When demonstrating to the public, I an often asked if I shoe horses (I don't) or am told that the "I want to learn just enough blacksmithing so I can make a sword", as mentioned in a recent post. Many people ask the same questions over and over, too; whatever they might be, such as "Is that a real fire?" The list goes on and on.
To all of them I give polite answers. It doesn't matter to me if I am answering the same question over and over. I just assume the person didn't get it the first time(s). In this public demonstrating mode, I am there to educate and to provide an enjoyable experience for those who came that day.
Sooooooo----- to the guy who says he wants to make a knife I say
"That's good. You have chosen a respected craft to become involved in. You have, however, chosen one of the toughest parts of it. Sword making comes at the end of learning blacksmithing, not at the beginning. If you are interested, I can tell you more." Then I go one (if they want). I also inform them about our club, offer a brochure that we always happen to have handy and tell them about our training schedule. For those who are REALLY interested in beginning or investigating blacksmithing, I might invite the person to try it at my shop. You never know for sure which of those "I wanna make a knife" people are simply "Conan's" or whether they get hooked on the craft. I could name dozens of people in our clubs who, with a kind answer to a simple question gravitated our way over the years. Many of them now instruct in our basic workshops.
I have had the occasional "smart ass", too. When I get one, I pretend they were making an honest commment and attempt to turn the reply into a positive tool. When they see that they don't "get my goat", they wander away.
Oh, the knife maker wanna bee---- If the person shows even a little interest, I adjust my demo for (usually a "him"), while still keeping an eye on the interest level of the rest of the crowd. You see, many people don't ask questions of they don't make comments that are in their mind, so when they hear someone else say something, they usually crowd in to hear the reply, too. So, as I explain the processes the person will need to learn, I will draw a piece out (always making some sort of end product), etc.. to show how it's done. AND---- I LOVE to get the crowd involved in heat treating which, of course, I can fit in easily with sword making. So, I make a "Striker" or fire starter; you know; the old flint and steel kit. It is just wonderful to me to see the people gather closer as I talk about the magic of hardening while I quickly whip out a simple striker after demonstrating making a fire with one. After that demo is done, you see who hangs around to ask questions and go from there.
Even the "old timer" who stops by to tell me that I can't forge weld in that shallow fire gets a smile. I just keep on welding up chain while saying "no, I don't s'pose you can".
Pete Stanaitis