Knives in a gun shop

S

S.L. Ice

Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
8
Hello all...I`m a long time lurker of the BF. I finally decided to register two weeks ago. I`m an amateur knife collector and I must say that I have learned more from you guys in the short time I`ve been here than I have "researching" on the internet. Thanks for the useful and entertaining information. Now my question...I am in the process of opening a gun shop here in the Florida Panhandle and I want to carry a line of knives. There are 2 Air force bases here so I`d like to cater to the military personnel and law enforcement. Which line of knives would you guys recommend? Something affordable yet durable. Thanks for your input.
 
I'm guessing you're in the Ft. Walton Beach area with Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field near by. What a great place to live, I spent 8 years there as a kid (1961-1969) and absolutely loved it. That was before all the development hit and Destin was still a sleepy little fishing village. My wife and I still try to make it down there yearly.

As for the knives... Personally, I would go with Spyderco knives & perhaps some the Spyderco Byrd line. I would imagine the Byrd line would sell quite well to the young airmen who don't have a lot of disposable income and want a decent knife at a good price. Just my two cents. (btw, you can't go wrong with Benchmade products, either)

Best of luck on your new store!

Mick
 
Benchmade
Spyderco
Camillus CUDA Series (Get 'em while you can)
Kershaw/Onion
Some Cold Steel: SRK, Recon Tanto, Recon Scout, Trailmaster
 
Welcome.
TOPS, Benchmade, Protech, Spyderco, Kershaw, and others are sold at the gun shops up around here.
 
I'd go with benchmade folders for the high end, and spyderco/byrd for the low end.

Then look into becker knife and tool for your low end, ontario fixed blades (RAT and TAK) for your high end.

Then you'll have it all covered, and be able to carry a few from here and there to cater to specialty markets.
 
I would love to see a store where I'm at carry spyderco and kershaw (as long as assisted opening are legal in FL). I think that would give ideal variety. And you might as well carry victorinox, but then again, they can be had all over anyway.
 
WoW! What was I thinking forgetting about SAK's & Multi-Tools.

Add Victorinox & Leatherman to my list.
 
If your customers are mainly going to be military personnel, carry something that is in their price range, but of high quality. CRKT's Kit Carson line, such as the M16 AUS 8 and M21 AUS 8 models. Spyderco models like the Military, Endura, Native and Native III, Delica. Fixed blades like the Kabar and Camillus, Becker Knife and Tool also. Leatherman multi tools. Benchmade Red Class.
 
The top three that come to mind for me are Benchmade, Kershaw, and Spyderco (listed in alphabetical order so as not to offend anyone ;) ). Those 3 companies have a wide variety of styles, prices, and uses. There are other great ones but those would be the 3 I'd start with.
 
ralphus said:
I would love to see a store where I'm at carry spyderco and kershaw (as long as assisted opening are legal in FL). I think that would give ideal variety. And you might as well carry victorinox, but then again, they can be had all over anyway.
Click to expand...
I belive auto knives are legal to carry in florida! so assisted openers would be fine.:thumbup:
 
BenchmadeNut said:
Anything but spyderco:thumbdn: :barf: :D
Click to expand...

Care to elaborate? I have several Spyderco knives, and think they are high quality. I'm not terribly impressed with either BM, but they are certainly servicable knives.
 
Benchmade, Spyderco, Victorinox Swiss Army knives and multi-tools, Leatherman multi-tools.
 
First, good luck with the BATF and make sure you records are keep up.
I had a gunshop/knife shop but the BATF priced me out of the market with the continuing increase in license costs and intrusive inspections at will.

For knives, start with Cold Steel, Spyderco, Benchmade, and maybe a few Micro-techs. Go with the Swiss Army knives and the Multi tools from Leatherman and Swiss Army.
Once you have a business license then send away for a dealers catalog from Blue Ridge Knives, and Moteng and these will give you access to just about any production knife in the market with pretty fair delivery time. It's always nice to have a "counter top" catalog for customers who don't know what they want. That way they will get to look at just about any knife they want.

If you are going to sell primarily to military and L.E.O.s then you should have a few autos on hand to play with.

Good luck! And with a gunshop you can kiss your privacy good by from the BATF.

Ciao
Ron:eek:
 
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