A mall knife store story

M

mycroftt

Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Messages
7,350
So I went into the mall knife store the other day - you know, just to "look around". I wasn't really shopping for another knife.

Well, before you know it, I had two sales folk laying out an array of Spyderco's, Kershaw's. Benchmade's, Camilli, etc., and I was showing off the fit and finish of my Spyderco Kiwi and pontificating on my favorite steels, grinds, sharpening methods, etc. (I don't care what anyone says - the Kiwi is one SWEET little knife).

But I wasn't there to buy so I didn't buy a new knife! ISN'T THAT AMAZIN'?





Well, OK - it isn't technically true. I did buy an Opinel #8 in high carbon steel but it was only $6.99 so that doesn't really count, right? It's my first Opinel and I took it home and stropped it up to hair poppin' sharp and it'll be my EDC for a little while - especially when I go to the farmers markets this summer - YUM!

Mike
 
What is this thing you call "mall knife store"? We don't have any of those here. What do they look like?

Actually, there *used* to be a store at my local mall that seemed to sell swords and who knows what else but it looked so cheesy from the outside that I could never bring myself to go in. My loss, maybe. Maybe not. But it didn't last very long, go figure. There doesn't seem to be much call for swords down here in tobacco/peanut/pecan/peach/cotton country.

The closest I've seen to a knife store was Ranger Joe's in Columbus and everything there was horribly overpriced.

There is a hunting supply store nearby that I've only been to once but I wasn't looking for knives at the time so I don't know what they have. Didn't feel entirely comfortable in there.

Oh, I forgot Wal Mart, didn't I? :/

I envy you guys who have real stores nearby.
I do know a place where I can buy guitars and guitar accessories, that's not only nearby, but also not a Guitar Center. I've only heard bad things about those. Sorry for my brief tangent.
 
I've often entertained the thought in idle moments of having a real cutlery store but I think the monster marts would just kill me.
 
but it was only $6.99
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Not only was it a real knife store, and they were willing to talk knives, but they didn't even overcharge you?

Gimmee the address. I'm moving.
 
I am from metro atlanta (don't hate me untill you get to know me) and believe it or not there are not very many good knife shops up here, that I know of anyways. (if anyone knows of one don't be shy) If you live anywhere near Savannah there is a shop called Outman's knife and cigar that has all the cheesey swords and junk but the also have everything from low end to mid to high end production knives, Microtech, MOD, Benchmade, Tops, ect... Now there is one problem here, the prices SUCK! Today I called down there for a Microtech Mini SOCOM elite Auto, which I have found several places online for 129.99, they told me that it was going to cost me 179.99. That really sucks when Microtech's MSRP is 125.00-130.00. But the people there are very nice and helpful. It sounds like you may live in the western part of our state given your crop decription, but if you ever get to Savannah give them a shot. Also there is a really cool knife store in Atlanta that is opening at the Cobb Galaria on June 5th that will have everything you could ever want and more and hopefully at a good price.
 
I find mall stores very useful. They usually have a very good selection.

I go to the mall store, try out what I like, then go to a real knife store and get it for a fraction of the cost. For example the $700+tax MT Scarab I bought for $400 OTD.
 
At a mall in Santa Monica, CA, there is a Victorinox store. It looked as though they carry everything made by Victorinox, except knives.
 
It is pretty much a given that anything at my local mall knife store will cost exactly twice as much as I can get it for online. Luckily, I don't live too far from Nordic Knives, so I can drop in there when I'm in the area and see what a real knife store is like.
 
Every big mall I've been to around here (Seattle) has an Excalibur (?) cutlery store in it. They have some good stuff - Benchmades, Spydercos, Bucks, CRKT's, etc - and some cheesy stuff (shiny 420J2 Gil Hibben fantasy knives. Want a replica of the sword from the movie Highlander, anyone?). Their prices are horrible, though. I can't see paying $60.00 for a Delica, or 120.00 for an AUS-6 SOG fixed blade.

