Bulk purchase of Rough Rider or similar clones for tips, gifts, etc?

[MatthewVanitas]

Over the last year, I've given away a few hundred cheap (mostly used) SAK-style knives. Most of these I picked up off of eBay from TSA confiscation lots, for around 15c-20c each. Gotten really positive reactions overall, though most of them I left anonymously, or on the table along with a 15% tip, etc.

I was thinking that it'd be cool to spend a little more cash, and give away a much more limited amount of slightly better-quality knives. A beat up offshore SAK is useful, but a nice Stockman, Barlow, etc. offshore clone would probably have an even better impact on a knife newbie.

Does anyone have a (publicly accessible) source for purchasing Rough Rider, or similar brands, in bulk? Is there a different brand that would provide an even better bang-for-the-buck?

I know there's some controversy about offshore knives. However, this gives the opportunity to expose hundreds of people to the world of pocketknives. Most of these people would never in their life buy a $50 Case, but would be thrilled to get a $5 (bought wholesale for $1.30) Rough Rider in the tip jar.

Going for the "each one reach one" school of thought. Thanks for any ideas about my project.

 

[pageophile]

Personally, I'd go with the Steel Warrior line of slip joints. Amazing bang for the buck, unfortunately don't have a source for a bulk purchase

 

[madcap_magician]

Personally I would find purchasing stolen property from the TSA online to be morally reprehensible, but I guess that's up to the individual.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Personally I would find purchasing stolen property from the TSA online to be morally reprehensible, but I guess that's up to the individual.

Brings up an interesting point. I put some thought into that one.

1) TSA isn't really out to make a killing off of these. It's not like some crooked small-town cop lusting after a bass-boat he can confiscate. TSA has got literal tons of knives sitting around, and it's easier for them to auction them to a wholesaler than it is to dump them in the ocean. If everyone refused to buy them on moral grounds, they'd end up at the bottom of the Atlantic.

2) TSA didn't send cops to ask "papers please" on streetcorners and shake folks down for knives. Whether or not we agree with the "no knives on planes" policy, everyone has the option to go through the metal detector or turn around and go home. Anyone who doesn't know that you can't bring your BM710 carry-on probably shouldn't be carrying sharp objects.

Net result: tons of waiters, barristas, and college kids get pocketknives, and it costs me 15c a pop to give them away.

 

[shecky]

Brings up an interesting point. I put some thought into that one.

Sorry. None of that counts, and you'll never surpass madcap_magician's supreme position on the moral high horse.

 

[Lanza]

Madcap has it right.

 

[Morrow]

Personally I would find purchasing stolen property from the TSA online to be morally reprehensible, but I guess that's up to the individual.

Correct...up to the individual to buy and also judge what is morally reprehensible.

Back to the topic. I've never seen a source for bulk purchases of the knives you seek. I've looked for similar reasons and not had any success. The reason I look is because I work with large groups of boys and pocket knives always seem to catch their attention. I'm going to keep looking and I'll be sure and share and info I have with you.

 

[spoonrobot]

I remember reading your thread about this on the Highroad some time ago. Since then I've started doing the same thing with "fauxtons" around my town, much brighter than the typical keychain light and attractive to cheap college students.

To the point; your best be may be to call/contact some of the bigger retailers and see what they could do for you. Smokey Mountain Knife Works pops into my mind, they seem to stock and sell a lot of lower end slipjoint models, which seems to be what you need.

 

[EdgeOn]

Rough Rider knives are imported by Smokey Mountain Knife Works. If you are looking for some sort of large purchase, that would be the place to go.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Just emailed SMKW asking for bulk quotes by the hundred. Perhaps is a few folks here and on THR want a couple dozen each, we can get a good price per unit.

I emailed BladeMatrix yesterday; they retail at $5.75, and said the best they can do is knock off 5% for an order over $100.

Will see what SMKW can do, being the main importer and such. I did specify that these were for giveaways rather than retail, so will see if that helps or hurts. Their "Tiny Canoe" with jigged bone handles retails at $4.99.

 

[EdgeOn]

Bladematrix would buy them either from SMKW or Blue Ridge Knives, the wholesale distributor. There isn't any place else to buy them. I believe the quote you got is probably the best he can do. SMKW isn't the main importer. They are the only importer. Rough Rider is their brand name. Take care.