David From NC
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2007
- Messages
- 444
:thumbup:
I have been needing a knife fix in a BAD way, and was really wanting to pick up an ESEE 5 and a folder for work (a "knife nut" deputy sheriff who's not carrying any knife on duty-how many levels is that just "wrong" on?
).
I've been on every major knife site on the 'Net in the last few weeks, but you can't tell without handling a knife if it's going to "click" for you. I really needed to go to a big store with lot's of working/"tactical" knives. I've been to Smokey Mountain Knife Works several times which is about 3 hours away, but have been considering a drive to New Graham Knives in Bluefield Virginia for about a year (which is also about 3 hours from me). The fact that SMKW is "Backordered" on all ESEE 5's and NGK showed several in stock at very good prices cinched it.
This latest knife craving made me decide to plan it with rth548 who I work with.
I and rth left around 10 AM and stopped a few miles before the store for lunch and then arrived about 1:30 PM. We parked in a small public parking lot right in front of the store, and upon getting out of the car, I walked about 15 feet and rth said "Hold on a minute..." I stopped and looked back and he was doing something with his phone... He continued messing with it for about 20 seconds (I thought he was texting) and I finally said, "RT...I just drove 3 hours to this knife store...and I'm now 30 yards from the door...WHAT THE **** ARE YOU DOING???"
Turns out he was "checking in" on Facebook... We made it in finally!
First impressions-The store was neat, well lit (not overly bright but sufficiently lit) and immaculately clean. Of course the selection was amazing (above head high cases along both walls, and two rows of shoulder height cases down the center).
A nice lady (I regret to say I forgot to ask her name) offered to help us, and seen to our needs. Since both of us had NUMEROUS knives on our "list" we wanted to look for/look at/handle, this was a daunting task. She never stopped smiling and was very obliging. Another lady (who also helped us some during our 3 hour visit) was present as was a man who I spoke to at length but I also failed to ask his name. I'm assuming he is the owner and he also stated he teaches Concealed Carry classes locally.
I also realized very quick (having looked at their website for hours a day for the last week and making a "list" of knives I wanted to look for) that their website inventory is DEAD ON ACCURATE to actual quantities in the store. (I could have said "dead on balls accurate" like Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny but I'd never look as hot as her!)
this was a big deal to me as I often order by Internet, and have found that "In stock" don't always mean "In stock" with some companies. Cough...cough...cough...BOTACH!cough.cough... :barf:
I wanted to look at a small Sebenza (totally plain) in RH, but the website showed 0 in stock, and there was none in the store. I wanted the ESEE 5 in black with plain edge-the website showed 1 in stock and there was only 1 (now it shows "Out of Stock!" because it's laying beside me as I type!) I had several Emersons I was interested in. I have had 2 previously-an early Spec War and a later Commander-but I always end up trading or selling them because they are just a bit too "edgy" for deep pocket carry. I love the brand though and have even met Mr. Emerson at a Blade Show. All the Emerson quantities shown matched exactly with actual totals. I even mentioned this to the lady helping us, and she said they strive to make sure it does.
In the end, I picked up an ESEE5, an "old school" Stainless Spyderco Delica, 2 purple Blade Tech Mouses, and two Moras.
rth was busy with the "old man knives" (slip joints are for people who need hip joints
) He picked up a couple of knives also.
Overall a perfect shopping experience and I can't recommend them high enough based on this first (hopefully of MANY) visit(s)! :thumbup:
PS-Of all the knives I bought, that dang little Blade Tech Mouse is the one I can't put down! Makes no sense...I know, but I am loving it! I have never handled any of their knives but I was very impressed with them, but that's a whole 'nuther post!
I have been needing a knife fix in a BAD way, and was really wanting to pick up an ESEE 5 and a folder for work (a "knife nut" deputy sheriff who's not carrying any knife on duty-how many levels is that just "wrong" on?
). I've been on every major knife site on the 'Net in the last few weeks, but you can't tell without handling a knife if it's going to "click" for you. I really needed to go to a big store with lot's of working/"tactical" knives. I've been to Smokey Mountain Knife Works several times which is about 3 hours away, but have been considering a drive to New Graham Knives in Bluefield Virginia for about a year (which is also about 3 hours from me). The fact that SMKW is "Backordered" on all ESEE 5's and NGK showed several in stock at very good prices cinched it.
This latest knife craving made me decide to plan it with rth548 who I work with.
I and rth left around 10 AM and stopped a few miles before the store for lunch and then arrived about 1:30 PM. We parked in a small public parking lot right in front of the store, and upon getting out of the car, I walked about 15 feet and rth said "Hold on a minute..." I stopped and looked back and he was doing something with his phone... He continued messing with it for about 20 seconds (I thought he was texting) and I finally said, "RT...I just drove 3 hours to this knife store...and I'm now 30 yards from the door...WHAT THE **** ARE YOU DOING???"
Turns out he was "checking in" on Facebook... We made it in finally!
First impressions-The store was neat, well lit (not overly bright but sufficiently lit) and immaculately clean. Of course the selection was amazing (above head high cases along both walls, and two rows of shoulder height cases down the center).
A nice lady (I regret to say I forgot to ask her name) offered to help us, and seen to our needs. Since both of us had NUMEROUS knives on our "list" we wanted to look for/look at/handle, this was a daunting task. She never stopped smiling and was very obliging. Another lady (who also helped us some during our 3 hour visit) was present as was a man who I spoke to at length but I also failed to ask his name. I'm assuming he is the owner and he also stated he teaches Concealed Carry classes locally.
I also realized very quick (having looked at their website for hours a day for the last week and making a "list" of knives I wanted to look for) that their website inventory is DEAD ON ACCURATE to actual quantities in the store. (I could have said "dead on balls accurate" like Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny but I'd never look as hot as her!)
this was a big deal to me as I often order by Internet, and have found that "In stock" don't always mean "In stock" with some companies. Cough...cough...cough...BOTACH!cough.cough... :barf:I wanted to look at a small Sebenza (totally plain) in RH, but the website showed 0 in stock, and there was none in the store. I wanted the ESEE 5 in black with plain edge-the website showed 1 in stock and there was only 1 (now it shows "Out of Stock!" because it's laying beside me as I type!) I had several Emersons I was interested in. I have had 2 previously-an early Spec War and a later Commander-but I always end up trading or selling them because they are just a bit too "edgy" for deep pocket carry. I love the brand though and have even met Mr. Emerson at a Blade Show. All the Emerson quantities shown matched exactly with actual totals. I even mentioned this to the lady helping us, and she said they strive to make sure it does.
In the end, I picked up an ESEE5, an "old school" Stainless Spyderco Delica, 2 purple Blade Tech Mouses, and two Moras.
rth was busy with the "old man knives" (slip joints are for people who need hip joints
) He picked up a couple of knives also.Overall a perfect shopping experience and I can't recommend them high enough based on this first (hopefully of MANY) visit(s)! :thumbup:
PS-Of all the knives I bought, that dang little Blade Tech Mouse is the one I can't put down! Makes no sense...I know, but I am loving it! I have never handled any of their knives but I was very impressed with them, but that's a whole 'nuther post!