Honestly i have given up on gun stores, large outfitters and chain stores. Many of the people working their its simply a job to them. Even at actual knife shops I find that many of them just sell the stuff. The ONLY time I have been to a store that the person running it knew what they were talking about was at Grand prarie knives near springfield illinois. But to get that kind of knowledgeable staff I had to drive nearly 5 hours as I live about 50 miles outside chicago. I have found you use the forums and to a much lesser extent youtube to get answers and simply go into the big stores to either handle or purchase. But expecting anything more than that is like expecting to find a 5 star chef microwaving burgers at mcdonalds.
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Retail Stores that "sell knives"
- Thread starter lcsmith84
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killgar
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- Sep 24, 2002
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- 7,395
That sounds, well, bizarre.
I've lived in San Diego for 45 years, just a few miles from Lemon Grove, and I have been openly carrying a fixed-blade here for about ten years now without any problem. And many cops have seen me do it.
In fact, I was at Home Depot in Lemon Grove (on Broadway), there was a cop car parked in front of the store, and I parked my motorcycle right next to it. A cop who was sitting in the car saw that my open jacket had momentarily covered my knife thereby making it concealed, which is illegal. He just gave me a very friendly heads-up about it, I adjusted my jacket, thanked him, and then we went our separate ways. He never drew his pistol, neither did his partner, nor did he ask my name or ask for my ID.
On another occasion I walked into a fast-food place in La Mesa (right next to Lemon Grove), I walked right past five or six cops sitting at a table eating. My knife was in plain view to them the entire time I was there, they were close enough to reach over and touch it. But not one of them said a word to me. And I was fresh off my motorcycle and covered in leather.
Here's a pic of what they saw (except I was wearing leather pants as it was cold out). I carry this knife every day-
Several other cops have seen me and my knife in San Diego. We've passed each other at 7-11, and I've been stopped at stop lights right next to them. And they have never said a word.
I know several other people (mostly bikers) in San Diego who openly carry fixed-blades and have done so for many years without any problem with the cops.
I also have a criminal defense attorney who has lived and worked in San Diego for several decades, and he has never heard of the cops giving people any trouble for openly (and legally) carrying a fixed-blade.
Like I said, I find your story bizarre. Because it goes against everything I have ever experienced here in San Diego, and everything I have ever heard from people I know. And California state law (penal code 20200) specifically defines an openly carried fixed-blade, in a sheath, carried on ones belt, as legal.
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Idk, maybe for the fact it was the middle of the night in a dimly lit side area of a shopping center wearing a black shirt and dark denim (work uniform) and I was in a typically locked storage trailer removing things. (Even thou I'm the one with the key) so I'm sure circumstances surrounding the encountered swayed there reaction. the one who told me it was illegal seemed like a rookie so it's possible he was clueless as to actual law. I figured it was county ordinance as I've also worked in Huntington beach, and covina ca. without any issues.That sounds, well, bizarre.
I've lived in San Diego for 45 years, just a few miles from Lemon Grove, and I have been openly carrying a fixed-blade here for about ten years now without any problem. And many cops have seen me do it.
In fact, I was at Home Depot in Lemon Grove (on Broadway), there was a cop car parked in front of the store, and I parked my motorcycle right next to it. A cop who was sitting in the car saw that my open jacket had momentarily covered my knife thereby making it concealed, which is illegal. He just gave me a very friendly heads-up about it, I adjusted my jacket, thanked him, and then we went our separate ways. He never drew his pistol, neither did his partner, nor did he ask my name or ask for my ID.
On another occasion I walked into a fast-food place in La mesa (right next to Lemon Grove), I walked right past a table of five or six cops sitting at a table eating. My knife was in plain view to them, they were close enough to reach over and touch it. But not one of them said a word to me. And I was fresh off my motorcycle and covered in leather.
Here's a pic of what they saw (except I was wearing leather pants as it was cold out)-
Several other cops have seen me and my knife in San Diego. We've passed each other at 7-11, and I've been stopped at stop lights right next to them. And they have never said a word.
I know several other people (mostly bikers) in San Diego who openly carry fixed-blades and have done so for many years without any problem with the cops.
I also have a criminal defense attorney who has lived and worked in San Diego for several decades, and he has never heard of the cops giving people any trouble for openly (and legally) carrying a fixed-blade.
