Anyone from Central Iowa?

Terry M.

Terry M.

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My apologies to the powers that be if this is not the right forum for this question, but.....

Is there anyone on here that is from centra Iowa? More to the point, I'm looking for a good knife shop or someplace that carries a wide variety of knives. The only place I've found so far is Scheels and that's about as good as it gets here. At least that I've found so far.

Help!
 
Well, Terry, I'm in Sioux Falls, SD these days but I was fortunate enough to spend my childhood on the south side of Des Moines and I still have family there. I get to town at least once every three months if not more often. To be honest, I've never been able to find a dealer any better than Scheel's in that area either. Although I'm told there is a Sportsman's Warehouse out in Ankeny and if the selection at that Sportsman's Warehouse is anything like the one here in Sioux Falls then you should definitely check it out. The one here carries virtually the entire Benchmade line as well as a large assortment of Kershaws, Bucks, SOGs, and CRKTs. Many knife companies have dealer locator functions on their websites that allows you to search for dealers by area code as well and that might help you locate some new stores.
 
Hey Max! South side, huh? That's where I was born and raised and still live. Just curious, what street did you grow up on? Wouldn't that be weird if we were neighbors at one time?

Sportsman's Warehouse? Hmmm.... I have heard of that, but never made it up there to check out. I'll have to do that sometime soon.
Thanks!
 
Hey Terry,

I spent my entire childhood just a few blocks away from SW 14th and Army Post. Specifically just a few blocks South of that particular intersection.
 
The Ankeny "Sportsman Warehouse" didn't have much of a knife selection, it is just like the other SW I visited, in St. Cloud, MN.

The best bet in Iowa for knives are gun shows in Des Moines.
 
Hi Terry, I live in SE Iowa and do most of my shopping in Iowa City. There, the only real option is Scheels. There is a Fin and Feather in IC, however their selection is mostly Kershaw and Buck. Scheels carries Benchmade, Spyderco, Cold Steel, CRKT, SOG, Kershaw, Buck, Gerber, some Knives of Alaska, and United Cutlery (:jerkit:). I don't get up by Des Moines very often to make a good referral for you, unfortunately!

I've purchased all of 1 knife from Scheels because they OVERPRICE almost everything. It was a BM Gravitator 425BK which they had listed at $125, which was about as good as a price that I could find on the web at that time. The Scheels in Iowa City has a BM710 HS for $180 that has sat there for months (I wouldn't even consider touching it for less than $130 - about what I paid for mine with an online vendor + shipping). Because of lack of options, I do most of my shopping online. For that reason, I do appreciate Scheels as it does allow me to see/handle knives before I buy them.

I get down to St Louie a few times a year, and have every intention of visiting Grand Prairie Knives the next time I am in the area (located in Troy IL, website is gpknives.com). I've been to a few other knife/sports stores in St Louis and have walked away disappointed with selection (Gerber, Buck, not much else) so I am excited at the prospect of checking out a blade warehouse such as GPKnives. I am hoping their store has a fairly wide selection of production blades based upon their website selection.
 
I went to college in Ames and lived about five years in Cedar Rapids.
 
I was just in Cedar Rapids a couple weeks ago. I always visit the Sheels store in Iowa City when I go there. I don't know about their other stores but, the Iowa City store has an outstanding firearms section. So many samples, past and present. It is truly awesome.

The knife section is somewhat fractured in that they seem to carry some models from several lines but, not all models from any one line. Like "Deadhead Archer" said, they tend to be overpriced. Somewhere a deal lurks, but you have to look for it.

I looked hard at that 710HS and, would have purchased it if it was even reasonably competitively priced. But at $180, I passed. Nevertheless, it readily shaves hair off your arm and looks to be a perfect sample of a great knife.
 
Hey, I'm from Boone so I'm familiar with your predicament. Scheels seems to have a decent selection as does Sportsmans Warehouse, but only if you are looking for small to medium folders. Also, their head 'knife guy' seems to have no idea whatsoever as to what model names are, indicating to me that there is a lack of general product knowledge. So read up here and on other websites and then go see what they feel like at Scheel's / SW and if they have what you want buy if from them, if not from the internet. I recently purchased my first real knife (spyderco millitary) online after getting a feel for similar knives at SW. Hope that helps?
 
I have to add and say that I found the "knife guy" and his supervisor at Scheels in Iowa City are both reasonably knowledgeable guys. I was looking at the display while the knife guy was taking inventory and pricing models. We spoke for several minutes about different models of production knives, and he mentioned trying to get the store supervisor's permission to get a few more higher-end knives in. He came across to me as a knife enthusiast as well, while maybe not to BFC caliber.

