Quest to buy display case

clutchcarter

clutchcarter

Joined
Dec 11, 2011
Messages
2,618
I'm visiting my Daughter at grad school in Kansas. The University of Kansas is in a nice town called Lawrence and there's a very cool downtown area with small shops, bars, and restaurants of all kinds. Smack dab in he middle of this area is this really cool old hardware store.



In the middle of the store sits this old, worn shuredge display case! Now, this is patina! :eek:




So, I approach the crusty character that seems like he's the store owner and ask him if he's interested in selling the case. He has this curious look on his face and asks "Where would I put my knives?". I'm not if sure you noticed, but the knives in there aren't really anything special. I told him I'd help him find a place and asked how much he would want for it. He just kind of stumbled around his words a little and never really got to an answer. I couldn't figure out if he had been asked a million times about the case and was just pulling my leg, or if he really was surprised anyone was interested in it. I told him to think about it and I'd get back to him in a day or two.

So, we'll see what happens the next time I go in there. Any advice from you guys on an approach for this guy would be appreciated!

Next problem......I'm eight hours from home with no way to transport this beast! :(

Wish me luck!:)
 
Haha hope you get that case Mark. Looks like a beautiful one to house knives with loads of room. Would be a centerpiece of any room.
 
You could go online and buy him a couple of inexpensive, BUT SHINY NEW knife display cases (you know, the ones with the red, sectioned inserts) and have them shipped to his store... include that in your offer.

Good luck, Mark!

p.s. U-Haul is your friend ;)
 
clutchcarter said:
So, I approach the crusty character that seems like he's the store owner and ask him if he's interested in selling the case. He has this curious look on his face and asks "Where would I put my knives?". I'm not if sure you noticed, but the knives in there aren't really anything special. I'd bet they're special to him. I told him I'd help him find a place and asked how much he would want for it. He just kind of stumbled around his words a little and never really got to an answer. I couldn't figure out if he had been asked a million times about the case and was just pulling my leg, or if he really was surprised anyone was interested in it. I told him to think about it and I'd get back to him in a day or two.

Next problem......I'm eight hours from home with no way to transport this beast! :(

Wish me luck!:)
Click to expand...

Rent a U-Haul trailer to haul it.

Looks like it could be a great project. God luck with it if the old codger will part with it.
 
If you were closer to NEPA I'd help, if you have a u haul near you rent a trailer one way.

You could always bribe a friend with a truck by offering dinner and fuel for a ride.

Anybody owe you a favor? Call it in, I help my friends because I like to and when I can I often do. The owe me factor is very high with a few friends so I can just about all for any favor, I broke down in Vermont on Superbowl Sunday many years ago, I was visiting my sister in law when it happened, I called my buddy back home in PA and he came out picked up the car with his trailer and brought us all home on the coldest winter I could remember in a long time.

It's amazing what true friends will do for each other ... :)
 
That would be a great score if you can swing it. Got to be some way to make it lucrative for the wife as well, maybe a shopping road trip or something on the way back...
 
Update - - - -

No progress :(

I didn't get a chance to stop by the hardware store today. We'll be near there tonight for dinner but they'll be closed by then, tomorrow is my next chance.

Good advice everyone. I actually thought about towing my motorcycle trailer out here just in case something came along. I thought that something might be a beater bike or some piece of furniture in need of restoring, but my Wife's Sunfish sailboat was on it and I didn't want to mess with it. I had no idea this beast was awaiting me! If I get so lucky to snag this jewel I'll have to rent a U-Haul.
 
glennbad said:
That would be a great score if you can swing it. Got to be some way to make it lucrative for the wife as well, maybe a shopping road trip or something on the way back...
Click to expand...

Yes, unfortunately this is probably my best hope of staying out of the dog house.
 
No, no. Leave it as is. How many people had to put their hands on the trim pieces to have the paint worn off? How many times did something bang into it to give it that character. Fill it with carbon knives that comment the cases story and age. Beautiful piece.
 
Edit that-how many belt buckles were run down the front side of the case. How many years of that occuring did it take to put all those gouges down the case's front? Hundreds of patrons, thousands. All perusing the knives of yesteryear as he/she leans over to look at a finely crafted pocket knife.
 
About ten years ago I was in the same place. He had a few vintage spydercos, e.g. first run Jot, some buck and I don't recall what else. To break the ice for a lower price on a Spyderco, I told him the knife case was collectible, he was a little suprised. He did not drop his price on the knife. He's a smart business man, his knives carried a premium price and he could wait to sell at his price...it is a college town.

I get in Lawerence about once a year. In the last few years he has been slowing down and not keeping up his inventory of knives and a lot of other stuff. Keep at it with a fair price, you may get it yet. I buy paracord there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top