I'm currently lucky enough to be in Birmingham, AL; a city that's got a good selection of the usual gun shops, pawn shops, sporting goods and hardware stores, and even a couple culinary places; but like most places it's usually hard to find a deep selection of the knives we like. A couple years ago the place I usually drop into when the urge to spend is upon me boasted a good 30' of knives on display. And the guy behind the counter liked what he did and the customers he delt with; even though he was relegated to a corner in the shop.
I'd go in just to BS with them, and show whatever new stuff I had (mostly custom) and occasionally buy a knife. The store sells everything hunting and fishing related, so most of my purchases were spread around, but we still talked a lot about knives.
Then I mentioned the Blade Show. Now they go to Shot, but never had done Blade (which is 2.5 hours away). I talked them into sending the one (main) guy over "for a day". In the two years since that happened the store doubled in size. The knife section has (at least) quadrupled. (I can't take credit for that, I was deployed much of the time.)
They carry a great selection of the major brands (you name it they probably have it) and keep adding to the line up. They're even putting in some traditionals, and two cases of true customs. Now they do the Blade show on the regular calendar, and last week they were talking about on-line sales.
The point being, talk to your local guys. If Birmingham (which is not a big city) can support this kind of business, most places can. I don't believe the mall stores really reached the sportsman, and every knife guy I know does some kind of "sport". I think retailers fail to understand the market for decent knives. (a case in point, I went to the local hardware store this past week; he's got three knife displays 80% empty. Says he sold his stock at Christmas, just hasn't re-ordered. Who doesn't put stuff that sells back on the shelves ASAP?)
I'd go in just to BS with them, and show whatever new stuff I had (mostly custom) and occasionally buy a knife. The store sells everything hunting and fishing related, so most of my purchases were spread around, but we still talked a lot about knives.
Then I mentioned the Blade Show. Now they go to Shot, but never had done Blade (which is 2.5 hours away). I talked them into sending the one (main) guy over "for a day". In the two years since that happened the store doubled in size. The knife section has (at least) quadrupled. (I can't take credit for that, I was deployed much of the time.)
They carry a great selection of the major brands (you name it they probably have it) and keep adding to the line up. They're even putting in some traditionals, and two cases of true customs. Now they do the Blade show on the regular calendar, and last week they were talking about on-line sales.
The point being, talk to your local guys. If Birmingham (which is not a big city) can support this kind of business, most places can. I don't believe the mall stores really reached the sportsman, and every knife guy I know does some kind of "sport". I think retailers fail to understand the market for decent knives. (a case in point, I went to the local hardware store this past week; he's got three knife displays 80% empty. Says he sold his stock at Christmas, just hasn't re-ordered. Who doesn't put stuff that sells back on the shelves ASAP?)
The gentleman that owns it is a real knife guy and a real nice guy too.
)Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife at the big box stores. No real quality available locally makes me shop the hit-and-miss way online.