SMKW catalogs not as fun as they used to be

DaveH

DaveH

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
12,249
I used to think the Smokey Mountain Knife Works was great fun to read. They had some great wording along the lines of "made with 100% real metal", or "made on the same high quality german machines as good knives".

The only thing I found in the recent catalog was mention about limited availability and the "high" cost of damascus, it was a mystery steel knife blank for $34. :yawn:

I also used to look for occaional good deals on Spydercos, but they no longer carry any Spyderco or Benchmade. Seems like their audience is now Mall Ninja, collector of new traditional style knives, and those that want import and super inexpensive knives.
 
Sometimes they have good deals on unusual things. But yeah, mostly just cheap junk. They do have decent prices on medium quality stuff, aroun $30 or so. I got one of those full size Beretta Airlights for $20. I also grabbed a lot of Schrades at good prices.

Their pictures are always too small on the website. It's funny that sometimes I get a better look at stuff when the catalog arrives, but even then it is usually not a good picture. They also used to always tell you where stuff was made.
 
Their catologs do show mostly junk but if you visit the store they do have alot of good stuff. They even have a cabinet that they sell some Randalls in at fair prices. I mostly go there to buy a new SAK when I loose or break mine that is used for edc. If you are ever in the area you should stop in, its better in person.
 
It still makes good bathroom readin' just like the Sears catalog and The farmers Almanac. ;)
 
DaveH said:
I used to think the Smokey Mountain Knife Works was great fun to read. They had some great wording along the lines of "made with 100% real metal", or "made on the same high quality german machines as good knives".
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Yup, I enjoyed that. It was like some cheap wine I used to guzze (Wild Irish Rose or Old Duke) Proudly proclaimed it was wine "made with grapes"
 
T. Erdelyi said:
It still makes good bathroom readin' just like the Sears catalog and The farmers Almanac. ;)
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Yeah, that's where most of mine end up. Come home at the end of the day, find a smoky mountain catalog in the mail, and it's time to go enjoy the indoor plumbing.
 
I just got their catalog in the mail today, and I'm not sure how long I'll have it before it winds up in the trash. Their knives are mostly cheap, although I did see a nice SOG model.
 
They do deserve kudos for their "a knife for a soldier" program though. 3000 knives sent to the troops so far.
 
I agree that the catalog isn't as much fun. I think they are tailoring it to the more "edumacated" crowd.

Booger - I have visited their shop many times and have never seen any Randalls at fair prices.... maybe I wasn't looking in the right spot. I have seen some Randalls at the Acorn Shop in Gatlinburg but like all other places these are all marked up aggressively.

I applaud their Salute to their Military employees (one fellow Marine listed).

I did find their section on "Rare Relics" interesting. I don't know enough to judge the authenticity so I will be content with looking at the pics.
 
Actually that's two good points their knives for soldier program and honoring their employees that have served. :thumbup:
 
Yep, no more good closeouts on Spydies.

Worst web site in existence in terms of searching the site. I will hardly shop there online anymore. Every search turns up a gadjillion unnecessary hits.
 
Well Hillbillenigma I have never been one to try and prove a point but I purchased a #25-5, leather and stag for $425.00. I thought that was fair. Upper entrance up the steps turn right go to end, thats where there usually at. I'll be there saturday I'll see if they have any good deals.
 
I would like to speak up for Smoky on this one...... :D....... I have been going to Smoky for over 20 years, way before Kevin Pipes opened this new store. I think Smoky tries very hard to have many hundreds of types of knives available for the public, from less expensive to more expensive.

I go to Smoky every sunday, and have for many years. I have helped out for the last 3 years at Rep. show held every year in the fall (week end after next), and can honestly say that there are some people that walk in and want expensive knives, and others will not pay over $10 for one.

The catalogs just simply do not show a drop in the bucket of what you can find at Smoky, the web and showroom does. I have been going for years and have yet to go and not be totally entertained for at least an hour or two. And this is rushing for me because my back will not hold out most days.

I do agree with the web page pictures being too small, this is an aggravating thing, and the search is not really accurate. They do have several Randalls (not sure about pricing though), and many other high end collector knives in glass cases, some you have to look for in the show room.

They do still sell Spyderco, they are near SOG in the show room, and they sell very well as do the SOGs. I am not sure about the sales or clearances though.

They had a few Benchmades left a few days ago, there was some kind of problem, not sure what. I would like to tell people here on the forums that they could contact Smoky and ask any question they want about knives or anything else they sell, I am certain they would try to help.

Oh........ I am not a Smoky employee, they do however sell the SOG Revolver, which I am very thankful for. And I went to Smoky a long time before the SOG Revolver was invented. :D And I guess I'll go until I just can't go anymore. :(

Robbie Roberson. ;)
 
I picked up some old SMKW catalogs at a yard sale a few weeks ago. They're neat to look at.

 
Pink Delicas, yellow Ladybugs, Green Rescues, red Enduras... Should have got them when I could.

But I must confess...the first time I saw those I thought "those sure are ugly and expensive." I remember the line in the Ladybug description. What "features?" It's just a 2.5" lockback and it's almost $20?

At the time, my most expensive knife was a mini Bucklite. :)

EDIT:
Good thing they used the "Swedish brass" on the sharpmaker!
 
Bud K still has everyone covered for stupid write-ups about products. They also have the worst selection of junk I have ever seen, in a totally unorganized and random layout! :thumbup:
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
Bud K still has everyone covered for stupid write-ups about products. They also have the worst selection of junk I have ever seen, in a totally unorganized and random layout! :thumbup:
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Yeah, I just got one of those too!

THey do have Riddick's knives. They imply they were created for the movie, but every Smoky Mountain reader knows the "swing blade" has been available for well over a decade!
 
I don't even browse the BudK catalog.

SMKW has a few cool things this time around. Plenty of genuine military bayonets at very affordable prices. Some Gerber closeouts (I know Gerber is on the ***** list around here, but the LTR Linerlock is attractive for $10, and I'd like to try a pair of those $3 Utility Clippers). They also have an excellent selection of Opinels, including a paring knife - I figure you can't go wrong for $3.00. How much work would it be to put handles on those Latama knife skeletons, grab bag of 6 for $10?

-Bob
 
I order stuff from SMKW on a regular basis. They have some good closeouts like a CRKT Ryan Plan B for 12bux, the old CRKT hunting knives for 15.00 Tighe Tac large for 19.00 and many more I've gotten some great deals in the past from them and they have good prices on certain items. SMKW is like any other saler some stuff they have the best prices and some they dont like thier prices on Spydies are about 10.00 or more higher on many models so it pays to shop around.
 
DaveH said:
I used to think the Smokey Mountain Knife Works was great fun to read. They had some great wording along the lines of "made with 100% real metal", or "made on the same high quality german machines as good knives".

The only thing I found in the recent catalog was mention about limited availability and the "high" cost of damascus, it was a mystery steel knife blank for $34. :yawn:

I also used to look for occaional good deals on Spydercos, but they no longer carry any Spyderco or Benchmade. Seems like their audience is now Mall Ninja, collector of new traditional style knives, and those that want import and super inexpensive knives.
Click to expand...

Get a free catalog from Bud K, that's always outlandish fantasy reading. Handmade custom bowies from England for only 5 bucks a pop! Handmade by monkeys playing with tinfoil!
 
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