Experience working at a knife counter for a store?

Never worked in a knife store, but having shopped in them plenty I have to say that a lot of the time the employees there know nothing about knives. I asked a sales person once if they had any other knives after not finding anything I liked, and he puled out a no-name knife with deer painted on the blade and claimed emphatically that it was the highest quality knife he had ever seen.

Another time I noticed a sales person doing some decent balisong tricks behind the counter, I asked him if they carried any Benchmades. He answered back that he had never heard of Benchmade.

Another time I asked the sales person if they carried any alox victorionox knives. He didn't know what that was, so I explained it was a metal scaled swiss army knife. he stated back that there was no such thing, victorinox only come with plastic handles.
 
MikeC said:
GAK, your last 3 are about knives and legality, could you explain. I live in South Louisiana and fly beneath the radar pretty much. I spend my free time in the woods or on the water and always with like minded people so guns and knives are no issue from a legal perspective for me. I buy my stuff on line so I don't go into stores, I'm curious about your last 3 could elaborate for me.
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All of my customer rants are from the year I worked a knife/gun counter in Canada.

I don't go into knitting stores and proclaim to be an expert on knitting needles and knitting sweaters, but for some reason people who know nothing about guns and knives feel it's their duty to approach knife/gun counter staff and educate them about the "truth".

Unfortunately everything these customers "taught" us on a daily basis they themselves "learned" from TV, movies, or their uncle Bob.:rolleyes:

If they saw a knife with a swedge immediately they'd scream it's a dagger, and insist it's illegal to own/sell. The truth was that it was a knife with a swedge. Even if it was a dagger, it still would be 100% legal to own/sell.

Similar deal with anything they saw that opened with one hand or had assisted opening... "That's a switchblade! They're eeeeleeegal !".

The ones that would see the knives then rush over and shriek, "Aren't knives illegal ?!" I always wanted to reply, "If so, what do you cut your bread with at home ?"

To avoid losing your voice and your manager being called 50 times a day you simply nodded/shook your head until they wandered off. Any attempt to tell them the truth simply led to screaming and denial, it was never worth it.

My favorite were the people that complained a factory edge wasn't sharp, then they'd cut themselves wide open and ask for first aid.:foot:
 
You'll get idiots so long as you work in retail. I work for a (not big box, but with ~16 franchises in my province) computer store, and the number of people I get every shift who either have no idea what they're talking about or are convinced -I'M- an idiot is staggering.

I mean, do they really think I would be working there if I didn't know what I was talking about?
 
Zigosity said:
You'll get idiots so long as you work in retail. I work for a (not big box, but with ~16 franchises in my province) computer store, and the number of people I get every shift who either have no idea what they're talking about or are convinced -I'M- an idiot is staggering.

I mean, do they really think I would be working there if I didn't know what I was talking about?
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You would be surprised how many people I have run into working in knife stores and other businesses who really don't know what they are talking about. ;)

It goes both ways really. ;)

It's more so on the customer side who is clueless though usually.

I prefer for then not to talk to me unless I ask them a question like do you have or where is... ;)

Other than that I do just fine without hearing their dribble....
 
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Zigosity said:
computer store, and the number of people I get every shift who either have no idea what they're talking about or are convinced -I'M- an idiot is staggering.
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Haha I'm lucky that when I worked computer retail it was still the age of DOS, QEMM, HIMEM.SYS, etc... No one knew how to configure a system so they kept quiet and let us work the "voodoo". Instead we'd get the same 30 weirdos every couple of days that would come in and loiter for hours. Ax murderers, every one of them. I'd swear to it.

Flash forward a decade and pc's/windows were becoming mainstream.

Everyone knew just enough to screw everything up. The excuse of "I was just clicking what I was supposed to and it screwed up on its own." was born. I was selling medical software/computers and half our billable hours were for fixing what clients screwed up while they were bored. Eventually the doctors would crack down when they'd get the bills, but until then it was open season.
 
interesting! very metatextual. people who buy and sell knives talking about people who buy and sell knives. riveting stuff!
 
8 years in England selling knives, airguns etc.
Most people are fine but you do get the odd remark.....
We were one of the first to bring Buck Knives in to sell.
The amazement of the general public to a knife costing £39.95!!! (Buck 110)
1.Cor mate! whats that made of gold?
2. Have you ever sold any? (yes about 3 a week).
3. You're ripping us off, you can get the same knife for £4.95 down the market.

happy days...
 
I was in Cabelas in PA two weeks ago, Edgeworks in MD a couple days after, and Bass Pro in Harrisburg PA this past weekend. I only picked up a Buck canoe with MOP scales at Cabelas, all trading except for a Manix at Edgeworks, and nothing at Bass Pro. Why? Other than saving money for custom orders, I can get everything cheaper online. You will put up with a lot of customers saying that, but it's true. I don't throw that out at shop owners, they know it's true too, but if I am in a private shop, I might haggle. I can go back anytime I like, and actually speak to someone in person, ont over the phone or converse through email.

