Cheap giveaway knives again: bear with me, Cutlery Corner? Any better ideas?

[MatthewVanitas]

Okay, okay, I know a lot of folks are pretty leery of Cutlery Corner. Yes, I understand that they sell a lot of fantasy knives and shoddy tactical knives to folks that don't know any better, etc.

However, if I'm looking to buy around a hundred knives to give away over the next year or two, the prospect of paying $2/ct for Steel Warrior and Frost Cutlery folders is appealing.

Not thinking so much of the tactical junk, but of the clones of the old Stockman, Muskrat, Canoe, Congress, etc. designs. I figure these designs were made by dozens of companies in the past (some amazing, some shoddy), so it's not an intellectual property issue.

For example, sets like these cost $49 for a non-dealer, but I think the dealer price is closer to $2 each, from what I can read between the lines on the Dealer section:

Should I avoid these guys like the plague, or pick up some $2 folders in bulk? What alternatives am I overlooking? I don't think I can swing an Opinel or even an Okapi for anywhere near that price point, but feel free to clue me in if I'm wrong.

For the record, I have owned and do own Benchmade, Spyderco, Svord, Opinel, Douk-Douk, and other decent knives. These offshore cheapies would be to give to waiters, drop in tip jars, give to non-knife casual acquaintances, etc.

P.S. I'm mainly looking for info on the company itself, and its Dealer program, as I've already read up on the knives. The word here on BFC is that the Steel Warrior/Frost line of classics is actually pretty decent, especially for the money involved. If someone has actual negative experience with, say, a SW Copperhead, that'd be applicable, but just saying "Oh, those TV guys sell a buncha crap" isn't going add to the discussion. Likewise arguments about Chinese-made vs US-made gear, which we've covered extensively in other threads.

 

[knarfeng]

RAther than 100 knives at $2. I'd rather pick up 20 knives at $10. Some of the Byrds and Chinese Bucks are about $10 a pop. And they are all of quite decent quality. IMO they would make a much better gift than the cheapies.

Maybe it's me. But I don't know 100 people that
1) I'd give a knife to and
2) who would appreciate receiving it.

I do know 20 or so.

 

[mp510]

I have seen some of the cheap Frost traditionals like those pictured above in the discount bins at gunshows, gas stations and the like (often overpriced), and they are no worse quality than some of the cheapest vintage traditional knives. Unlike the tacticool knives, they are semi-capable of producing half decent traditionals- the SAK clones exempted.

 

[Confederate]

I have found that most people like receiving tactical knives than they do slip joint folders. I've been given Case knives, Swiss Army knives, Barlows and what have you, and I just dump them in the drawer. If someone has a decent slipjoint knife, it will be that much worse. But most folks will welcome a tactical, even a cheapie.

The Frost bundles are probably a good one to go with as they can be had for about a buck or so apiece. Smoky Mountain Knife Works also has some deals you can check out. Also, for a hundred knives or so, you might be able to personalize them, like putting your name or the name of your company. I'll check out some deals and see what I can find, though.

 

[Bob W]

These offshore cheapies would be to give to waiters, drop in tip jars, give to non-knife casual acquaintances, etc.

If I was a waiter or emptying the tip jar, I'd rather just have the $2.

Also, for a hundred knives or so, you might be able to personalize them, like putting your name or the name of your company. I'll check out some deals and see what I can find, though.

There are some really crappy swiss-army-style knives with metal handles that look a bit nicer than the standard $2 molded plastic fare. Companies often give those away with their logos, and I doubt they cost any more than $2.

 

[JPD1998]

Two bucks each is great, but I don't usually see the slippies selling that low. What I do notice is the average price is more like $8.00 - $10.00, once you factor an inflated shipping rate.

Also if you notice on the package deals most of the knives are of the lower cost variety with one or two higher priced models.

I agree with Bob, if I was working for tips I'd prefer the cash.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

I have found that most people like receiving tactical knives than they do slip joint folders. I've been given Case knives, Swiss Army knives, Barlows and what have you, and I just dump them in the drawer. If someone has a decent slipjoint knife, it will be that much worse. But most folks will welcome a tactical, even a cheapie.

I put some thought on that, but BFC seems to agree that, although the Chinese make a decent slippie, their tacticals leave much to be desired. I don't see finding a decent pocket-clip one-hand knife for the $2-3 I hope to find the slippies at.

Further, I think a traditional knife would appeal to a broader audience. To a NKP, a black tanto with thumbhole might be creepy to get with the tip, but an orange-handled Copperhead would be considered "pretty".

If I was a waiter or emptying the tip jar, I'd rather just have the $2.

I'm not stiffing them on the tip, the knife is left in addition to whatever else. Also just given away randomly to folks who seem decent. I've only had a handful of folks say "nah, I don't need one", but had plenty of folks who were thrilled to get a cheap Chinese SAK copy.

 

[mmarkh]

It will just be a hundred pieces of junk that no one will use.If someone gave me a piece of crap like that I would be insulted.

 

[Peter_E_Ryt]

It will just be a hundred pieces of junk that no one will use.If someone gave me a piece of crap like that I would be insulted.

Most people can't tell the difference. You'd be surprised how many people use them. People never think that they need a knife or could even use a knife until it's right there. The point of this little project is get more people using knives, and I've seen from personal experience (I inherited a box junkers to give away) that it does actaully work.

