Knife Show Etiquette?

U

UW Mitch

Joined
Nov 2, 1999
Messages
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So next week I will be displaying part of my collection as a portion of my art project:

http://www-rcs.ee.washington.edu/~mitchlum/art329final/

I plan to make some "signage" to let people know the proper way in interact with me and the knives. What kinds of things should I include (note, these are non-knife people). One thing that I didn't know what that I'm a not supposed to wipe the knife off before I return it, because who knows how clean or dirty my shirt (or whatever) is.

Anyway, I'd like to hear some of the "instructions" I should give.

Thanks,
Mitch

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My Hobby Page
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Mitch--You should decide whether you want people to handle the knives or not and indicate that on a sign, i.e. "Please do not Touch".

Also, if you display folders, you may not want "non-knife" people "flicking" the blades open. Another sign opportunity.

For what it's worth.

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Dick
 
I would go with:

DO NOT TOUCH

You may want to put some of your knives under glass. People can appreciate quality knives with their eyes. If you hand it to them, there is always the chance that someone may hurt themselves or a bystander, and you might be held accountable.

Best of luck.

N2S

 
If someone gets cut you're in big trouble. And if someone breaks a knife they certainly won't expect to have to pay $X00 to pay for it. I'd keep the knives under glass and hand them to people one by one. Keep some bandaids around and maybe a sign that says "Knives are very sharp." Maybe a little tag by each knife with info about it, maker, model, materials, lock type, price, etc.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"Is not giving a need? Is not receiving mercy?" - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault
 
NEVER interrupt a sale.
do not wipe clean on your clothes.
do not test sharpness by shaving with it.
etc etc etc
 
I have NO faith in the general populace whatsoever. So I would go as far as to say:

1) Do not touch the sharp edge.

2 Do not test knives with fast or forceful movements.

3 Do NOT cut anything with these knives.

4 PLEASE show courtesy by making sure your hands are clean.

5 PLEASE OBSERVE KNIFE over table only. (in case it drops)

Unfortunetly, you really do have to spell things out to people like they are little kids. There are people out there so DUMB, it's scary.
BUT, I WOULDN'T say don't hand people a knife if they want to look. They tend to be more likely to buy if it is in their hand.
 
If you are doing this as an art project, and the knives are not for sale, then by all means secure the knives. The key thing will be to allow your display to tell a story. I would put up a couple of story boards with your display title (how about: "Before the wheel there were knives" )and a synopses of your story. Use something like a size 70 font to make it easy for peopel to read. It's going to get very ackward if you have to spend the entire day explaining yourself.

Also, make sure that each knife is properly labled and described. Your materials should tell the story without you.

Good luck and enjoy.

N2S
 
A big sign that says: "I am NOT Japanese, however, if you drop one of my knives, you still might lose a digit!!! "
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http://www.mayoknives.com
John 1:14
Love is Stronger than Death!
 
I was thinking that since they are art students they would have some concept of handling very expensive things, but no offense to art students - some of them are just there to get a degree.

You all raise some very good things that I'd forgotten to consider.

Maybe I should just require a credit card gaurantee before they handle anything.
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~Mitch
 
For people like me who might happen by, you need a sign reminding us "DO NOT DROOL ON KNIVES". Maybe have a bib or two available on request.

You could list the price/value of the knives if you're going to let people handle them. Most people won't mind handling your knives, if they're "just knives". It may help to let them know how much the knife cost. Half the time when a non-knife nut is told the price, they immediately hand the knife back 'cause they're scared of dropping it (not to mention the physical and financial consequences of such a blunder)
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Mitch,
Is there a problem with having knives in dorms on campus? If so, you may be opening a can of worms.
I would put up a sign that says only one person handling one knife at a time. Easy to keep track, and make sure they don't do anything stupid.
Prices may not be a good idea. If there's a thief or doper among them who always needs cash, and they know they're in your room when you go out, well, you get the picture.

Dave
 
There are knife shows and just plain shows. The clientel at knife shows usually have some understanding of knives and can be trusted to handle them without cutting themselves. The clientel at craft or art shows are as likely as not to pick the knife up by the blade and admire the pretty handle, pretty dangerous. At non knife shows I display under glass to prevent accidents.

The simplest covering is a sheet of plexiglas supported by an number of inverted drinking glasses.


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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com


 
Mitch,

A good question was asked: Are knives allowed on the UW campus where you intend to locate your display? Make sure that you check with either "Student Services", or better yet, the Campus Police Dept., so you don't wind-up "in trouble".

Also, I would REALLY think about using a display case for your knives, and making this a "please look, but don't touch" art exhibt.

Good luck, and have a great time.
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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
Mitch
[/B][/QUOTE]

I always found it worked really well to scatter bandaids around the table. It sounds simple but it worked for me in all the years I went to shows and you could see the differance when they were not there. A. G.
 
Thanks for all the great input. BTW, all my knives are legal to own and carry on campus.
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I emailed with my Prof. about these issues, and she seemed to feel that the website achieved my goal just fine, and that showing the actual objects may not be that nessarry...she also realizes that sometimes the overall effect has to be sacrificed to protect the art objects and keep the veiwer safe.

Not sure what I'll be doing next Wednesday, but you've all given me some great things to think about.

~Mitch

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My Knife Prject
The Best Road Trip I've ever been on!
My Hobby Page
 
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