If you’re in the knife business, whether as a manufacturer, distributor, or sourcing professional, attending the right trade shows can open doors.
From massive exhibitions in the U.S. to heritage shows in Europe and high-volume sourcing expos in Asia, these events offer the chance to connect with buyers, explore OEM opportunities, and stay sharp on industry trends.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the top kitchen and Outdoor knife trade shows around the world happening in 2025-2026.
| Show Name | Country | Date | Focus | Suitability |
| Blade Show Atlanta | USA | June | All knives, EDC focus with some kitchen knives | High – U.S. buyers, large exposure |
| Blade Show West | USA | October | Custom & outdoor knives | Medium – Artisan & boutique visibility |
| Blade Show Texas | USA | March | Custom, tactical, some kitchen knives | Medium – Niche kitchen brands |
| California Custom Knife Show | USA | Oct | Custom knives | Medium – Artisan & collector network |
| New York Custom Knife Show | USA | August | Custom knives, growing kitchen knife presence | Medium to High – Premium brands |
| Ambiente | Germany | February | Kitchenware & consumer goods | High – Global B2B buyers |
| Solingen Knife Show | Germany | May | Knife-focused, heritage cutlery | Medium to High – Boutique brands |
| Coutellia International Knife Show | France | May | Artisan & collector knives | Medium – Craftsmanship-focused brands |
| Seki Outdoor Knife Show | Japan | October | Outdoor & kitchen knives | Medium to High – Japanese knife sourcing |
| Yangjiang Knife & Scissors Fair | China | October | Knife manufacturing hub | High – OEM & sourcing connections |
| Canton Fair – Kitchenware Section | China | April (Phase 2) | All kitchen products | Medium to High – Large-scale sourcing |
| HouseHold Expo | Russia | September | Home & kitchenware | Medium – Regional distribution leads |
USA knife exhibitions
The United States hosts some of the most high-profile knife shows in the world.
While many lean toward everyday carry (EDC) and tactical knives, kitchen knives still maintain a steady presence, especially within the custom and premium segments.
These shows are excellent opportunities for sourcing inspiration, networking with distributors, or exploring OEM collaborations.
1) Blade Show Atlanta
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Date: June 5–7, 2026
Known as the largest knife show in the world, Blade Show Atlanta features over 1,000 exhibitors ranging from mass-market brands to boutique knife makers.
The event is hosted by Blade Magazine and covers all categories of knives, EDC, outdoor, tactical, and kitchen.
Key features:
- Massive industry presence and global buyer turnout
- Kitchen knives represent a niche but growing segment (estimated 10%)
- Ideal for manufacturers targeting U.S. retailers and distributors
Suitability:
High – Best for networking, trend research, and entering the U.S. market
2) Blade Show West
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Date: October 10-11, 2025
Blade Show West is the smaller sister event of the Atlanta show. It’s geared toward West Coast knife enthusiasts and professionals, with a growing number of custom makers and mid-sized brands.
Key features:
- More intimate than Atlanta, allowing for focused conversations
- Suitable for showcasing handcrafted kitchen knives
Suitability:
Medium – Good for boutique brands and artisan knife sellers
3) Blade Show Texas
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Date: March 20–21, 2026
Positioned in the heart of the U.S., Blade Show Texas balances EDC, tactical, and custom knives. While kitchen knives aren’t the main focus, the event’s accessibility and growing attendance make it a worthwhile stop.
Key features:
- Heavy custom and collector turnout
- Opportunities for niche B2B networking
Suitability:
Medium – Best suited for the U.S.-based custom kitchen knife makers
4) California Custom Knife Show
Location: Garden Grove, California
Date: October 25–26, 2026 (TBC)
California Custom Knife Show is a leading West Coast custom knife exhibition, known for its curated feel and quality exhibitors. While it doesn’t cater to mass-market buyers, it’s great for visibility in niche culinary and collector communities.
Key features:
- Artisanal focus with a touch of culinary innovation
- Strong regional attendance from California-based resellers and chefs
Suitability:
Medium – Great for niche kitchen knife brands and direct B2B connections
5) New York Custom Knife Show
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey (Greater NYC Area)
Date: August 2025 (TBA)
Hosted just outside NYC, this show gathers top-tier custom knife makers and collectors. Culinary blades are increasingly gaining interest here, especially among food-industry professionals seeking standout tools.
Key features:
- High-end environment near a major metropolitan hub
- Opportunity to connect with East Coast chefs, retailers, and collectors
Suitability:
Medium to High – Ideal for premium kitchen knife brands with a custom angle
Europe cutlery trade shows
Europe has long been known for its craftsmanship in knife making, from Germany’s precision-forged blades to France’s artisanal heritage.
The region’s trade shows are ideal for small businesses seeking quality partnerships, premium branding opportunities, or a window into global trends.
