Blade Show Etiquette Question

J. Neilson

J. Neilson

Joined
Feb 6, 2001
Messages
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Actually, I don't know if this is an question or not. I just saw a chance to use a fancy word. How often do I get a chance to use in "Wyalusing". :D

This is going to be my first time going to a show with more knives than I can fit on my table. I actually have almost 30 of the darn things. At the Blade show are people going to assume you have more under the table, should I print a list with pictures? How do you guys handle this? This has me, not really concerned but wondering, especially since none of my knives are the same. If it's as busy as I hear, I'm not gonna want to pull the other 15 or so knives out from under the table and unwrap them every 10 minutes, am I?
 
Wyalusing ? that's half way between me and Punxetawney !!...Replace the table knives as you sell them.
 
Nice use of that word...had to look it up though :eek:

Pictures work but folks are drawn by steel no doubt, wonder if you could have a board they are easily attached to so you could pull that out when someone asks if you have others? Make it from some light stuff but strong, like press board on the backs of entertainment centers, use strong rubber bands with one end knotted on the back and front so they stay in place, probably some way to pull up like about 7 knives on a panel, matching sheaths could be kept in a box marked with the knife's name. Have a dark cloth to cover the whole thing to keep it looking professional of course with the rubber bands poking through in those spots.

Just a thought, but I can understand not wanting to pull out each one, unwrap and then return! what a pain that would be!!
Have fun, wish I could go.
G2
 
The number of knives on the table is not as important as the presentation.

If I am in the mood to get a cheap $4.00 knife I expect there to be a big selection so that I can dig into a pile and find the one I like. But when I am in the market for a hand-forged blade I like to see it presented to me on a table with some style.

I need to see some reason why that's my knife...



Over my winter lay-off from work I made 16 knives that I had planned to sell at a gun-knife show. I cleaned off my kitchen table to practice on. I found some green felt to cover it and even made a slideshow presentation about my knives that runs in an endless loop on my laptop. I made a box cover for my laptop to protect it and lock it down to the table so it cant walk off at the knife show and really dressed it up nice. My plans were to have about 6 knives on my table at a time and to always have one knife that's over priced to make the others look like the people were getting a deal.

Unfortunately I have sold all my pre-made blades to my co-workers and so once again I will be walking down the aisles at the gun/knife show thinking to myself: "I could have made that one, I could have made that one too, and I could have made that one."
 
Oh, and one more thing.

I really cant stand it to be walking down the line of tables at a knife show and see a hand written sign on the table that says "Don't Touch!", or something like "Ask permission before handling"

To me the people that post such signs have never stopped to realize how insulting reading such things can strike people as being. When I read a "Dont Touch Without Asking" type sign I always think to myself, "That guys' a jerk"

I believe that the better way to say the very same idea would be to post a sign that reads:

"Don't be afraid to ask to hold one of these beauties!"

This gets the same main point across of "Hands Off Kids!" but at the same time inspires the interested person to draw closer to your table and have a look at a few blades with you as his guide.
 
My opinion is - put as many as you can on the table. Yes, it's overwhelming, but if someone is lookingfor "that special knife", you won't sell it if it's in a box.
 
I can understand both sides of that arguement DaQo'tah. The only time I put a "don't touch" sign on a knife is when it is already sold and still on the table. I've talked to enough makers too who have had a nice pearl or ivory handled knife dropped onto a concrete floor before. That would tend to make some folks nervous about who's handling them. It's all preference, I guess. Like that shark tooth knife I just finished, it's sold but, I'm taking it to the show and I'm not going to want every person who walks through the door handling it, I know it's owner doesn't. Makers and collectors obviously obviously know how to handle a knife but, I've seen some scary stuff in my long 3 year career.
;)
 
sad to say, some people don't know enough to ask first ..
at blade last year I looked and fondled one of Ken Kings knives $10,000.00

I'd ask to look at that one just like a $10.00 one,
from a guy I don't know well at least... J put them all up,, it will keep guys at your table longer too.
stand some on board racks if you have to..like those VCR holders
,,, any ideas? :)

Damn smiles are on the move again.. :grumpy: :D
 
The point of taking a knife you made to a knife show and placeing it on a table is that you intend for people to pick it up and handle it.

That's the whole point in trying to sell a knife in this manner, because you hope that in the end, one of the people that walk by will be intrigued with your blades and seek to purchase one from you.

I understand the reluctance of some of my brother knife makers at allowing the possible mishandling of one of their priceless blades, but the purpose of the table itself is to allow the public a chance to experience first hand the blades you have produced.


As I have never actually sat at my very own table yet and sold a knife in that way I cant yet speak to what life looks like from that point of view. I can only tell you what the "Don't Touch" signs look like from everyone else's side of the table.

