Buyers Afraid of Knife

[scott kozub]

So I've been selling knives for the last year or so now, mostly kitchen knives. Whenever I run into a customer I ask how the knife is performing and if it's ready for a sharpening yet or if they have any concerns.

I have had a few customers say that they haven't used them or only used them a couple times because their afraid of them or they think their too pretty to use and they just sit in the block. I did get a few people who cut themselves by accident.

I don't understand this. These knives aren't show pieces and are meant to be users. Yes they're sharper than most people are used to but I explain that they aren't sharper than a box cutter and nobody thinks twice about those. It puzzles me that someone would buy a knife and not want to use it.

This has happened 1/2 a dozen times now.

Anybody else run into this?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I give a bandaid and a sheet of "Instructions" with every knife. The sheet explains that the knife is sharper than any knife they have bought commercially, and will cut faster and easier. I briefly explain knife use and safety and tell them that they will likely cut a finger if not careful. I say that the bandaid is for when ... not if ... they cut themselves. This helps them be more informed,and thus more comfortable with the knife.

When someone says the knife is too pretty to use, I often grin and ask if they felt the same about their wife/girlfriend
I tell them to take it and use it and they may never use one of their old knifes again.

Another way to get a person more comfortable with a professional grade knife is to suggest a local cooking class that teaches knife skills.

 

[Ken H>]

Yea, I've had several folks not use my knives because they thought they were "too pretty" and planned to pass on to children or grandchildren. Says they're now a family heirloom. I fuss at them saying "While I'm flattered they think so highly of the knife, it was MADE to use, not look at!".

Later

 

[milkbaby]

Another way to get a person more comfortable with a professional grade knife is to suggest a local cooking class that teaches knife skills.

I think this is a really great suggestion! That way people will be more comfortable AND knowledgeable about proper use of their knife.

To me, while I enjoy knives as an art, they are also tools, and the saddest thing to me is to make a beautiful tool that sits unused. It's like having an awesome sports car that sits under a tarp in the garage all the time, a dang shame...

 

[Cushing H.]

I give a bandaid and a sheet of "Instructions" with every knife.

LOL. I have a Tormek sharpener. It also comes with a package of bandaids.....

 

[Bigfattyt]

There are knives "too pretty to use".

Art knives fit on that list for me. Like a Buster Warenski art knife. Jewel of the Orient, or Warenski King Tut Dagger.

Jeweled handles, gold inlay, super high cost, worth more than 5 of my house.

But Warenski made working knives, meant to be used. But some of his art knives were never meant to be used, just displayed.

Bruce Bump may make a bowie designed to be used.. but he can also make a paired cur and shoot set worth more than my car. Those are not "users" theybmay be functional art, but no one expects me to take a cut and shoot musket piece from Bump out to hunt hogs, or board a pirate ship...


Tom Mayo makes high priced folders, but they are functional carry knives.

I do, sometimes get a knife I'm not sure about keeping, and won't use it, expecting to move the knife on to some one who will use it.


I completely understand that.

My knives are users, and I do use nearly all of them. I have a few that don't get used for various reasons (irreplaceable custom made my my deceased Uncle is one of the knives I've not used.... I have other hunting knives to use, and would hate to loose that knife) I have touched up the edge on that knife, after decades of fondling.

I've used one off, never to be reproduced customs by makers that command a decent price without thinking twice.

 

[Lapedog]

So I've been selling knives for the last year or so now, mostly kitchen knives. Whenever I run into a customer I ask how the knife is performing and if it's ready for a sharpening yet or if they have any concerns.

I have had a few customers say that they haven't used them or only used them a couple times because their afraid of them or they think their too pretty to use and they just sit in the block. I did get a few people who cut themselves by accident.

I don't understand this. These knives aren't show pieces and are meant to be users. Yes they're sharper than most people are used to but I explain that they aren't sharper than a box cutter and nobody thinks twice about those. It puzzles me that someone would buy a knife and not want to use it.

This has happened 1/2 a dozen times now.

Anybody else run into this?

They’re users. They are used to show off to not only one’s self but also to brag to your friends about what an expensive knife it is ergo what an elite chef they are.

 

[AVigil]

It is kinda like people who never use their fine china. They like having it, may use it on very special occasions but fear it may be damaged and tend to only look at it.

Make uglier knives, that will help. lol

 

[Justin Schmidt]

For chef knives if you really want them to be used you can do a mustard etch or a stonewash finish. This way they're not worried about "messing up" the finish

 

[DanF]

One person's daily user is another person's treasure.