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Your first time in a Brick and Mortar is always special
- Thread starter Mr.SATism
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2011
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- 487
I used to frequent a shop in a now defunct shopping mall in the bay area. They had stuff ranging from cheap novelty fantasy blades to movie replicas to quality knives. I used to love going there to hang out. This shop was my gateway to "nicer" knives. I got my first ZT and first Hinderer designed knife here, the ZT0566. Then I got a ZT0562CF. Then a Hinderer XM-18 with green G10 from the first run of production spearpoints on St. Patrick's Day (and it was their last XM in stock from that batch!). Then my Spyderco benchstones. Lots of memories there. It's just too bad they had to close up shop...that mall is totally deserted now except for a movie theater, and I heard even that is going to shut down this year.
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2009
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- 3,198
My first time in a brick-and-mortar store that carried a ton of knives was a local sporting goods store. No sporting goods stores like this exist anymore as all they sold was camping gear, hunting gear, and fishing gear. That was it! This was sometime back in the mid-60s, and I rode over there on my bike with my friends. At that time, all I had to my name was a Boy Scout knife, and a Western bird and trout.
I was about 10 years old then and when when I saw the long dedicated display case and then the Upper Grade knives in their own display cases as well I remember I thought I was going to pee on myself with excitement. I had no idea. I used to go to that store just to look at the knives. Case, Boker, Schrade, Camillus, and Puma were the big guns. It was about 6 or 7 miles from my house up through high school I used to go there just to look at the knives. I bought several from them over the years and nothing has replaced that feeling of looking at, admiring, and discussing knives with fellow enthusiasts.
Fast forward to now, and the closest thing we have is a large locally owned gun store that has a couple of 100 square feet of knives. The salespeople or lazy, not glitter it with knives, and only own and carry a few knives. The worst part about them is they act like they are secret agent/death-squad ninjas but know something about knives that you could never figure out. None of them are hunters, campers, or users that appreciate the utility value of a good knife as a tool. All they know about knives is the latest and greatest super steel, the fastest opening knife, and the most expensive ones that because of cost just have to be better than the rest.
I get my knife fix here, and buy knives either at a local gun show on occasion or from the BF dealers. IF there was a decent B&M store around here they would no doubt own me!
Robert
I was about 10 years old then and when when I saw the long dedicated display case and then the Upper Grade knives in their own display cases as well I remember I thought I was going to pee on myself with excitement. I had no idea. I used to go to that store just to look at the knives. Case, Boker, Schrade, Camillus, and Puma were the big guns. It was about 6 or 7 miles from my house up through high school I used to go there just to look at the knives. I bought several from them over the years and nothing has replaced that feeling of looking at, admiring, and discussing knives with fellow enthusiasts.
Fast forward to now, and the closest thing we have is a large locally owned gun store that has a couple of 100 square feet of knives. The salespeople or lazy, not glitter it with knives, and only own and carry a few knives. The worst part about them is they act like they are secret agent/death-squad ninjas but know something about knives that you could never figure out. None of them are hunters, campers, or users that appreciate the utility value of a good knife as a tool. All they know about knives is the latest and greatest super steel, the fastest opening knife, and the most expensive ones that because of cost just have to be better than the rest.
I get my knife fix here, and buy knives either at a local gun show on occasion or from the BF dealers. IF there was a decent B&M store around here they would no doubt own me!
Robert
BD_01
Basic Member
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- Jun 9, 2016
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- 4,002
My first experience in something kinda similar to a B&M knife shop was, indeed, transcendental.
There are no dedicated knife stores in my town.
When I decided I wanted to try something superior to box stores’ Gerbers, SOGs, Bucks & stuff I did an exhaustive web search. I found rumors of a tactical supply store nearby that carried “a few knives,” and figured I’d stop by.
