Is it considered bad form...

PhilL

PhilL

Joined
Oct 1, 1999
Messages
6,490
...to take out a loupe or magnifying glass at a knife show and inspect a makers work?

This will be my first time going to Blade Show in Atlanta, and I can't wait. I've been to knife shows in NYC since 1998 and for being a punk from Brooklyn I think I've shown good manners.
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I've seen other people use loupes, and when I saw Tim Herman at the ECCKS in March he borrowed a loupe from another maker so I could take a look at the engraving on one of his knives. Now, don't get me wrong, I ask before I pick up a knife, and I certainly would ask before I took out a magnifier.

But, I'd like to know is it reasonable to ask or would a maker find it to be an odd request?

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Will Work 4 Knives
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Not at all rude. And any maker who gets upset should be passed by. However, don't expect 100% perfection out of a knife. I can generaly find flaws in every knife (factory or custom) that I look at with my bare eyes.

I feel that a loupe is not needed, but thats just me. But, unless its really engraved or encrusted, it may be overkill.

R.W.Clark

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R.W.Clark

Proud Member : California Knifemakers Association
 
Bad form would be,going to Roger Green's table,admiring his Bowie's,then asking him if he would make one for you,but with an ergonomic,kraton handle,chisel point/grind,and paint the blade black.

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MIKE
 
not really bad form, but you don't see too many ppl doing that. Maybe if the piece is a very fine miniature, most handmade will have small flaws, but if you must use a loup, don't make a big thing of it, esp. if you find a flaw(you will)

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Peace

Paul
Custom Knife Purveyor
Circle P Knives
 
Not at all...although it is a far cry from a $500 tactical folder to a $20,000 Warenski!!!!
What I am saying is, you mostly see that when people are looking at art pieces that are well over 1k in price.

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Maybe I should clarify why I asked in the first place? My eyes just aren't what they used to be, (there was a time I couls read the numbers on a license plate before most people could tell you what color it was). I've found the ligthing at most shows I've been to pretty bad for looking at the details of knives. It would be the details I would be looking for; Damascus patterns, file work, scrimshaw, engraving as well as grinds and general fit and finish. I'm really not a picky buyer, and I won't be whipping out my magnifier for every knife I look at.

As far as asking Roger Green to make the knife you described, I don't know why anyone would ask anyone to make a knife like that.
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Will Work 4 Knives
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I have seen it done quite often at the blade show. I remember one older gentleman asking if the maker minded. That might be the best way to go.

What the heck Phil, I'll tag along maybe between both of us we can figure it out
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Not sure if I can stand two more weeks.
 
gus my friend,
it is a few hours shy of two weeks
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im bouncing off the walls.i cant wait to get there.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by MAURICE:

im bouncing off the walls
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MO, there hasn't been a day when you haven't been bouncing off the walls....Chill out Pup!
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[This message has been edited by PhilL (edited 05-25-2001).]
 
Phil,

As several people pointed out, it is ok to look with a loupe.

However, keep in mind the maker created the knife with his eyes (possibly glasses) and not a loupe attached to his eyeball.

Now for engraving and scrim that's a different story. They generally do use magnification of some type.

I used to have a collector with a 8 power magnifying glass with a light all the way around it. He took great joy calling me after he received a knife telling me how he didn't see anything at 4 power, but when he got up to 8 power some really "glaring" mistakes jumped out at you. He always kept the knives, but he just wanted me to "know".

Sometimes I wonder who he is buying knives from now.

As Tom said, there is a far cry from a $500 knife and a $20,000 knife. For the tactical knives you probably don't need the loupe.

The Blade Show is only 2 weeks away!!!! Sure wish it was 4!




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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
 


<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by PhilL:
MO, there hasn't been a day when you haven't been bouncing off the walls....Chill out Pup!
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ill try,mastah,ill try
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That just happened to me at my last gun show, I make combat knives,I thought it was funny. I didn't laugh at him,just asked what he thought. He said "good work" picked up a few others and left.I thought it was kind of strange, this was a small gun show in a fair sized town.He didn't ask a price,there were no other knife makers there.
At the blade show I would almost expect it,but I'll warn yo now,there are a million knives there. my wife walked through,not stopping but for a sec. here and there,and in 2 hours covered up to row 10.
have fun
 
Phil,

It is not bad form to use a magnifier and it is almost a requirement when you are buying older knives. Often, when I go to buy an antique knife the dealer will offer me one of their magnifiers. With older knives we are always concerned about assembly and markings, and a good magnifier is the second best tool to have (knowledge is first) for spoting faked and reworked knives.
 
Hey Phil, go to Wal-Mart and buy one of those cheap pairs of reading glasses in 3X power. That's what I use in the shop when I'm working on knives. Your old eyes will find great relief and you can see the details that are really important without raising a fuss.
 
Phil
The hell with the loupe I'll tell you what you need which is a hand held spotlight. The key was in one of your threads you said the lighting was bad at shows. Well a gazillion candle power spotlight will help everyone out around you. Once everyone gets over their initial blindness I'm sure they will thank you for lighting the way.
Bob.

[This message has been edited by Strider (edited 05-26-2001).]
 
Phil, I don't think most quality makers would care if you whipped out an electron microscope to check out their work. Quality sells itself. Also, If you see something wrong with my knives that I don't see, it sure would help me make the next one better.

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Take care!! Michael
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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!

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Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
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