Illinois Knife lovers

AlvaroDPD

AlvaroDPD

Joined
Jun 10, 2014
Messages
198
Hey guys!

My name is Al and i live in Peoria, IL. I am new knives and to the forums, so because of that i have spent the past couple of days trying to figure my way around. Ive found great use through the search function to answer a lot of my questions, however i still have a few, that is of course if you folks don't mind answering!

I found some knife shops near or in neighboring areas that are of interest, i was wondering if there are any shops in the Illinois area that are still around (some of the posts were from years past, and i just wanna know if there might be any new places not yet mentioned) or anything i have got to see!

secondly, how good are the gun shows for finding knifes, I've gone to a couple, but never particularly found my self stopping to look at the knives. Regardless, ill be going to the show in Bloomington Aug 29 , but a heads up would be awesome!

Last but certainly not least, how do you stop your self from purchasing everything!!! There are so many good knives now a days at so many varying prices, that i can't help but want to own a new knife approximately every 35 seconds.
I just graduated college so the main reason i don't purchase "everything" is that i can't and i realize that i don't need to, that being said how do you folks rationale that next knife purchase: certain requirements, blade steels, size, country of manufacturing, etc? (besides money of course)

Thanks for your time!

Al

P.S. I'm sorry if this is the wrong thread!
 
Hi Al - I am in the Mapleton area -

Welcome to the forum.

Presleys in Bartonville has a decent selection of Benchmade knives, and Bass Pro has a good selection of Kershaw, Benchmade, Buck, Case etcetc, plus a lot of the really cheap "gun show" stuff.

I have see very few quality knives at the gun shows around here - and when I did they were mostly Case and overpriced.

The Gateway Knife Show is a good one - that is all the way down in STL though -

Pekin Gun has some knives - I don't know of anyone that has ZT locally - but luckily there are plenty of online places to get them, and a lot of them are supporters of this forum - like Knifeworks.com, Kershawguy.com, knivesshipfree.com, onestopknifeshop.com - I have ordered from all and all are very good.

If you like customs, or are "custom curious", John Kiedaisch of JK Handmade Knives makes handmade fixed blade knives in Mokena, and he is having a shop gathering in September if you want to go up and meet some good fellow, have a bite to eat and check out some awesome knives you are welcome to join us.

best

mqqn
 
I live near the wisconsin/illinois border in mchenry. I dont get down that far south but if you can get to around springfield GPK is down there and they are awesome. Also badger knife club knife shows are pretty good but you would have to take 39 up into wisconsin for that. Rockford has some good little holes for knives as well at Toms knife shop and some flea markets that sell the good stuff. Gun shows are hit and miss. I find the gun shows in more rural areas are best.
 
thanks for the reply brother! i will check all of those out, and i might have to take you up on that offer!
 
GPK is deff on the list! its about 3 hours out, not far, but far enough that i have to plan! maybe us Illinoisans have to get together and take a trip down!
 
Welcome to the forums. I'm from Pekin, and mqqn has basically hit the nail on the head. Pekin gun is an actual Benchmade dealer and for a while had a good selection of Spyderco blades. I sold them some of my collection a few years ago. But other than that, and what he already listed there isn't to many knife in hand places around here. I hit up flea markets and pawn shops for a steal every now and then.
 
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toms cutlery in Rockford IL has a unique selection of productions & customs. Hes a dealer of XT, Benchmade, Spyderco, Cold Steel, SOG, and more.....and he's a really great guy. I stop in any time im in the Rockford IL area:-)
 
GP Knives is exceptional, but it is near St. Louis. If you are ever down that way, it is as nice a knife shop as you will find. Welcome to the forums!
 
Illinois knife lover, checking in:)

I actually stopped myself from purchasing everything by finding what I really enjoy in a knife and only buying the ones that are "must-haves", not just "I want it". Currently, a Rockstead is what I've been enjoying and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I really have found myself becoming less interested in what's new nowadays. Eventually your taste will narrow down to specific items if you keep collecting long enough. However, there are some collectors here that try to buy all the latest and greatest too; nothing wrong with that.
 
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Most of the recommendations I had have already been mentioned. I sometimes go the monthly flea market in Gordyville. I'm not sure if that's the name of the town or the name of the flea market but it's a huge flea market about 8 miles east of Rantoul. I believe it is held the second weekend of every month.

I've been there about 6 or 7 times and my knife guy, as I like to call him, is always there. It depends on what you're looking for though. He has a huge selection of Case slipjoints from the Tested era all the way up to brand new. Several other slipjoint brands too. A few fixed blades and a few modern one hand openers as well. He always has at least a couple hundred knives to check out. There are usually a few other tables with knives among other things but this guy has nothing but knives. You can usually haggle the price with him. He's a good guy and passionate about knives.

It's a large flea market so there might be something there for your better half to enjoy too.

Look up Gordyville Flea Market for more info.
 
Make sure to check the local laws before carrying in Peoria. I graduated from Bradley University there four years ago and throughout my time in Peoria there was a flat out ban on carrying any form of pocket knives.

The Bass Pro Shop off I74 in east Peoria had a good selection of budget Spydercos and lower end Benchmades when I was there last.
 
Havoc5J said:
Make sure to check the local laws before carrying in Peoria. I graduated from Bradley University there four years ago and throughout my time in Peoria there was a flat out ban on carrying any form of pocket knives.
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I don't know about a City wide ban on knives. Never heard that, Bradley on campus maybe. I've lived in the peoria area my whole life, worked EMS in Peoria and I am related to a Peoira PD officer and I've never heard of a ban.
 
I heard about the ban when I asked the campus police for the campus rules regarding pocket knives. They informed me that Peoria had a city wide ban which was confirmed by a cop I ran into at city hall when I went to pay a parking ticket. I don't know the link rules on this site, but a cursory search gave several links stating that there's a ban on all concealed knives and other weapons within Peoria.

Either way, I would do some investigating so you know what side of the law your standing on.
 
ill have to check out that flea market, sounds like atleast a good time.

In terms on the law ill keep my eyes open!
 
@Havoc. This is what I found in the city ordanince/municipal code. Not trying to be agrumenative but I'm curious now. Hell you can buy a knife anywhere in the city from Walmarts to gas stations. Like most knife laws its vague, the whole is it a tool or is it a weapon deal.

Sec. 18-446. - Purchasing, selling, etc., weapons prohibited.

No licensee shall deal in, or buy or sell, or display in his shop, any pistol, revolver, derringer, Bowie knife, dirk or other deadly weapon of like character, capable of being secreted upon the person unless such licensee shall also.

No person shall sell, give, loan, hire, barter, furnish or offer to sell, give, loan, hire, barter or furnish, to any minor within the city, any gun, pistol, revolver, fowling piece or toy firearm, in which any explosive substance can be used; or any Bowie knife, dirk, dagger or other deadly weapon of a like character.
 
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No city knife ban, and no ordinance other than the UUW clause in the state statutes applies as far as I know.

I have been stopped a couple of times going into the courthouse (jury duty) with my Victorinox Waiter - and both times I have gone back to my truck and put my "weapon" away.

I carry two knives everyday and have never had any problem with knives in the Peoria area.

I have even fairly recently carried a Kephart in a sheath on my belt in a local Walmart - quite by accident but nonetheless without incident.

I would not doubt for a minute there are campus rules for Bradley, though.

best

mqqn
 
Went to Presleys today, can confirm on the benchmade selection. However, the prices are not up to online retail "standards". Its a cool store for anyone debating wether to make the trip!
 
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