- Joined
- Sep 1, 2014
- Messages
- 42
This post is for those who dont like to buy everything on the internet. This summer I visited the north coast of California a couple of times. I made it a point to visit local hardware stores in small towns, to see if they carried quality traditional pocketknives any more.
In my home town, the local store still has the display case that once held Case knives, but now only has a collection of Chinese or Pakistani copies. Im sure some of these will work fine, but I wanted to find something better. And I wanted to try it before I bought it.
Of course, the internet is the source for most of the collectors here, and the source for many of my own purchases. But I still like to patronize locally owned businesses that stock products and let you see them before you buy. I will even pay a slightly higher price for this privilege.
So this summer, inspired by this forum, I made a list of knives to look for. I wasnt sure I wanted them all, but I wanted to see them, hold them, and then decide. These were:
Case peanut
Case mini trapper
Case mini sodbuster
Opinel 6 or 7
I thought I would share my search with you, in case you are also looking for a place where you can handle a knife before you buy. I am going to mention town names, but not store names, because I understand the policy of this forum is not to promote dealers. These towns are small enough that you will be able to find the store if you get to the town and look around.
My first stop was the coastal town of Bolinas, in Marin County. There I found a counter display box for Opinels, in size 6, 7, 8 and 9. Unfortunately, there was only one 6, which my partner took, no 7s two 8s, and 4 9s. They must have been selling pretty well here! I bought an 8 as a consolation prize, in case I couldnt find any others later.
In nearby Stinson Beach there was rumored to be a store that also had Opinels, but it was only open Thursday through Sunday, and I was there on a Wednesday. I did look through the window, and there was a tray of Opinels, but I could not determine what size they were.
Later, I hit the town of Point Reyes Station. Nice large, full display of mostly Case knives. I purchased a mini Sodbuster in stainless steel, with black Delrin handles. Would have liked CV and yellow, but you need to make some compromises when you purchase locally.
Moving north, I tried the town of Fort Bragg. Not many hardware stores between Point Reyes Station and Fort Bragg. I found various modern folders, and Chinese copies of traditional designs, but no pay dirt.
Then the town of Fortuna. Nice display of Bear and Sons knives, some small, like the peanut, but with blades at each end. I was tempted, but held to my list. Might go back someday for a Bear and Sons, though.
Last, Eureka. Largest display of all, with a clerk who knew and liked Case knives. Purchased a mini trapper, CV steel, yellow Delrin handles. Clerk himself had a Case jack with bone handles. But no peanuts. They also had a large collection of Spyderco and Kershaw.
So thats if for my summer search. I had to order the peanut online after I got home!
So how do you shop for knives.
In my home town, the local store still has the display case that once held Case knives, but now only has a collection of Chinese or Pakistani copies. Im sure some of these will work fine, but I wanted to find something better. And I wanted to try it before I bought it.
Of course, the internet is the source for most of the collectors here, and the source for many of my own purchases. But I still like to patronize locally owned businesses that stock products and let you see them before you buy. I will even pay a slightly higher price for this privilege.
So this summer, inspired by this forum, I made a list of knives to look for. I wasnt sure I wanted them all, but I wanted to see them, hold them, and then decide. These were:
Case peanut
Case mini trapper
Case mini sodbuster
Opinel 6 or 7
I thought I would share my search with you, in case you are also looking for a place where you can handle a knife before you buy. I am going to mention town names, but not store names, because I understand the policy of this forum is not to promote dealers. These towns are small enough that you will be able to find the store if you get to the town and look around.
My first stop was the coastal town of Bolinas, in Marin County. There I found a counter display box for Opinels, in size 6, 7, 8 and 9. Unfortunately, there was only one 6, which my partner took, no 7s two 8s, and 4 9s. They must have been selling pretty well here! I bought an 8 as a consolation prize, in case I couldnt find any others later.
In nearby Stinson Beach there was rumored to be a store that also had Opinels, but it was only open Thursday through Sunday, and I was there on a Wednesday. I did look through the window, and there was a tray of Opinels, but I could not determine what size they were.
Later, I hit the town of Point Reyes Station. Nice large, full display of mostly Case knives. I purchased a mini Sodbuster in stainless steel, with black Delrin handles. Would have liked CV and yellow, but you need to make some compromises when you purchase locally.
Moving north, I tried the town of Fort Bragg. Not many hardware stores between Point Reyes Station and Fort Bragg. I found various modern folders, and Chinese copies of traditional designs, but no pay dirt.
Then the town of Fortuna. Nice display of Bear and Sons knives, some small, like the peanut, but with blades at each end. I was tempted, but held to my list. Might go back someday for a Bear and Sons, though.
Last, Eureka. Largest display of all, with a clerk who knew and liked Case knives. Purchased a mini trapper, CV steel, yellow Delrin handles. Clerk himself had a Case jack with bone handles. But no peanuts. They also had a large collection of Spyderco and Kershaw.
So thats if for my summer search. I had to order the peanut online after I got home!
So how do you shop for knives.