It turned out to be a mom & pop place, and the manager is a total ZT fanatic. He tries to stock the full line of ZT and usually has the most popular Benchmades. I bought my first “nice” knife from him and I stop by periodically to chat & see if there’s something I can’t live without. They’ll always get my business if I’m shopping those two brands.
Here’s a pic of the knife I bought on my first visit....because threads need pics.
When traveling, I’ve visited BladeHQ and Plaza Cutlery (RIP). I could’ve stayed in those places for days. I never purchased while in shop from BHQ. I always wind up confused and overwhelmed from the choices! They have received a few online orders after the fact, once I’ve wraped my head around it.
I will say this about Plaza Cutlery: GREAT folks there. Once they discovered I was a knife guy, they would start chatting and pulling random knives from the case like they were showing off their personal collection! Seriously, stuff I had no interest in but THEY were excited about. This even apllied to some of the younger kids working the shop. It’s sad knowing they won’t be around next time I’m passing through.
There are no dedicated knife stores in my town.
When I decided I wanted to try something superior to box stores’ Gerbers, SOGs, Bucks & stuff I did an exhaustive web search. I found rumors of a tactical supply store nearby that carried “a few knives,” and figured I’d stop by.It turned out to be a mom & pop place, and the manager is a total ZT fanatic. He tries to stock the full line of ZT and usually has the most popular Benchmades. I bought my first “nice” knife from him and I stop by periodically to chat & see if there’s something I can’t live without. They’ll always get my business if I’m shopping those two brands.
Here’s a pic of the knife I bought on my first visit....because threads need pics.
When traveling, I’ve visited BladeHQ and Plaza Cutlery (RIP). I could’ve stayed in those places for days. I never purchased while in shop from BHQ. I always wind up confused and overwhelmed from the choices! They have received a few online orders after the fact, once I’ve wraped my head around it.
I will say this about Plaza Cutlery: GREAT folks there. Once they discovered I was a knife guy, they would start chatting and pulling random knives from the case like they were showing off their personal collection! Seriously, stuff I had no interest in but THEY were excited about. This even apllied to some of the younger kids working the shop. It’s sad knowing they won’t be around next time I’m passing through.
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- Jul 4, 2014
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- 6,191
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I too, understand that MAP will be high and overhead is expensive. I also understand that every good businessman can play with the prices even if he is forced to advertise using MAP. Even if that amount of play is just the sales tax and nothing else.
Because of a local airbase, many retailers in my area will knock off 5 or 10% for military and LEOs. Surely my B&M could do that. It's not like I'm expecting 1/2 off or something. If I am willing to commute from out of town just to walk in his door, I don't think it is unrealistic to expect something in return. A cleaner store, better-trained staff, more products to choose from, slightly lower prices, maybe an occasional sale...something. There should be some sort of incentive for me to buy locally instead of online.
Oh, FWIW, most of the knives I am considering have a street price from a little over $200 to $375. I can only think of one that is less than 50 bucks.
I too, understand that MAP will be high and overhead is expensive. I also understand that every good businessman can play with the prices even if he is forced to advertise using MAP. Even if that amount of play is just the sales tax and nothing else.
Because of a local airbase, many retailers in my area will knock off 5 or 10% for military and LEOs. Surely my B&M could do that. It's not like I'm expecting 1/2 off or something. If I am willing to commute from out of town just to walk in his door, I don't think it is unrealistic to expect something in return. A cleaner store, better-trained staff, more products to choose from, slightly lower prices, maybe an occasional sale...something. There should be some sort of incentive for me to buy locally instead of online.
Oh, FWIW, most of the knives I am considering have a street price from a little over $200 to $375. I can only think of one that is less than 50 bucks.
rje58
Gold Member
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- Dec 21, 2013
- Messages
- 2,799
My first time in a brick and mortar store was ".... a long, long, time ago..." and as some others experienced, the customer service was horrible. It was a fairly large store. As I walked around looking in the display cases, they ignored me.
