on line or local knife dealer?

colobbfan

colobbfan

Joined
May 31, 2000
Messages
651
The question: Where do you buy?
I'm fairly lucky in having Spyderco a few miles away and a great knife shop (Rocky Mountain Specialities) about the same distance in the other direction.
I can see all the new Spyderco products probably as soon or sooner than the majority of buyers. And have the opportunity to purchase them soon after introduction, albeit at MSRP.
At my favorite knife shop I can handle and compare a fairly large spectrum of knife brands from William Henry, Chris Reeves, David Boye to BM, MT,MOD. And I generally can get a 20 to 35% price break. In addition, the owner, Tom and the other guys around there are great people!
But, when I go on a buying binge (say a dozen knives a month) I tend to go where price is best which is on the internet.
I'm down to 2 or 3 knife purchases a month and have tended to get them locally. I feel a loyality and the few extra dollars are well spent for shared interest, etc.
I'm also a fairly experienced seller & buyer on eBay (though not necessarily knives) and have gotten some great and so-so prices on a few knives there and at other auction sites.
I've also attended a few shows but not enough to say I get good prices there.
I'm not necessarily looking for names of sites or shops but more of your buying
habits. Internet, Local???? Why??? Money only or...

John
colobbfan

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A day without Spydies is like a day without ... WELL, Spydies!!!
 
Personally, I prefer to buy local, but end up mostly buying on-line. If nothing else, local means "instant gratification."

It also lets me handle the knife first, and decide if I like it. For example, I had been thinking about buying a BM 770, but on handling it, decided that it really didn't work for me. On the other hand, my thinking had been that a plain edge Spyderco Toad would be the way to go, but on seeing it in person, decided to buy the serrated version.

However, bottom line, the web offers a far better selection and, generally, better prices. Many of the knives I might want aren't available locally, except by special order. There goes that instant gratification. If I have to wait anyway, I might as well order the knife myself from an on-line dealer.

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Dave

Let no one ever from henceforth say one word in any way countenancing war. It is dangerous even to speak of how here and there the individual may gain some hardship of soul by it. For war is hell, and those who institute it are criminals. Siegfried Loraine Sassoon
 
I haven't found a very good selection at reasonable prices in my locale. I'm running 10-to-1 in favor of the internet.
 
I have no local dealers so I buy of the net.
If you like the people you are dealing with, stick with them. Having a place you can handle and try knives before you buy them is a great asset. The advice they can give is helpful as well.

Keith.
 
Both. Got a local dealer (actually a gunshop that carries a bunch of knives) that has prices as good as online dealers+you get to handle them. Best of both worlds.
I buy from them and 1sks. 1sks has a little bigger selection
smile.gif
 
I think it's a question of what services you need. If you know what you want, you can order on line, get a knife in a few days and save a few bucks. If you want to see the knives in person, handle them and take one home with you, then the knife store is the way to go. I think it's a question you need to answer for yourself. You're the only one that can decide what services you want. Take care.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
The only knife dealer around is in the mall and talk about high prices. It makes me gring when I go there, sure it's is nice to handle the knife before you buy but what price do you put on that. The knives in his shop run some times $70. or so above what I can get the same knife on the internet. So I tend to buy there or mail order.
 
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