I never mention a price of a knife unless someone asks. Face it , most folks who are not knife folks , will buy the cheapest set of knives for the kitchen ( including me , can't get the wife to care properly for a good set ) so they base their views off of what they are used to. It's their only perception.
Even a $75 knife to a non-knife person is ridiculous , even though they may have no problem with dropping $400 on an MP3 player or an iPhone.
I have people who will now come to me at work and ask me for references of what to buy their wife for the kitchen , or for their friend , brother , husband etc for gifts. To those people , I will ask up front of what their budget is and recommend accordingly. If they say they want a knife for someone and the budget is $30 , rather than tell them to spend more , I show them all the options in that range and then maybe make a few suggestions of something nicer if it is for a special occasion.
The average person , who may use a knife once a day or once a week , doesn't need a custom or a $200 production , they can get by with a $30 Kershaw or Spyderco of some sort. Trying to convince them otherwise ,will not work. Have to start them small and let them move up. I still remember back to when I was carrying a $1,000 1911 and a Buck Crosslock. I didnt know any better then , but that knife did all I ever asked of it and I paid $10 for it at a pawn shop.
Before trying to "
WOW ! " someone with your collection , instead educate what is it that interests you about knives , explain the online communities , the friends you meet , the shows you attend.
And
be ready to face the facts , that we , the knife buying/collecting/using public will just
never be accepted by many. That's just how it is , blame the media , blame the people who commit the crimes with knives , perhaps even blame the companies that do the ninja marketing , and yes sometimes we can even blame ourselves.
When you need to open that box , package or letter , do you do the
super ninja draw wave and open your knife with a "
thwack" drawing the shocking attention of others ? Or do you discreetly and calmly open it , complete the task and put it away ?
While eating lunch , I can reach in my pocket , get my Erickson slip , open it and go about using it for cutting food , or opening food , and never even break conversation or eye contact with those around me. Don't go for the shock factor , many do , it's the " hey look at me , I have a knife " syndrome. Coincidently it is just as easy to spot a newbie to carrying a firearm concealed , same syndrome. They want to show people , but control that urge , until you are sure they want to have you share that info ( except for CCW , I always stay low key there ).
Perception... if you are perceived as a threat to others , you will be treated that way.
Not saying to worry about how others see you , or what others think.. UNLESS you are expecting to be accepted or you worry about what others think of you.
Respect isn't given , it is earned.
just random thoughts
I think I will have to put Canada on my list of "countries to avoid". (and that list is becoming very long! UK, Germany to name a few)
After explaining that these are used for competitions and he was supervised the whole time and that they are LEGAL to own in NV , she agreed to let it drop , but asked that he not speak of it even when asked at school.
