Are all the knife stores gone?

[22-rimfire]

I need to visit Marks in Birmingham sometime I have time and down that way.

The day of mall based knife stores is over. They simply don't sell enough knives to stay in business and as a result of their overhead their pricing even then was high even before there was the internet. The only kinds of cutting tools I ever purchased in places like that were really good scissors.

I have not visited the knife store in Huntsville. Would like to sometime, but I know it's small. Have driven past it when they were closed more than a couple times.

The knife store I go to the most is in Sevierville TN. They have a huge selection and probably the biggest knife store in the US. Their prices are a tad higher than internet, but I find it's worth the extra $ to be able to handle the knife in person. They for example will have the entire Becker line as well as many of the Kabar knives. Factory brands... they pretty much have it unless they're sold out of it. Buy a lot of SAKs there because I can look at the different models.

I am not aware of a dedicated knife store in Atlanta GA. I go there a fair amount.

Been to one knife store in VA. Nice place with a very good selection. They of course sell on line too.

Would like to visit Spark's knife store (forum owner) in Louisville KY when I am in town.

 

[Rancho5]

The places that sell knives around here are REI-lly expensive compared to online. Most are national outdoor chains, and they almost pride themselves on their prices. I too love to hold and heft a knife but when they are literally 40-50% more, I choose to shop online. High retail prices are the primary reason I'm starting to grind, heat treat my own knives.