Cheap knockoff knives vs the real quality knives, sure is a big difference!
Sure you can use a cheap knife for some utility and tool box uses but you'd never what to put your life or longevity of the knives on the line with the "el cheapos".
I had a real Swiss army knife which disappeared years ago, I have an NRA one which is really nice, you can depend on that.
Now I have two junk combo knives which basically only have a few items like the corkscrews or a few blades you can get out after tearing your thumb nails off. I used a steel awl to work them loose, dropped one and the plastic side broke right off.
QUESTION what if anything could you lube them up to work easier, WD-40? Graphite? Anything that wont get on your hands? Or just leave them in the junk drawer.
I haven't really thought about it much, but most any oil is going to get on your hands, and attract pocket lint. Graphite is just plain nasty to work with and even messier - keep it inside door locks where it belongs!
But Dad used to make his own concoction to keep the weather seals on all the door frames in our house from squeaking, and I'll bet you could adapt that. He'd dissolve plain white paraffin either from the store, or a cheap candle, in benzene, then apply with a paint brush. The solvent evaporates, leaving a dry, practically invisible wax coating on the metal surface.
Since we're probably not allowed by Big Brother to buy benzene anymore, I'd try acetone or toluene, or a blend of both. If I remember correctly from my misguided youth, either will fully dissolve paraffin nicely, but you'll want to keep the liquid off anything plastic, which both solvents are happy to melt or completely dissolve.
I have a open assist knife that was a little stiff and hard to open. I put a few drops of Hoppe's gun oil on the pivot and it works like a champ now. Not enough to make a mess, just a few drops.
I do own junk knives, I buy them to be used as trade items if the SHTF ever happens. But I have a large collection of high end knives. These are for me!!
I'm bad about buying knives, I see an interesting looking knife and I can't help but buy it. I have dozens of knives, both junk and expensive.
I use SBGO to lube just about every thing that needs "oiling".
Yeah I'm a knife nut, have collected them for decades never really had a problem except with these knockoff Swiss Army knives, don't want to throw them out or only use a few items on them -and- I sure don't want to tear up my thumb nails! I have a very old (~1966) Outer's gun cleaning kit that I just keep adding to, I know I have Hoppes in there but I know many like here that rave about SBGO.....
.....and 13% pig fat, how neat is that. Might just have to get some. Thanks for the ideas.
I still have the P-38 that I carried in Basic Training (1969), don't use it any more but still have it.
I got "hooked" on Remington Bullet Knives a few years ago and I had every one of them from 1983 til I quit collecting them in 2009. I never could afford the 1982 (the first one) cause it was so expensive. I think it was 2009 when they moved their operation down to North Carolina and the quality and collect-ability went to crap. I have given a couple of them away here during our giveaways.
I bought a rifle-length case of knives off an auction site ( on TV ) several years ago. Packed w/all kinds of pocket knives, in their boxes. Many of them are decent for casual use. I'm still in the process of giving them away as Christmas gifts. I also keep 2-3 in my tackle box for folks who want to borrow a knife....here, keep it.
I 'collect' Katanas. Five are Paul Chen. Won't be giving those away. Love long blades.
Oh anyone remember those late night knife shows? They had all kinds of sets of knives from a few up to hundreds in boxes that you could resale at flea markets, etc? Well I bought a set of Frost Cutlery green handle basically pocket knives in all kinds of shapes and sizes...actually maybe about ~15-20 years ago they were a good buy and great knives to give away. I still have a bunch of pretty nice ones!
I've already checked the bargain & closeouts, always do that first, I'm on p.24 of the less than $10 page, some interesting stuff.....while watching FARGO!
The wife, and I, used to run a flea market booth for several years. Sold a lot of the cheap knives, and the cheap movie low cost run knives, like Lord of the Rings swords, and knives. Sold a ton of the sword canes. Still have a few, but not many.
Great selection, beautiful knives....I can waste hours on a site like that! Went through ALL the Bucks, I had a real small (less than 2" long) single blade pocket knife with a key chain loop on it. Bought it new about 30-35 years ago but went missing....would love to find one. Might check a Buck site.
I lost my favorite "carry" pocket knife. I had a Rigid three blade knife that was about 3 inches closed. Carried in my left pocket every day since 1986. It disappeared about three months ago and I have searched every where for it. I have put at least a dozen knives in my pocket in those three months trying to find another carry and I am just not comfortable with another one!! Weird huh!!
....... I have put at least a dozen knives in my pocket in those three months trying to find another carry and I am just not comfortable with another one!! Weird huh!!
Was it a Buck knife, too? I think I have the one that you are talking about!! Probably inch and a half long black "plastic". Let me see if I can find it right quick and take a picture.
Well, this is defiantly my area of expertise. My wife and I own and operate a business selling knives at flea markets, fairs, public events, and GUN SHOWS!!!
Back in 2009 I was drinking with a buddy of mine and watching tv. Well around 2am (and 12+beers later) the knife show came on and I got an idea! At the time I was on unemployment and had just got my tax return. So I ordered $800 worth of knives, filed for an LLC, and figured if I couldn't find a job then damn it I'd make one.
It made $24k last year, first drunk idea I've ever had really pan out for me.
I have one brother who worked in a small store part time when the owner took time off or needed extra help, I told him I'd pay for the start up cost to sell knives from small pocket knives to swords at the store. He wasn't interested and passed, so what kind of margins did he just pass up?
GEEEZZZZ, you know the numbers, buy something for $3, mark it up to $11.99 and put it on sale for $9.99 or $8.99?? Or two for $10 or whatever. And those big ones, a few would pay for the order. Or throw in a few small ones with other store purchases.
I did that for a while myself, part time. Every couple of weeks I would take my wares over to the local flea market. The only problem around here was that there seemed to be a bunch of people with the same idea. I ended up pretty much giving my stuff away.
Right location like in real estate is everything, that store my brother worked at was near lakes in fishing & camping territory, had a glass display case plus you put a few "try me" displays on the counter, hang a few swords on the wall for the "WOW" effect to get people to come over and check it out. AND if it were me I'd offer free or reasonable knife sharpening....really easy if you know what to do.
Yea I have corner market for some of the places I work, plus after 4+ seasons I'm well known for it (hints; knife chris). I have a pretty good set up design coupled with a rather wide selection and pricing that is equal to value/use.
Funny thing that I didn't know when I got into this, 95% of my customers are Hispanic migrant workers.... I grew up in Miami, lived there for 20 years, and never learned spanish. Life's funny
Those knife selling TV shows are still on here in Okla. But late at nite. When I was an OTR trucker I stopped in at Smokey Mountain knife works a couple of times. It's the Cabelas of knives. A very large "lodge" looking building full of knives.
Has anyone seen the current TV commercials for a survival knife I think they call "The Rocky Mountain knife"? What a piece of crap. It likely won't even take much less hold an edge. I wonder how many people are getting ripped off on that one?
I have never seen that commercial, but the knife reminds me of some of the JUNK stuff that I bought for my kids when they were children (and my baby is 37)! Back then they were over priced at about $2.99!!!!
haha, I had one of those when I was cub scout. Damn thing broke on the second camping trip I took it on.
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