How I Don't Buy Knives

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straitshot

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This metro area has a lot of gun shows which are my favorite places to search for unique knives. I find the same dealers at most of the shows and try to cultivate their goodwill. Actually, I find it remarkable that most of them retain their pleasant nature in spite of the way they and their wares are treated by a few people. "The customer is always right" really takes a beating over the typical weekend.
I once rented a table to peddle some excess sporting items including about two dozen knives. Overall, it was enjoyable but a few taxed my general good nature and two would have found it impossible to buy a knife from me at any price. I don't think I could take it month after month.
I always greet the seller, ask permission to handle, return the knife handle first and blade up or replace it carefully with the tag showing, then offer my thanks. More importantly, I DO NOT try to "force" folder blades to wiggle.
Watching some others nearby is sometimes disconcerting as they wield someone elses knife with disdain, declaring it's overpriced, or saying loudly to a buddy they had one and it's junk. Two weeks ago I watched a guy shove one back in the sheath slicing the leather, then say the sheath was a poor fit.
I've found it acceptable to most to ask "What is your best cash price?" then thank them if it's beyond interest. Sometimes, as I'm turning away, they will ask for an offer. That way neither of us are offended. I've gotten a few very good deals that way.
I know some of you out there buy and sell and I'm interested if there are other circumstances or manners that are appreciated in trying to complete a sale. Also, have you seen wierd knife buying behavior that should be avoided? Regards, ss.
 
Great post! The points you make apply not only to gun and knife shows, but to daily life as well. People should just be more considerate and less selfish.
 
I had one guy stop by my table and ask me "is this a tough knife" It was a Remington RH36, so I said "It's a pretty tough knife" The guy then threw it point first into the concrete floor. He then said "it ain't that tough, it didn't even stick", then he walked off. I had to walk all the way around the table and pick up my own knife. I inspected the tip and was suprised it was barely blunted and didn't even chip, it only took like 10 minutes to dress it up on the diamond stone.
 
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Uh oh. I'm a blade wiggler.:) If I'm gonna buy it I'm gonna have a general idea on it's lock fit.:p
 
scrateshooter said:
I had one guy stop by my table and ask me "is this a tough knife" It was a Remington RH36, so I said "It's a pretty tough knife" The guy then threw it point first into the concrete floor. He then said "it ain't that tough, it didn't even stick", then he walked off. I had to walk all the way around the table and pick up my own knife. I inspected the tip and was suprised it was barely blunted and didn't even chip, it only took like 10 minutes to dress it up on the diamond stone.
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I would have slid under the table like Chuck Norris, and stuck the thing through his skull...ear to ear. But people say I have a temper issue. Really, though, I would have caused a ruckis over that one...I have been doing gun shows for 6 years...I have never seen anything that bad, and when it got close...or went overboard with the screaming or yelling...the dealer always wins..and the jackass is directed to the door, with escort.
 
scrateshooter said:
.......guy then threw it point first into the concrete floor. He then said "it ain't that tough, it didn't even stick", then he walked off. I had to walk all the way around the table and pick up my own knife......
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Did gun AND knife shows for years, as a table holder, still do, for knife shows only.

Had someone treat one of my PERSONAL knives like that, a Crawford Assassin, bouncing the tip off a glass display case. My business parter and another table holder had to physically restrain me from doing the "hat dance" on this person, and their party. I have given instructions not to be held back should something like this occur again.

That was the last gun show that I was a table holder at.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
scrateshooter said:
I had one guy stop by my table and ask me "is this a tough knife" It was a Remington RH36, so I said "It's a pretty tough knife" The guy then threw it point first into the concrete floor. He then said "it ain't that tough, it didn't even stick", then he walked off. I had to walk all the way around the table and pick up my own knife. I inspected the tip and was suprised it was barely blunted and didn't even chip, it only took like 10 minutes to dress it up on the diamond stone.
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Correction. You mean that you had to walk all the way around the table to pick up HIS knife. When he threw it point first onto the concrete floor, he officially purchased it, IMHO. At that point, if he disagreed, the police would be called.
 
I have witnessed some of the best behavior and some of the worst behavior in buyers and sellers at knife shows. It should be customary to ask someone if it is okay to pick up one of the knives they are selling.

I agree with Dan about when someone damages one of your wares, they ought to at least offer to buy it. Whatadick that guy was.
 
If I'm thinking about buying a knife, I like to handle it pretty thoroughly. I'm going to see if it locks up tightly. I'm going to see if the blade is loose. I'm going to put my thumb on the side of the blade and see if it bends like a dollar store knife. None of this damages anything. I'm not looking at any knives that people are going to freak out about getting my fingerprints on.
 
