Proper Behavior for Knife Shows - How to keep from looking like an idiot

yitz said:
Lots of good tips, for both sides of the table. I don't agree with the suggestion to bring your own rag to wipe down a knife you've handled. I try not to touch the blade when I'm handling a knife, but if I did I wouldn't wipe it clean; I'd leave that for the maker to do. I wouldn't want anyone else cleaning my knives.
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^^ True. I'd like to think I'm a veteran at cleaning knives after handling.

I brought a chamois with me a few years back (as a collector wandering the aisles) and courteously wiped any knife clean I handled. Got a few compliments on this act....

Then I got REAMED by a dealer whose Warenski dagger I wiped after inspection. He didn't care for this; I might wipe a scratch INTO the blade. Leave it alone. :eek:

Regarding pricing and 'insults', it's not universal: The maker chooses to be insulted. A buyer can and often uses any strategy he can to get a smart deal. A savvy seller will laugh it off and point out that "This IS my best price. Thanks for asking."

Not to promote a wave of haggling, but a subtle pricing incentive may just be the tipping point for some buyers. A good natured rebuttal from the seller is also good business.

Coop
 
Rick Marchand said:
As a table holder, I hate being behind the table. I usually stand in front and talk to folks. If I am behind the table, I never sit. I cringe when I see makers sitting in a chair, reading a book.

Rick
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As someone who used to do Rock and Gem shows I have to say nothing short of being obnoxious will run people off faster than if you are sitting down.

I also used to be out 7 days a week selling jewelry in the Virgin Islands with up to 10,000 people a day visiting the market I worked at. You could either sell all day long standing up or sit there and not sell a thing.

Of course if you really feel the need to talk to customers and they are ignoring you, just get some food and try to eat, it always brings a crowd, lol. I would always crack up because someone would always tell me "it must be nice to sit there and eat" when I was a one man show. :D

Another note to sellers: I have noticed that most tables are too low, you will have more success if your customer doesn't have to stoop over to look at your knives.
 
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This might be just slightly off topic, but when you bring your knives to a show, make sure they are your best work. I say this because if you spend all day trying to sell a knife that you know has a crooked guard or a 60 grit scratch, it will affect both your attitude about that knife and your customer will feel it too. Kinda subtle, but it's something I really have noticed in my own work and in dealing with customers. I just wish I could make a knife that had no flaws... :-)

-M
 
I did my first show earlier this month and I cannot agree more with Bruce; I experienced the push harder syndrome and a ruined sheath.

Bruce Bump said:
Dont put knives back in the sheath. Let the maker do it. Sometimes they can get scratched or put back in backwards causing possible damage to the sheath.
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Interesting phenomenon; I stood for almost 3 days and sold almost all I took. The veterans around me sat and sold just about nothing.

Daniel Fairly Knives said:
You could either sell all day long standing up or sit there and not sell a thing.
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I also know each time an attendee stops at a table to inspect knives, there is a potential anxiousness from the seller that this may make a sale. The attendee senses this and, if not interested, wishes to get out of this tension quickly. Avoiding eye contact and moving along is one method.... :(

I have found taking a moment to look the maker in the eye and simply offering a "Thank you" in passing, disarms both of us.

Coop
 
yitz said:
I don't agree with the suggestion to bring your own rag to wipe down a knife you've handled. I try not to touch the blade when I'm handling a knife, but if I did I wouldn't wipe it clean; I'd leave that for the maker to do. I wouldn't want anyone else cleaning my knives.
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I agree with you to a degree....there is certainly an art and a method to properly cleaning knives, and each maker or collector probably has their own methods.

It is however exceptionally good etiquette to OFFER to clean the knives for the maker if you have put fingerprints all over them.

Far too many times there will be spit bubbles about the size of a sharpened #2 pencil tip on the blades...if not removed quickly, they will burn a permanent, ALMOST microscopic ring into the blade, carbon or stainless.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Rick Marchand said:
As a table holder, I hate being behind the table. I usually stand in front and talk to folks. If I am behind the table, I never sit. I cringe when I see makers sitting in a chair, reading a book.

Rick
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Some fellas have been making knives for a llllooonnnngggg time and need to rest their feet ;)
 
yitz said:
I don't agree with the suggestion to bring your own rag to wipe down a knife you've handled. I try not to touch the blade when I'm handling a knife, but if I did I wouldn't wipe it clean; I'd leave that for the maker to do.
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Guess it depends on the maker. But I can promise any person whose knife I'm holding that the cloth I'm using will not scratch the knife...and if it does, it's the most shoddy knife I've ever handled. If I am considering buying a knife, you can bet that I am going to touch every millimeter of that knife, and I think it's common courtesy to wipe off the knife when you're finished. Obviously I'm not going to wipe it off with steel wool, but I always carry a very soft cloth. Kinda like shaking someone's hand...if they just sneezed, I expect them to wash their hands before they shake mine. At a minimum, I will offer to clean it off.
 
