Do you tell him or just walk away?

If they seem nice, earnest and there's no one around, I might ask or point it out in a very non-threatening way. If I sense attitude, no way--It's not worth the aggravation.

(Harry, I just clicked over to your site for the first time. Nice stuff!)
 
I encountered this very thing at Blade last year on a guys knife.
It was just me and his wife at the table, so I asked about it.

Notice, Asked.

Something like "Is this finished this way to give the knife a bit of an old timey look? I kinda like it."

Off the table that knife went, with gratitude to me from the maker.
 
I've noticed defects on many a professional bladesmith blades and, when communication was possible without possible misunderstanding, I told them politely and respectfully.
Up to now, it's been always appreciated.
Many times a defect had gone by unnoticed in the frenzy that always precedes a knife show, and the knife was instantly removed from the table with thanks.
Actually, in a couple of cases, it's been the maker himself that has asked me my opinion on other knives afterwards.
In my experience, a good craftsman will always appreciate respectful, constructive criticism of his work and will keep anybody with observation and critic capacity in higher esteem than those who praise their work independently from its quality.
 
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