They weren't busy with other customers, they just stood around - one or two were at times talking to other customers, but at least one employee was free and 'standing around' the whole time I was there. When I finally attracted his attention, and asked "May I see one of these?", the salesperson asked "Are you going to buy it?" I was taken aback, I couldn't believe he asked me that, and his tone of voice. He then proceeded to start opening the cabinet, still acting as if inconvenienced, and I said "forget it" as I turned and walked out.
This was before I started being a knife knut, when I just owned a few sentimental (family) knives and a couple of users/carry knives.
The store is long out of business, but they lasted at least 10 years, starting in the mid-to-late 1990s.
They weren't busy with other customers, they just stood around - one or two were at times talking to other customers, but at least one employee was free and 'standing around' the whole time I was there. When I finally attracted his attention, and asked "May I see one of these?", the salesperson asked "Are you going to buy it?" I was taken aback, I couldn't believe he asked me that, and his tone of voice. He then proceeded to start opening the cabinet, still acting as if inconvenienced, and I said "forget it" as I turned and walked out.
This was before I started being a knife knut, when I just owned a few sentimental (family) knives and a couple of users/carry knives.
The store is long out of business, but they lasted at least 10 years, starting in the mid-to-late 1990s.
My lady’s parents live in Meridian! I’ll drop in next time I’m out there. Your plug worked!
I used to use the KAI building as a landmark for town hikes. I’d occasionally throw in earbuds, load up a pack, and do a big loop around the town to stay tuned up for hiking. I am stupidly happy to have ZT and BM so close by. Big fan of each brand. My next buy is probably going to be a Grip in G-10. Or a 0609. Or...
halflife78
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2016
- Messages
- 362
I have 40 Benchmades and various ZT, Microtech, Protech, Freeman, Reate, Marfione, and not a single one has been purchased online.
I have 1 primary local B&M that gives me 30-40% off all my Benchmades, and 2 more stores that do various deals throughout the year including a crazy Black Friday deal.
I don’t buy online because local is cheaper and the service has always been great.
I have 1 primary local B&M that gives me 30-40% off all my Benchmades, and 2 more stores that do various deals throughout the year including a crazy Black Friday deal.
I don’t buy online because local is cheaper and the service has always been great.
marrenmiller
Basic Member
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- Apr 6, 2017
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- 1,794
I went into a local knife shop in SF, and it was a fairly disappointing experience. Had to bargain with the rep to get him to agree to sell anything below MSRP, and he seemed awfully uninformed. He kept trying to tell me how a real Emerson would hold an edge better than the ZT0620 I had in my pocket. Left with a sour taste in my mouth and haven't been back.
I wish there were more knife stores in the Bay area...
I wish there were more knife stores in the Bay area...
BD_01
Basic Member
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- Jun 9, 2016
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- 4,002
You, sir, are a lucky man.
(And I am jealous!)
- Joined
- May 15, 2017
- Messages
- 184
I only buy from B&M stores. It's the safest way to avoid being the victim of inconsistent quality control. I don't mind paying a bit more if it means I can inspect the actual piece I'm buying before handing over the cash.
True story: I handled a bunch of Chinese-made Kershaws and they were so badly made, I couldn't believe they passed QC. The only well-made blade of the bunch was an Emerson-designed CQC-6K which I took home and am still very happy with. I'm glad I didn't risk ordering it, though.
True story: I handled a bunch of Chinese-made Kershaws and they were so badly made, I couldn't believe they passed QC. The only well-made blade of the bunch was an Emerson-designed CQC-6K which I took home and am still very happy with. I'm glad I didn't risk ordering it, though.
whitty
Dealer / Materials Provider
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
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- 6,065
I will not vote on this but wanted to add some information. Owning a brick and mortar store is a love/hate relationship for me. We can break down our customers into 10 types. I tried to rate them worst to best!
1. The Dumbass. This customer walks in off the street and loves to tell you that XYZ knives are the greatest knives ever made, but we all know they are complete crap. They never shut up, and it is not uncommon that they inform us they used to be a Navy Seal. I am amazed by how many supposed ex Navy Seals live with in a 25 mile radius of our shop and love XYZ crap knives.
