Knife show etiquette?

H

Hmathews

Joined
Feb 22, 2005
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There is usually a thread dealing with this kind of stuff before the Blade Show, but I missed it this year so I thought I would ask opinions here from collectors and makers.

Several times at the Blade Show someone with a camera would walk up to our table, bend over a knife and take a picture or two. They would not ask for permission, or speak at all. Just walk up, take a picture and then turn and walk off. We have always had quite a few walk up, talk for a few minutes, and then ask if it was ok to take a picture, which was fine. I figured the ones that ask just collect pictures and have no problem with that at all. But to take a picture with no contact with the table holder at all I thought was rather odd behavior and rude.
 
I always ask before taking a picture. Seems like a basic courtesy to me.

Roger
 
Never occured to me take a picture of someone else's knife. Guess maybe some folks think it cheaper to collect a picture than a knife.
 
I always ask , and then afterward shake their hand and inquire as to if they have any objections to the picture being posted on different knife forums. So far , nobody has said no.

Courtesy given , is courtesy received. :)
 
I would ask first, but I understand how someone would think that it would be perfectly reasonable to take a picture (without asking) of something on display at a public forum.

Making a terribly bad legal analogy, one has no right to privacy when walking down the sidewalk (or in any other public place). The same might be said of items (especially items for sale) displayed in a public forum. In other words, if you don't want me to take a picture of your knife, don't bring it to a public place and lay it on the table with the hope that I'll look at it.

As for the etiquette side of the equation, asking first is certainly preferable and thats what I would do. Sorta like asking you if I can pet your Golden Retriever instead of just doing it. But I can see how it would never dawn on someone to ask, and I don't think that makes that person rude. JMO.
 
Like others have said, I always ask before taking a picture or touching the knife. And, as a general rule, I try to at least say hi to the guy before I go about my business. Seems like common decency to me. And you never know what little bit of information you'll get, or what type of conversation will be started. Some of the best discussions I've had at shows started that way....
 
Ask before pictures, ask before handling. :)

This was demonstrated over in the Spyderco subforum with pictures of the Ti Millie.
 
I see it as inexcusably rude to approach a table for any reason and not even say hello, let alone take a picture or pick up a knife without asking.

powernoodle said:
Making a terribly bad legal analogy, one has no right to privacy when walking down the sidewalk (or in any other public place).
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Really? Do you feel if I am in a public place you have a terribly bad legal right to poke me to get my attention, grab me by the collar, stick a camera in my face and fire away with your flash? Good luck with that.

It's a rare knifemaker who doesn't want attention for his work. Permission is practically automatic. Too bad courtesy doesn't seem to be as freely given.
 
I've seen a few table signs that said, "please do not touch or take pictures without permission." Not everyone takes a moment to ask about proper etiquette at shows, and some are selfish enough to not care.

Personally, I've only asked to pick up a knife maybe 10 times, though I've never picked up one without permission. I always liked when I admired the work for a couple minutes, then was offered the chance to handle any knife of my choosing. If I do a quick walk through and don't really stop and admire/show interest, they usually get that I probably don't want to handle anything on the table. I also always make eye contact, smile and thank every knifemaker table I pass, unless they are talking with someone else.

My eldest son (15 at the time), went to pick up a knife without permission...and I quickly told him that was rude. He stopped, then the knifemaker smiled at me, and quickly gave him permission to pick it up. I told my son to not touch the blade (especially the edge) and to put the knife back in the exact location/angle it was on the table. If I intend to purchase the knife, I might do a little more touching, with a good inspection, but that is only if I am very interested. There is a lot of pride at a makers table, and I for one appreciate the hard work they put into each and every knife they have on display.

I find knifeshows a privilege to attend...not a right of a consumer. There is much more than dollars/goods changing hands when a transaction is made.
 
Some (hell, many) gun shows patrons also do this. Cameras are not allowed, but most folks now have cameras in their cell phones, so it does happen.

I'm a custom gunsmith. Pictures are bad enough, but what I really hate is when someone will come up to the table and pick up a gun without asking....then just "toss" it down and walk off without saying a word.

I also sell Glock field knives and the Spyderco "Armorers Endura". Every single show I have to tell people to be careful, don't point guns at people, or not to wave a knife around. Younger folks in particular are bad about this. I have on occasion forceably disarmed folks who seemed to have hearing problems....

You knife dealers get the same thing?

TR Graham
The Glocksmith
 
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Of course it's rude. But in this quick digital age, and 600 tables to cover, I'm not surprised. Be thankful there was interest. Who knows what oohs and ahhs may get solicited somewhere unseen from your eyes. (The glass is half full... ;))

For Susan and I, we get the retired old crusty collector who pops in just to see what we are up to. :rolleyes:

No interest in business, but he finds what we are doing interesting. In the process he starts up a converation with my wife, chit-chatting about this old maker and that one. She nods smilingly. So he thinks she's interested.

