Some customers are just jerks.

[Keith Montgomery]

In this world there are lots of inconsiderate, rude, belligerent people. You will find that some of these people are going to be found attending knife shows.

This thread reminds me of a time when I attended a show quite a few years ago. I witnessed a maker standing there while a person criticised his knives in a very rude way. He stood there and took the abuse and said nothing. When this person left the table, I walked up to take a look at his knives and was greeted in a not very friendly manner. Having witnessed what had just happened I casually said to him, "Not having a very good day, Huh?". He looked at me and broke out into a big grin and apologized. We talked for a while and he turned out to be a very nice fella that was at his first show. Things had not been going his way. It was the last day of the show and he had only sold one knife. When we were finished talking I purchased a nice little hunting knife that was very reasonably priced. I sure hope the show went better for him after that.

If I had taken offence to his attitude when he had first greeted me, I would have left thinking he was a real jerk. I would have been dead wrong.

Edited for punctuation correction.

 

[the possum]

I've only had one bad customer. But the other two are outstanding gentleman who put up with all the abuse I dish out. (mostly making them wait a long time) I'm lucky, I guess. These two guys have me backlogged for years; I don't want any more business. 'Course, the fact that one is also a knifemaker probably helps with his understanding. His name is Mike Tamboli, and those of you who've met him probably know what a fine gentleman he is. The other is a very interesting fellow who collects anything fancy. I hope Butterfield and Butterfield handle his estate auction someday. (or that he wills it to me! )

 

[Ed Fowler]

Way to go Keith, those kind of thoughts and actions are what make the world of knives a good place to be. You very probably made his day and will be remembered as one of the good guys which you most certainly are.