2. The slave driver. The customer that loves to come in and run your butt stupid. They want to touch every knife in the shop, but they almost never buy. You can watch them from our shop windows as they walk out to their car and start pulling up the knives they liked on their cell phones, just to see if they can get them cheaper. Just FYI our prices are the same in store as they are on line.
3. You owe me Joe! The customer that has bought 2-3 knives from you and thinks that you owe them the world because they are the only reason you are still in business. We get this line more than you would ever believe. I have personally been told by customers that have bought 1-2 knives from us that we owe them because they are the reason we can keep the lights on.
4. The know it all. The customer that thinks they know knives and wants to spend a ton of time telling you about everything they know. 75% of the time everything they tell you is inaccurate and they just want someone to listen to what a knife expert they are. Since no one they know cares about knives, they want to come in and share it with their captive retail seller audience. We have actually had a few of these guys that we have asked to leave and never come back. That sucks but when we look at it from a business point of view they have cost us enough time, and time is money.
5. Is that the best you can do? This guy comes in off the street and wants to know the best price we can give them on each knife. I have never understood this. We are not a pawn shop or a swap shop. Do folks walk in to a restaurant and ask the best price on the steak of the day?
6. The teach me customer. We love this customer. They want to learn and are interested in knives. They listen and sometimes leave empty handed, but they typically come back once they go home, research, and find out we are steering them in the right direction. 99% of the time these turn in to great long term customers.
7. That is the one! The customer that comes in and knows exactly what he wants but just wants to put it in hand to make sure. We are happy to see these customers. A lot of these customers develop over time from #6.
8. The wrong time customer. This does not happen often but sometimes a good potential customer walks in after we have just gotten our butts kicked with a customer that fits the description of #1 or #2 on this list. This customer does not get the time or effort they deserve. I wish I could say this never happens, but I would bet it happens once a month.
9. The regular. This is the guy that truly does keep the lights on. Sometimes they run us pretty hard around the shop, but they typically leave with a new knife in hand. They love knives and just want a chance to make sure they are 100% sure on the knife they have had their eyes on before pulling the trigger. This customer is typically knowledgeable and the overall experience on both sides is great. A true knife knut in our shop is always a good thing. It is not uncommon for us to learn new things from this customer.
10. The Unicorn. This is the customer that walks in the door, buys one or multiple high end knives, ask a few or no questions, pays cash, teaches us something new, and is out the door in less than an hour. We call this the unicorn because while we all claim to have had one in our presence, no one else saw it or could verify it.
I hope you guys enjoyed this. Especially the other dealers on here that have a retail store. This list is not absolute but true for 75% of our in store clients. I hope you will keep in mind that we are located in a small downtown retail space and we get a lot of non knife folks and total quack jobs that walk in the door. I am sure other retailers in higher end space do not deal with the same things we do but I am probably wrong in that assumption. If you have a smaller Mom and Pop retailer in your area that sells decent knives, please support them. While it is a very fun business and I love what we do, keep in mind that like any business, there are headaches. Of course if you are reading this on a knife forum so the chances are you are going to fall in to the last half of this list. If you happen to fall into #8 with us, or any other retailer, give them a second chance. Also make sure the owner knows you had a bad go the first time out. Chances are they will make it right on your next shopping experience!
1. The Dumbass. This customer walks in off the street and loves to tell you that XYZ knives are the greatest knives ever made, but we all know they are complete crap. They never shut up, and it is not uncommon that they inform us they used to be a Navy Seal. I am amazed by how many supposed ex Navy Seals live with in a 25 mile radius of our shop and love XYZ crap knives.
2. The slave driver. The customer that loves to come in and run your butt stupid. They want to touch every knife in the shop, but they almost never buy. You can watch them from our shop windows as they walk out to their car and start pulling up the knives they liked on their cell phones, just to see if they can get them cheaper. Just FYI our prices are the same in store as they are on line.