Like I said, I find your story bizarre. Because it goes against everything I have ever experienced here in San Diego, and everything I have ever heard from people I know. And California state law (penal code 20200) specifically defines an openly carried fixed-blade, in a sheath, carried on ones belt, as legal.
killgar
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2002
- Messages
- 7,395
The idea of a rookie saying such a thing makes sense. It was the part about the cops pointing guns at you that sounded bizarre. But it doesn't sound like your knife was the reason they were pointing their guns at you, it sounds like they mistook you for a burglar, and so they reacted with guns drawn. That makes sense.
I'm glad you didn't get shot.
Oh no they had guns drawn before I even exited the trailer lol ..I came out with an arm full of fixture supplies and was blinded by bright lights and starring down 2 barrels. It took a second as I first thought I was getting robbed, then the mixed commands came once they saw the knife. One saying to drop it Even thou that would've required unsheathing it, while the other was yelling hands up.The idea of a rookie saying such a thing makes sense. It was the part about the cops pointing guns at you that sounded bizarre. But it doesn't sound like your knife was the reason they were pointing their guns at you, it sounds like they mistook you for a burglar, and so they reacted with guns drawn. That makes sense.
I'm glad you didn't get shot.
I finally had to ask wtf they wanted me to do pull my knife out and drop it or put my hands up.. After about 20 minutes or so and the store personnel coming out to vouch for me the rookie acting guy gave it back and gave me it's illegal speech.
I was working at a retail place years back and we carried American made quality tools and Chinese not so quality stuff. The American tools cost more but to my mind were well worth the cost difference. To make this a short story I was talking to a customer and directed the customer to the American version and after explaining the quality difference sold the customer the more expensive American version. Well unknown to me the district manager was observing me and reprimanded me for moving the customer from the Chinese version as the store had a higher IMU on the Chinese stuff. ( even though cheaper the store makes more money selling the Chinese stuff )
I figure this practice goes on a lot among the larger chain type stores
I figure this practice goes on a lot among the larger chain type stores
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- 293
I work at a knife shop. We get plenty of people who come in, look at our stuff, ask questions, and we educate them far beyond just average service. Then those people, after wasting hours of our time, pull out their phones right in fron of us and order it on amazon or etc. I've even had them hand me their phone and ask me to make sure they're ordering the correct knife I just showed them... Yeah... That's why there's no knife shops around. In most instances they save like $5-10 at most. We're no more than $30 over any *authorized* online dealer. Really sucks to help someone so much then have them burn you like that. They dont seem to realize knowledge isn't exactly free either, but helping people is what we do. In fact, I'd say about 80% of those who come in to buy a knife end up with something completely different than what they had originally came in to buy thanks to us giving them the info they need to make the right decision - and trust me, they all leave happy. Its just nice when they leave with one of our knives. I can tell you this: the ones that do buy from us get a TON of service when they come back. I've done free handle wraps, sharpening, complete knife cleaning and servicing, etc...
Monofletch
Gold Member
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- Jan 14, 2010
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I was at Cabela's not long ago looking at knives. The poor kid at the counter didn't know a thing about knives. To my amazement he started out our conversation stating so. A lady walked up to the counter and asked for help purchasing a knife for her husband's birthday gift. He said, "I work in shoes....ask this guy (pointing to me) what he recommends." I ended up selling a Benchmade 556 (for her) and Kershaw Blur (for him). 
I stop into my local army/navy surplus every now and then to browse the wares. there's a young'un (probably about the same age as me) behind the counter who is super into knives - oddly enough, he's equally as into cheesy "tacticool" or rambo knives as he is actual EDC carry knives, like kershaws, benchmades, and spydercos. I've bought two bucks from them after discussing intended uses and steel preferences, and I've been very happy both times, even though I knew I was paying a markup on top of what I could get from BHQ or other online retailers.
to be honest, I'd love to buy more knives from these guys, but the problem that I have is that their selection of useful knives is really limited. like 85% of their folding knives only come in the serrated version, which is just not my thing. they're friendly dudes (unlike the guys who sell knives at the local gun shop), I have no large outdoor hunting stores near me that have a good selection of knives either, and they're happy to keep pulling knives out of the case for you to try until you find one you like. so I'll keep popping in once a month or so, and hope that they get something good in.
to be honest, I'd love to buy more knives from these guys, but the problem that I have is that their selection of useful knives is really limited. like 85% of their folding knives only come in the serrated version, which is just not my thing. they're friendly dudes (unlike the guys who sell knives at the local gun shop), I have no large outdoor hunting stores near me that have a good selection of knives either, and they're happy to keep pulling knives out of the case for you to try until you find one you like. so I'll keep popping in once a month or so, and hope that they get something good in.
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Same in every store which carries a few thousand things.
Of course the poor salesman will know less about any particular item than the customer who only did 10 minutes of online research.
