Blade show etiquetee question

SDS

SDS

Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
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Okay, so I have my reservations to head to the Blade show. This will be my first time attending and I really have no clear idea what I'm in for or what to do when I get there. I arrive on Thurs. morning and leave Sun. morning.

My question is this. Is it considered rude or impolite to jot down notes or take pictures of someones work to use for future ideas? I'd ask before doing so but don't want to seem like a dolt for asking. A lot of times I see ideas and just want to hang on to them for future projects and at a show like this I figure I'm bound to see a lot of things I'd like to try.

I understand that some ideas are very proprietary and are obviously the creation of the maker whereas others are just creative ways to do something. I don't want to steal something that identifies a maker or anything like that.

Any hints, tips or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
SDS
 
I think you'll find that most makers are happy to talk to you about what they do, and most of the time about how they do it. There are a few "rules" to follow when your standing at someone's table......

1. If your there to talk and not to buy, then step out of the way when a potential customer comes to the table, and cease your conversation with the maker until the individual has moved on, or has completed a deal on a knife. Resist the urge to give the potential buyer any input on the knives, unless your asked.

2. Each maker is going to have a varying degree of what they will or will not share. In my experience, those makers who are unwilling to discuss their knives/techniques are the ones who are afraid of you, and think that your going to "take something" from them. The key words to listen for are...... "thats a secret", "we don't talk about that", or possibly even some misdirection comment. If I hear those words when talking to another maker, I simply smile at them, say "thank you", and move on. I think you'll find that for the most part, the makers will be open and willing to share.
If someone approaches me with questions, I always like it when they show me a sample of their work...that way I know the level I should be speaking on. It also shows me that the individual is working towards goals as a maker. This, in turn, lets me know that I'm not wasting my time and breath helping someone who never intends to utilize the information. I personally consider it an honor that someone thinks enough of my ideas and what I do to write it down. I've been doing the Blade show for a number of years, and write notes down everyday after the show....there's far too much information to rely on my feeble brain.

3. Photos: Some makers allow it, some do not. Always ask first before taking photos......its just the polite thing to do. Along with that, most of us feel that its stealing if we allow someone to photograph our work, then later see a knife that looks eerily similar to ours. Getting ideas is fine, but copying another's designs is not. To copy something once is flattery, to do it a second time (or more) is plagiarism.

Being polite and respectful are the key things to remember.
 
Ed always has great points.
You may find the camera unecessary! Most of the makers these days have their own web sites. If they thought enough of their knives to put them on the table at the Blade Show, they will, as well, be proud enough of them to put them on their site.
If you want ideas, you can't beat the cyber world!
 
this will be my sixth or seventh blade show and i always have a fantastic time. the best bit of advice i can give you is to find mace vitale's table (24-q ? ) and buy him and whom ever else is there (usally me ) a beer. after that rite of passage everything else is gravy.:D
 
That sounds like some very sound advice. Thanks. I was kind of hesitant to try dragging a camera around anyway and usually keep lots of notes on stuff. I have piles of notebooks around with ideas or instructions from makers I've met.

I hadn't thought about bringing anything I've made. I was somewhat afraid of putting it in my luggage to be honest. Not that it is worth a lot of money, I just have a bit of work in some of them and hate to take a chance on losing them to a baggage handler.

Anvilarms, I assume your talking about the infamous "pit"? Hmm, a beer is a cheap rite of passage, I may have to look you up.

Thanks,
SDS
 
the pit is definately a rite of passage. although beware the chechnian death squads there. they are everywhere.(just ask mace). but you can bring a beer to the table also. please stop by and say hi. i will be working the saviolo publishing table and helping mace out as needed. it is always great to meet someone new and put a face to a name. i can almost guarantee a great time at blade. it is not called the worlds largest knife party for nothing....
 
So do I just ask for Anvilarms or do you have a secret name you use in day to day life?

SDS
(Shawn S.)
 
