1. All knives must be for sale at the show.
2. No piece to have been previously submitted for judging at any other knife show.
3. The length of the blade is measured from the point to the grind shoulder at the ricasso.

The categories and criteria are as follows:

Art Knife

• To epitomise the high standards of the Australian Knifemakers Guild standards in quality, design and construction.
• The best ‘fit and finish’.
• Innovative in design and presentation.
• Degree of difficuly in manufacture.
• Presentation.

Folder

• This knife should display outstanding ‘fit and finish’.
• The knife should have a smooth ‘walk’ and definite ‘talk’ on both opening and closing.
• The folder should display excellence in design, and display the desirable properties of beauty, ease of use, strength, and absence of bulk.

Small Game Knife

• A knife appropriate for  the dressing of small game, fish and fowl.
• A blade length no greater than 7.5cm.
• Practicality of design.
• All other criteria in regard to fit and finish.

Forged Non-Damascus

• Originality and/or excellence of design.
• Degree of difficulty in manufacture.
• Selection of materials.
• High degree of fit and finish.
• Must be forged to shape by the maker presenting the knife for judging.

Utility

• This knife can sell for up to $300 and must include a sheath.
• It must represent value for money.
• The blade length must not be less than 11cm.
• Appropriateness of design for a general purpose knife.
• The fit and finish should at the least be of a standard that would be approved by the AKG Guild as a satisfactory quality.

Hunter

• The knife can sell for up to $400 and must include a sheath.
• The blade length must not be less than 9cm.
• This is a practical knife and should be able to perform a number of tasks with relative ease in the field dressing of medium to large game.
• This knife should display excellent fit and have a very good finish.
• The knife should represent appropriate value for money.

Best Fixed Blade

• Blade length must be in excess of 20cm.
• Includes Bowie, camp, survival and other large style knives.
• Typifying the concept of a large knife.
• All other criteria in regards to fit and finish.

Kitchen Knife

• Encompassing large chopping knives, bread knife, carving knife (in a set or alone), table knife, butter knife, steak knife, cheese knife, paring knife and peeling knife.
• Practical design for intended use and sturdy.
• Comfortable grip.
• All other criteria in regard to fit and finish.

Damascus

• The billet must have been made by the maker presenting the knife for judging.
• Visual appeal and difficulty of manufacture of blade pattern.
• Exotic nature of the blade materials.
• This category is judged primarily on the Damascus and secondly on the overall knife.

Tactical Knife

• Must display outstanding strength of design and materials capable of hard field use.
• Finish must lend itself to practical military use.
• May include either folder or fixed-blade style in this category.