Those weird looks when you tell people you make knives... Helping people understand?

Tait

Tait

Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
576
Jonathan Wolff mentioned on another thread that:

And generally I get a very inquisitive, confused and baffled reaction from people when I tell them I make knives....
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I'm pretty sure he and I aren't the only people who have seen that kind of response. Anybody else had that reaction?

Sometimes I wonder if people aren't thinking of shanks from their favorite prison video.

Any ideas or advice from others on how to direct their curiosity in productive directions? How about, instead of "I make knives", we said something like:

- "I make custom knives."
- "I make high end hunting knives."
- "I make high performance camping knives."
- "I sell hand crafted custom knives."
- "I create handmade kitchen knives for custom applications."

What has worked for others?
 
When I went to Sears the other week to get my sander the salesman asked what I was planning to make, I told him I make knives just to shorten the conversation because of the reaction I knew I would get (truth is I'm just starting out). Sure enough he gives a dumbfounded look.

But I think "I make custom knives/cutlery" sounds a lot better than just saying "Oh, I make knives".
 
I know where you're coming from,but if they dont "get it" its their problem,not yours.Some recognize the craft and art involved,but many dont.You'll just get blank looks ifyou try to explain usually.Go Cowboys! Jets :thumbdn:
 
I get them occasionally, but I also get people who are actively interested in it and ask what kinds and how I sell them.
 
I can only imagine, as it's bad enough when you say you collect them. They picture ninjadom or something. Then they see what I carry, faint, and I kill them:)
 
Orrrrrrr, I explain what kind of knives I collect, and they usually think it's cool or ask questions about what I look for in knives, etc. Then I kill them......
 
If your first answer is "I edit the monthly newsletter for Al-Qaeda" then you say "no, just kidding, I make custom knives", that might break the ice a bit.:D
 
Great thread Tait :thumbup:

Unfortunately knives in general get a bad rep from the media and laws surrounding them. Most people I talk to don't consider them a "tool" but a "weapon" and that is why they seem to be scared off by the prospect of someone making "weapons" as a hobby :rolleyes:

"What do I need a knife for?"
Well what do knives do.... Cut things.
"Well why can't I use a pair of scissors?"
How often do you carry a pair of scissors in your back pocket...

Like Seals said some people just won't get it. I would much rather pay more attention to people who show a general interest in the craft and would rather learn more about it than just blindly condemn it.
 
I just tell them I enjoy swimming, and keeping my body completely shaved makes me faster. So it was a natural progression to make my very own, very sharp objects.
 
I've had the full range of responses, from those that are really intrigued, to looks of contempt, to, "Why don't you just buy a knife?"
 
My welding instructor was ecstatic when I brought it up

But he's not normal ethier...
 
Tell them you make knives. If it turns them off, oh well. If they are interested and want to strike up a conversation, elaborate. The ones with preconceived notions as to knives being bad or dangerous will not care how you put it.

I sold firearms as side business (licensed of course) for several years. Never had anyone question me as to why, but when I told more than a few, you could tell by the look they were a little shocked especially if I told them I sold them out of my home. Most were thrilled and wanted price quotes.
 
If they seem freaked out, mention kitchen or hunting knives. People seem to understand that.

Or you can tell them you are making de-animation tools for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.
 
I will usually say i make custom knives.....(tilt head/confusion) would you like to see one? very deliberate slow presentation of knife, or damascus for me ..damascus shatters the ice and art and aww come to mind, and did you make the damascus, and what kind of handle is that? I imagine introducing a beautiful folder w/ mammoth and jewels has got to be an awesome feeling...bottomline for me is i like to give an example and let it do the talking otherwise i just start rambling on about this and that, and a business card handy to pass on. GHaile
 
I just keep a nice picture of a chef knife on my iPhone. If that doesn't work, I reach for my belt knife and show them that.
 
We've all been there. I had an acquaintance who works at the salon next to the tavern that I manage say she heard me talking about grinding steel with one of my customers and she asked me what I was talking about. I told her that I made custom knives and she instantly said, "Ewwww, that's a creepy hobby" This gal is pretty street smart and hip and I was taken aback. After showing her one of my knives and talking with her a little bit about what we do she actually ordered a custom from me for her father.

It's up to you, to us, to ensure that the perception of what we do is positive. Nobody else is going to champion knife makers to the public except for actual knife makers and maybe some collectors. I just try to educate folks I know whenever I have the opportunity and usually it ends up positive. I think it's up to all of us to do that whenever we have the chance.

Good thread
 
I once showed an interested friend a knife I made at a party. There was a guy there that was looking at it from a distance, and came over to check it out. He asked me were I got that knife from? I told him I made it. He said "Can't you just buy knives" I said "Ya' you can buy them from me". Once I explained the process he was almost enlightened to the fact the not all knives come out of some magical factory somewhere.
 
melsdad said:
Once I explained the process he was almost enlightened to the fact the not all knives come out of some magical factory somewhere.
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I'll try to be serious for a moment because that's a great point. In our disposable "culture" many people really have forgotten that food, tools and other important items don't just drop out of the sky. I've noticed that people who put a premium on craftsmanship and quality, whether it someone who collects fine art or watches, or a person that's really into fine food, or someone who builds his own hot rod, are very likely to understand a nice handmade knife. People who are accustomed to putting lots of unneeded junk on their credit card and tossing it away when they get bored with it... not so much.

It sounds a bit judgemental, but sometimes it's not worth throwing pearls before swine. Some men, you just can't reach ;)
 
In my generations day and time that answer would have meant that you have learned or are learning a valuable trade or profession. However in this politically correct world a lot of folks minds take them to a place like, "did you just say you make bombs"?

Ah no I just said I have learned to do something with my hands that equates to elevating me to the level of, some one who is knowledgeable and you to the position of duh! In other words you will be among the first too perish from the earth!

No seriously it is just something you have to deal with. Only a certain percentage of this country understand what it means to be able to do some thing that involves using your hands and those who don't well it automatically puts you on a level beneath them. Their are others that immediately see it as some thing akin to being a terrorist or some crazy out there. These groups of people there is little hope for.

I usually try and head off the responses by telling them that I do custom work. Let them ask what kind and lead into I make precision cutting instruments. That usually opens the door for more intelligent conversation. And then depending on the person I let them dictate where the rest of the conversation goes!
 
I get about a 50-50 split when I tell people I make knives, every thing from "cool do you sell them and can I come look" to "why make them when you can just buy them". The worst reaction I got when I told someone that I made knives was a look of terror and a I better not make you angry comment. To put that last one in perspective I am all of 5'8" very soft spoken and polite, the person that made the comment was over 6' and around 250# biker looking guy with an attitude. The fact that I made knives really freaked him out.

Now that I have moved back to a small town the reactions are much more positive, and I get a couple visits a month from people wanting to see my knives and how I make them, I even got an invite to a knife and gun show:confused:
 
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