Brick and mortar shops can still give good brick and mortar deals, they don't have to be MSRP. A lot of places are restricted by the rules placed on them by companies like Benchmade, Chris Reeve etc. Some gun shops are owned or run by knife collectors, and they EDC the high end knives themselves, but the expensive stuff just doesn't sell in their stores. So, they hold onto it until it's gone, and don't restock. Two firing ranges near me have done just that. High end in as much as a consigned Microtech Terzuola hand ground at the one, long since gone (inadvertently facilitated a member on another forum getting it at a steal), and a couple Sebenzas and an Mnandi left at the other one. These prices are older, for older knives. I have thought about getting one, but declined.
I am in Maryland, and have only ever been in three knife shops. Country Knives in Lancaster PA, Willey Knives in Greenwood DE and Edgeworks in Frederick MD. All three have been around for awhile, but Edgeworks owner has been the owner for about 6 or 7 years now. Actually, he had just signed the papers when I walked in on my birthday those years ago.
Country Knives is a great little shop, their staff is very knowledgeable and the owner knows this business inside and out. However, their prices are MSRP or above. Their selection is great, they have a lot of discontinued knives. The owner knows I am not going to buy a lot when I stop in, we have talked about MSRP prices, but it is his business and they do gangbusters business with the locals, local Amish community and tourists. This store is great, the staff is great, I just wish they'd come down on their prices.
Willey Knives is on the Eastern Shore/Delmarva peninsula, and is a must for anyone going "downy ocean" to the Delaware shore points, Ocean City MD, Assateague Island or Chincoteague VA. The shop is in the basement of an outbuilding on a farm, off one of the few major highways in DE. The staff is great and knowledgeable, and their prices are comparable to the internet, for brick and mortar stores. They have everything from Chris Reeve knives to Opinels, including kitchen knives. I've gotten slipjoints from them. I think Queen knives the first two times, and a Case Bose wharncliff trapper the last time. I try to make my way there every year when I go on vacation. Mr. Willey has sharpening accounts from the resort restaurants up and down the Delaware coast.
Edgeworks is a really neat store in the middle of the hustle bustle of the town of Frederick. He has everything from Chris Reeve knives to Opinels, and customs. I need to stop taking time away from him and his staff talking about knives and guns etc. He is good people and his prices are comparable to internet pricing, compared to other brick and mortar prices I've seen. This store is great, and I make a habit of stopping there after a small show further west in Hagerstown, and every July after a local powwow. They are two hours away, sometimes I make it out there three times a year, going the day after Thanksgiving.
I collect and use slipjoints, and have found quite a few at antique/junk shops, farmers markets, yard sales, garage sales etc. I've also found some gems at gun shops, that the owners just can't move, and want to get rid of. I am always respectful and courteous. I do want to take a trek down to New Graham Knives/Skyline Drive/Luray caverns one of these days.
Dicks, Gander Mountain, REI and Walmart knife selection is not that good, at least Gander Mountain has a few Benchmades and Case knives, REI has some Benchmades. Prices are high. Bass Pro and Cabelas have a better selection, but not the best. Depends on store size and location I guess. Cabelas in Delaware has a smaller knife selection than the larger Cabelas store in Hamburg PA. Bass Pro in Harrisburg and Bass Pro in Arundel Mills MD have about the same selection. Check the circulars for sales.