SDS said:
So do I just ask for Anvilarms or do you have a secret name you use in day to day life?

SDS
(Shawn S.)
Click to expand...

Keith would normally not be able to talk about his real identity online, as he's been forced underground due to some hairy encounters with the Chechnyan Death Squad.;)

Just look for a really loud bald guy making rude jokes about Mace's waistline. Trust me, you'll have NO trouble finding him!

All joking aside, I hope you have a great time at Blade - I wish I was going.
 
I rarely take pics, but when I do, it's usually of the people and makers instead of the knives.
Asking permission first is a good idea.
Wander into the Pit afterwards. The people usually don't bite...
 
Oh boy...here we go. Matt, you can't say anything if your not going. And stop all this talk about death squads...your gonna scare Shawn!:eek:
Mace
 
Mace, I don't scare too easily. Besides, aren't most death squads distracted by knives and beer? Should be plenty to go around from what I've heard.

SDS
 
shawn
my name is keith as matt said. these death squads are differant. they like knives , and get their muscles and brains from beer (mostly their muscles):jerkit:
 
Ed Caffrey said:
I think you'll find that most makers are happy to talk to you about what they do, and most of the time about how they do it. There are a few "rules" to follow when your standing at someone's table......

1. If your there to talk and not to buy, then step out of the way when a potential customer comes to the table, and cease your conversation with the maker until the individual has moved on, or has completed a deal on a knife. Resist the urge to give the potential buyer any input on the knives, unless your asked.

2. Each maker is going to have a varying degree of what they will or will not share. In my experience, those makers who are unwilling to discuss their knives/techniques are the ones who are afraid of you, and think that your going to "take something" from them. The key words to listen for are...... "thats a secret", "we don't talk about that", or possibly even some misdirection comment. If I hear those words when talking to another maker, I simply smile at them, say "thank you", and move on. I think you'll find that for the most part, the makers will be open and willing to share.
If someone approaches me with questions, I always like it when they show me a sample of their work...that way I know the level I should be speaking on. It also shows me that the individual is working towards goals as a maker. This, in turn, lets me know that I'm not wasting my time and breath helping someone who never intends to utilize the information. I personally consider it an honor that someone thinks enough of my ideas and what I do to write it down. I've been doing the Blade show for a number of years, and write notes down everyday after the show....there's far too much information to rely on my feeble brain.

3. Photos: Some makers allow it, some do not. Always ask first before taking photos......its just the polite thing to do. Along with that, most of us feel that its stealing if we allow someone to photograph our work, then later see a knife that looks eerily similar to ours. Getting ideas is fine, but copying another's designs is not. To copy something once is flattery, to do it a second time (or more) is plagiarism.

Being polite and respectful are the key things to remember.
Click to expand...

Great advice Ed!

I'm a maker, and recently did my first show, but attended many shows prior to having a table. I never was there with the intention to purchase a knife when just attending a show, but with the same intention of learning from those makers willing to share with me, as you have the intention of doing. Ed is one of those makers that has been very helpful to me. At Blade Show West one year, I was talking to Ed when a potential customer came up. I didn't just step aside, but moved on to another table. My reasoning was that if the potential customer noticed that I was waiting for him to finish so that I could continue talking to Ed, he might have felt rushed or unimportant.

The other table was Wayne Goddards table, which was next to Ed's table. Wayne gave me some great insight into preform's for my forged blades. After that I left and went to an ATM and got some cash, then went back to Ed's table and purchased his Mosaic Damascus video. An excellent investment in my education. I've watched it half a dozen times.

So, as stated, my suggestion isn't to just suspend the conversation and wait off to the side, but instead to move on and come back later when the makers table is completely empty!
 
Scott, thats good advice too. I had a lot of stuff figured out but have never attended a show this large or with the same intentions I now have (to learn as much as I can vs. just ogling). I really appreciate the information from everyone.

Thanks,
SDS
 
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