Where/how to demo/hold knives before buying?

R

RipD

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Dec 10, 2014
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Is there a preferred way to get hands-on with a knife before buying? I suspect I'm more fortunate than most being in Oregon and have access to several knifemakers. But for knives not made here, or where they have no showroom (looking at you, KAI), how do you know what you will like? Some retailers have decent selections, but I can't see a lot of the knives I'm interested in.

I see only two options: buy online and return. This just seems like a terrible way to go for the online retailers. Or buy and then sell here. Certainly possible, but time intensive. I'd be happy to pay a reasonable restocking fee on knives if I could order many and return the ones I didn't want. Does this model exist?
 
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There is a great knife show that takes place in Eugene. You should be able to find a good selection of knives there that you can handle and get a feeling for.
That would be your best bet.
 
armytxn said:
There is a great knife show that takes place in Eugene. You should be able to find a good selection of knives there that you can handle and get a feeling for.
That would be your best bet.
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Hadn't considered knife shows - that's another option. The one in April won't work, unfortunately due to some scheduled work travel.

Some gun shows at the Portland Expo center. Could be some knifemakers there. Will look into it.

Thanks armytxn.
 
I have a Cabelas 40 minutes away, they have a decent selection. Knives are MSRP almost but good for fondling. Some gun and knife shows come thru here too. Some of the gun shops have a few select brands too. Sometimes, you just have to buy online and take a shot. If it doesn't work out, that is what the exchange is for.
 
RipD said:
Is there a preferred way to get hands-on with a knife before buying? I suspect I'm more fortunate than most being in Oregon and have access to several knifemakers. But for knives not made here, or where they have no showroom (looking at you, KAI), how do you know what you will like? Some retailers have decent selections, but I can't see a lot of the knives I'm interested in.

I see only two options: buy online and return. This just seems like a terrible way to go for the online retailers. Or buy and then sell here. Certainly possible, but time intensive. I'd be happy to pay a reasonable restocking fee on knives if I could order many and return the ones I didn't want. Does this model exist?
Click to expand...

PM me. I believe I can help you on this front if you are interested in trying out some Emersons.
 
Well as most people will tell you here I have a vivid imagination (overly so) so I can pretty much tell by looking and imagine holding the knife in my mind. One that was uncanny was the Cold Steel Hold Out I. The largest one. I could TOTALLY FEEL that knife in my hand right down to the texture of the scales before I bought it and when I finally got one it clicked into my hand like I had used it for years. I had never held one nor the next size down. I have the smallest one but it is like a third the size and much smoother scales.
anyway
this is how / what I look for.

OK so it may seem simplistic and pointless but this is what tells me ALOT about a knife.
I grip it between my thumb and index finger. If it feels thin and teetery then I move on. If it is too rounded or too thin then we aren’t going it get along; this first photo is an extreme example of NOT GOOD. Though this is just a Boker Urban Trapper with no scales on it/just the frame and I wouldn't use it this way. Believe it or not I finally rejected the Spyderco / Sprig because of this problem.



This is a Case Trapper that REALY works for me (second blade removed to enhance the grip goodness).





Same Boker Urban Trapper with MY SPECIAL SCALE MOD. Look at all that real-estate. Oh Boy do I like this thing. Yes the handle behind it matters but if the two finger grip doesn’t make it then there is no hope for the rest of the knife.



 
I'm lucky enough to live in Los Angeles. We have Ross Cutlery downtown LA (absolutely HUGE shop), and Recon-1 close to home. There's also the chain shops like REI, etc. I suggest looking at each manufacturer's retail map. If they don't have a retail shop near you, ask them to send some samples, with you providing your credit card information so they can place a hold, which is removed when you return the knives. Then buy the one(s) you like as brand new. All manufacturers (except customs) have samples they send out for reviews, etc.
 
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