When I purchased the BM Grav, they took me to the register in the "home decor" area where the floor super was, and he commented "G-10 Bolsters and Scales...Ruh-ruh-ruh!" (ala "Home Improvement")

But if you get one of the other "floor people" YMMV. There is a huge wall of United Cutlery trash, but for some reason I've repressed most of that memory... :jerkit:

I know that they also carry the Spyderco Spyker, but at +$220 they have to be out of their collective minds! BM960s for $160...etc

I still keep going back though, just because MAYBE I'll find a deal - or I'll get to handle something. Alas for living in the middle of nowhere! :(
 
MaxFisher said:
Hey Terry,

I spent my entire childhood just a few blocks away from SW 14th and Army Post. Specifically just a few blocks South of that particular intersection.
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Hey, I know that area real well. Had a good friend that lived down south of that intersection. What a small world. :D
 
Hey, glad to see some other folks in the area or at least visiting. :)

I know what you all mean, the Scheels in WDSM is outrageously priced. Their Delica 4 is damn near $60 bucks and I can get it on-line for ~ $50 and that's with shipping. I do like "playing" with the knives though. Like a couple of you said, it at least gives you a chance to get hands on.
 
Terry Monk said:
Hey, glad to see some other folks in the area or at least visiting. :)

I know what you all mean, the Scheels in WDSM is outrageously priced. Their Delica 4 is damn near $60 bucks and I can get it on-line for ~ $50 and that's with shipping. I do like "playing" with the knives though. Like a couple of you said, it at least gives you a chance to get hands on.
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The Scheels up here where I'm at will price match any internet dealer on their knives providing 2 things. 1. They match the internet price w/the shipping added in and 2. It has to be a dealer and not Ebay or something similar.
 
MaxFisher said:
The Scheels up here where I'm at will price match any internet dealer on their knives providing 2 things. 1. They match the internet price w/the shipping added in and 2. It has to be a dealer and not Ebay or something similar.
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I've debated about trying that route - but decided the instant gratification factor isn't worth it. Perhaps they can sucker someone else into buying it...but a smart shopper will research before they buy! :cool:
 
Deadhead Archer said:
I've debated about trying that route - but decided the instant gratification factor isn't worth it. Perhaps they can sucker someone else into buying it...but a smart shopper will research before they buy! :cool:
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Um, I don't understand the second part of your post.
 
MaxFisher said:
Um, I don't understand the second part of your post.
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Sorry, I meant that Scheels is still a department store and is priced as such.

I've debated about trying to bargain Scheels down, but figured it wasn't worth it. They might not barter because they are waiting for someone who may not know better and may be willing to buy regardless.

Who knows - if that BM 710 HS is still there (after 3 months now) and priced at $180...maybe I will make an offer... :cool:
 
You might be a day late and a dollar short, cause I will be there again in about a month and....well you know what I'm gonna do. I looked over that knife closely and, it's fine sample of the 710HS. I wish you would get it before I have to.
 
rnhood said:
You might be a day late and a dollar short, cause I will be there again in about a month and....well you know what I'm gonna do. I looked over that knife closely and, it's fine sample of the 710HS. I wish you would get it before I have to.
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I had foot surgery in Iowa City in November, and had a bunch of follow-ups. Every time I went up there, I usually ended up at Scheels. The surgery was a success, by the way, and my recovery went well! :cool:

If I am correct, next time I'll be up there is the end of March for my last follow up.

Do you own a 710 HS? I got one online about a month back for a lot less...but since the M2 is obsolete it's oh so tempting... If you don't have one, I highly recommend getting one! It is by far the BEST folder I've ever owned. I've got 2 Swamp Rats on the way so even when I do go up I likely won't be able to afford the 710 (unless by an act of God!!!)
 
I do not have a 710HS but, there is a 710-02 in a local store. I have been pondering over this one. It is not M2 steel but, in my opinion its a better looking 710 than the "-HS" version. However, I will likely wait until I go back to CR and visit Sheels again, drool over the firearms, then buy that 710HS if it is still there. If not then I will get the 710-02 when I return to Raleigh.
 
Deadhead Archer said:
Sorry, I meant that Scheels is still a department store and is priced as such.

I've debated about trying to bargain Scheels down, but figured it wasn't worth it. They might not barter because they are waiting for someone who may not know better and may be willing to buy regardless.

Who knows - if that BM 710 HS is still there (after 3 months now) and priced at $180...maybe I will make an offer... :cool:
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All right. Now I get what you were saying and I feel kind of stupid. For some reason it just didn't make sense right off the bat. But, of course, I had just finished a physics exam about 15 minutes before I got the computer lab and read it so...anyway. I've never actually done it myself but I have a buddy who has gotten some knives from them under their price match policy. From what he told me, if you bring in a print out of the web page listing they'll match that price plus shipping. I'm guessing this isn't the kind of thing where they'll tell you know no just cuz they think they can get the full retail out of someone else down the road.
 
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