Before too long he's now into a full blood pressure tirade about the Guild and the rules and some obscure maker who copied a well-known maker's design and on and on and on...

The volume level is well into the 80's and my attention is completely unfocused. This has been going on for five-ten minutes.

Now I have to try to be polite and simply say "Excuse me, I know you want to talk, but we are both busy and working here. I need you to stop, please."

Well, that works like a charm. :grumpy: It's now happened a few times and the fellow glares and then makes some comment about never coming back, and then stomps off, blood pressure and attitude now directed at me. :confused:

Every show has one.

Thanks for allowing me to vent. :D

Coop
 
Coop, I am glad there is interest, and never mind if someone wants to pop a picture or two. I have moved knives around on the table to give them room and a clear shot. Most of the time it is over before you realize what they are doing, but next year I might get to meet some of them if I am quick enough.:D

I had one gentleman show me the photo he had just taken and I was amazed that he could get that kind of picture under those conditions. It looked great.

I had one lady with a photographer in tow, a year or so ago, walk up to the table, point to a knife and say "that one". She stepped aside, the photographer popped a picture, and they turned around and walked off like we weren't there. That is just odd behavior to me.
 
I don't believe that there is any ill intent.

Some people probably have not realized that they are offending anyone by said actions.

With that I don't think that the free publicity of your wares is a bad thing either. The more pictures that carry your mark on it the better for your business as well as the custom knife market. Also it is great for those who are unable to attend the shows to be able to see who has what avaiable and what their particular styles are (you are artists and each one has their own unique style which makes your knives that much more special).

Now for me and pictures, it is only polite to ask first before taking pictures!!!!
Honeslt y I would ask first and then if given permission I would give you the address to the site I would upload it to and give you permissions to use that photo (I copyright my pictures and I would of course give them to the makers free of charge(afterall they were kind enough to let me take the picture)).


So yes, I do agree that you should ask first!

This is just my opinion of the matter.
 
SharpByCoop said:
Of course it's rude. But in this quick digital age, and 600 tables to cover, I'm not surprised. Be thankful there was interest. Who knows what oohs and ahhs may get solicited somewhere unseen from your eyes. (The glass is half full... ;))

For Susan and I, we get the retired old crusty collector who pops in just to see what we are up to. :rolleyes:

No interest in business, but he finds what we are doing interesting. In the process he starts up a converation with my wife, chit-chatting about this old maker and that one. She nods smilingly. So he thinks she's interested.

Before too long he's now into a full blood pressure tirade about the Guild and the rules and some obscure maker who copied a well-known maker's design and on and on and on...

The volume level is well into the 80's and my attention is completely unfocused. This has been going on for five-ten minutes.

Now I have to try to be polite and simply say "Excuse me, I know you want to talk, but we are both busy and working here. I need you to stop, please."

Well, that works like a charm. :grumpy: It's now happened a few times and the fellow glares and then makes some comment about never coming back, and then stomps off, blood pressure and attitude now directed at me. :confused:

Every show has one.

Thanks for allowing me to vent. :D

Coop
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For lack of a better way to say it that sucks that somebody can't see how they are getting in the way of your business. They should just take it for what it is and wait for sometime when you are free to talk and not while you are busy.

Just my .02
 
Hmathews said:
I had one lady with a photographer in tow, a year or so ago, walk up to the table, point to a knife and say "that one". She stepped aside, the photographer popped a picture, and they turned around and walked off like we weren't there. That is just odd behavior to me.
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Hmmm - reminds me of the (lack of) bedside manners many medicos display when attending a patient and then discuss the patient as though he/she isn't there when ultimately the patient is the one who's most intimitaley involved.
 
Coop seeing one of the times it happend to you in NY was certainly.... interesting. Some guys just don't seem to understand basic respect.
 
For Susan and I, we get the retired old crusty collector who pops in just to see what we are up to.

No interest in business, but he finds what we are doing interesting. In the process he starts up a converation with my wife, chit-chatting about this old maker and that one. She nods smilingly. So he thinks she's interested.

Before too long he's now into a full blood pressure tirade about the Guild and the rules and some obscure maker who copied a well-known maker's design and on and on and on...

The volume level is well into the 80's and my attention is completely unfocused. This has been going on for five-ten minutes.

Now I have to try to be polite and simply say "Excuse me, I know you want to talk, but we are both busy and working here. I need you to stop, please."

Well, that works like a charm. It's now happened a few times and the fellow glares and then makes some comment about never coming back, and then stomps off, blood pressure and attitude now directed at me.

Every show has one.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.

Coop
Click to expand...

Coop, what's up ...... no KUMBAYA;):D

But seriously people have to remember that photographers, knifemakers, dealers are at work when at a show and it is proper etiquete to ask. Whether to take a picture of a knife or if someone is busy when you start up a conversation.

Marcel
 
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