Kids at knife shows. Reaction?

cockroachfarm

cockroachfarm

Joined
Jan 6, 2001
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Fresh from another amazing weekend at the Canadian Knifemakers Guild and trying to think of some valid reasons to give the family why we don't REALLY need money for food, I thought of a question I'd like to see some response to:

How do knifemakers at a show react when a kid (say, 9 to 12) approaches his/her table with the obvious intent of looking at some knives. (Disclaimer: I'm NOT talking about loud, obnoxious, spoiled kids. They usually come from loud, obnoxious, spoiled parents. I'm talking about polite, nicely behaved kids who are obviously interested in your knives) I ask this question because Neil Ostroff of True North Knives, a first time exhibitor at the CKG show, encouraged each young visitor to handle the knives he had on display - many in the $800 to $1,400 range. Now THAT is how you encourage new collectors and a positive attitude towards our hobby! My hat, as a parent and as a knife collector, is off to Neil Ostroff.
 
I've found that "most" kids are very polite and mindful about handling the knives I have on my table. Some are more considerate than some of the grown-ups. The only thing I cringe about is the posibillity of the kid cutting themselves and having an irate parent on my hands. Other than that I don't mind a kid picking up my knives. How else are they going to be exposed to something like that.

And besides that, I saw a kid that I judged to be twelve, pull a wad of hundreds that would choke a horse to buy a knife at a table next to me two years ago. You never know.

Steve
 
Hey Cockroach!! Truthfully at an "exclusive" knife show we haven't had any problems. Gun and knife shows and expostions are different. Usually the kids that age aren't bad at either but then there have been some that we have to say "These are very sharp knives and will cut very bad" I have heard of some makers that puts band-aids on the table in-front of his knives. Little kids around 5 to 8 I get a sick feeling when they run up I don't want them to get cut of course so the first thing I ask is where is your father/mother? Cindy aka Cavelady
 
My five-year-old daughter knows what damascus is, is interested in what blacksmiths do, and regularly asks me when she can have her first knife.

On the other hand, when she is at shows she is usually more interested in hitting up the makers for the candy in those jars on the tables!

I would be very pleased if a maker or purveyor let my daughter handle knives, or talked with her about knife making. Way to go, Neil!

On the other hand, knowing some people's kids, :rolleyes: Neil must have nerves of steel!
 
As a reformed semi-dealer, I found what Steve and Cave-Lady posted to be true a vast majority of the time. As a matter of fact at large knife shows it is a pleasure to see kids.

Their parents seem to have taught them respect for knives. Back in my dealing days I would watch out for close-outs and pick up a dozen or two before a show to give to kids (always through their parents). It was cool to see their expressions since on many occasions it was their first knife.

Seems like every young child I have met at an all knife show has had a long discussion with mom or dad about what to expect and how to act. I have learned a little from them :).
 
Want to see terror in the eyes of a guy behind the table??

Last years Blade. Four adults, ten kids (ages 13 down to 12 weeks old, 7 boys - 3 girls) table full of sharp shiny things. All day Friday; not a single cut and a lot of impressed knife makers. Of course some of the kids were more interested in any candy present than the knives but a good time was had by all.

Look for us again this year. The Granddaughter and Grandson can't wait. She wants to win another knife and her brother wants to show her up.
 
Originally posted by Gus Kalanzis
As a reformed semi-dealer

Back in my dealing days I would watch out for close-outs and pick up a dozen or two before a show to give to kids (always through their parents). It was cool to see their expressions since on many occasions it was their first knife.
Click to expand...

Gus, "reformed semi-dealer" I like that! Your really just a great guy that happens to like knives!;)

As for the "giving away" part, I know of a couple of custom makers who have given away custom knives to kids! They sometimes hold out ones that may have a TINY blemish for them too! (Don't want to toot any horns but you guys know who you are!) It is makers and purveyors like that who make knives "more than just knives"!:D ;) :D
 
I have only gone to one show where children have been a problem and that was because they were unsupervised. Nothing makes chills run up my back more than a little hand reaching up over the edge of the table and running a finger along the edge of a blade. I had to take a stone and take the razor edge off all of the knives.

