Tennesee Knife Mafia - Who, Why?

DaveH · Mar 1, 2000

OK, I've heard this term used in a few places, but I don't know what this is referring to.

Help?

DaveH

Ya, I know the joke, If I told you I'd have to ...

PhilL · Mar 1, 2000

I don't know anything about the Tennesse Knife Mafia, but I've heard them mentioned. In fact the only Mafia I know that exists is the Jewish Mafia, "The Kosher Nostra!"

Elvislives · Mar 1, 2000

PhilL "Kosher Nostra"

Milk came out of my nose....

Brandon

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"You should never never doubt what nobody is sure about..."

D. Epstein · Mar 1, 2000

You've never heard of the Tennesee Knife Mafia?

It's headed up by Al "The Knife" Gore, a very ugly customer.

PhilL · Mar 1, 2000

Well Brandon, just be glad you were drinking Milk and not Soda, Beer or Hot Coffee.

Please, read all my posts with care, and tongue in cheek.

And remember, it's not an OLD JOKE if you've never heard it.

[This message has been edited by PhilL (edited 03-01-2000).]

Alberta Ed · Mar 1, 2000

I think this refers to one or more big Tennessee (or Atlanta, GA, maybe) mainly mail order firms. They market a lot of cheap knockoffs like kuhkris (genuine, they claim), fantasy blades, and various imitations, a good protion of which are made in India or Pakistan out of melted-down refrigerator emblems and similar high carbon metals. (Original motorcycle screws are known to be produced in this fashion, too.) A lot of the designs look strangely familiar, almost like those that legitimate firms here make out of real steel.

Revvie · Mar 2, 2000

Are we talking about Smoky Mountain Knife - Pipes and Parker here ? - while true there are lots of "junkers" and unless items to be found - remember I did get my Spyderco Standard there for about $40.00 ! -

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Tom Carey · Mar 2, 2000

Revvie is on the rite track. He has listed a part of the mafia.

Regards,

Tom Carey

[This message has been edited by Tom Carey (edited 03-02-2000).]

hso · Mar 2, 2000

The "Tennessee Knife Mafia" refers to the one-time large number of knife manufactures/distributors/retailers up and down the Tennessee Valley from Chattanooga to Kingsport. Taylor Cutlery, Parker-Frost, Parker, Frost, United, CAS Iberia, Star Sales, Smokey Mountain Knife Works, etc. Many of these companies were intelinked businesses and those not directly linked dealt with each other as "family". The quality of the products manufactured/imported/sold varied from company to company.

Take care,

Mike

(here in ET)

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TANSTAAFL

Columbo · Mar 2, 2000

Is it true that the CAS in CAS Iberia stands for Cheap Appalacian Swords?

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Dave
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If at first you don't succeed, go buy a knife.