Northern Virginia Knife Shops - My review of each I could find

[rustyshackelford82]

So I have recently got into knives and discovered that there are not a lot of resources for those living in the DC area. Most posts about knife shops are long out of date and focus on Chesapeake Knife and Tool, which I think went out of business years ago.

So, here is where my Odyssey has taken me over the past few weeks.

Full Metal Jacket, Alexandria. If you are looking for a place to view and buy knives, this is it! Great selection of Benchmades, including autos (which I can’t buy) also a few of the cheaper liner lock Zero Tolerance, and 2-3 Kershaws. The staff is great, and their “knife guy” is really into knives. Super Friendly, super helpful, can’t say enough good things about this place. When I asked about Zero Tolerance knives, he showed me his 0566 and then offered to sell it to me at a very reasonable price. I agreed and could not be happier. He even paid a portion of the price back to the store, which really impressed me as he could have pocketed the whole amount himself and I’m sure no one would have known. The prices were surprisingly (for such a small place) good. Some of the knives were about the same price as you would find on the net and I bought a BM 940 for about what I would have paid on Amazon. The store has lots of other cool military surplus and collectable stuff. If you are in the DC area you definitely need to check this place out. Only problem, it’s a little hard to find. Its basically in an industrial part off of Duke Street, just turn at the Post Office and you’ll find it.

REI in Arlington. REI has a few commonly found Benchmades, Gerbers, and a SOG or two. The prices are decent for a B&M store, higher than what can be found on the net, but that’s to be expected. Also, if you find the store’s 1 or 2 “knife guys,” you will find the staff pretty knowledgeable and very friendly. I purchased a mini-griptillian.

Dicks Sporting Goods on Columbia Pike in Arlington. Probably the worst selection and experience of the bunch. Dicks has a few SOG’s, some Kershaws (Leek, Cryo, Twitch), some Gerbers. The problem is that the “in case” selection was pretty poor. The prices, about what you would expect from a chain store – maybe 10% higher than what you can find on the net. I have visited several times, never bought anything.
2 WalMarts on Rt. 1. Don’t waste your time. A few cheap Kershaws, Gerbers, and one or two SOGS. Prices are about the same as Dicks. The staff – if you can find someone, I would be nervous that they would cut themselves opening a knife. Not to knock on WalMart, but these are not locations that likely get a lot of customers looking for knives, ammo, or anything like that.

Hudson Trail Outfitters, Pentagon City. Relatively small knife case with CRKTs and Bucks. I’ve been twice in the past few weeks and saw the same guy. Very nice and knowledgeable, I say he clearly knows his knives. I just wish that the selection was better. The prices are on par with other B&M stores, about 10-20% higher than on the net. I bought a CRKT Drifter (not all that thrilled with it but it was cheap) and a CRKT Heiho (great once you de-assist it).

Casual Adventure Arlington. A large selection of Benchmades (even a Gold Class or two) and a few (like 3-4 Spydercos (Dragonfly, Delica, maybe a Tenacious). The prices are basically the MSRP. The staff was helpful enough, but they admitted they were not the knife people. I suspect they have a knife guy or gal who just wasn’t there at the time. If you are looking for a Gold Class Benchmade, this may be your only option, but be prepared to pay top dollar. I didn’t buy anything.
Blue Ridge Arsenal. Large Selection of Benchmade, decent selection of SOGs, Harley Davidson and HK (I think these are also Benchmades, and the only place I saw Lone Wolf knives. The prices are the highest I’ve ever seen, I suspect the were MSRP. The place was packed, as it almost always is and I was not interested in paying that much so I did not try to flag down any of the staff. My interaction with the staff in the past has always been positive, I’m sure buying a knife would be no different.

Nations Gun Show. Less knives than I would have expected. I got a great deal on a Spyderco PM2 and Manix Lightweight. Wish I could remember the name of the booth.

Sharpshooters in Lorton. It was worth a shot but no knives, bummer.

Well if anyone knows of any other places I would love to hear about them.

 

[RevDevil]

Rusty -

I'm going to get this moved to Feedback. People would be very interested to know about this topic there. This is a good post and I'd love to see more shops in different states.

 

[ChrisB507]

Great list, thanks. As a NOVA resident, IMHO, the best, closest knife store is Edgeworks Knives, in Fredrick, MD.

They have an online store and a ton of great variety (all the major production brands in fixed blades and folders), and some CRK and William Henry...along with a few other high-end brands. I feel like a kid in a candy store in there!

 

[Morrow]

Moved to Feedback.

 

[leghog]

Northern Virginia Knife Shops - My review of each I could find

Classic Edge in Midlothian outside of Richmond. B&M store and at many of the Central VA gunshows (during which the B&M shop will likely be closed). They have an on-line store, but you probably want to visit their B&M store. I doubt you'll be disappointed there.

 

[ericzhao517]

Nova Armament located in Herndon is reall nice. The staff is friendly and helpful plus the manager is a total knife nut. You can find a few rare discontinued spydies if lucky. Mostly emerson, benchmade knives and spyderco. Plus they give you great deals if your dropping $$ haha

Edit* forgot to add they have a few Medford and winkler customs on hand incase you want to check them in person before taking the plunge.

