation to the Antique Bowie Knife One matter of great concern to me is the for 2007. Thanks to the very generous Collectors Association to join our merry tableholder badge. We offer two badges per donations from several of our members we band. It was a nervous time for Dennis and tableholder (if there are any persons under were able to offset the cost of this expensive me. We made it but there were mountains to 18 it is a given they will receive a offering. climb (those were not hills, trust me). tableholder badge); however we receive quite a number of requests on the day of the We had a big screen for the demonstrations Thanks to each of the following: game for an additional tableholder badge. and made videos of all the demonstrations. Bev Kirkand Sue Myers-- they distributed This means we have lost a $20.00 We presented each of the demonstrators with the Show packets on Friday membership fee and worse yet have offered a video of their performance. We also have a Sandra Hicksand Pam Crudele-- to someone the benefits of membership or loaner video which is available. A good “peopling” the gate tableholder privileges who in my opinion opportunity to see the demonstrations you Bowen Cannoyand Noah Cannoy and has not “paid their dues.” I have a great missed or the displays. Lynn Mooreand Sheila Sinks and Alica problem with this. Weaver--Door Prizes and Raffle (Bowen The persons who took the time to display and Noah also helped load all the Club Noah and Bowen Cannoy did an excellent and those who created the works of art that “stuff” at the end of the Show, thank you.) job and enlisted help (Lynn Moore and were the display awards are listed Kay Whitmoreand Jerry Whitmore-- labor Shelia Sinksand Lisa Krumbach and elsewhere. Please be sure to read their for the T shirts which were given to the Alicia Weaver) to pitch for the raffle tickets names and acknowledge the very important tableholders to the total of $3,368. We had 119 raffle part they play in our Show. Also listed are J Lynn French--Silent Auction items. We also had 127 door prize items. the persons who did the demonstrations as Bernard Levine--Advertising The generosity of each of you goes a long well as those who helped directly and Dan O’Malley --official photographer of way to the success of our Show. Each year indirectly with the Show and/or during the the knives we try to invent better ways to insure Show year. and winnings are retrieved at the Show. We Thank youGlenda Brown. Each time I listed all the winners on the exit doors in It is no surprise that at the meeting at The turned around you were there at the Club hopes we would reduce the number of items Sizzler April 19, an enthusiastic group table helping. I was concerned at the end of we would need to mail. This year we had 86 applauded themselves, and all the others the Show that I would discover we had not items which had to be mailed to the winners who helped make the 2006 Show a fun time processed as many prepaid 2007 table on Monday. (We stood in front of the postal for all. reservations and 2006 memberships. After clerk for 45 minutes while he posted each running all the numbers I discovered we are item. This did not even begin to account for We had again arranged with the Baron’s Den in line with last year’s Show, but I lost track the time needed to package each of the to accept shipments from our tableholders. because you did so much of the busy work items. We will continue to brainstorm to This year we also had to arrange an address for me. Thank you. reduce the number of items which must be for shipment of raffle merchandise. That and mailed.) address was only temporary for the Show. An especial thank you toPhyllis Goddard . Any items to be shipped to OKCA must be You helped over and beyond. You put all the We also raised $4,070 at the Silent Auction mailed to our Eugene PO Box 2091--97402. Show packets together, you advised on all thanks to the help ofJ. Lynn French. The the menus for the Thursday Social and the two prototype Club knives realized a total of Many of the persons who attended the Show Saturday Social. You kept me going and on $890--thank youLone Wolfe Knives and exclaimed that it was the best ever. The track before and during the Show. Paul Poehlmann. enthusiasm was contagious. Thank you for and taking the time to come to the Club table to Thank you, Antique Bowie Knife Crucible Steel very generously donated the share. Your well wishes are very much Collectors Association. We know you money they received for the steel they sold appreciated. enjoyed the Show because each of you made at their table. A very gracious and a special effort to visit the Club table and appreciated offering. See you at the meeting May 17. Page 2 OKCA Knews and Musings ibdennis Firstly let me mention.... That this is the last Knewslettter until September. The summer hiatus will be in effect June, July and August. There aren’t too many knife activities going on during the summer so, as far back as I can recall, we have always taken a summer leave. (Unfortunately the mail must still be answered, both snail mail and email, as well as phone calls which continue to come Smile Knives...... light of this we do indeed have the best through. But it is as close as we can come.) Of all the knives at the Show I only received event of its kind in the world.