Mark's Outdoors - Birmingham, Alabama - super knife store!

I'm not sure if I understand the post entirely. There are multiple fakes out there of most all the popular production brands. I would think the fakes just lead the unsuspecting buyer to think incorrectly that the company puts out crap products. Like Spyderco for example. There are a lot of convincing fakes of several popular models that unsuspecting buyers scoop up off eBay for prices very similar to the real deal. Then they see how bad the quality is and get a bad taste of the company in their mouth unless they do the research and realize they bought a fake. I might have misunderstood, but I don't think it's silly or vain to wonder if your $200 Emerson is genuine. If it has major differences than one you currently own, you've got every right to be suspect about it unless there have been design changes made you don't know about.
 
You're right. If one pays $200 for anything it should be the real McCoy. I called Emerson this morning after taking some close pics. They feel its good. I guess we'll find out whenever I send it in for sharpening. Wouldn't that be a kick in the pants? They were confident it was genuine. The whole box thing was simply my old Emerson's box is just that, an old design. Thats what they told me. Quality wise the knife feels like the other. My question was merely the fine detail of the logo on the blade. Im satisfied. But I think I've learned a lesson. A valuable lesson. If the counterfeit knife biz is that prevalent, then ill just go to the manufacturer from now on. Ill handle the one im interested in at the store then buy it from its maker. That sucks for the mom and pop places tho. The trick is getting to know an outfit you trust and one that you know gets their stuff direct.
Im telling myself its the real deal. Look, they would be nuts to knowingly sell fake anything's. i never for one second believed they would do that KNOWINGLY. Someome trading out a fake for a genuine is certainly possible. Certainly would take balls and certainly a scummy thing to do.

I think Mark's is honest and legit. I never once thought theyd give me a hard time even if id returned it and told them it was fake. I think they would have given me my money back or given me store credit. I mean who returns a knife, and tell them its fake? Because had it played out that way, and they would have said get bent.....well like I said, I got a big mouth and the inner webs.
 
Oh yeah, I don't think they'd knowingly sell fakes at all. I'm really glad that Emerson and you feel pretty good about your knife. Use that thing and enjoy it.

You're right, the best way to avoid fakes altogether is going straight to the manufacturer; however, I wouldn't rule out the major online knife retailers like KW, Howes, BHQ, National Knives, KnifeArt, and CS. They're all legit with good customer service and will take care of you if there's a problem. I've even bought from smaller retailers online such as Bladeco and never had a problem.

There are reports all the time especially in the Spyderco forum of people ordering new knives from Amazon and receiving a used knife or a fake that someone returned to Amazon while keeping the real deal, taking advantage of their return policy. I'd hope the B&M stores examine their knives a little more closely in these cases, but some fakes are good enough nowadays that they can slip past a trained eye and especially the average employee.
 
To the OP...

Thanks for posting. I enjoy checking out B&M outdoor stores like you described. If you get down to Tuscaloosa, you might like Woods & Water. Marks sounds better though.

I got down that way the last few years to turkey hunt Oakmulgee WMA forest land.

-Aaron
 
I think going directly thru the maker is going to be the way to go. The guy behind the counter at Marks (super nice fella) didnt even know that some of the newer Emersons were using standoffs rather than a back spacer like on my CQC15. I mean they deal in many many different knives, from $30 Bucks to very custom very expensive knives. No way they can stay on top of all the changing trends, models, etc. BHQ an authorized dealer for many knives may be a good option but the price difference really is quite minimal.

Im happy with the outcome. The new commander is in my pocket as I type this. Love the recurve. Sorry for resurrecting the old thread and hijacking it. happy shopping.
 
Yeah no doubt Randy is a real salt of the earth guy and a pleasure to chat with, but I doubt he's on the forums and such all the time like we are keeping up with the constant design changes in knives. Again, he's the reason I still go in there. With the level of inventory he has to deal with, I'd find it hard for him to be an absolute expert on every little subtle thing with every model of knife he's got in the store. There's no way I'd be able to keep up. I'm only really interested in less than a handful of brands so I feel like I know what's genuine and what's not because I study those brands regularly. I couldn't imagine trying it with all the brands he has in inventory. In the end, if you want a new knife that's just been released or is somewhat hard to find, there's a decent chance he has it. Kudos to him for that and for making you feel like you're welcome in the store.
 
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