Some years back, at the Great Western in LA, a maker had some long hair freaky person start acting really unbecomingly with one of his knives. JP told the guy to gently put it down and go away. Said freak, instead, throws it down, grabs a bowie and starts waving it in JP's face. JP coincidentally had a 1911 for sale, slide back, under glass. He grabbed up the 1911, threw a full mag into it, then shoved into the guy's face so hard he gave him a bloody nose. He told him again to put it down and walk away.

The freak did, two blody nostrils and a .45 white circle on the end of his nose. He returned with 2 police officers who needed to interview JP. He said fine, but talk to the folks at the adjoining tables forst.

To make this long story short, they did, then hooked the freak up for brandishing and ADW. They also, politely, asked JP not to go that again. Freak went away in handcuffs, still bleeding and still with that white circle on the end of his nose.

I love stories with happy endings.

Gene
 
Gene Martin said:
Some years back, at the Great Western in LA, a maker had some long hair freaky person start acting really unbecomingly with one of his knives. JP told the guy to gently put it down and go away. Said freak, instead, throws it down, grabs a bowie and starts waving it in JP's face. JP coincidentally had a 1911 for sale, slide back, under glass. He grabbed up the 1911, threw a full mag into it, then shoved into the guy's face so hard he gave him a bloody nose. He told him again to put it down and walk away.

The freak did, two blody nostrils and a .45 white circle on the end of his nose. He returned with 2 police officers who needed to interview JP. He said fine, but talk to the folks at the adjoining tables forst.

To make this long story short, they did, then hooked the freak up for brandishing and ADW. They also, politely, asked JP not to go that again. Freak went away in handcuffs, still bleeding and still with that white circle on the end of his nose.

I love stories with happy endings.

Gene
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Too funny.:D Sometimes when people go looking for trouble, they find it.:thumbup:
 
I have accepted lower than asking price offers from people who have taken care of me in the past. I have told others no, and we came to a compromise. I certainly hope that members on here and other forums have not taken offense at my initial best offers, even though all offers are well thought out a head of time. I always have a good figure upstairs when I ask for a lower price on any knife. Usually, you can tell who does not want to cart a bunch of knives home from a show, as opposed to a dealer who does not have to sell each and every knife on their table to at least get back the cost of the show. I believe that as long as you're respectful of the person, and that you are aware of the retail cost of what you are looking at, and what the person probably spent on it wholesale. I engage the seller in conversation about the knife, and sometimes base my offer on that. Usually, at shows the seller of production pieces will take lower than what the knife is listed at. Usually, the amount that they will take is higher than what you could get it for on forums or eBay, but when you get the "I've gotta have it" syndrome, you sometimes pay too much.

I have to admit, my first real knife show that I attended, the Chesapeake Knife Show, was an eye opener. I did not even give any offers, most of the knives featured were customs or productions that were way out of my price range. "Well, sir, that is a beautiful damascus folder with ivory inlays, I'd love to buy it, but I just don't have the money." :D

Hell, as long as the makers didn't have a potential buyer, they were more than gracious to talk about their craft with me, and even if their table was full, they still took care of me. I had the pleasure of speaking with several makers like Bud Nealy and J Neilson, who, with crowded tables, either handed me one of their wares to look at, or took the time to talk with me about what I was interested in getting. Pat Crawford, Al Polkowski, and hometown guys Larry Nowicki and Scott Gossman were good guys at their tables.
 
silenthunterstudios, if everyone followed your guidelines the world would be a lot more pleasant place.
 
Good thread:thumbup:

But some people's manners are shocking, just because it's a knife show doesn't mean they can mishandle the displays! Imagine they tried this kind of act at an antiques or art fair, they'd be arrested and facing a fine!

I marvel at some people's patience....
 
I'm waiting for the story (I'm sure it's happened somewhere) about some yahoo who sliced himself open at a show and tried to sue the maker or dealer...
 
A good friend of mine sets up at the same show I used to, he sells mostly used pocket knives and a few sheath knives..all kinds of brands..I was sitting behind the table with him shooting the sh#*, and was fondeling his knives...I happened to pick up a SOG twitch, as I'd never held one..well, sure enough, I sliced the hell outta my finger...bled really good to..without even thinking about it...I bought the knife, It was the right thing to do in my opinion, hell, it had my blood on it. The funny thing is, that knife was bad luck, a week later, I was telling my friend this same story, as he held the Twitch in his hand, and sure enough, he practically takes his thumb off with the damn thing, right after he got finished calling me a clumsy guy...that was too perfect. Gene
 
Kohai999 said:
Did gun AND knife shows for years, as a table holder, still do, for knife shows only.

Had someone treat one of my PERSONAL knives like that, a Crawford Assassin, bouncing the tip off a glass display case. My business parter and another table holder had to physically restrain me from doing the "hat dance" on this person, and their party. I have given instructions not to be held back should something like this occur again.

That was the last gun show that I was a table holder at.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Geeze Steve I only let it bounce twice!!!!:D
 
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