Collectors displaying at shows

Murray White said:
.....because of the problems that Holger has experienced, I have been putting my collection on display under the glass of a display case but frankly I prefer not to display that way. Unfortunately, I have had damage done to other knives by folks dropping them when I have had get togethers at my home which kind of spoils the whole event.
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It is for PRECISELY those reasons that I don't regularly hold a table at shows any more, and, if I do have a table, keep the "good stuff" under glass.

"kind of spoils the whole event"...is an understatement.....makes one want to kill their fellow man is more accurate.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Well said Bruce.

Collectors are how it all got started in the first place.

Where else can you see, talk about,touch and feel what the maker is up to. And trade knives to your hearts content! It's a wonderful Life!!!

I hate to see long faces at a show when some one didn't sell all they thought they would.

Remember these words. Knife Show. No where in these words does it say knife sale. I Will be at the Spirit of Steel show next weekend. I will likely have nothing for sale. I will be there for the enjoyment of talking with old friends, and meeting new ones.

(That and they have Killer Frozen margaritas in the lounge, and fantastic Buffalo steaks at the Bass Pro across the street. Did I mention 21 day aged Beef Steaks!
it's a Texas thing)!

M. Lovett
 
I hope collectors continue to take the various risks mentioned in this thread to share their collections. I know for me, I would never have had the pleasure of looking at, and sometimes holding some amazing knives. It is also a pleasure to have the collectors share their enthusiasm for knives and the knowledge they have acquired through collecting.

I spent a considerable amount of time viewing the collections displayed at Blade this year. I had only read about George Herons knives previously, and having the opportunity to see a collection of them, and experiencing how smooth the folders are, allowed me to appreciate how finely made they are.

It is also easy to understand why a lot of people would not want to go through the effort of getiing the knives to a show, the labor of setting up and putting their collections away, and taking the risks of damage or theft.

Peter
 
Talking as a collector, I don't see the point of displaying my humble collection on a knifeshow. I already take pictures and post them on several forums, so everybody can see the knives.

Talking as a knifeshow visitor, I would enjoy seeing other peoples collections.

This of course is a contradiction.:D

Kind regards,

Jos
 
Mike,

If you will check the video at the spirit of steel website--you said you would have at least 1 knife for sale. You still have time to get one ready!
 
Hi Joss,

I think the responses covered just about all the reasons. Personally, it's about the only chance I get to see my own collection. I have a modest collection of customs and quite a few antique pocket knives so the total pieces are several hundred easily. I don't have the room or tolerant wife to display them at home. The knives are packed away out of sight except for the current acquisitions. I'm fortunate enough to live near a local club which allows me to set up once or twice a year at a moderate cost and effort.

The satisfaction I get while setting up for a show is discovering my knives again, it's amazing how many you forget you have. The experience of sharing with others always leads to new friendships and knowledge. My own personal hope is that my collection will broaden the mind of those who see it. Old and new should be appreciated equally. I see/hear too much snobbery about what is collectible, especially from the custom "side". Not much that is new hasn't already been done and that includes craftsmanship. A knife's quality shouldn't be dismissed because it wears the patina of age.

Sorry for the soap box bit. Hope you'll stop by this weekend at the NWKC show. I've got a killer new Cobra and Glimpse to show off.
 
I appreciate the risks involved with showing knives. As a maker I am concerned about my knives every time a customer asks to pick one up. The knives I make are no less valuable to me than the ones I collect. They are at risk if they are on a table at a show. If a customer damages one, that knife has to come off the table and, at best, more time has to be spent repairing it and you also have additional cost associated with selling it at a later date.

I think it is fine for a collection to be under glass and not easily accessible. The knives are at the show to be shown, not necessarily sold or traded. That eliminates some of the risk involved and still provides enjoyment for those of us that like to see the fine knives of the world that we might not be able to see under any other circumstances. I don't think that as a maker showing knives under glass is a viable option.

For those that post pictures of their collections on the net, I think that it is great that you go to the trouble so that others can enjoy them also, but you get a whole different perspective of a knife when you view it up close and personal. If you can actually hold it in your hand, your understanding of that knife goes up immensely. I saw a knife at a show that I had seen a picture of previously. I didn't recognize that it was the same knife until I took a second look. It was huge! I had no idea that the thing was that big. I couldn't even reach around the stag handle. My first thought was why the maker wasted his time and talent on that, when before I thought it was a very nice knife.

You just get a different perspective when you can see one up close, than you do from a picture. I really hope that people will continue to bring their knives to shows. I might start taking a few of mine to fill in some space on our table as the show goes on. Who knows I might meet someone else that likes Seguines. Fat chance!
 
I did not start out to be a collector. My Dad just decided many years ago that it was better to pay a little more for a high quality user than an el cheapo. Because of that he started buying knives from Mr. Herron and would drag me along while they talked shop in the shop. Well needless to say, I was soon hooked and wanted every knife I could get my hands on. I wasn't thinking about collecting or investment, but I was completely enamored with the fact that he could take a cold peice of steel and turn it into such a cool tool.
I never lost the respect for his work and as I grew up began to realize that he was also a great person; straight forward, but honest and a great teacher of the art. For all of these reasons I continued to pick up his knives wherever I could. I guess at some point it turned into a collection. I do have a web page and have tried to put together a good site where you can not only see my collection, but also research a little about Mr. Herron.
Over the last few years I have been asked to show parts of my collection at a couple of shows. I am always honored. I am still a little surprised that people want to see my knives, but I will never pass up the opportunity to make sure that Mr. Herron's work gets seen and appreciated by all the folks that knew him as well as those who never did.
If something were to happen to them they could never be replaced, but I am willing to take that risk. I will display them under glass, but will take them out and show for whoever wants.
Chuck Ward, the well known knife photographer from AR, recently asked me to do a display for the Arkansas Custom Knife Show in Feb. 2009. I will not only be there, but can't thank him enough for giving me another opportunity to show my knives.

I know that was a little long winded, but It is my reason for taking my collection to a show.

Jay
(Check out my website below and I hope to see some of you in Little Rock, Feb. 14 & 15)
 
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