6) Ambiente
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Date: February 6–10, 2026
One of the largest consumer goods trade fairs in the world, Ambiente covers everything from kitchenware to home décor.
While not knife-specific, it features a substantial kitchen knife presence, making it ideal for manufacturers aiming to scale up or enter European retail chains.
Key features:
- Over 4,000 exhibitors from 80+ countries
- Dedicated Kitchen & Housewares section
- Ideal for OEM/ODM brands looking to attract global wholesalers
Suitability:
High – Excellent for connecting with international kitchenware buyers and spotting global trends
7) Solingen Knife Show
Location: Solingen, Germany
Date: May 9-10, 2026
Held in the heart of Germany’s “City of Blades,” this show is all about knives, traditional, modern, and custom.
Solingen is home to legendary cutlery manufacturers, making this show a hotspot for sourcing and storytelling.
Key features:
- Focused on blades, both kitchen and outdoor
- Rich tradition of cutlery craftsmanship
- Strong local and regional B2B attendance
Suitability:
Medium to High – Best for boutique and heritage-oriented kitchen knife brands
8) Coutellia International Knife Show
Location: Thiers, France
Date: May 16–17, 2026
Set in France’s historical knife capital, Coutellia is a celebration of artisanal craftsmanship.
While it leans heavily into custom and collector knives, many exhibitors showcase hand-forged kitchen knives rooted in regional design.
Key features:
- Artisanal and small-batch focus
- Ideal for showcasing craftsmanship and heritage
- Growing interest in kitchen cutlery among collectors and chefs
Suitability:
Medium – Perfect for artisan makers or brands looking to build authenticity in the European market
Asian knife and culinary trade shows
Asia is the global backbone of knife manufacturing. Whether you’re sourcing at scale, looking for OEM/ODM opportunities, or exploring traditional craftsmanship, these trade shows offer direct access to suppliers and industry insiders.
9) Seki Outdoor Knife Show
Location: Seki City, Japan
Date: October 2025 (TBA)
Held in one of Japan’s historic blade-making centers, the Seki Outdoor Knife Show showcases both modern and traditional knives.
While outdoor knives dominate, you’ll find a growing segment of premium kitchen knives influenced by Japanese culinary tradition.
Key features:
- Deep-rooted legacy in Japanese blade craftsmanship
- Home to renowned kitchen knife brands
- Strong presence of artisan and small-batch producers
Suitability:
Medium to High – Ideal for sourcing handcrafted Japanese kitchen knives or exploring design trends
10) Yangjiang International Hardware Knife & Scissors Fair
Location: Yangjiang, China
Date: October 19–21, 2025
Yangjiang is China’s largest knife manufacturing hub. This fair is laser-focused on cutlery and kitchenware, attracting wholesalers, sourcing agents, and B2B buyers from around the world.
Key features:
- Focused entirely on knives and scissors
- Direct access to factories and OEM/ODM partners
- Strong domestic and international exhibitor base
Suitability:
High – One of the best shows for manufacturers looking to establish B2B relationships or find sourcing partners
11) Canton Fair (Kitchenware Section)
Location: Guangzhou, China
Date: October 23–27, 2025 (Phase 2, Autumn Session)
Canton Fair is China’s largest trade show, with thousands of exhibitors across all categories.
The kitchenware section includes a wide range of kitchen knives, knife sets, and related accessories, from economy lines to premium brands.
Key features:
- Massive scale, international visibility
- Efficient for exploring multiple suppliers in one visit
- Government-supported, well-organized logistics for international attendees
Suitability:
Medium to High – Best for exploring a wide supplier range or comparing pricing across manufacturers
Other noteworthy international show
12) HouseHold Expo
Location: Moscow, Russia
Date: September 17–19, 2025
HouseHold Expo is a large-scale trade show focused on consumer goods, including kitchenware, tableware, and household accessories.
While it isn’t knife-specific, it has grown to include a sizable section for kitchen knives and cutlery.
Key features:
- Covers a broad spectrum of home and kitchen products
- Strong regional presence from Eastern European distributors and importers
- Good visibility for brands looking to expand into Russian and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) markets
Suitability:
Medium – Suitable for exploring under-tapped markets and building regional distribution
How to exhibit at a kitchen knife expo
Exhibiting at a trade show is more than just showing up with a few display stands and business cards.
If you want to get noticed by serious buyers, especially those looking for OEM or custom partnerships, you need a strategy that matches your business goals.
Here’s how to prepare for it like a pro:
1. Know why you’re there
Before reserving a booth, ask yourself:
- Are you looking for wholesale clients?
- OEM/ODM partnerships?
- Distributors or regional retailers?
- Or are you building brand visibility?
Your booth strategy, and the materials you bring, should match that goal.
2. Show off what actually matters
You don’t need to bring your entire product catalog. Just a few well-chosen knives, the ones with the best margins, most demand, or strongest features, can do the job better.
