Where Do You Buy?

K

Knifeclerk

Joined
Jul 16, 2004
Messages
1,083
I'm always seeing people trading around websites for who has the best price on what knife. I think I may see that too much.
Does anybody still frequent their old local knifestore(s)? I know that you can get just about everything cheaper over the net. But don't you miss feeling it in your hand before you purchase it? Does it ever bother you that your taking your money out of the community?
I'm not even concerned about this because I'm a knife clerk. I realize that you can get things cheaper. Even with my employee discount, I still may buy online because of the price difference.
But I feel good going to my competitor's store. The owner and I are on first name basis. We help each other and our customers by informing them of where to go. He knows that I help him out, so he gives me great deals on items.
Still, I think the most rewarding part is knowing that I'm helping keep my community strong, even in such a little way.
Am I alone here?
-KC
 
I would like to buy locally except for the fact that there are no knife stores in this area. I suspect that's the case for many of us on this forum. I'd gladly spend more money on a knife locally, provided the store treated me right otherwise. So where do I buy ? New Graham, of course ! PVK if I'm in the mood for an auto. I never buy on Ebay (my kids laugh at me for this) because it makes me feel uneasy and I don't feel I'm in control of the purchase or payment - just the ol' fart in me I guess.
 
UK perspective here. We simply don't have the shops. Think yourself lucky you have the choice.

Example: In the US you can obtain the Leatherman Wave at about $60 to $70. If I travel 18 miles to my nearest town, I might find one on display at £99.99. For you parochial Yanks, that's $184...

That same store stocks 2 or 3 Buck models. Another might - repeat might - have 1 or 2 CRKT products. That's it.

In the whole UK, we have maybe three major knife outlets, none within hundreds of miles of me. All charge obscene rates. That's why this impoverished knut has to scour the forums.

maximus otter
 
Here in Holland we have many knife shops, and some sell a lot of brands.
The problem is the price. Ranging from 50% to 100% more expensive then the US prices, even on European products!

Can anyone recommend me an online shop in Europe ?
 
i have about the same response as Mies.....we can buy pretty much any make and model over here in The Netherlands, but the prices are ridiculous. usually it costs 3 to 5 times the price of it in the USA. i occasionally still buy a knife or related item at a local brick 'n mortar store, but nowadays i buy most of my knives from US-sellers and eBay.

if it weren't for those ridiculous prices in Europe................. :barf:

dennis
 
I have a sop close by that I have been useing for years. I like to be able to handle the blade or whatever I am buying at the time.

www.jtknives.com <<and I can buy on line as well if I don't have the time. Works out.
 
I buy mainly on the internet (HI, New Graham, Wholesale Hunter) but also have picked up a couple at a local hardware store and WalMart for very good prices, you just can't pick exactly what you want.

I've tried to support the local gun shops, but they have limited selections and very very high prices. I can't buy a gun easily over the internet without a local FFL guy, so I can live with buying guns locally, but I can find good prices on the knives on the net. Also, the gun stores usually have good amounts of used guns for reasonable price, but I don't think I've ever seen a used knife for sale at a store.
 
The local knife store is in the mall. I buy some things there but its usually cheap things that arent pocket knives the main problem is that the things they sell are WAY over priced. They pretty much have a list price on every knife then they have signs up all over the place Kershaw 20% off benchmade 20% off spyderco 20% off, these are standing reductions that if you haggle with them you can get around another 10% or so off. On the net i with some looking you can find the knives that they do have for at LEAST $20 cheaper after you include S&H, usually more than $20. Case in point I went there looking for a leatherman wave they wanted i think about $90 and the clerk didnt want to haggle for it. I bought one off the internet for a total of $69 and it came with a havy duty leather belt carrier as well as a hat ( i didnt care about the hat). The one in the store came with a crappy nylon belt carrier. The stores are good and its fun to go in and play and maybe sometimes buy something not major, but when it comes down to $85 or $130 its a no brainer.
 
@Dennis75 : If you buy from a US-seller over the internet, what's the typical charge of shipping it, and is there any problems with customs?
Which US-seller did you use?
Cheers
 
Maximus: That sux.

I guess I'm thankfull to be here.

I've bought a couple knives from an online store, and every now and then I get a knife from our local 'sportsmans warehouse', but usually I just wait for the semi-monthly gun show. There's usually 4 or 5 booths that specialize in knives. I can get autos or the latest cool thing or what ever strikes my fancy.