I am not going back there again.
 
You guys are worried about kids, let me tell you. If Gus shows up at Blade with his new puppy, then you will see trouble at a level that is off the charts. That little guy holds nothing sacred. :D
 
I'd be more worried if there is a livestock trailer at the loading dock with the sound of goats inside! :eek: :eek:
 
As a parent I love to stop by the makers who will let my son handle the knives . Last year we picked up my Snody Kwaiken at Blade and my son had a blast handling and eyeing all Mikes stuff . In the same line we stopped at Ti-Nives and Scott had an auto dulled out for the youngsters to play with I think that was way cool for him to do that . My son was 6 and my little girl was 4 at blade last year , they will be going back this year . I know I missed some of the folks who were so great to the children last year but I have not forgotten their generousity . Knifemakers are some great folks .



Jerry
 
  Kids!! ahhh Grown ups scare me.
I had a guy back a long
run his thumb across one of my knives,,
right after telling him it was sharp,
  after doing so,
he put his hand in is pocket and left
it there. I do believe he cut himself and was a
bit embarrassed to say so.. :(
 
I've not done a proper knife show yet, but have done some of the local shows where knives are not the only thing available. I've had some kids who were obviously very well taught come up and handle knives with no problems. But then there are the others that make me shudder...you know the ones with no upbrinin that the parents don't watch. I try not to be rude, but the last thing I need or want is a kid to get hurt.
 
Cockroachfarm

Thanks for the kind words.
------------------------------

Without getting too drippy or gooey, there is a song by Whitney Houston that says; "Children are our future...." and another famous expression that says; "Children should not have to be disappointed".

Anyway, there kids were just great- All polite youngsters and genuinely curious. I was very pleased to see many girls in the crowd as well.

The future of our industry depends on the present and how we handle it. Kids must be made aware of the correct and proper way to handle knives and not to be afraid of them. With the right training and guidance from adults these kids can and will be future knifemakers, collectors and maybe even a few dealers. :)

This was a great show- buyers and lookers from both the USA and Canada. See you all in October.

Neil
 
My Daughter Brittnee, (10) is MAD because she's not going to the Blade Show this year :( Both of mine have been raised around knives ALL their life and have respect for them. Her favorite maker is Delana, she's spent time at several shows letting her handle her knives and pointing out all the details. My daughter ALWAYS asks if "nice red haired girl" is going to be at a show we're attending.

My feeling is if they have the interrest to go and they are well behaved, it shouldn't be a problem at all. She did raise a few eyebrows by cocking and firing an OTF at the Lakeland show this year!! (I asked it's owner to handle it and passed it to her) She's been around various MT OTF's for years also ;) My litte knifenut :D

Neil
 
Her favorite maker is Delana
Click to expand...

One of my all-time favorites too Neil. Looks like you are raising Brittnee right :D.
 
Pyrguy / Dwight -

I remember that parade you brought last year. I will vouch for the behavior of your little crew - not to mention the smile on that little girl!

Come by and say hi again this year - It's nice to see a "sharp" family enjoying our show!

Missy
 
My table neghboor - Bill Snow - had a couple very talkative nephews last Blade Show and they surely inspected each of the knives in my table, but with a very carefull and educated approach. I wouldn't mind at all in having them around this year again. Nor Bill as a table neighboor, by the way...
Unsupervised, uneducated and unpolite kids are troublesome everywhere but, otherwise, they are very good companies and represent the future of our business, either as new makers or knife buyers and, as such, deserve all respect and atention.
 
Hats off to all you makers (and dealers) who have such a positive attitude towards our youngest collectors.
 
I'm one of those makers that have band-aids on the table. I've never used one on anyone younger than 30! I've never had a minutes trouble out of any kids. Maybe they see me as one of them? :rolleyes:

The kids see the band-aids first, and I keep them at the back of the table.

If you need one at the Blade Show, I'm in the back again.
 
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