Matthew- I think you've got the right idea on the slippies.

 

[Bob W]

SMKW had a bunch of 'sport' model Wenger SAKs for sale in the $3-$5 range. Soccer, Snowboarder, Rollerblade, etc. Don't know which, if any, are still available. When I ordered a while back, one of them actually rang up at $1.99 at checkout.

The Victorinox Escort is $5.

The United/Rigid Executive pocketknives (Old Timer imitations) are $5 each, and they don't totally suck.

Opinels start at $4.49 retail, don't know where you could get a volume discount or wholesale price.

A couple of years ago there were closeout Imperial knives for $1-$2 each.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

The United/Rigid Executive pocketknives (Old Timer imitations) are $5 each, and they don't totally suck.

Opinels start at $4.49 retail, don't know where you could get a volume discount or wholesale price.

The Rigids appear to be a United Cutlery product, and they have variants (peanut, stockman, etc) in the OT style you describe. I'll put those on the "possible" list. Thanks for the heads-up!

Wholesale Opinels... This might take some puzzling out. I still doubt I can get them down to the $2 range of the Frost, but still worth checking out. Nat'l holiday today, so can't get a hold of SMKW or Cutlery Corner.

It will just be a hundred pieces of junk that no one will use.If someone gave me a piece of crap like that I would be insulted.

I bet the guys on the Porsche 911 board wouldn't appreciate getting a free Toyota Tercel either, but a lot of college kids wouldn't mind.

I already get folks saying they find their 15c SAK to be great for opening packages, etc., so no reason that a $2 classic slippie would be worse. If folks didn't like getting free knives, I wouldn't bother giving them away.

The point of this little project is get more people using knives

Yep.

@Peter: having much fun giving away the rest of those knives?

 

[Vivi]

I've always been interested in buying a bulk amount of Victorinox Classic knives for this purpose...

 

[spyder10]

Why not look into buying a lot of TSA confiscated knives off ebay or such? You can usually get a good assortment of real SAKs, clones, Chinese pos, and once in a while a really good knife.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Why not look into buying a lot of TSA confiscated knives off ebay or such? You can usually get a good assortment of real SAKs, clones, Chinese pos, and once in a while a really good knife.

This is what I did for the first 600 knives or so.

Guessing very roughly, got about 45% small SAK clones, 45% full-size SAK clones, 5% "tactical" folders (either tiny Spyderco keychain ripoffs, or Jaguar lockbacks), and 5% classics. Usually bought by the pound, averaging about 15c-20c per knife once I got going on the big lots. The one truly nice knife that I found was a Camillus Silver Sword, really cute little stainless lockback. But even that is only a $20 knife.

It was fun, but quality was really, really mixed. I figure I'd rather spend $1.50-$2 and give someone a really cool knife. Not to dissuade you from going the eBay "knives by the pound" route. By all means, it's a good way to get knives to tons of folks, as Peter will attest.

 

[Peter_E_Ryt]

@Peter: having much fun giving away the rest of those knives?

Lots- it's rewarding to see people who'd never considered a knife using one.

Have you made the trip East yet?

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Lots- it's rewarding to see people who'd never considered a knife using one.

Have you made the trip East yet?

Awesome, glad it's working out. We may talk a little shop later if I get this bulk deal going.

Which trip East? I went to Tajikistan, came back, am in Newfoundland now (on the edge of the continent), and applying for jobs in Afghanistan. Once I get a job locked down and start receiving paychecks, I'll start buying up more knifes to give away when I get back to the States.

PM me if you run out of giveaway knives.

 

[Will Power]

RAther than 100 knives at $2. I'd rather pick up 20 knives at $10. Some of the Byrds and Chinese Bucks are about $10 a pop. And they are all of quite decent quality. IMO they would make a much better gift than the cheapies.

Maybe it's me. But I don't know 100 people that
1) I'd give a knife to and
2) who would appreciate receiving it.

I do know 20 or so.

This is true and cheap does not have too be nasty !
Scale down your operations and it will be much more appreciated:thumbup:
Mora, Opinel and even Rough Rider offer low cost knives that ARE worth owning.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

This is true and cheap does not have too be nasty !
Scale down your operations and it will be much more appreciated:thumbup:
Mora, Opinel and even Rough Rider offer low cost knives that ARE worth owning.

I think I'd be striking a good balance of bang-for-buck with either the Rough Rider or the Frost. Both brands seem to get pretty similar reviews here on BFC, as mp510 summarizes above.

Moras aren't quite as applicable for your average urban 22yr old, not really suitable for urban EDC. To a college kid, it's a huge freakin' dagger.

Bulk Opinels might be nice, but I think that a NKP (non-knife person) would actually be more impressed with a stainless offshore Stockman copy than they would with a carbon-steel Opinel #6. We're talking about total novices here, and a tiny knife that doesn't rust will probably please them.

I love Opinels, but to an NKP it's a dang piece of dowel with a blade on it. I think a classic slippie would get better mileage. I do like the fact that Frost and Rough Rider also make slippies in feminine colors (purple, pink), which might help broaden the appeal.

Will contact SMKW and Cutlery Corner on Tuesday. Anyone know of any other wholesalers I should hit up? Is there another major Frost wholesaler besides CC? If anyone has any tips on getting "Dealer" certification, a PM would be greatly appreciated.