Let's assume the sales person learns just 10 minutes about every item and they carry 5000. How many working days would he have to spend full time just on education?
Yes it's their job and overall they know more (hopefully) but for any particular thing it shouldn't be hard to best them with a few minutes online research.
Have seen that in many big stores like Best Buy for example.
Only problem I would see if it's a dedicated knife / anything store and they have no clue about their special area.
Of course the poor salesman will know less about any particular item than the customer who only did 10 minutes of online research.
Let's assume the sales person learns just 10 minutes about every item and they carry 5000. How many working days would he have to spend full time just on education?
Yes it's their job and overall they know more (hopefully) but for any particular thing it shouldn't be hard to best them with a few minutes online research.
Have seen that in many big stores like Best Buy for example.
Only problem I would see if it's a dedicated knife / anything store and they have no clue about their special area.
silenthunterstudios
Slipjoint Addict
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Seans prices are not full MSRP, he has pretty good prices for a brick and mortar. Not online pricing, but still good.
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- Feb 14, 2015
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- 293
Its sold out everywhere else. Got a 562 as well and some awesome Bokers with Chad Nichols Damascus on them. Finally got in more Boker micarta and carbon fiber pens. Right now our prices are just over what blade HQ has their for, but we actually have them in stock lol
Chicago is a fairly large city and according to Yelp, there isn't one that we'd consider a knife shop. When I was growing up there were several. I think they priced themselves out of the market. People wanting cheap good looking knockoffs can buy a box of them from late night TV shows for $50-$100. People who want good name brand knives can buy for much less than MSRP on the web. You can also make some real scores on the forums. Too bad but they (B&M Stores) are becoming a thing of the past.
They establish prices to cover the cost of goods, overhead and a bit of profit. If we are unwilling to pay the price for available knives to see and handle plus knowledgeable staff then we shouldn't moan about the lack of convenient B&M stores.
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- Nov 23, 2012
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- 941
I guess im spoiled since my local shop is one of the best in the US (IMHO) very rare and high end pieces and a very knowledgeable staff makes it a pleasure to visit and chat steel with them. Not to mention most of there stuff is out of my league anyways so this is the only way ill handle a $20-40k knife guilt free
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I manage a nutrition store in this is all too familiar too me. Im at the point were I would like to charge those d-bags a consulation fee for waisting my time. If you want to shop online use them as a resource, not me when you dont even have the courtesy to patronize my business. Worst part is I even match online prices and our existing prices are the same exact thing as the cheapest online source when you factor shipping and wait time. But most people can not comprehend any of that
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I hear you man. I use to work at GNC (also a nutrition store) for about 3 years. People come in, literally sit there getting free info for 2hr or more, then leave without buying a thing and grabbing any free sample they can manage to get their grubby hands on. Do we charge more? Generally yes. Is it a lot more? Its almost always less than $30 - and usually only about $10-15 in most instances. Is that worth the 1-2hr most people spend getting educated and viewing all their options? Hell yes. Will we be in business next month if people continue to do this to us? Probably not.
I dont think the people who visit us and buy anything understand how lucky they are to have a knife shop to visit. I also dont think they understand that our competition will raise their prices if we're gone cuz they're in a swanky mall where money isn't a huge issue; but with us so nearby it affects their prices. Also not to mention the services we offer. Good luck finding another knife sharpener with 38 years experience and next day service on *anything* and same day service on smaller orders. Plus we usually touch up our customers knives every time they stop by, clean them for free, maintain them, and also train the customer how to sharpen at home and self maintenance. Forsaking all that to save $5 is ridiculous to me and a slap in the face.
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The first time I walked into Recon 1 I knew I had found the place for me...
The clerk said.."can I help you" and like the knife geek that I am I said, "Yes I'm looking for a Benchmade 903 mini stryker drop point", and instead of the expected puzzled look I would get at REI or Sport Chalet he said "straight edge or partially serrated?" and in my mind I said "Hallelujah!!! He knows what I said, I've found my knife store!"
It's a pleasure for me to stop by and spend time talking knives with "knife people" dedicated to the knife industry. Although "stopping by" tends to end with me spending more $$.
The clerk said.."can I help you" and like the knife geek that I am I said, "Yes I'm looking for a Benchmade 903 mini stryker drop point", and instead of the expected puzzled look I would get at REI or Sport Chalet he said "straight edge or partially serrated?" and in my mind I said "Hallelujah!!! He knows what I said, I've found my knife store!"
It's a pleasure for me to stop by and spend time talking knives with "knife people" dedicated to the knife industry. Although "stopping by" tends to end with me spending more $$.