We know there are rules for gun shows, but there are similar (and some different) etiquette rules for knife show. Below are some over the years I've learned (and that Blade Magazine has put out).
•Always ask permission before picking up a knife from the table. I've had people grab a knife and then when they were told what it was and what it cost literally drop it (literally, DROP). Try to treat the maker or seller like you would want to be treated.
*Handle the knife by the handle and don't handle the blade. Hours went into making a custom knife and the maker doesn't need your DNA or corrosive oils/sweat damaging it until after you've bought it.
•If it’s a folding knife ask before you open it (though most every folder maker will expect you to open it, check the action, etc). Do NOT try to impress by wrist flipping a one hand opener until you buy it. If it’s a multi-blade, NEVER open more than one blade at a time to prevent putting too much pressure on the backsprings. These behaviors can cause undue wear and tear, especially if you're the 10 dufus in 10 minutes that's done it. Once the knife is yours you can flick or dynamically open the knife however you like (as long as you don't drop it or fling it away onto some innocent bystander). PS: If you open the blade(s), close it/them before handing the knife back to the maker.
•Be careful when you are examining an exhibitor’s knife not to spray spittle on the knife. Spit, if not wiped off, can cause “spit pits,” or tiny rust spots. It is bad enough to have to clean the glass on a case 2 and 3 times a day from "spitters", but having to wipe and oil and rewipe every knife they handle trying to find every single spot is trying.
*Don't bleed on the knife! IOW, don't test the edge with your thumb or finger. If it is a custom knife, the maker may have left the final edge to the buyer to establish as they like. If it is a production knife you don't want the dealer to have put a razor edge on it and you bleed all over their table and knives. If you must test the edge use your nail and not the meaty bit. Just drag the edge over your thumbnail and feel the bite of it.
•Never interrupt an ongoing conversation at the table. The maker might be selling a knife and if you barge in and start blabbing away, it may chase the buying customer off. Besides that, it’s rude.
•While it is understood you shouldn't use a corner of someone else's table to make a deal of your own or block their table while you wheel and deal you should try to keep conversations in front of their table short and about their knives. If you're reconnecting with old pals, move off to the intersection of the aisle or the canteen where you can reminisce about old times. Those tables cost considerable money and the knives on them represent considerable time and effort and blocking potential sales is not only rube, but interfering with a maker's livelihood.
•If have no intention of buying a knife and see someone next to you who is interested in buying a knife, politely bow out and give way to the potential buyer so the guy can try to make a living.
•Before leaving the table, unless you are really going to do it, resist the urge to tell the maker, “I’ll be back.” I know it seems like it is uncomfortable to just walk off after wishing you could buy a knife, but "Thanks for letting me look at them, they're beautiful." is better than pretending you'll actually be back.
•You may be able to haggle over price with custom knifemakers, but they know how much time, effort and materials they put into a knife. If you don’t like the price, move on after a polite dicker.
•Using a loupe to examine an antique knife is expected, but don’t use one to examine the custom maker’s knife at the maker’s table. If it’s a custom knife sold by a purveyor, that’s different. After all, you want a perfect knife and need to look closely or if you have a question about the knife’s authenticity, it is possible that the purveyor made a mistake in buying the knife. We all make mistakes at times (and some doofus may have dropped it on the table in shock without the dealer knowing?
*Teach the people with you the rules. If you bring someone with you that doesn't know the rules you're responsible for helping them understand the rules so they don't damage themselves or the maker's work.
What other "rules" are good to list?
•Always ask permission before picking up a knife from the table. I've had people grab a knife and then when they were told what it was and what it cost literally drop it (literally, DROP). Try to treat the maker or seller like you would want to be treated.
*Handle the knife by the handle and don't handle the blade. Hours went into making a custom knife and the maker doesn't need your DNA or corrosive oils/sweat damaging it until after you've bought it.
•If it’s a folding knife ask before you open it (though most every folder maker will expect you to open it, check the action, etc). Do NOT try to impress by wrist flipping a one hand opener until you buy it. If it’s a multi-blade, NEVER open more than one blade at a time to prevent putting too much pressure on the backsprings. These behaviors can cause undue wear and tear, especially if you're the 10 dufus in 10 minutes that's done it. Once the knife is yours you can flick or dynamically open the knife however you like (as long as you don't drop it or fling it away onto some innocent bystander). PS: If you open the blade(s), close it/them before handing the knife back to the maker.
•Be careful when you are examining an exhibitor’s knife not to spray spittle on the knife. Spit, if not wiped off, can cause “spit pits,” or tiny rust spots. It is bad enough to have to clean the glass on a case 2 and 3 times a day from "spitters", but having to wipe and oil and rewipe every knife they handle trying to find every single spot is trying.
*Don't bleed on the knife! IOW, don't test the edge with your thumb or finger. If it is a custom knife, the maker may have left the final edge to the buyer to establish as they like. If it is a production knife you don't want the dealer to have put a razor edge on it and you bleed all over their table and knives. If you must test the edge use your nail and not the meaty bit. Just drag the edge over your thumbnail and feel the bite of it.
•Never interrupt an ongoing conversation at the table. The maker might be selling a knife and if you barge in and start blabbing away, it may chase the buying customer off. Besides that, it’s rude.
•While it is understood you shouldn't use a corner of someone else's table to make a deal of your own or block their table while you wheel and deal you should try to keep conversations in front of their table short and about their knives. If you're reconnecting with old pals, move off to the intersection of the aisle or the canteen where you can reminisce about old times. Those tables cost considerable money and the knives on them represent considerable time and effort and blocking potential sales is not only rube, but interfering with a maker's livelihood.
•If have no intention of buying a knife and see someone next to you who is interested in buying a knife, politely bow out and give way to the potential buyer so the guy can try to make a living.
•Before leaving the table, unless you are really going to do it, resist the urge to tell the maker, “I’ll be back.” I know it seems like it is uncomfortable to just walk off after wishing you could buy a knife, but "Thanks for letting me look at them, they're beautiful." is better than pretending you'll actually be back.
•You may be able to haggle over price with custom knifemakers, but they know how much time, effort and materials they put into a knife. If you don’t like the price, move on after a polite dicker.
•Using a loupe to examine an antique knife is expected, but don’t use one to examine the custom maker’s knife at the maker’s table. If it’s a custom knife sold by a purveyor, that’s different. After all, you want a perfect knife and need to look closely or if you have a question about the knife’s authenticity, it is possible that the purveyor made a mistake in buying the knife. We all make mistakes at times (and some doofus may have dropped it on the table in shock without the dealer knowing?
*Teach the people with you the rules. If you bring someone with you that doesn't know the rules you're responsible for helping them understand the rules so they don't damage themselves or the maker's work.
What other "rules" are good to list?
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