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As much as I don't want to bother the browsing customer. I find the uncomfortable silence is even more.... well, uncomfortable. I'll always say something in passing to break the silence. My specs and prices are infront of every piece so I don't feel the need to even discuss the knives unless they initiate. A polite "Are you enjoying the show?" can do wonders in openning up a dialogue if the person is willing.

Rick
 
cnas122 said:
Some fellas have been making knives for a llllooonnnngggg time and need to rest their feet ;)
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I totally understand sitting if you need to.... I was speaking more about showing initiative and a willingness to be there and interact with folks, not reading a book or chatting it up with the guy at the next table.


Also..... watch where you choose to stand and converse while in the aisle. You may unknowingly be blocking a makers table.

Rick
 
Even though I assume we all have enough smarts to use the proper cloth for cleaning a knife, it's more the microscopic dust/dirt/grit which the cloth picks up from being carried, put away, sit down, pulled out and wiping down knives over time that puts a knife's finish at risk. I don't care how careful you are, after carrying and using a cloth at a show it's going to become contaminated at some point.
Personally, I don't want anyone putting a cloth to my knives except for me.
 
my biggest pet peeve is when people "flick" folders..sooo disrespectful! the worst are people who don't even know how to flick a folder so they open it half way with the thumbstud and then flick it with all the force and fury they can muster so the blade practically flies off the handle!

i agree with a lot of what has been said so i won't repeat it here. another one is not to get in the way of a sale. If a maker is having a discussion with a prospective customer then don't interrupt and especially don't counter with something like "hey what do you mean? the guy down there says steel Y is better"

RL
 
I try to carry a cloth to a show Kevin and it is NOT a rag. Costco sells a dozen of them for a very good price and they are fibre cloths which are great for knives. I prefer NOT to use a chamois as an old one can either be unclean or rough if washed. Ones eyes can't always see everything on a knife and the fingers/thumb will often feel something which the eye misses. I also just feel it is courteous to show a concern for the product being viewed. I might also ask the maker if it is ok to use or if I forget would expect him to ask me to refrain. Neither ought to be a problem.

Bruce, if all makers put prices on the knives, then even if a "customer" spends time chatting with a maker, and heaven knows we read enough about how customers just have "to know the maker" before buying a product, then the waiting customer who knows the price, likes the knife, will still stick around and either pay the asking price or try to make a deal.

I wonder how many makers don't try to deal on supplies, machinery, automobiles, stereos and wives jewelery? Sometimes no reduction is available but at other times one can make a substantial savings. Makers need to realize that a secondary market only exists if the seller can realize some return on his "investment" which in turn increases the demand for the makers product and increase the price he charges for that product. Knives are usually bought with discretionary income and are not for most that are collectors and not users of knives something that any "need" to have.

Collectors will buy more knives than users ever will and if a maker is to survive as an artist, he will want to cultivate a clientele based upon multiple sales to the same collector or multiple sales spread over collectors that wish to own knives similar to what other collectors have decided are worth owning.

One thing that collectors can do is to join an organization such as CKCA and wear the badge, T Shirt and Hat either together or singularly and thus be recognized by makers as someone intrinsically interested in the product being displayed and be proud to speak with that collector with hopes of having that collector add one on his works of art to that collection.

As far as photographing the knives, be proud as a maker that someone wants to have an image of either yourself or your knives and also may, just maybe that collector will post an image of the knife or other parts of the show you attend so other collectors can enjoy the opportunity to view the artistry of your work and that of others at the show.

Knife shows should not be a we/them but an US situation. All of US enjoy knives and the opportunity to either make or collect them. I even like to photograph them and will continue to do so and present the story of the show on BF or CKCA forums as long as I can. Hopefully, I'll be able to handle a few also and maybe add to my collection of almost 200 custom knives gained over 30 years of collecting at shows all over the US and Canada.

Everyone -- enjoy the next knife show you attend and regale us with your stories and intrigue us with your photos. We all look forward to every printed word and image.
 
There is some great information here. To me a knife show is just one step short of Heaven. From either side of the table. I always try to cut people at a show some slack. You never know if this might be their first show and first exposure to custom knives or if they have been collecting or making for 40 years. Either way it is fun finding out and you never know when your next "best" customer is going to walk up.

Questions never bother me at all. Ask away. Charlie and I always like to talk knives even though we are both have hearing problems and it is sometimes difficult. We really appreciate your patience and y'all cutting us a little slack. :D

I would rather people not wipe my knives down after looking. I really appreciate the offer, and understand that many are just as capable of doing it as I am, but I would rather the responsibility for the cleaning and any possible damage done by a contaminated cloth be mine. I have had knives scratched that way and there is no good way to deal with that problem except to take the knife off the table. What many don't think about (but it goes through my mind like a flash) is what he just wiped off the other guy's knife is now being wiped onto mine. I really hope that no one takes offence if we ask them not to wipe down the knife after handling it, but it is something we would rather do.

