Arts in Metal is an invitational art knife exhibition. Knifemakers exhibit by invitation only and are selected due to the high standards they set for the knife community.
Almost all knives at the AIM are sold by lottery drawing, with a limited number of knives sold by open or silent bid. There are no knives directly for sale. Collectors enter lotteries for the chance to purchase.
Doors Will Open to Collectors at 6:00 pm
Collector Passes
Collectors must purchase passes in advance before the show.
2025 AIM Collector Passes will be available shortly.
Collector Pass Includes:
Admission to the AIM Exhibition - Your AIM Collector Pass gives you admission into the Arts in Metal exhibition and grants you the ability to enter into the knifemaker lotteries.
Food & Drink - Your AIM Collector Pass includes food and drinks (wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages).
Admission to the New York Knife Show - Your AIM Collector Pass gives you free VIP admission to the New York Custom Knife Show which will take place on Friday and Saturday, also located at The Westin Jersey City Newport!
OPTIONAL:Partner Pass - A complimentary Partner Pass is available for spouses and partners of Collector Pass Holders. Partner Passes only allow admission into the exhibition and DO NOT include the ability to enter knifemaker lotteries. Partner Passes are optional, so please specify if you will need a Partner Pass when purchasing Collector Passes.
Show Format
The Exhibition Is Broken Down into Three Parts:
Intent to Purchase
Collectors enter knifemaker lotteries if they intend to purchase a knife.
Lottery Drawings
Knife lotteries are conducted by the knifemakers.
Open Bid Drawings
Open bid drawings are conducted.
Lottery & Bidding Procedure:
Knives at the show are not sold on a first come first serve basis. Knives are sold only to AIM Collector Pass holders through lottery drawing, open bidding, or silent bidding.
Each lottery knife will have a corresponding numbered sign-up sheet on which collectors will write down their name, in consecutive order, if they intend to be entered into a lottery. This is period is called Intent to Purchase.
Knifemakers will conduct the knife lotteries themselves at their individual tables using the random number generator found at www.random.org.
Once a lottery number is selected, the chosen collector will have the first option to purchase. The collector will be given 15 minutes to make a purchase or decline. If the collector declines or fails to purchase, a second lottery winner will be selected and the chosen collector will then be given the option to purchase.
Knifemakers will write the winning name on an announcement card that will be displayed behind each corresponding knife and lottery sheet.
Once the lottery drawings conclude, open bids will close in staggered 15-minute increments. Each knifemaker will be provided a designated time in which to announce their open bid winners. Times are listed on the schedule below.
Show Schedule
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Dinner & Set Up For Makers
6:00 pm: Show Opens to Collectors
6:00 pm: Food Served & Bar Opens
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Intent to Purchase
7:30 pm – 7:45 pm: First Lottery Winners are Drawn
7:45 pm – 8:00 pm: If Necessary, Second Lottery Winners are Drawn
8:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Open Bid Winners Announced
Open winners will be called at the following times:
TBA
8:30 pm: Bar is closed
9:30 pm – 12:00 am: Collector Sales and Trading
FAQ
What is an open bid?
In an open bid, the knifemaker sets a starting price and then collectors write down their bids consecutively, each bid outbidding the last bid. The highest bidder, which would be the last bidder, is the winner. It is open because other collectors can see all the previous bids made.
What if I win a lottery and do not wish to purchase the knife?
If you do not wish to purchase a knife you were drawn for, you can decline and another winner will be selected.
