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

Markb: looking at knives with a loop is kind of like standing outside on a busy street looking up. Pretty soon you will have everyone looking up.
One of my first knife shows a man asked if he could use a loop, I said sure - pretty soon the isle was loaded for folks waiting for him to announce what he saw. Finally I asked him to come behind my table, have a chair and look to his hearts content. eventualy he bought a few knives, I asked him what he was looking for with his loop? He smiled and said "I was just waiting to see what you would think!"

What will you be looking for?
 
I wouldn't use a loop or magnifier myself, but was wondering if it was acceptable practice and if they are used in judging as in best of show etc.

I've been chasing scratches, that's what brought the question to mind and I thought, if I were to sell this knife, would someone look at my mirror polish or guard fit with magnification. I guess it's kind of, a what's good enough question.
 
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markb said:
I wouldn't use a loop or magnifier myself, but was wondering if it was acceptable practice and if they are used in judging as in best of show etc.

I've been chasing scratches, that's what brought the question to mind and I thought, if I were to sell this knife, would someone look at my mirror polish or guard fit with magnification. I guess it's kind of, a what's good enough question.
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I do know the judges at the ABS JS and MS dont use magnification of any kind. A couple times I've had potential buyers at knife shows pull out a small loop and eyeball it over.
 
Even before a slight eyesight problem developed, I used a loupe to inspect and compare consistency in engraved areas of any newly-made knife. And with engraved knives from the secondary market (read that Warenskis), using a loupe spots the problems that otherwise go unseen in the depths of the engravings.

Fit and finish are pretty easy to judge, but sometimes any engraved areas need that extra help a loupe offers me. But I think I'd look pretty silly using a loupe on an unengraved knife even today, probably.

Bob
 
I always use a magnifier when making a knife, but have only seen a few people using them at shows. One man comes to mind that had a magnifier on when he walked up. Heck, he had it on when he walked off too. He looked kind of odd with it on but not nearly as odd as a lot of people at the Blade Show. He picked up several knives and looked at them, but didn't buy one until he held it up next to his ear and ran his fingers over the edge listening to it. I never did figure that one out. I just figured he had eye problems and if a magnifier makes him feel better about our knives, more power to the magnifier!

I've never had anyone throw a knife back on the table, but I have heard of it happening before. I guess it is so far from what I am used to at a knife show it is hard for me to understand what kind of circumstances would make a person do something like that.
 
Happened to me at my second show, man slammed it down into another knife. I don't know why, but wanted badly to invite him outside to discuss it. Glad I did not.
 
I don't generally carry a loupe, however it's difficult to fully appreciate fine engraving without one.

I don't feel a collector putting a knife, which has caught their eye at a show, through a thorough inspection is rude to the maker.
I see it as more a necessity to help insure the collector gets best value and long term enjoyment from the knives they purchase.
I'm often asked by other collectors to inspect knives they are interested in. If I'm taking on that responsibility, I'm more likely to do an even more thorough inspection than if I were considering the knife for my collection.

A collector should NEVER offer critique to a maker at his table or in public unless specifically asked for such by the maker.

Table inspections should be done in a courteous and inconspicuous manner without comments, sounds or facial expressions while fulling respecting the maker, knife and bystanders.
 
stephanfowler said:
I bring my own stool because I hate using the low chairs, I want to be able to slip off of the stool and be standing as soon as a customer comes to the table.

that said, I NEED a place to sit as I have arthritis issues in my hips and if I stand all day long I will be screwed.
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Cool Ill stop by your table 1000 times at blade and see if your first stand up time is as fast as the 1000 :) lol
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