I have no problem with people picking up knives off the table. That is what they are out there for. It is fine if they ask first and I try to do that myself. One thing that does is let the maker know that you have one off the table. It can get hectic at times and we do like to wipe the knives down after they have been handled. It just helps the maker keep up with his knives and keep them clean.

One thing that probably doesn't even need to be mentioned is if you see something going on, don't hesitate to let the maker know about it. We have had people switch sheaths on knives, peal prices off, and scratch knives deliberately. We had one guy start moving knives around on the table for no apparent reason. Others have had knives stolen. Not everybody is at the show for the same reason. It can be hard to keep up with what is going on with several people at the table at the same time and all it takes is one crook to ruin a show for you. The more eyes you have watching out the better.

I would not ask to pick up a knife that had a sold sticker on it. That one belongs to someone other than the maker now and if I damaged it in some way, could cause some hard feelings that money couldn't fix. I won't ask so the maker doesn't have to turn me down.

I like the way Murray described it... It is an us situation.
 
Mitchell Knives said:
Don't take pictures of the knives of others unless you ask first.

Otherwise, the golden rule works pretty well.
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That is a good one
I like to take pictures
I was kind of concerned about this when I was a knife show n00by
Most makers seemed to be OK with me taking pics

This thread should be a sticky..imho
I was kind of intimated my 1st few knives shows
As I did not know the proper protocol/etiquette
I was worried some pissed of knife maker was gonna start yelling at me:D
 
I've worked hundreds of trade show, and there are some basics I used to go through with the crew before every one:

Be genuinely enthusiastic about your products.

Listen, then talk.

Be concise.

Be aware that everyone is watching you. Dress and act in an appropriate manner.

Don’t talk on your cell phone, chew gum, eat, or drink in your booth. Take a break outside of your booth to do this.

As for the other side of the table, I truly believe that children under the age of 14 should not be allowed. No strollers, no tantrums, no running.

last, food and drink should remain outside the show floor.
 
Hmathews said:
There is some great information here. To me a knife show is just one step short of Heaven. From either side of the table. I always try to cut people at a show some slack. You never know if this might be their first show and first exposure to custom knives or if they have been collecting or making for 40 years. Either way it is fun finding out and you never know when your next "best" customer is going to walk up.

Questions never bother me at all. Ask away. Charlie and I always like to talk knives even though we are both have hearing problems and it is sometimes difficult. We really appreciate your patience and y'all cutting us a little slack. :D

I would rather people not wipe my knives down after looking. I really appreciate the offer, and understand that many are just as capable of doing it as I am, but I would rather the responsibility for the cleaning and any possible damage done by a contaminated cloth be mine. I have had knives scratched that way and there is no good way to deal with that problem except to take the knife off the table. What many don't think about (but it goes through my mind like a flash) is what he just wiped off the other guy's knife is now being wiped onto mine. I really hope that no one takes offence if we ask them not to wipe down the knife after handling it, but it is something we would rather do.

I have no problem with people picking up knives off the table. That is what they are out there for. It is fine if they ask first and I try to do that myself. One thing that does is let the maker know that you have one off the table. It can get hectic at times and we do like to wipe the knives down after they have been handled. It just helps the maker keep up with his knives and keep them clean.

One thing that probably doesn't even need to be mentioned is if you see something going on, don't hesitate to let the maker know about it. We have had people switch sheaths on knives, peal prices off, and scratch knives deliberately. We had one guy start moving knives around on the table for no apparent reason. Others have had knives stolen. Not everybody is at the show for the same reason. It can be hard to keep up with what is going on with several people at the table at the same time and all it takes is one crook to ruin a show for you. The more eyes you have watching out the better.

I would not ask to pick up a knife that had a sold sticker on it. That one belongs to someone other than the maker now and if I damaged it in some way, could cause some hard feelings that money couldn't fix. I won't ask so the maker doesn't have to turn me down.

I like the way Murray described it... It is an us situation.
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I'm going with this post. seems I can't go wrong & if otherwise we'll talk.
 
Kohai999 said:
...Far too many times there will be spit bubbles about the size of a sharpened #2 pencil tip on the blades...if not removed quickly, they will burn a permanent, ALMOST microscopic ring into the blade, carbon or stainless.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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I had a table next to Dennis Friendly at a show years ago. He referred to these spit bubbles as "Verbal Leavings". I almost wet my pants....:D

As to how customers act at my table, about the only thing that aggravates me is when a customer treats a knife carelessly, usually when putting it down. Customers who put knives down carefully, in the same place they picked it up, make me happy.

Aside from that, it's pretty easy to handle any question that a customer may ask. IMO, there's no need for a maker to take an attitude with any customer, even if the customer is asking "newbie" type questions.
 
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