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It doesn't take the cameo appearance of Keith Richards as Captain Jack Sparrow's father in the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film to re-invigorate interest in the ornate personal weaponry featured in the movie.
A popular film or television show that includes swords. knives and other sharp objects of historical or fantasy appeal will always keep the plates spinning on the decorative and commemorative cutlery market.
So, too, will the growing martial arts sport, as newcomers to the sport/discipline become curious about its history and traditions.
The interest in Asian cutlery extends to the Katana, Ninja and samurai swords, and to Ninja throwing stars. Sales of throwing stars always peak after the release of a martial arts action film. The retailer should take care that these potential real-world weapons are not capable of actual harm.
Japanese swords of World War II vintage are attracting more collectors. The film Letters From Iwo Jima helped stir additional interest in these weapons.
When Hollywood says "cut!"
A popular (I was going to say good, but that's not always a given) movie that features fanciful or historic cutlery always generates buzz and additional business for the cutlery market. This summer, it's mainly the aforementioned Pirates of The Caribbean: At World's End that is encouraging the sale of swashbuckling swords.
Perhaps The Lord of The Rings film trilogy have had the greatest single impact on the fantasy cutlery market. In more recent times, the Blade films have been successful ambassadors for the cutlery market and Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 created new fans of the samurai sword-making craft.
Also influential in recent years were the The Last Samurai and the various Star Wars films.
The astute sword retailer will stay abreast of films, books, television shows and even comic book characters that are tied in to cutlery products. Given the vicissitudes and fleeting nature of most pop culture trends, however, investing in inventory should wait until a fad is confirmed.
Retailers should take care when buying stock of any cutlery product from any company that claims to be officially affiliated and a licensee of any media property. Unfortunately, the cutlery market at present is beset with trademark and patent violators, most often producing inferior products and exposing buyers to legal action should the law catch up with the manufacturers and importers of counterfeit goods.
This careful approach extends to purchases made via auctions, both in real life and in cyberspace. It's easy to buy collectible and historical cutlery on eBay, for example, but much more difficult to avoid getting burned.
In other words, buy from confirmed reputable sources.
Retailers should strongly consider investing in pop culture-related cutlery products (and this includes knives and similar products that are licensed to carry iconic logos such as Harley-Davidson, Colt and Ford) because there is good profit in licensed goods, and since much of the marketing and brand recognition work is already done. A Lord of The Rings fantasy sword, stocked when demand is at its peak, is practically pre-sold.
Even better, many suppliers offer drop-ship programs or maintain very low minimum order requirements, in consideration of the high ticket price and stocking and shipping considerations involved.
Terrible swift swords
Alongside the movie replica and fantasy cutlery market, authentic and replica swords and knives from man's long history of armed conflict are on the cutting edge of the decorative and collectible market.
Cutlery relevant to the American Civil War is particularly investment-worthy to the retailer and the collector. With the re-enactment hobby still growing, and many families still interested in their own history during that period, Civil War weaponry remains in great demand. Somewhat related to that era are swords and knives of the American West settlement period. Collectibles of every type from the days of the OK corral are growing in popularity.
Swords and knives from the World War II years are becoming a bigger draw, and interest in swords and daggers of antiquity (notably the Medieval era) also make the cut.
Selling to the hilt
Aside from collectors, re-enactors and film enthusiasts, there is truly no shortage of potential customers for decorative, historical and commemorative cutlery.
Historians, museums, theater companies, television and film production companies, high schools and colleges, martial arts schools, veterans (individually and groups), restaurants, tourist sites, theme parks, interior decorators and Renaissance Fairs should all be on a retailer's contact list.
Don't forget the benefits of displaying these products within the confines of your own retail locations. They make fascinating conversation starters, traffic generators and image builders.
Active participation in the decorative and historical cutlery market should help keep your store on the cutting edge.
author: BY MARK HAWVER