How many of you try to buy local?

[Silent H]

There's a brick and mortar shop less than a mile from my house, I've been in there twice. The first time I was looking for a specific Benchmade model, but they didn't have it, and they weren't able to order it because they said Benchmade had recently dropped them as a dealer for not selling enough knives. That should have been my first red flag.

The second time I went in to buy a ZT 0562CF. They had the regular 0562, but looked at me like I had two heads when I asked about the 0562CF. This was in 2018, the 0562CF was not a new product at that point. They tried selling me on the regular 0562, but I told them I specifically wanted the one with the 20CV blade steel, and once again they looked at me like I had two heads. They were also selling the regular 0562 for about the MSRP of the more expensive 0562CF (not the MAP price, the MSRP). Most of the cases were full of gas station knives anyway, so I'm guessing their business mostly catered to that segment.

Now I just try to buy from dealers who participate in the knife community, like Whitty at USA Made Blade and DLT Trading.

 

[archieblue]

There is a good shop in my town! They have all Benchmades and most Spyderco and ZTs and almost everything under those price ranges. They also carry a bunch of Colorado hand made knives. I tend to get gifts there because I prefer mid to high range knives and they charge mark for everything. I have probably bought 7-10 knives there mainly because I want to support them. Opinels, SAKs, a few FRN Spydies, a Griptilian or two. But I’m not going to pay $215 for a Para2 (or similar) when I can get one from bhq for $150. I have sent several friends and acquaintances there who have purchased knives. We follow each other on Instagram, ect. I had most of my white water gear stolen recently and they gave me a 25% discount on a Spyderco Native Salt. I definitely enjoy our relationship.