For example:
I went to a gun/knife show here in Grand Forks this last month. There were tons and tons of guns and knives all out for people to handle and examine to their hearts contentment.

Except for this one table where a Gun/knife dealer had a "Don't Touch Without Asking Permission First!" sign prominently displayed.

Now he might have felt he had every right to place such a worded sign before me on his table. Perhaps he has had some sad history where there was a problem with someone. I don't know all the facts as what when into his thinking when he stuck such a sign up. All I do know for sure is that my first impression of this guy is that: "He is a jerk"

There is nothing wrong with placing a helpful sign that gets people to ask before picking up a blade from off your table, I guess I just would suggest that the specific wording of the sign should be more carefully written.

I think that that guy at the knife show last month should have spent a little more time picking out the wording of his signage and come up with something that inspires me to draw near to his table and strike up a conversation about his knives, rather than just writing the equivalent of shaking a finger at me.

The public is just walking by your table looking at all the stuff for sale. There is no reason to give the whole room the same first impression that you are a bit of a jerk right?

That's why I believe a better wording would be more along the lines of, "Hey Don't Just Walk By, Ask To Hold One Of These Babies!"


The idea is that you hope to gets lots and lots of people asking to hold your blades right? I think the correct wording of the "Don't Touch" sign can help you do this.

You may think this a rather small point for me to make here, but try to understand.

If I don't know you and if I dont talk to you, then the only thing you will ever say to me will appear on this one hand written sign on your table. This is all I will ever get to learn about what type of person you really are.

So let us place out best foot forward "here" where we first meet the public.
 
J, I think the etiquette at a Gun and Knife show is different than at the Blade Show, or the Guild show, or any other Major knife show. The buying public is a totally different group. Hands on at the Blade show is the way to go.

Lay as many knives on the table as you can. When I was doing fixed blades I had a stairstep thing and could get alot of knives on the table. The one you have under the table is the knife that a certain customer is looking for during the first few minutes of the show. If he doesn't see it, he doesn't have time to ask, in his "rush" to find what he collects.

See you and the family in a few days.
 
Daqo
I see and understand your point guy but the fact remains,
the proper Etiquette at a knife show is ask first,
that guy may have had one to many gummy hands
on his stuff, ask his opinon, you have spoken
yours and you have that right as I do...

there are a
few guys out there that I've heard
say it's a pain wiping down after, it is a pain and
you got the kids too to watch for too,, it could be for their parents?
who knows without asking him?
tell you what I do
.. if it's something I don't want grabbed,, it's under glass. :)

I'd be interested in your point of view after a few shows under your belt
the view from the other side if you will. :)
 
Lots of competition at the Blade show, so you wanna give yourself every chance to sell those knives. Put as many on the table as you can.
 
Im putting all the knives out that I have! Two! See ya there we arent far away from each other Table 27M it looks to be waaaay in the back hopefully where all the action is.
 
The Blade Show crowd moves fast. I say put everything on the table - by doing so, you increase your potential buyer count. Else, why did you make 30 knives? Don't you want them all to sell? More time on the table means more "second looks" - which will bring in sales.
 
For what it's worth, 78 knives on the table. Show opened at 1200 hrs. 1219 hrs all knives were gone....:) My kind of show. The Blade Show is that kind of show.
Sure wish I had that many folders at this show:( I need a new pair of shoes.
 
Tell ya what, Kit. You bring me one of your folders, and I will buy you a pair of shoes!

:)
 
Thanks guys. I'll be putting as many as I can comfortably fit on the table. Since the sheaths Tess makes are a big part of the whole package and take up room, it may not be as many as some others can fit but, we'll do what we can. Just replace as you go right. I'm looking forward to reactions as much as sales to be honest. I'm going to have some of the best work I've ever done on the table. The whole thing is going to be a thrill.

Bruce, I'll be looking for ya. We're not far from each other and I'm really looking forward to meeting you.

Kit, I'll be looking for ya in the Pit or I'll catch ya when you go by us to your office .

Can't wait to see everyone!
 
Mr. J. Neilson, from what I've seen of your work here on the forum, you should be replacing them pretty rapidly. Your worksmanship & style are awesome. Same goes for the sheaths your wife makes. In my younger days I worked in my fathers leather shop so leather beautiful leatherwork catches my eye, hers is top notch. As well as your knives photograph, you might want to consider a photo board that shows your additional knives & sheaths with the comment "These knives also available, ask to see if interested". Sure wish that blade show was in my neck of the woods. I am only 2 1/2 hours away from Wyalusing but thats Wyalusing WI! Best of luck - Tuck
 
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