Knives to keep in stock

Ashes

Ashes

Joined
Aug 2, 2002
Messages
2,490
I'm putting together an order for our Knife Shop and wanted to ask your opinions on any particular knives you'd hope to find in a "small-ish" knife store. Any suggestions welcome! We currently stock most major brands, with a bigger selection of some of the more well-known(Benchmade, Buck, Camillus, etc.) I also need to make a separate Benchmade order, so is there anything I should be sure to include? Thanks in advance for your help!
 
Just my opinion here...

#1 most important thing to remember DO NOT CARRY ANY JUNK KNIVES! None-zip-nada-EVER. Always carry good makers even if only the cheaper models they offer.

#2 Carry the 'popular' models. i.e. Spyderco-Delica, Endura, Police, Native. Benchmade-AFCK, TSEK, Griptillion. Offer to order anything they want but the proven sellers will sell, while the more exotic models will sit till just the right person comes along. Also be sure to carry both sizes if the models come in a 'large' and a 'small'. Many times new buyers don't realize just how large say a full size AFCK really is, but they will carry the 'mini' version.

#3 Offer a good selection of traditional slipjoints-Case, Old Timers, Hen and Roosters etc. Just a few models should do it here, unless you can get one of those display cases with like all twenty models.

#4 Absolutely Positively carry Swiss Army Knives, I'm partial to Victorinox but Wengers are in no way a 'bad product'. Carry many different models and have them in stock. These I would imagine would sell to all types of people and are definately not a niche item.

#5 Fixed Blades-off the top of my head? Buck, Old Timer, Benchmade, Spyderco, throw in a few KA-BAR\Camillus' for the traditionalists. Always have at least one Ontario Mil-Spec machete with sheath on hand!

#6 I would have one counter full of semi-exotic or specialized stuff, but again NO JUNK only quality stuff. This is for Benchmade Butterfly knives, big SOG folders, maybe an Al-Mar or two, perhaps even the local Custom guys stuff-give him some realestate. This is where you put the multi-tools (SOG's!!! are my favorites), neck knives, marlin-spike knives etc.

anyway....just some thoughts

Mongrel
 
Thanks, Mongrel, that's just the kind of info I'm looking for! :)

Oh, and no, I will NOT sell any crappy knives, don't worry! We are an "upscale" shop. :D
 
I agree with Mongrel about the crappy part, but in my gunshop I have sold quite a few Kershaw onions. The Scallion has probably been the best seller. My customers also like the Spyderco(my personal preference), and Case slipjoints.

Good luck with your order. If you are anything like me, after making an order list, I usually have to go back through, and mark off all the ones I listed for myself.:p
 
Hey Rattler-how's it going :)

I don't consider Kershaw's to be 'junk' knives actually. The only one I have is the Chive and it is really a well made little knife. A good friend has the Onion and likes it alot as well. My main point is that it is OK to carry 'inexpensive' knives, just don't carry the real POS tactical copies, fantasy type knives, and such crap. Carry proven name brands and offer a good selection from the inexpensive to the reasonably expensive models.

By 'junk' knives I'm referring to no-name or off-name knock-offs etc. I just could not justify even looking at these POS, let alone carrying them for sale.

Ash-sounds like you know what you are doing already, glad to hear you are an 'upscale' shop :)

Good Luck, God Bless, and wishing you much success...

Mongrel
 
CRKT M16, M18, KFF. Camillus EDC, Arclite. Becker C/U 7, C/U 9. Kershaw Boa. Microtech LCC, SOCOM. Oh, and don't forget to get a whole mess of Spyderco Sharpmakers--not a knife but my local knife store is constantly out of them (had to buy mine online).
 
I'd stock some Photon I and Photon II mini LED lights, too.
In the case with the SAKs, have a couple sitting there with a Photon already attached.
icon6.gif
 
Originally posted by martensite
I'd stock some Photon I and Photon II mini LED lights, too.
In the case with the SAKs, have a couple sitting there with a Photon already attached.
icon6.gif
Click to expand...

SAK has those little ones where you push on the logo and the LED lights up. We have a few of those. Pretty cute. :)
 
Martinsite makes a great point. Knife folks seem to have a big crossover with flashlights and a lot of stores do not use this to their advantage. If you want to seperate yourself from your competition, offer a "sandwich" they can't make. Photons would be an excellent addition.
Dave
 
I work at a knife store so I can tell you what we sell lots of:

Kershaw Speed Safe! Order all of the models and they will sell! Keep alot in stock because we go throught them like **** through a goose! Especially the cheaper ones:)

Spyderco Models with FRN handles, and rescues are good sellers.

CRKT M16 with the zytle handles, and all the KISSes.

Buck fixed blades, especially if there are alot of hunters.

Black Kabars, for the parents who have kids going into the service. the black coated blades with black rubber handles seem to be more popular.

SOG lockbacks like the Tomcat, people like the heavy feel of them.

Small Gerber LST's

SAK Classic, both regular and translucent handles.

Lansky and Spyderco Sharpeners.

White lightning



:)
 
After reading my post again, I realize that I could have worded it different. I meant just crappy knives in general, and it was not directed at Kershaw by no means. I just ran the two together.

Sorry Mongrel!;)
 
I am a dealer myself, and I sell alot of CRKT,Benchmade and Emerson products.I tend to sell to law enforcement, fire dept.,and EMS, people who really use and abuse blades, and the top brands are worth the extra cash. I tried a few POS pieces and I still have most of them in my stock. Even the top brands have reasonably priced pieces. If you build a reputation of carrying high quality products at reasonable prices, bidness will stay with you...long term...That's just my opinion...I could be wrong....Jimmy the Blade:D
 
Wow, thanks for all the replies! :) You've all influenced my decisions. ;) We already carry a lot of what was mentioned, but I've written down a few new ones, and I think I'm going to get more sharpeners. LOL, That's a touchy thing... We are also a knife sharpening business, located at our store... ;)

Seriously, I appreciate everyone who took the time to give me suggestions! Thanks a bunch! Oh, and if you have any more, please feel go ahead!
 
I'd carry a few Mora knives as well, perhaps the Frost's Swedish Army model, one or more woodworking Sloyd style knives with the laminated blades. You may have to 'hand sell' the first few of these but once word gets out what a great knife you can buy for the money...

I'd go to Wal-Mart and see what they carry, what they've sold out of. I'd try to avoid competing with 'em on most products (except SAKs and Kershaws), and I'd stock a few extra of anything they can't keep on their shelf.
 
If you've ever been to New Graham Knives, that's exactly what I want in a knife store (though maybe with a bit less of the fancy Case stuff, could fill the space with Camillus!).
 
Dreamcrumbs-

Where are you? I live in PA, near Philly. I would check your store out if you aren't too far.
 
BM 710
Spyderco Spydercard
CRK&T Polkowski/Kasper Companion
CRK&T Crawford/Kasper
Böker A-F Boot
SW HRT Combat Survival
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top