Where to go to see knives

ramtough47 · March 24th, 2005, 11:37 PM

This is ramtough47 again with a knife question:where is there a good knife store,knife show, or whatever were a man can go and not only see good name brand knives but can actually handle them? Please keep in mind were i live,West Tennessee.I don't mind traveling a couple hrs in any direction, but not really interested in going to Atlanta,Ga. or St. Louis,MS. or any other big cities many hours from home.

The Tourist · March 24th, 2005, 11:47 PM

'47,

This is why I started my business.

I called the Wisconsin Board of Regulation and Licensing. I asked for a resellers' license to "sell switchblades to police officers." They asked why I would want to do such a thing, and I answered simply, "No body is doing it, and it would seem a lucrative market."

I got the license.

I set up shop like a wandering gyspy, and carry about 6 to a dozen odd knives and stilettos with me. I look for the badge (yes, I need those stinking badges) or piping on the trousers, and with a smile on my face initiate the pitch, "Excuse me, officer, would you like to buy a switchblade?"

We laugh. We schmooze. He clicks the knife. I ring up a sale.

I think it stems from the fact he can ask questions of a real person, actually see the sharpening process, compare one knife to another and take a business card with a telephone number.

BTW, I carry a copy of my license in my kit. It's been some years, but I still remember The Dane County Jail.

Breakfast is terrible.

Bumper · March 25th, 2005, 12:08 AM

The best place I can think of to see alot of knives in one place and be able to handle them is at a gun show. Guns and knives go together for us as gun owners and many of the people that sell guns also sell knives.

Euclidean · March 25th, 2005, 12:28 AM

Ramtough I wish I could help you because I feel your pain here. I for instance would like to go handle a Glock 36 just to see if I'd like it or not.

The only real gun store in a 40 mile radius would be happy to order me one of course.

My local FFL would love to order one for me too of course, cash up front please.

Thank God for the internet (sometimes).

As for knives, do you have Academy stores in your neck of the woods? Academy has a very respectable selection of Kershaw folders at least. They have some other good stuff too but this is the brand they really represent best I feel.

Do you know where a real gun store is? The ones in my home town have lots of Benchmades, Bokers and even some semi-custom type pieces I haven't seen anywhere else. A well stocked gun store usually has some kind of high end cutlery to go with it.

The thing I lament is that even good gun stores severely limit their handgun selection. The one I think about all the time carries Kimber, Springfield, and occassionally Colt 1911s, Smith and Wesson revolvers (The high end ones), and a few token Glock 17s and 19s. Basically if you don't want to handle a 1911, you aren't dying to see an expensive revolver, and you've shot every 9mm service pistol in existence, you're out of luck.

Sometimes I tell myself that when I'm eligible for retirement here in 28 years I should open a store that sells at least the most popular models for every real gun and knife manufacturer in existence and ammunition in every caliber imaginable from white boxes to sealed tins. Imagine it, Kimbers and Remingtons and Glocks and Smiths and Savages all under one roof with Cold Steels Benchmades Sypdercos Bucks...

Then I think about how much of a pain the ass it would be and remember that I hated working in retail with a deep passion. Let someone else pursue that dream. It won't be me.

rstickle · March 25th, 2005, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramtough47

This is ramtough47 again with a knife question:where is there a good knife store,knife show, or whatever were a man can go and not only see good name brand knives but can actually handle them? Please keep in mind were i live,West Tennessee.

Betty's house?!?!

(Sorry, just couldn't resist! And, no one beat me too it.)

Betty · March 26th, 2005, 08:21 PM

Ha, ha - I was going to post that but scrolled down and saw you already did.

Gun shows are great for checking out knives. Gun shops and sporting good stores are also good.

And my house.

ramtough47 · March 27th, 2005, 12:25 AM

Appreciate everyone advice and Betty if i don't have any luck in finding a good knife store with good selection of name brand knives, I may take you up{if the offer still stands} on seeing your collection.