3. You owe me Joe! The customer that has bought 2-3 knives from you and thinks that you owe them the world because they are the only reason you are still in business. We get this line more than you would ever believe. I have personally been told by customers that have bought 1-2 knives from us that we owe them because they are the reason we can keep the lights on.
4. The know it all. The customer that thinks they know knives and wants to spend a ton of time telling you about everything they know. 75% of the time everything they tell you is inaccurate and they just want someone to listen to what a knife expert they are. Since no one they know cares about knives, they want to come in and share it with their captive retail seller audience. We have actually had a few of these guys that we have asked to leave and never come back. That sucks but when we look at it from a business point of view they have cost us enough time, and time is money.
5. Is that the best you can do? This guy comes in off the street and wants to know the best price we can give them on each knife. I have never understood this. We are not a pawn shop or a swap shop. Do folks walk in to a restaurant and ask the best price on the steak of the day?
6. The teach me customer. We love this customer. They want to learn and are interested in knives. They listen and sometimes leave empty handed, but they typically come back once they go home, research, and find out we are steering them in the right direction. 99% of the time these turn in to great long term customers.
7. That is the one! The customer that comes in and knows exactly what he wants but just wants to put it in hand to make sure. We are happy to see these customers. A lot of these customers develop over time from #6.
8. The wrong time customer. This does not happen often but sometimes a good potential customer walks in after we have just gotten our butts kicked with a customer that fits the description of #1 or #2 on this list. This customer does not get the time or effort they deserve. I wish I could say this never happens, but I would bet it happens once a month.
9. The regular. This is the guy that truly does keep the lights on. Sometimes they run us pretty hard around the shop, but they typically leave with a new knife in hand. They love knives and just want a chance to make sure they are 100% sure on the knife they have had their eyes on before pulling the trigger. This customer is typically knowledgeable and the overall experience on both sides is great. A true knife knut in our shop is always a good thing. It is not uncommon for us to learn new things from this customer.
10. The Unicorn. This is the customer that walks in the door, buys one or multiple high end knives, ask a few or no questions, pays cash, teaches us something new, and is out the door in less than an hour. We call this the unicorn because while we all claim to have had one in our presence, no one else saw it or could verify it.
I hope you guys enjoyed this. Especially the other dealers on here that have a retail store. This list is not absolute but true for 75% of our in store clients. I hope you will keep in mind that we are located in a small downtown retail space and we get a lot of non knife folks and total quack jobs that walk in the door. I am sure other retailers in higher end space do not deal with the same things we do but I am probably wrong in that assumption. If you have a smaller Mom and Pop retailer in your area that sells decent knives, please support them. While it is a very fun business and I love what we do, keep in mind that like any business, there are headaches. Of course if you are reading this on a knife forum so the chances are you are going to fall in to the last half of this list. If you happen to fall into #8 with us, or any other retailer, give them a second chance. Also make sure the owner knows you had a bad go the first time out. Chances are they will make it right on your next shopping experience!
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2009
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- 3,198
I completely agree with this. I don't mind paying a little more to keep a fellow businessman around, and I appreciate the expertise some of those folks have. Being a businessman myself I know that it isn't an easy task just to make it sometimes.
On the other hand, I don't need any attitude from some meathead that thinks he's some kind of dangerous individual simply because he is carrying an expensive knife. Or has the "I know something you don't know so that makes me an expert on dangerous stuff'". Theyvfind a way tolerate their customers, but only just. I can't stand the attitude and find it even more annoying if it is some snot-nosed moron that isn't as old as some of the knives I carry. I'm not the hellraiser I once was, so when I am annoyed I just never go back to the store. I buy the lowest price I can find online. I know you take your chances doing that but if you're getting bad service in both places why not go with the best price? You can get bad service and poor attitude anywhere.
