Brick & Mortar Store Experience

Raptor

Raptor

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I just got back from a trip out to Amish country where I had the oppurtunity to visit "Country Knives" which is located in Intercoarse, PA.

What a great experience this was for both myself and my wife.

A+ KnifeStore!!

I had forgotten how awesome it was to walk into a real deal knife shop. I was almost dizzy for the first 1/2 hr or so. It is almost overwhelming to take in all of the quality cutlery that they have assembled under their roof.

I was in this store for at least 2 hrs and handled about 30 knives that I am either interested in or have have never before seen in person. The whole time there went so fast for me moving from one display to the next. Some knives proved to be disappointments to me, while others that I may never have given the chance, stepped up and made my list.

The best part of going to a B&M knife store is the chance to be around and converse with others who share your same interest.

I post this thread here today not to just tell you what a great time I had but to remind you all to seek out your local "Brick & Mortar" knife stores and patronize them. I know that we all shop online because of the convenience and the great prices, but, besides being able to actually walk out with your new knife right there & then in your hand, you will also have had a great experience as well.
I would hate the thought that these Mom & Pop knife stores will be lost to us because of our ignorance. They are a large part of the knife industry's history and we should give them whatever support we can.

Thanks for listening.

--The Raptor--
 
I think that in the age of the internet a B&M retailer has to offer something special in the way of products, service, or maybe just a great atmosphere to hang out. They also need to be within shouting distance in price, 10% to 20%. It sounds like you found one of those. The days of hanging out your shingle in a mall and hoping for customers because you were the only knife store in the area are over. I only wish there was a store like you describe in my area.

Rick
 
I notice that you didn't say whether you bought anything. Country Knives is a great store, but I think if this kind of place is going to serve knife enthusiasts, and not just tourists, they're going to have to make their prices more competitive with the Internet dealers. I'd be willing to pay an extra 10% to support a local dealer, but not the 40 to 60% I found there.
 
The closest real knife store is about a 2 hour drive for me. They have a pretty good selection of the top production lines, but very few customs and alot of POS. Most of the staff is knowledgeable and good to talk to but the prices are waaay over-priced and you really have to work to get a decent price. It's really a conflicting experience because I love handling the knives talking to other customers etc, etc... but the actual buying part leaves me frustrated. I am ALMOST ready to stop buying any production knife and limit myself to 1-2 customs (from the maker) a year. Time will tell.

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Dale C. Tipert aka 'wyrm'
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Hi Craig,
Thanks for reminding me. We did indeed buy something.

I picked up an Al Mar Sere 2000 and a tube of Flitz for myself.
My wife purchased a high quality German made apple slicer/corer and a Swiss made precision pair of tweezers.

And yes, I am pretty sure that I could have maybe found all for less using the internet, but if I had the oppurtunity to do so again, I would pay the "real store" price again.

Please note, I'm not rich. I'm a regular blue collar working "Joe". I just really believe that you must consider the overhead involved in these stores and also I believe that it isn't right to just use them for trying out your future internet purchases. If you are going to take up their time, it would only be fair, assuming there is something there that you want, and buy it.

I also don't won't to downplay internet site purchasing. Hell, if it wasn't for 1SKS we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. They each provide something different and I don't won't us to lose either.

Hopefully you get what I mean.

--The Raptor--
 
Raptor, I would also like to know if you bought anything, or plan to buy anything from Country Knives. You said you saw many knives you were interested in, but will you be buying them from the store you were in or an on-line store.

I am not saying that you would do this, but a lot of people use stores for their knowledge and the fact that they can go a handle the knives to see if they like them. Then they go and buy them from the on-line stores because of price. I also would lay odds that some of the folks that do this think that there is nothing wrong with what they are doing. A brick & motar store can only afford to discount a knife 5-20% depending on the margin given by the manufacturer. If you are not willing to pay these prices you should not waste the valuable time of the store owner nor his employees.

I am not a store owner, but do work in the retail industry. I do not think that there is anything wrong with buying from the internet. What I do not repect are people that think it is OK to use my time and expertise with no intention of buying from me.

Sorry to have gone of on this rant, but if you want knife stores to stick around, then support them. If you don't care then don't waste their time.

Keith.

It seems that while I was posting this you had already answered my question about whether you had purchased something from Country Knives. Good for you, IMO what you did shows that you have ethics, something I find important in the people I deal with.

[This message has been edited by Keith Montgomery (edited 03-11-2001).]
 
I returned to this post to find it locked in General.

David,
I had already posted a "good post" here in GB&U and this one was kind of an afterthought regarding B&M stores in "general" not just one in specific.
I was hoping to pass a message along to some of our fellow forumites and I knew that the General forum would see a higher volume of readers.

I'm not mad about the lock/move I only want to explain why I posted in General.

--The Raptor--

[This message has been edited by Raptor (edited 03-11-2001).]
 