But if I check the prices on the net, I can use that as a barganing tool with the show dealers.
 
I try to support real knife stores as much as I can, but where I live the nearest one is 45 minutes and their selection is not good. after that there are 2 both over 90 minutes away.

If I am traveling near them for some reason I always try to plan time to stop in Grand Prairie Knives in Troy, Il.

But their almost 2 full hours from my home.
 
I will choose the lower price unless the cost of shipping will cause the item to cost more on the web.

My experiance with knife shops is that they charge INSANE prices. $200 for a spyderco military????? $160 for a benchmade 42???? It's bullshit if you ask me. I will take my business to NewGraham.com everytime!!

The other thing I experianced with knife stores is the lack of knowledge when most employees have (no offence to any one just what I have noticed in general). For example I walk into a local knife store and look at a spyderco jester and the women behind the counter tells me that she is the only dealer that has those with a green handle because she is a personal freind of Sal and that there were only 50 made and that is why the price was $45. I replied with "Don't bullshit me, These are all over the internet for $19.99". She then tried to make it seem like I was the one who didn't know what I was talking about. Little did she know that I would have bought the manix she had in the case if she didn't try that ****.

I have noticed a simmalar phenomenon with gun stores. I am 24 years old and own guns that cost well into the $1,000's. I also own plenty of knives in the $500 range. I used to bring my business to one store but the clerks had this "he's not gonna buy anything he just wants to drool over that kimber" attitude. So now I take my buisness to a store that gives me the kind of service I expect. In the last two years I have spent a total of around $8,000 on guns and god knows how much on knives. They should have treated me better.
 
I tend to save my local cash for Shows that come into the area. I know a few dealers who are from the area, and I have no problem supporting them, and therefore the local economy. The couple of retail shops that are around charge OVER retail on some things, and rarely ever have anything less the MSRP.

Here's a good place to look online for you Europeans: TOOLSHOP

The American prices are still pretty high, but the European knives are decent.

DD
 
There are no local knife shops within 100 miles. And you simply can't beat the selection and prices of online shops. As far as "taking the money out of the community," I don't see a problem - many of the online dealers are very involved in the knife community. Keep in mind too that many of the online dealers also have physical stores where you can handle the products, talk to salespeople, and maybe meet the owners.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
Mies said:
@Dennis75 : If you buy from a US-seller over the internet, what's the typical charge of shipping it, and is there any problems with customs?
Which US-seller did you use?
Cheers
Click to expand...


shipping depends on weight and method ofcourse. i've generally found USPS Global Priority registered to be the best allround shipping method. having a single folding knife shipped will set you bacvk 'round $10 to $15. having a box full of fixed-blades shipped typically costs around $20 or $25 to $30 if you choose insurance as well.

i have found that most problems occur during ebay-purchases. especially slow and un-communicative sellers bug me. for instance, i'm waiting for a Spyderco Karambit now, and i've paid the guy with a money transfer that he could've picked up about 5 days ago. he still hasn't cashed in on that, and doesn't reply to emails anymore either. that's the sort of stuff i hate on ebay. the best sellers are usually those with a couple of dozen or hundreds feedback behind their name, with a 100& rating, and who offer only a a few items at a time on ebay, so they can keep an eye on everything better.

lately i've also bought from a private seller in the US. check out my post on the Feedback-forum in the knife exchange department of the forums to know who i'm talking about.

good luck in your purchases.

dennis

PS. forget gatherwood, planetoutdoor and knivesandtools. sure, they are good, communicative and will deliver what you want. but you're paying a fortune for it. i've bought from them as well, but i sure am glad that i've smartened up and now buy from USA only. it saves a fortune. prices in Holland, and generally in Europe actually, simply are ridiculously absurd.
 
I would love to purchase knives locally, but the only knife store has crappy selection, and the staff are all ignorant. They seem more interested in selling cheap 420a swords to Kill Bill fans. :( They have no Spyderco, no Benchmade, a few of the cheaper Camillus, and some CRKT.
 
Check out the "Been to NewGraham" topic for pics of what a knife store ~should~ look like. They also have a well-done website, competitive prices, and a good reputation. I haven't been to the new AG Russell showroom, but the salespeople at the old shop were the Best! I haven't been to the SMKW store either, but from the photo tour it seems to be quite a place.

My point is, you shouldn't have to pay a premium to have a quality shopping experience.

-Bob
 
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