I think any retail business man has to work hard to stay in business these days with the likes of the big jungle site, and all the online stores that don't have the overhead, training, and everything else that goes with having a company with employees.
Honestly, if I went to a clean, well run store with knowledgeable employees that understood just a bit of customer service, I would (and do on occasion) pay retail for the experience.
Robert
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- Apr 18, 2011
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- 487
Was this at Fisherman's Wharf?
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2018
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- 5,471
Man... This thread makes me wish we had a knife shop in town (although my fiance and bank account might disagree). The closest we have is an REI and it looks like the nearest real knife shop is about an hour away.
On the plus side Bob Kramer of Kramer Knives lives right down the street from me and is a Master Bladesmith and widely regarded as one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) makers of Chef's Knives in the world! That'll have to do I guess, lol. I'm actually planning on reaching out to him soon to see if a tour of the shop/his creations would be possible (I'm guessing not likely if he's as busy as I figure he is). Worth a shot right?
On the plus side Bob Kramer of Kramer Knives lives right down the street from me and is a Master Bladesmith and widely regarded as one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) makers of Chef's Knives in the world! That'll have to do I guess, lol. I'm actually planning on reaching out to him soon to see if a tour of the shop/his creations would be possible (I'm guessing not likely if he's as busy as I figure he is). Worth a shot right?
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- Nov 20, 2005
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- 19,385
You can get sensory overload visiting a good knife store if you like knives. It is kind of like visiting a National Park that you like and after a while things start to blend together. It's time to take a break.
I am lucky enough to have a brick and mortar near me with an online presence. So he is just a little storefront shop with a large stock. He even used to have a lot of used but decent traditionals (he still has some).
He has a lot of steady business but still tries to be helpful to everyone. There have been a few times though when business was slack and I was the only one there. I got to shoot the breeze, fondle many knives on a whim, and maybe leave with just an Opinel or two. Heaven.
He has a lot of steady business but still tries to be helpful to everyone. There have been a few times though when business was slack and I was the only one there. I got to shoot the breeze, fondle many knives on a whim, and maybe leave with just an Opinel or two. Heaven.
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2014
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- 6,191
I am the same way.
More often than not I will not do business with someone just because of the way I am treated. If I am treated poorly, I don't come back if I have a choice. When I walk into a store the workers should at least say hello. Maybe look up, make eye contact and wave. Acknowledge that I walked through the door in some way or another. On top of that, if the store does not carry what I am looking for, I should be told that up front along with an offer to see their products instead. If I decline that offer, I should not be treated like dirt.
Oh, yeah, Mr. B&M, please don't waste my time (or yours) by showing me products that don't meet my needs in some way. I want to know if it is made well. Does it fit my hand? Is it decently priced? What sort of customer service does the maker offer? Have you had problems with the product? I want to know if the product will meet MY needs. Not that it is issued to some high-speed low drag unit. I got out of the service 16 years ago. My high-speed days are all in the past.
One of my favorite stores to shop at is my local Grocery Outlet. Selection is good. Prices are decent and the place is clean.
It is not very big and they don't always have what I need but, I continue to shop there because of one staff member. She is friendly, remembers my name and treats me with respect. Yeah, she's cute, too. That helps.
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I like buying using cash, as me and CC get along far to easily. So I prefer buying at a store and as it happens, there is a decent knife store in Ottawa that has a nice selection of Benchmades. I now have 5 (saving for a 943 now), 3 Case, 1 Grohmann, 1 Kershaw and a ZT, all from that store. I get to handle all before buying and get a feel as to how I would like them, better than from online.
I am not totally immune from online purchases and have bought knives from our canadian "out west" store and so far no quality issues, but pricing is creeping up and selection is creeping down, courtesy of our ever vigilant border clowns.
I am not totally immune from online purchases and have bought knives from our canadian "out west" store and so far no quality issues, but pricing is creeping up and selection is creeping down, courtesy of our ever vigilant border clowns.