My New Nighthawk

H

Hoodoo

Joined
Aug 18, 1999
Messages
2,355
Just back from one of my favorite knife stores--Walmart--
smile.gif
, with a new Nighthawk. It looks like something I can use to pry roots out of the ground or maybe even cut or hack something.

For some reason, my local Walmart has a bunch of discontinued knives sitting on a back shelf that are way cheap. I keep buying them but pickin's are getting slim. Best buy today was a Case 2 blade pocket knife (DR6207SS), which is a smallish trapper with a red jigged bone handle, for $5. And the Nighthawk? $11.50.

How good of a deal did I get on the Nighthawk? It's not a tanto, just spear point, smooth edge.


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Hoodoo

Cogita tute

[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 30 October 1999).]
 
Retail on the Nighthawk is $64.00. I'd say you got a pretty good deal. Way below wholesale.

And people wonder why us small dealers just hate it when WalMart moves into the neighborhood. Take care.



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Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
(Buy a knife...confuse a liberal)
La Mesa, CA
wrightknife@ixpres.com


 
Sorry Dennis. But look on the bright side. They seem to be getting out of the "classier knife" business (not that they were really ever in it). There's not a bone-handled Case left. Their knife line is restricted to the same lines every other big retail store is selling. So the "higher end" market (whatever that means) is still there for the small cutlery dealer and probably always will be. But if I want a Schrade Sharpfinger, I will probably go back to WalMart or similar place.
frown.gif
If I want a new Spyderco or Benchmade or a Marble, I'll swing by your place.
smile.gif


Thanks for letting me know the retail price. I really wasn't sure what the Nighthawk sold for.


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Hoodoo

Cogita tute
 
Hoodoo,
I'm glad for you that you got that deal. In fact, if I had come across those knives at those prices I would have probably grabbed all of them and put them in the store. As I said, they were way below wholesale.

The bit about WalMart is the same old refrain that small business retailers have been wailing for years. I was just making noise. I wouldn't want to restrict any honest business from setting up here or anywhere else. That doesn't mean that I don't cringe when they move in though. They can be pretty devestating to a small business comunity that relies on selling common goods.

Some moron in the state legislature here introduced a bill to do just that and keep large retailers from opening new stores here in Kalifornia. The thing actually passed both houses. (Must have been some heavy "contributing" by a bunch of small businesses going on.) The Governor vetoed it right away. (Even Democrats can get smart once in awhile.) I couldn't believe such a thing actually passed the legislature but then you have to know this place. They don't call it the land of fruits and nuts for nothing.

I know what they carry and have chosen to not carry the same stuff in any quantity in the store so I'm not affected too much by them. Besides, as you said, they don't have everything so there is enough left over for the small business that takes the time and makes the effort to stock the right merchandise. That just makes sense in any business.

Responsible (and smart) manufacturers limit the amount of skews they release to the 'marts and spread the rest out among the whole retailer spectrum. That way they have most all of the bases covered and get the most return. It's called good marketing.

To actually try and restrict the establishment of any retailer is a really bad move and can backfire on the small businesses who try. After all, if they can shut down or restrict the big guys, what do we think they can do to us little ones? We don't have near the clout that they have and we could be swept away like tin cups in a typhoon. Not only that, my wife would have a fit if she couldn't got to WalMart at least once a month or more.

Incidentally, that Nighthawk is one tough knife. If it is an older one with the old edge on it you might want to send it to Buck and have them put the new Edge 2000 on it. It really makes a difference.

Take care.

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Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
(Buy a knife...confuse a liberal)
La Mesa, CA
wrightknife@ixpres.com


 
Hi Dennis,
Yeah, no doubt WalMart has run a lot of small shops out of business. I found it curious that Kmart was complaining about the big giant WalMart running their stores out of business in some places. KMart did the very same thing when their stores first opened.

It may be that Internet shopping will have a profound effect as well.

About the Nighthawk, what is the Edge 2000? I doubt this blade has it. This stock of discontinued knives is pretty old. Is it some kind of coating? Will Buck do it for free or is there a charge?



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Hoodoo

Cogita tute
 
Hoodoo, the Edge 2000 is Buck's way of describing their shallower angle that they are now using. It really is a great improvement, I've got a Big Sky model that is extremely sharp and holds up pretty well too. Also have one of the 110s from Pete's custom shop and between the BG42 steel and their new edge, yipes!!! Now, if they'd just use BG42 or VG10 in the other models i'd be in heaven. But the regular production version is really PLENTY sharp for most folks.
 
HOODOO, Brian has it right.

Buck usually charges $5.00 for sharpening. Call their customer service and ask them: 1-800-735-2825. It's definitely worth it.



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Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
(Buy a knife...confuse a liberal)
La Mesa, CA
wrightknife@ixpres.com


 
Actually we have a "special" going on right now. If you send in your knife, along with five dollars and a coupon, we will completely refurbish the knife and give it the Edge 2000 treatment. Of course, a brand new Knighthawk won't need anything in the refurbish department but the new edge will help. Send a copy of this thread in to serve as your "coupon" and tell 'em Joe sent ya!

Take care,

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Joe Houser
Director of Quality, Buck Knives Inc.
Buck Collectors club Administrator
 
Thanks, Joe. Sounds like a great idea. Do you have the address for where to ship the knife?


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Hoodoo

Cogita tute
 
Buck Knives, Inc.
1900 Weld Blvd.
El Cajon CA 92020

The new edge is a little bit of science and a lot of focus on process detail. Our people really got behind the effort and for the last year we have been edging all our knives this way.

It is so dramatic an improvement that people that have sent a knife in for a warranty repair were amazed enough to write us and ask us how we were sharpening different.

We wanted to wait before going loudly public to ensure our marketplace was flooded with the new edged product.

Next year is our year...

Are you E2K compliant...

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CJ Buck
Buck Knives, Inc.
AKTI Member #PR00003


 
Thanks for the information Mr. Buck. Sounds like pretty exciting stuff! Can this be done to all Buck knives or only to some? I wonder if I should have my BuckLite done as well? It's one of my all time favorite knives for the combination of cutting power and lightness. It's always been a hair shaver and I wonder how E2K will improve on that? But I'm game for it if it can be done.


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Hoodoo

Cogita tute
 
Hey Hoodoo,
Go ahead and send in your Bucklite too if you want. It can't hurt to be sharper!


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Joe Houser
Director of Quality, Buck Knives Inc.
Buck Collectors club Administrator
 
All,
As a reminder, it is best to address items on the way to Buck Knives as: BK Inc.
This stops many potential thieves along the
mailing or delivery route from having a clue as to the enclosed item.
Larry
 
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