 

[Kirkwood]

Matt D Tactical in Alexandria (Hybla Valley area). He's mostly online. He has a shop, but it's not a walk-in type store. But he's pretty cool and let me stop in to check out some Hinderers. He also carries Strider, Emerson, CRK, ZT, RMJ, etc. Just contact him first and set up an appointment; he doesn't have set office hours.

 

[JCP1969]

If your ever heading to the Delaware or Maryland shore. There is a Knife shop in Greenwood De. Its been there 40+ years. You should make sure you stop in there. If you like knives. they are closed Sundays and Mondays , I haven't been in over a year but I may go the next time they have an event. For the food and to say hello.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I've only ever been in three knife shops, actual honest to goodness knife shops. Two are within distance of you in NOVA, and deserve a road trip.

Sean at Edgeworks in Frederick MD is very knowledgeable about knives, and caters to the full gambit. His staff, usually there on weekends, are spot on too. You can get an Opinel or a full damascus William Henry and everything in between, including kitchen cutlery. You'll find a William Henry, Chris Reeve or the Great Eastern I traded him in his pocket, he carries quality knives and sells quality knives. His prices are of course higher than online but not much higher. He also has a nice custom selection. Most major brands are featured in his store, and he has been beefing up his availability of traditional knives. I've been doing business with him for about 6 years now maybe.

Geri at Willey Knives in Greenwood DE has taken on the job of running her fathers knife shop over the past few years, and they are great people to deal with. I've been there a few times, and the staff is very knowledgeable. Her father has been making knives and sharpening knives used by the local DE restaurants for years. I believe that on Wednesdays he travels from northern DE to southern DE to pick up sharpening orders. I spent a long time talking with him one day, I was on the way to my cousins wedding, but had to stop in (yeah, I got to the wedding on time). They were ready to close, it was a fall Saturday and I couldn't blame them for just wanting to get home. They stuck around and talked with me, and Mr. Willey even got his first knife and his latest knife out to show me. I stopped there on the way to a MD resort town down the road, and got a great deal on a Case Bose annual knife. I believe it's Geri, Mr. Willey, Geri's brother whose name escapes me right now but I dealt with him last year. Good guy, we talked knives for a long while. The first time I was there, a local guy was working there, and we talked knives a long time. They are very good people. They've also got a great selection of traditional knives, and were thinking about getting some Great Eastern products after I showed them my GEC knives. They were put off by the stiff springs on the early patterns, but really liked the #15 Charlows I showed them. They also have a large selection of kitchen cutlery, a wide variety of sporting cutlery and walk in sharpening services (leave your knife and pick it up when it's done, seen locals dropping off their knives).

I have talked with Matt D Tactical, who I believe is located near DC. He has a great selection of high end knives, including some Strider customs. I've seen him at the Chesapeake knife show. I've heard nothing but good things about him.

I've ordered through mail many times from New Graham Knives in Bluefield VA, and they are top notch. I have been planning on traveling there, maybe taking a stop at Skyline Drive and Luray Caverns. Their shop, at least from their Facebook photos, looks like it would be neat to visit. Mike and his staff take good care of me every time I call or email them.

There are a few dealers that go to the shows in the MD/VA area. FBKnife/Scott Selby has a good custom knife selection, I used to trade with him, he is always at the Chantilly and Harrisonburg gun and knife shows. Sharpshin Blades is a member here, he has a good selection of production blades. American Custom House, located out of Baltimore, travels to some shows in western MD, and he has a selection of productions knives.

There are several shows coming up. The Harrisonburg VA show is coming up next month, never been but I would like to go. A very small show is coming up, the Mason Dixon knife club show in Hagerstown MD, the last weekend of April. It is not the best show I've been to, but I've only been to two. Mainly older knives but worth attending. The Chesapeake knife show, held in early December, is a good show too with some good dealers and some top flight makers and companies. However, it seems like I miss every other show due to bad weather. The Hagerstown show is an excuse for my fat butt to hike the Appalachian trail, and visit Edgeworks. By the way, if you like books, there is a used bookstore in Frederick and Hagerstown called Wonder Books. Used books and dvds. I believe the Bill Moran museum holds a hammer in and an event every year.

Bass Pro Shops at Arundel Mills has a good knife selection for a big box outdoors store. Gander Mountain in Salisbury is a favorite spot of my brother in laws, can't be much different than the GM I've been to in York PA. They are going to open a smaller Cabelas in Christiana DE, this spring, the knife selection at the one I've visited in Hamburg was good.

Knife Center has moved from MD to the DC suburbs, I don't believe they have a storefront, but I think you may be able to still pick up your order at the new location. More of a warehouse environment.

Gun shops are hit or miss. Continental Arms in Timonium MD, not too far from the REI in the area, has a selection of a few Sebenzas and Benchmades. Other gun shops might have a few Frost knives, or generic SAKs, depending on what you get. I've found that more rural stores have a better selection of cutlery.

 

[Alnamvet68]

As a SOVA citizen, I'm sad to report we have no knife shops worth a darn, unless you're looking for tac-prac's. 5.11 have a small selection of Spyderco's, but when it comes to traditional knives, one has to go to the Navy Exchange, and then the selection is pretty much limited.

 

[3REDUCK]

I was just going to suggest knifecenter but didn't realize they had moved to Fredricksburg, Va. When they were in College Park, I bought knives directly from the warehouse and they were always very friendly. Not set up for walk in business but if you called ahead then they were very welcoming. Their inventory can't be beat.