Knife show etiquette?

[stephanfowler]

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.

You sir would be welcome at my table any time. fantastic

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... )

Coop

Wonderful point Coop, and I quite agree

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.

"Ignorance is no excuse, and I'm quoting a NY city judge." - Ron White

Seriously though, I don't fault people for being in a hurry.

It's entirely possible that their show plan is to run around the first day and take a quick shot of any knife that catches their eye. then go through their pictures in the comfort of their room that night, then come back the next day KNOWING where they want to go and what to buy.

Ya never know, me I just smile and say hello, sometimes I'm ignored but sometimes, just sometimes. The person is shocked into saying hello and a conversation ensues. leading to at the least an interested collector, if not an outright sale

 

[dbl-edge]

I've been doing knife shows, and in the early days gun shows, and with just a very few exceptions the crowds are polite. Pen shows with their left coast Berkeley type professors, lawyers, and journalists are a different story. They don't have a problem dropping their duffle on your table and standing there while talking to the guy at the next table or just somebody in the aisle. I don't recall the last time that happened to me at a knife show. This year several people asked if they could take a picture of a particular knife, and I would help rearrange things so that was the only one in the frame. No one with a camera didn't ask first, and that's the way it usually is.

Coop, I'm sorry. I'll try to leave you and Susan alone at the next show.

David Broadwell

 

[Kevin Jones]

I'm usually a "the glass is 1/2 full" type of person, however on the subject rude public behavior, you are wasting your time trying to change that small % (thank goodness) of folks who just don't know how to behave at shows, restaurants, airports or where ever else they may happen to be.
And it's only going to get worst in the future as too many children aren't being taught to respect adults, property, the law or anything else.

Think knife shows are bad? Try displaying a bike or classic car with a $$$$$$$$$ paint job that's gloss is so deep it seems one could reach eternity through it. No matter if you put up signs, rope it off, it's still going to get fingerprints and scratches.

Be thankful if all you have to worry about is having your knives photographed from a distance without permission.

I always ask for permission to take photos, and always ask for permission to handle a knife unless it's from someone who knows me and realizes I will know how to examine a knife without defacing it.

 

[SharpByCoop]

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.

Jon, it must have been the NYC guy's brother. This latest fellow showed up in Atlanta. Same schtick.

Coop, I'm sorry. I'll try to leave you and Susan alone at the next show.

Crusty, you are!

Coop

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I've never attended a knife show but I do go to Antique shows and use my camera to narrow down the choices of what I want to buy later. If the table attendant is busy or not present I'll go ahead and take a picture, but if they are there I will engage them first. I've never thought that what I was doing was rude to anybody, in fact I find it rude for the table owner to not acknowledge me. This thread gives me food for thought.

For the makers who feel pictures are a problem- are you engaging every person as they approach your table first. If not then maybe take an outside look at how you are perceived by prospective customers as well.

 

[stephanfowler]

For the makers who feel pictures are a problem- are you engaging every person as they approach your table first. If not then maybe take an outside look at how you are perceived by prospective customers as well.

I don't feel pictures are a problem but I'll answer your question anyways


I intentionally do NOT greet someone as they walk up to the table unless they make eye contact. if their looking at the knives as they walk up I'll give them a good 15 seconds, If their still looking I'll introduce myself and depending on which knife their looking at I'll pick it up and hand it to them.

I do this to try and avoid making the customer uncomfortable or feel like I'm "pushy" I want them to enjoy meeting me and being to proactive is a turnoff for a lot of people. and generally the people who don't mind the proactive maker are the ones who look me in the eye as they walk up.

Stephan

 

[Hmathews]

It is not the pictures that I think are a problem, and I don't think any of this is really a problem. It just struck me as a guy walked up to the table, never making eye contact, took the picture and left. No chance for any interaction. If my knives don’t interest a person, I understand the walk by with the head down and no contact. It is the obvious interest in the knife and no contact I think is odd.

I understand that some people don't do well with eye to eye contact. I talked for five minutes with the top of a cowboy hat at the Little Rock Show. I don't have a clue what the guy looked like, but he might order a knife some day, maybe he already has. I wouldn't know, but he seemed like a likable fellow with a hat that needed dusting off.

I have had makers ask if they could copy one of our knife models and I told them to go ahead. No problem. I must have explained how we handle different steps of knife making fifty times during the show. I don't know many makers that try to keep secrets these days. I sure don't have a problem with a picture that might someday sell a knife for us. If you walk up to our table sometime at a show and take a picture and walk away without speaking and you hear a "thank you", you will know what it is for. I appreciate your interest, but still would have liked to meet you.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

The only mainly custom knife show I have been to is the Chesapeake show in December. But, as with all gun shows I attend, whether it be a dealer, collector or a maker, I always ask before I pick anything up. If I am not interested in what they have, I still politely ask them how they're doing. Sometimes it's a polite return of "Good, how are you?". Other times, they might bring up the show etc. Often times, these people who have nothing I am interested in, either know someone who has, or they have, what I am looking for. at home etc Whether they are having a good show or not, most of these people want to talk about knives and guns. This is their passion, their hobby, not just their livelihood.

Met a lot of good people just by giving a polite hello, instead of a dismissing glance.

 

[antonanton]

I don't feel pictures are a problem but I'll answer your question anyways


I intentionally do NOT greet someone as they walk up to the table unless they make eye contact. if their looking at the knives as they walk up I'll give them a good 15 seconds, If their still looking I'll introduce myself and depending on which knife their looking at I'll pick it up and hand it to them.

I do this to try and avoid making the customer uncomfortable or feel like I'm "pushy" I want them to enjoy meeting me and being to proactive is a turnoff for a lot of people. and generally the people who don't mind the proactive maker are the ones who look me in the eye as they walk up.

Stephan

:thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[brownshoe]

Don't forget, one person's rudeness could be another person shyness

Also, with digital cameras, people can take pictures w/o burning film. The capability of hundreds of pictures w/o cost, is like gasoline on a fire for some obsessive cumplusive types.

 

[Lorien]

common sense is really just not that common.