Jeremy
 
The stores in malls around here (same company/owner) seem to sell knives right at retail price. IE: $200 for a Benchmade 42 Bali-Song, $190 for a 921, $65 for a Spyderco Delica. He waned like $320 *ON SPECIAL* for a Small Sebenza (although granted, it was a limited BG-42 tanto). $700 for a Microtech Terzoula!! :eek:

In his defence he did have a lot of hard to find limited production and special models. But these were even more outragously priced.
 
lemme guess....you went to Chesapeake Knife & Tool?

They have those in VA/DC/MD...I love to go in there and not buy anything. I must drive them crazy...:D
 
I believe in supporting local business, but I can't see how knife stores survive with the prices they charge. I stepped in at a local knife shop for the first time a few weeks ago because someone on here called them a "local treasure". I'm a newbie at a lot of this knife stuff, but I tried out a William Henry limited edition, a Sebenza and a few other high dollar productions but did not buy. I felt bad about wasting their time so I went back a few days later and bought a plane jane Kershaw silver Leek. $70!! No bargaining permited. Ugh. Never again. But I figure that I can go in there and try out the next 5 knives I buy before I go buy them online - and I can do it without any guilt.
 
We in Birmingham are blessed with some good knife retailers. Southeastern Guns in Trussville, Mark's Outdoor Sports in Vestavia, Campbell's Hardware in East Lake. Mark's even schedules events with makers and representatives of various manufacturers in his store. Chris Reeves was scheduled this month but had to cancel. Benchmade reps were in the store last weekend.
Prices are reasonable, too.
 
Somehow I ended up within reasonable driving distance (50 miles) of Smoky Mountain Knife Works. Selection and price. I must have done something right in a former life.
 
Moondrop Scribes

"There is a hunting supply store nearby that I've only been to once but I wasn't looking for knives at the time so I don't know what they have. Didn't feel entirely comfortable in there."

What do you mean you don't feel entirely comfortable....

It's a Frigging Hunting store,,how could you possibly NOT feel comfortable...

I don't care where the store was,and if there were aliens behind the counter.. I'd still feel comfortable...

That's just NOT Right!

ttyle

Eric...
 
I believe in supporting local business, but I can't see how knife stores survive with the prices they charge.

The fact is, they can't survive without a reasonable profit to cover their overhead. They make their sales to "mall cruisers" who are not knife knutz and folks into the fantasy knives and swords. Dealers like Shephard Hills, Smoky Mountain, New Graham, etc., get sufficient volumn with their internet/catalog sales to keep their margins slim.
 
pendentive said:
lemme guess....you went to Chesapeake Knife & Tool?

They have those in VA/DC/MD...I love to go in there and not buy anything. I must drive them crazy...:D
Click to expand...

BINGO! It was Chesapeake Knife and Tool in the Potomac Mills Mall. They carry a pretty decent selection of real knives and are not overloaded with all that cheesy "collector" stuff like LOTR swords and Star Trek batleff (or whatever Worf called that thing he used to swing around). They usually have a couple of decent models on sale too.

I'm loving this Opinel! I'm sitting around slicing apples and peaches just so I can use it. Does anybody have advice on how to get a nice patina on the carbon steel blade?
 
mustard-finish

has an "almost damascus" look to it and will prevent further tarnishing.

After you use the knife with a mustard finish, wash with soap and water. Don't use a buffing or polishing cloth. That will take the finish away.....duh...:D

This came up in a recent Blade article....I may have a scan somewhere if you're interested.
 
Don M said:
Somehow I ended up within reasonable driving distance (50 miles) of Smoky Mountain Knife Works. Selection and price. I must have done something right in a former life.
Click to expand...

For twenty something odd years, I was within 7 hours of SMKW. I call that reasonable. :D

About every 3 months I'd take orders from friends, and make a road trip.
 
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