My First Walmart Knife Purchase

I bought a Camillus lk6 at Wally World about one month ago. I actually like that knife. A stubby but sturdy blade of 440 steel (soft but I don't care). I took it apart and cleaned and oiled the innards. Deploys effortlessly now, and takes to a strop well. Great beater knife.
 
I used to buy all my knives at Walmart or local sporting goods stores. I'm glad to have left that world behind for better budget options online. Not too long ago, I checked the Walmart knife counter for the first time in a few years. It was picked over and what was left was not inspiring. I was a little surprised at how much 7Cr17Mov was still in circulation over there.

The guy at the counter was a self-described "knife guy" but only insofar as the kind of stuff in the case. I took out my Civivi Riffle in 14C28N and handed it to him. It just about knocked his socks off. He had never even heard of Civivi! So I pointed him to online retailers such as BladeHQ and Knife Center.

Steels like 8Cr13Mov can feel obsolete and the knives that run them can feel overpriced compared to the better budget stuff coming out of China. Assisted actions can feel janky now that good manual actions have become cheap and common. That's not to say that a knife like the Cryo can't be enjoyed. Every once in a while, I'll dust off one of my assisted Kershaws and I'll have fun with it.
 
I've purchased a handful or so of knives from Walmart over the years.
I believe three were Victorinox Swiss Army knives, (of one sort or another), and the others being Buck knives, (of both USA and China made varieties). One of the Bucks was a 110 Folding Hunter, one was a 119 Special, and one a 120 General in Cocobolo colored laminate wood.
I think that has been the full extent of my Walmart acquisitions, and their pricing was always a positive point.

I still take a glance at the knife section of Wally World when I very occasionally stop in, but I just don't run into anything there that I want.
Btw, the Buck 110 now costs $60 at my local Wally World.

I purchased my Buck 120 General, (in their basic 420hc stainless steel), using their online website a few years back. I chose free delivery to my local Walmart for an in person pick-up. It arrived in just a couple/few days. The yellow/black factory box was a wee bit smooshed, but there was no damage to the knife or it's leather sheath. Including taxes, I think I paid something like just under $70 total for it, which was the best deal online for one at the time.
I don't even know if Buck even offers this model anymore, (at least maybe not in the standard 420hc). Now I get to thinking, I wonder what they go for now... So, off to a little web searching I go 😅

Update: So it does seem that Buck discontinued their 120 General Cocobolo model in 420hc, but, they do offer it in Cocobolo with a D2 steel blade and Aluminum guard/pommel. I personally think the brass looks best with the Cocobolo laminate handle, but that's just my opinion 😁

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Hashishiin said:
It is different if you were wondering why one would say that, as they bully companies about pricing, and tend to push mom and pop shops out of the area because sometimes folks cannot pass up prices or convenience. Not criticizing you for shopping there, I am just saying why one might want to consider not shopping there. There are also Walmart specials, like, say a power tool, that sold normally has regular metal gears inside. There is a deal on them in Walmart though, $15 bucks cheaper. This version, looks like the same tool but is produced just for Walmart, and has plastic gears.

I like a place that is not that sneaky, that is a bit more personable, that doesn't feel like shopping in the mental asylum or prison commisary.
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Unfortunately that’s the case with many large companies. If one wholeheartedly holds that view it would negate many businesses. For example, Walgreens put my cousin’s small pharmacy out of business (There’s more details on that I wish not to divulge on here.) With that said I’m not a huge proponent of WM. I sort of pinch my nose shut. But I am liking my Kershaw Cryo!
 
POCEH KOCEB said:
At 2am, whoever work there is either stoned, collecting cars on the parking lot or don’t care at all.
Cameras are not very reliable either… :cool:
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People buying lithium batteries, nail polish remover, drain cleaner...or just a box of baking soda...

I don't remember ever buying a knife at Wal-mart. I bought a few at KMart back in the day though...
 
rampco88 said:
Embarrassed, we’ll, kind of, to say I’ve never bought a knife from Walmart until today. Went there for cat food and also came home with a Kershaw Cryo. Ha!

I was surprised how depleted the knife inventory was (see pic). Many of the knives in the case were the last in stock including the Cryo I bought. Luckily for me it was a winner. It has perfect blade centering, tight lock up and some nice snap on the assist. All and all for $36 it was a good deal I think.

Also $60 for a Leek! Whoa! I remember when they were $30.

View attachment 1803892View attachment 1803893View attachment 1803896

Tomorrow I’m going to visit the other Walmart West of me and see what their stock is like. I’ll report back here with anything worthwhile.
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G..
save us from walmart
PLEASE
 
I got my Rat 1 at walmart a few years ago for $28. I don't think they've carried them since, but that was an excellent purchase. A 119 for $45, got my 110 for around $40. They don't have a whole lot but they have some stuff that is serviceable.

Thankfully I have the internet and can buy knives online. And I have St. Nicks about an hour away, and about 2 hours (3 stores), and can go and actually handle knives and talk to people.

Used to have a Cryo...didn't like the size so I got the Cryo 2. Much better IMO. Have since gotten rid of both (gifted the Cryo, sold the Cryo 2 for $10). Both have been beaten, broken, Cryo taken by TSA. Cryo 2 guy got an Artisan Tradition from me and likes it better. Still have my Thermite though, won't give that one up, but my 0562cf and XM18s made me a bit snobby when it comes to the Cryo series...LOL Now if they made a Cryo 2 with a g10 show side, I'd probably get one....
 
Planterz said:
People buying lithium batteries, nail polish remover, drain cleaner...or just a box of baking soda...

I don't remember ever buying a knife at Wal-mart. I bought a few at KMart back in the day though...
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I buy stuff from WM, knives included, I have no problem with it.
I also remember back in the days when I used to buy revolvers from it, unfortunately now I only buy ammo, if they have it...
 
No shame in knife shopping at Wally World. It’s still the same knife whether it’s bought at Wal-Mart, KMart or ordered online from BladeHQ. The packaging could be a little different, but still the same product.
 
I have an "Ozark Trails" folder that came from Walmart. Super cheap, but it cuts everything I have tried to cut with it, holds an edge fairly well, and can be honed to hair whittling sharpness. I have much more expensive knives that I am proud to own, but other than pride of ownership, I wouldn't argue the usefulness or performance/utility of some of the cheaper knives with anyone.
 
Fred1950 said:
I have an "Ozark Trails" folder that came from Walmart. Super cheap, but it cuts everything I have tried to cut with it, holds an edge fairly well, and can be honed to hair whittling sharpness. I have much more expensive knives that I am proud to own, but other than pride of ownership, I wouldn't argue the usefulness or performance/utility of some of the cheaper knives with anyone.
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I understand. My passion is for budget knives. This is the era for that, with foreign production ramping up.

On a related topic, it is interesting to witness the evolution and marketing strategy of Civivi. They begin by acquiring market share with low prices and high quality. Now that they have captured market share, they are ramping up prices. These companies are coming in waves.
 
rampco88 said:
Unfortunately that’s the case with many large companies. If one wholeheartedly holds that view it would negate many businesses. For example, Walgreens put my cousin’s small pharmacy out of business (There’s more details on that I wish not to divulge on here.) With that said I’m not a huge proponent of WM. I sort of pinch my nose shut. But I am liking my Kershaw Cryo!
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I could imagine, if this was in the last ten years, what the other thing this was about, imagine it was over a particular risky product being stocked. But you didn't say, so we can leave my speculation to be just that, haha. That sucks, though. Love mom and pop pharmacies, I miss them. I wish they did not get robbed so much, in general.

Cryo is nice, indeed 😁
 
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