March 24th, 2005, 11:37 PM	#1
ramtough47 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: LEXINGTON,TN Posts: 90	Where to go to see knives This is ramtough47 again with a knife question:where is there a good knife store,knife show, or whatever were a man can go and not only see good name brand knives but can actually handle them? Please keep in mind were i live,West Tennessee.I don't mind traveling a couple hrs in any direction, but not really interested in going to Atlanta,Ga. or St. Louis,MS. or any other big cities many hours from home.

March 25th, 2005, 12:08 AM	#3
Bumper Administrator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 14,252	The best place I can think of to see alot of knives in one place and be able to handle them is at a gun show. Guns and knives go together for us as gun owners and many of the people that sell guns also sell knives. __________________ Bumper Administrator DefensiveCarry.com Forum Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde; Beware the anger of a patient man.

March 25th, 2005, 12:28 AM	#4
Euclidean VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 3,213	Ramtough I wish I could help you because I feel your pain here. I for instance would like to go handle a Glock 36 just to see if I'd like it or not. The only real gun store in a 40 mile radius would be happy to order me one of course. My local FFL would love to order one for me too of course, cash up front please. Thank God for the internet (sometimes). As for knives, do you have Academy stores in your neck of the woods? Academy has a very respectable selection of Kershaw folders at least. They have some other good stuff too but this is the brand they really represent best I feel. Do you know where a real gun store is? The ones in my home town have lots of Benchmades, Bokers and even some semi-custom type pieces I haven't seen anywhere else. A well stocked gun store usually has some kind of high end cutlery to go with it. The thing I lament is that even good gun stores severely limit their handgun selection. The one I think about all the time carries Kimber, Springfield, and occassionally Colt 1911s, Smith and Wesson revolvers (The high end ones), and a few token Glock 17s and 19s. Basically if you don't want to handle a 1911, you aren't dying to see an expensive revolver, and you've shot every 9mm service pistol in existence, you're out of luck. Sometimes I tell myself that when I'm eligible for retirement here in 28 years I should open a store that sells at least the most popular models for every real gun and knife manufacturer in existence and ammunition in every caliber imaginable from white boxes to sealed tins. Imagine it, Kimbers and Remingtons and Glocks and Smiths and Savages all under one roof with Cold Steels Benchmades Sypdercos Bucks... Then I think about how much of a pain the ass it would be and remember that I hated working in retail with a deep passion. Let someone else pursue that dream. It won't be me. __________________ I am The Armed Educator.

March 26th, 2005, 08:21 PM	#6
Betty Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 2,740	Ha, ha - I was going to post that but scrolled down and saw you already did. Gun shows are great for checking out knives. Gun shops and sporting good stores are also good. And my house. __________________ "Americans have the will to resist because you have weapons. If you don't have a gun, freedom of speech has no power." - Yoshimi Ishikawa Broodings, Blunders and Broadsides: The Betty Blog (Friends only - Email me through there to let me know who you are first!)

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March 24th, 2005, 11:47 PM	#2
The Tourist Former Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 693	'47, This is why I started my business. I called the Wisconsin Board of Regulation and Licensing. I asked for a resellers' license to "sell switchblades to police officers." They asked why I would want to do such a thing, and I answered simply, "No body is doing it, and it would seem a lucrative market." I got the license. I set up shop like a wandering gyspy, and carry about 6 to a dozen odd knives and stilettos with me. I look for the badge (yes, I need those stinking badges) or piping on the trousers, and with a smile on my face initiate the pitch, "Excuse me, officer, would you like to buy a switchblade?" We laugh. We schmooze. He clicks the knife. I ring up a sale. I think it stems from the fact he can ask questions of a real person, actually see the sharpening process, compare one knife to another and take a business card with a telephone number. BTW, I carry a copy of my license in my kit. It's been some years, but I still remember The Dane County Jail. Breakfast is terrible.

March 27th, 2005, 12:25 AM	#7
ramtough47 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: LEXINGTON,TN Posts: 90	Appreciate everyone advice and Betty if i don't have any luck in finding a good knife store with good selection of name brand knives, I may take you up{if the offer still stands} on seeing your collection.