Hurray for Brick n Mortar....but, you gotta adapt or become extinct. We are Brick n Mortar, since 1935...have been Case Authorized dealer, et. al. as long as I can remember(I joined on here in 1974) Still most everything sitting in pretty glass cases for folks for cuddle and fondle. Started developing a web presence couple of years ago...we felt if we were to survive as a species, must meet the challenge...so, here we are and doing better than expected. On-line and small town...best of both worlds. Trade locally first,,, if they cant take care of you (both service and price) then go to net. JMO....ICBW md
 
I'd love to find a place like you mention here. There is nothing similar in this part of WA though I've heard of some real high class shop in Seattle but it sounded so far outta sight as not to be worth the look. I have taken a peek at the local Big 5 here and their prices are a freakin' joke! I was gonna pop in and pick up some decent little blade and I had $40 on me so figured I'd come out with change. I thought 'two-bladed SAK' as I hit the door and walked over to the case to take a peek.... $39.95 for that SAK. You've got to be kiddin' me! I didn't waste anyone's time but simply doubled over laughing and got a couple weird stares as I laughed and walked out the door.

Maybe we should start throwing out some Mom & Pop type names for people to check out as I'd sure give them a try but their prices need to be reasonable. I know of none except retail giants like the one mentioned above who are simply a joke.

Anyone have any other experience in the NW or other places?

Shawn

------------------
"Paranoia is merely a heightened
sense of awareness."

-(What do you mean who said that? I don't know and if I did I wouldn't
tell YOU! Why are you looking at me like that?! Ever hear of PERSONAL
SPACE?! Step back outta my face and look at someone else!.... Is that
a reflection off a camera lens? What do you mean 'Why do I carry $100
in quarters?' Don't you know they put those tracers in the paper money?)
 
As far as the shops that I have had dealings with, Target Knives in Calgary have always treated me well. Rowland is a good guy who will give you the best price he can. His prices are higher than online, but they are reasonable.

Keith.
 
Anyone have a clue why this post rates a G,B&U rating? I thought it was just fine in General. Maybe I missed something...????

Michael
 
I too realy liked COUNTRY KNIVES. I went there a couple of Summers ago. It the nicest knife store that I have ever been in. It took me about a half hour to calm down enough to actually ask to see anything.

They did sell knives at retail and sounds like they still do. You should see this place. I think in order to maintain that large of inventory and have it on hand you would have to make some money. I do not begrudge anyone retail pricing.

Most if not all internet dealers do not hold that large an inventory on hand. I regulary order knives on line. Sometimes they have what I want in stock, sometime they have to order it for me. Either way I wait. That's the cost of the deal. When I get the knife if is not what I wanted I have to send it back. Also the cost of the deal.

Anyway I just wanted to say that I too really enjoied COUNTRY KNIVES and think that it is a note worthy knife store. I bought three knives and a hawk. None of which I would have been comfortable purchasing online. Too many questions with out actually having these items in hand. That and one of the knives and the hawk I would have never had the chance to buy if it were not for this store.

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Later, Jim
 
I was wondering about moving this, also. Seemed to have the required knife content and a good story. For me it is a 2 hr. drive to the Twin Cities for a good knife store- RFG Safe and Knife. Great selection, knowledgeable staff. I've never left without buying more than I intended (sound familiar?). Their prices are a little higher than some Internet dealers, but they are also willing to "deal" if you mention it. I love having the opportunity to handle a knife before I purchase it!
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by C4:
Anyone have a clue why this post rates a G,B&U rating? I thought it was just fine in General. Maybe I missed something...????
</font>
Click to expand...

Me too...

 
I highly recommend Grand Prairie Knives in Troy, IL for anyone looking for a first class brick and mortar store in the St. Louis area. They also have a website. Great selection and good people to talk to there.

Dennis
 
This forum is for discussion about dealers.

The Blade Discussion Forum is for discussion about knives that doesn't fit into one of the more specific knife forums.

The Community Center Forum is for discussion about subjects other than knives that doesn't fit in one of the more specific non-knife forums (Politics, Gadgets & Gear, etc.)

This is a big place with a lot of different forums, but it's not that hard to figure out where a post belongs ... sometimes you have to think about it for a minute, but a minute of thought won't kill you....
smile.gif


Or maybe we should start requiring new members to have the forum list tattooed on the inside of their eyelids....
 
Cougar,
Maybe your prescribed "minute of thought" could also be applied when posting responses as well??
tongue.gif


I'm sure that the people who are questioning the move of this thread are not taking a poke at the moderators but merely asking a very simple question. Insults, on your part, towards "new members" are certainly not warranted.

If I misunderstood you, please accept my apology.

--The Raptor--

 
That's a good point ... lately it seems like most of the posts made in the wrong forums are made by old members ... we'd better make the tattoo requirement retroactive.
smile.gif

 
Since this thread has gone a little off topic.........maybe it should be moved to W&C now??

Off to tattoo my eyelids!!
smile.gif


--The Raptor--

 
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