Handling knives at shows

About carrying your own cloth to wipe off the blade. If I were the maker, I would jump any time I saw a guy wipe the blade of one of my knives with his own cloth. What's on that cloth? Is it fine enough not to scratch at all? Am I absolutely sure there are no small embedded particles -- maybe a little grit from the pocket -- that will scratch the blade?

Maybe I'm overreacting, but for me, I'd rather the customer just hand me back my knife so I could clean it myself.

Joe
 
I see your point Joe. But the fact that people here are concerned about things like that shows that maybe we are just preaching to the choir. My cloth is a soft washed out piece of cotton and is always kept in my shirt pocket just for that reason of picking up grit.
Bob
 
Guys: Here is my perspective as a maker.
I make knives I want used. When I'm at a show, I WANT people to handle them. Finger prints? You've got to be kidding. I've got all weekend to polish those fingerprints off. It is hard to sell someone a knife if you can't get them to pick it up!! Knives are, after all, a tactile commodity. Honestly, that's why I love the New York shows. People in the Northeast are decisive. They are not bashful. They know when they want to handle something, and, aren't afraid to askyour permission to do it. I like that. If I didn't want you to handle it, it'd be under glass. Period. And, if they are bold enough to touch the edge, I'm happy, because they'll probably buy it! HA!
So, PLEASE come by my table and handle my knives. Get them all fingerprinted up, and touch the edges. Try not to drop them, that's my only request.


RJMartin
 
I always incourage anyone (except children) that vist it my table to pick up my knives. I quite often will pick the knife up my self and offer it to them. I especially do this when the table is real busy, and it is hard to get to the knives. I want people to feel my knives. I put a lot of work into contouring. I want people to feel, what they may not just see.

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Lynn GriffithMy website
GriffithKN@aol.com


 
To answer the original question, It doesn't bother me if the person doesn't pick up a knife. It's their choice. Sometimes they are making their first visual pass through the show and don't want to stop, sometimes they just slowed down in front of my table because the well known guy beside me was busy
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What always amazes me though, is how often the simple act of saying hello, and telling someone to feel free to pick them up, actually makes someone who was basicly cruising by stop, and pick up one or more knives. I think I've made several sales that way.

Fingerprints? Boy I'll gladly polish fingerprints off SS and re-oil damacus. What are we selling but at least 50% a tactile experience. Knifemakers who get their shorts in a knot over their blades being handled must be PILES busier than me at a show. Oh to be that busy.

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Matt Harildstad
Knifemakerwww.planet.eon.net/~matth
matth@planet.eon.net
 
Unless there's a "Yes, please fondle" sign on the table, I always ask first, usually just a gesture towards the knife in question and a "May I...?". We're dealing with some very expensive property that doesn't belong to me, so it's good to be clear and upfront about intentions and permission and such.

Then again, I'd do the same if I was at someone's house and wanted to pick up some $500 object of theirs to examine, seems only polite.

To be honest, the blade fingerprint situation hadn't occurred to me; I handle the blades occasionally if they hold some particular interest.

As far as wiping the knives off goes, I have to figure the maker would anticipate that and bring with him or her whatever they deemed necessary for the task; I wouldn't presume to do that myself.

And, hey RJ, I'd love to come by your table and handle your knives, but your table's always on that other coast -- come out to Southern California sometime
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Carl /\/\/\ AKTI #A000921

Think this through with me ... Let me know your mind
Wo-oah, what I want to know ... is are you kind?
-- Hunter/Garcia, "Uncle John's Band"
 
Maybe I missed it, but I don't think anyone has differentiated between finishes on the stock removal knives.

The high end knives with a mirror finish should be handled with the upmost care. I have seen some makers go so far as to use white gloves while handling very expensive knives.

The other end of the spectrum would be a Phil Hartsfield knife.

Most tactical knives are meant to be handled and have finish's that will take a finger print here and there. I have noticed that on bead blast finish's if you don't clean them off on occasion at the show, especially if they get handled a lot, the do have a tendency to get some surface rust. A tuff cloth will usually take care of that.

Many maker/dealers who sell damascus use Ren Wax. This definetly helps the blade.

When I set my table up, the knives for the most part are put in alphabetical order and maker name up.

I always note which knives are put down in the incorect order and the wrong way. While the knife may not of sold, it gives you an idea of what knife has caught peoples interest.

After I hit 10 on one of these knives I start asking customer's why they are not buying the knife. Not pressuring them, just doing a little "market" research.

Finger prints on a knife are also a good indicator of something that is being picked up a lot.

Im with RJ and other's who have said this. If I didnt want them picked up, they wouldnt be on the table.

But please, set them down gently, nothing worse than hearing that thud or metal to metal scrape made by a inconsiderate knife handler.

Les

 
Les,
I have handled several knives on Doug Casteel's table and he requests that you wear gloves. Once you have seen his work it is not surprising why he does this. One little scratch from a watchband or ring would most definitly dampen the spirits after having put that much work and care into a piece.

I too agree that knives should not be put on the table unless you want them handled. At one of the first shows I ever attended I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Hugh Bartrug and his wife. I approached the table with my hands behind my back, my jaw dropped and I drooled heavily. There wasn't a knife for under $10,000 on it. His wife thrust "MICHEAL'S SWORD" into my hands and I about messed my pants. I have never held anything woth $75,000 except for that. I'm glad I did not drop it. She willing did this without my asking and it made me nervous but now I have no qualms about picking up others work.
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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon

[This message has been edited by Phillip Jones (edited 30 October 1999).]
 
Phil,

Makers like Doug and Hugh, who's work routinely goes over $5,000.00. Are kinda particular about the way you handle their knives. Then again who can blame them.

A humorus side note to Hugh. The year he had Michael's Sword on the table at the Blade Show he won the award for "best new maker".

I have judged a $85,000.00 knife in a competition at a show. None of the judges had any idea what the piece was worth. Although, it was very ornate, jewel encrusted and lots of silver wire. However, there was a flaw in the Damascus used for the blade and the bottom jewel on this piece was very loose, it would twist from side to side.

This piece came in third. All three judges mouth's fell open when we heard the price.

That made the flaw in the Damascus even more inexcusable!

Something I have learned along the way, sometimes the reason for the engraving, scrimshaw or jewel...is to hide a flaw!

Les

 
Everybodies work has some degree of flaw in it. We are all human and no one is perfect. We should, however, try to keep them as minute and not directly obvious.

Knives like Bartrug's and Casteel's might be better off behind glass than in someones hands that is just looking instead of buying them.

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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon
 
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