If you offer OEM or ODM services, make it obvious. A simple sign that says “Custom Designs Available” or “OEM Welcome” can pull in exactly the people you want to meet.
3. Keep your booth simple but smart
You don’t need a flashy setup, but you do need a clean, professional one. Make sure:
- Your product displays are neat and easy to understand
- Visitors can quickly see what you offer and what makes you different
- There’s space for real conversations, not just browsing
A few high-quality visuals, some printed material, and a place to sit with serious leads can make a big difference.
4. Bring the right people
Trade shows are about conversations, not just displays. The people at your booth should:
- Know your products inside out
- Be able to answer technical and business questions
- Speak the language of your main buyers (literally, if you’re going international)
5. Keep materials focused and practical
You don’t need a glossy magazine. A simple flyer, product sheet, or catalog with a QR code works fine.
What’s important is that it answers the questions buyers care about:
- What do you make?
- Can you customize it?
- What are the lead times and MOQs?
6. Don’t vanish after the show
Most of your leads won’t place an order on the spot, but they might a few days later. That is, if you follow up.
Send a short thank-you email. Share your catalog. Offer a call. If someone showed real interest, don’t wait too long, follow-up speed can make or break the deal.
Tips for attending (Even if you’re not exhibiting)
You don’t need a booth to make a trade show worth your time. Whether you’re a new brand testing the waters or just scouting the competition, attending as a visitor can give you valuable insights and connections, without the upfront cost of exhibiting.
1. Walk in with a plan
Trade shows can be overwhelming. Hundreds of booths, multiple halls, and limited time. Before you go, check the exhibitor list and map out who you want to meet. Prioritize:
- Competitors or brands you admire
- Potential suppliers, OEM partners, or materials vendors
- Distributors and wholesalers in your target region
Even one good connection can pay for your trip.
2. Learn from the best (And the worst)
Take note of what the top exhibitors are doing, booth design, product display, pitch style. What catches your attention? What falls flat?
If you plan to exhibit in the future, this kind of recon is gold.
It helps you avoid rookie mistakes and build a stronger presence when it’s your turn on the floor.
3. Network, Don’t just browse
Introduce yourself. Ask questions. Collect cards.
Even if you’re not ready to buy or sell, let people know what you do and where your business is headed.
Many suppliers and buyers are happy to stay in touch, especially if you’re clear and professional about your intent.
A few quick intros can turn into long-term partnerships down the line.
4. Attend talks or workshops (If available)
Some trade shows offer seminars or demos, take advantage of them. Whether it’s a session on export compliance or a live knife-making demo, you’ll likely walk away with ideas you can apply to your own business.
5. Follow up like an exhibitor would
Just like exhibitors, you should follow up after the event. A short message to say “great meeting you” keeps the door open. You might not have a booth, but you can still make a lasting impression.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re a new kitchen knife brand or an established manufacturer exploring global markets, trade shows offer more than just foot traffic, they offer strategy.
From meeting sourcing partners to spotting design trends, the right event can open doors that would take months to unlock online.
And you don’t need to start big. Attend. Observe. Ask the right questions.
When you’re ready, you’ll know exactly where to invest your energy.
At LeeKnives, we’ve worked with clients around the world to turn trade show introductions into long-term partnerships.
If you’re exploring your next move, whether it’s OEM, private labeling, or just getting advice on where to start – we’re here to help.
Looking to source or customize kitchen knives for your business? Contact us or request a quote, no commitment required.
FAQs
What is the largest knife show in the world?
That would be Blade Show Atlanta. It features over 1,000 exhibitors and attracts thousands of buyers, collectors, and industry professionals.
While EDC and outdoor knives dominate, kitchen knives still maintain a strong niche, especially among custom makers and premium brands.
Are there any trade shows specifically for kitchen knives?
Not quite. Most knife shows include a mix, outdoor, tactical, custom, and kitchen knives.
However, events like Yangjiang Knife & Scissors Fair (China) and Ambiente (Germany) tend to have strong kitchenware representation along with other types of knives, making them ideal for kitchen knife manufacturers.
Is it worth attending if I’m not planning to exhibit yet?
Yes. Attending as a visitor gives you a chance to scout the market, observe trends, and network with potential partners.
It’s a low-risk way to prepare for future exhibitions or sourcing opportunities.
What should I bring if I’m attending as a business owner?
Keep it simple: a professional business card, a short elevator pitch, and if possible, a digital product sheet or company profile on your phone or tablet.
If you meet the right people, you’ll want to be ready.
Can I find OEM/ODM partners at these trade shows?
Absolutely. Shows in China, Japan, and Germany are especially good for this.
Look for exhibitors that advertise private label or customization services, or directly ask about OEM capabilities, it’s a common topic in B2B discussions.