You're going to get the mall ninja crowd, the crowd that goes after the el cheapo junk because it's cheap, the high end crowd that doesn't know why you don't have xxx expensive knife at the shop. On the flip side, you can't be the snob that looks down his nose at the customers $15 Case, el cheapo junker, or cheap SAK. Thankfully, I haven't gotten that from any knife shop owners or workers. If it is not a big sporting goods store, but a knife shop, you had better know your stuff inside and out. It might not be tops on the owners priority, but it will make you better than just a warm body watching the store while he/she goes to lunch.
 
Bobby Craig said:
...I am wanting a second part time job either at a gun store or AG Russell’s. Now seeing this question makes me wonder if I am being guided to go to Russell’s.
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A. G.'s store is top quality. Even if you don't get a job at the counter, you could always work in the back. I visit there every chance I get, and will be down in 2 weeks for his "Knife Event."

Of all my experiences, I rarely find someone behind the counter (or on the phone) without a true knife-knut level of knowledge, which is saying a lot. They are always friendly, never condescending, and quite professional. I've met A. G. and even Goldie on several occassions. It would be a great place to work! I know I'd love to work there after (if ever) I retire.
 
I did really enjoy working selling knives, just remember though,
You are there to sell, so your dislike of a particular knife brand must not stop you selling it.
You won't be on much money.
There will always be someone with better knowledge than you!!!!
People like to make their own mind up, they will be set on that M-Tech even if you say the Buck is better!!!!
 
Worked behind the counter for 10 years at the Freeport Knife Company in Freeport, Maine.

Some d-bags but it was pretty cool. Got to meet Murad Sayen, Howard Viele, JJ McGovern, Bud Nealy.

And I got my hot little hands on the latest productions and got sell my own knives. Can't complain about that.

-Nick
 
ans7812 said:
I was there last year and had no idea he worked there. I spoke to two guys at the counter about a Benchmade Nagara...maybe one of them was Fortytwo :eek:
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If one of the guys you met had about six RAT/ESEE knives and/or Condor machetes strapped to him, that was Ben/ Fortytwo. :D
 
gak said:
Haha I'm lucky that when I worked computer retail it was still the age of DOS, QEMM, HIMEM.SYS, etc... No one knew how to configure a system so they kept quiet and let us work the "voodoo". Instead we'd get the same 30 weirdos every couple of days that would come in and loiter for hours. Ax murderers, every one of them. I'd swear to it.
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Ah, the memories (no pun intended). Those were the good old days when an indy computer store could make some decent money.

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G=C800:5

:D

Michael
 
I haven't worked behind the counter in an actual knife store, but have worked in the "Sporting Goods" department at a regional chain (and in many of these places, "our" store is the closest thing to a knife store anyway). But in my experience, everything said in this thread is spot on.

It's definitely not for everyone, believe me. I've lost count of how many times I've been asked for my opinion and then treated as if I know nothing. I'll try to steer people toward what they've pretty much told me they want, only to have them veer off at the last minute for something cheaper or better looking, then come back a week later when the cheap POS they bought broke and complain about me selling it to 'em. And we won't get started on the mindless sheeple or the people who assume because I'm working in that department I'm free to have hour-long discussions of politics, religion, etc.

Of course, every once in awhile you'll have that one customer who actually listens to you, the one you actually get to help buy the right thing the first time. Every time I sold someone their first Benchmade or higher-end Kershaw, or talked someone out of a Gerber multitool and into a Leatherman, it almost made the idiots worth it.

So yeah, you'll most likely burn out and lose most, if not all, of your passion for knives. But there's a chance you'll end up enjoying it. It's all up to you.
 
So I'm going to necro this thread on the basis that I actually got a job on retail doing Cutlery, Optics, and GPS. I kinda have to say on the first day it's not nearly as bad as everyone here says it is. It's kinda difficult standing there for 8 hours but hey, retail right? But it seems like the customers are very nice and willing to learn and listen for what you have to say in what they want.

I sold a Buck Bantom, Buck Omni hunter, and Kershaw Antelope Hunter 2 (I think this was a sweet little blade I didn't know about till I saw it)

Tangentially I also sold my first set of bino's (monarch ATB) and was able to nicely convince someone to purchase them over a set of cheap Bushnell.

Maybe it's because I'm in Canada but I had a pretty good experience with this.
 
Maybe Canadians don't have the same huge entitlement and superiority complex that so many USA dwelling folks are afflicted by.

Or maybe 3 months from now you will be redacting your statement and declaring your hatred for the general public.
 
sircantaloupe said:
Maybe Canadians don't have the same huge entitlement and superiority complex that so many USA dwelling folks are afflicted by.

Or maybe 3 months from now you will be redacting your statement and declaring your hatred for the general public.
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Thanks sircantaloupe. You saved me a lot of typing. Post back in 6 months if you're still there bubblewhip! ;)

You'll probably end up spending 1/3 of your pay on cool new knives you MUST own.... :D
 
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