Boutique Knife Shops

[jprugel]

Maybe there is a better name for them. I live in Pennsylvania and don't see any local shops that have any real focus on kitchen knives. Is it worth traveling to some of these places like Bernal, CarbonKnifeCo, etc?

 

[M1k3]

MTC Kitchen and DC Cutlery are options not on the opposite side of the country from you.

 

[jprugel]

MTC Kitchen and DC Cutlery are options not on the opposite side of the country from you.

Good Idea, MTC kitchen is fairly nearby, only about 2 hours total.

 

[M1k3]

There's also Strata in Portland, Maine. Not as close, but still closer to you than Colorado or California.

 

[M1k3]

And to answer your question if it's worth it to go in. If you haven't used a bunch of different knives, yes.

 

[jprugel]

And to answer your question if it's worth it to go in. If you haven't used a bunch of different knives, yes.

Thanks for the answer.

I haven’t, my primary experience is with a few different single bevels that my uncle has, and my personal knives. I’m definitely gunna go check it out!

 

[Qapla']

There's also Korin in NYC.

 

[brimmergj]

RealSharpKnife in Buffalo. I've not been to the shop, but Dustin has always been very helpful with all of my purchases

 

[jprugel]

MTC Kitchen and DC Cutlery are options not on the opposite side of the country from you.

There's also Strata in Portland, Maine. Not as close, but still closer to you than Colorado or California.

There's also Korin in NYC.

RealSharpKnife in Buffalo. I've not been to the shop, but Dustin has always been very helpful with all of my purchases

Any of these worth building a relationship with? I doubt I going to stop after 1, 2, or 3 knives. I love collecting functional art pieces!

 

[M1k3]

Any of these worth building a relationship with? I doubt I going to stop after 1, 2, or 3 knives. I love collecting functional art pieces!

All of them.

 

[jprugel]

So should I go through the online contacts or just get close with them in person? Just curious, I've never gotten into a hobby like this and I want to be able to get some of these more rare knives.

 

[Nemo]

FWIW, the significant majority of my knife purchases were online purchases.

 

[jprugel]

Both of my current ones are, but It seems like a lot of members have some really crazy knives that aren't listed anywhere online new.

 

[M1k3]

So should I go through the online contacts or just get close with them in person? Just curious, I've never gotten into a hobby like this and I want to be able to get some of these more rare knives.

Depends. Online contact is easy to do now. I'd suggest looking at the different sites inventory and contact whichever one has the most knives that pique your interest.

As far as rare knives, it's a matter of luck, patience and making the right connections.

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

I'm not a Dustin fan but the other rec's are good ones.

But, like @Nemo mentioned, all of my Japanese knives have been purchased on line. I would absolutely go to a store if it is close and you can swing it but I wouldn't consider it mandatory.

 

[Heckel7302]

Both of my current ones are, but It seems like a lot of members have some really crazy knives that aren't listed anywhere online new.

Going to a store is a great way to handle lots of knives to get a sense of what jives with you.

You can build a relationship with stores, mostly by buying stuff, but it won't gain you access to any secret inventory. That might happen with a few hardcore collectors that have done years of business and visit shops regularly in person, but I think it's pretty rare.

I don't live anywhere near high end knife shops, but I stop in them when I'm on vacation somewhere that has them. Always fun to talk shop with the owner and fondle lots of knives. That said, all of my actual purchases have been online.

To get the rarer knives it takes dedication and a bit of luck, following the shops/makers on socials to know when there will be drops then follow that with fast clicks when they do, or get lucky on the lottery drawings. Also checking KKF multiple times a day in case someone decides to part with a choice blade.

 

[jprugel]

Going to a store is a great way to handle lots of knives to get a sense of what jives with you.

You can build a relationship with stores, mostly by buying stuff, but it won't gain you access to any secret inventory. That might happen with a few hardcore collectors that have done years of business and visit shops regularly in person, but I think it's pretty rare.

I don't live anywhere near high end knife shops, but I stop in them when I'm on vacation somewhere that has them. Always fun to talk shop with the owner and fondle lots of knives. That said, all of my actual purchases have been online.

To get the rarer knives it takes dedication and a bit of luck, following the shops/makers on socials to know when there will be drops then follow that with fast clicks when they do, or get lucky on the lottery drawings. Also checking KKF multiple times a day in case someone decides to part with a choice blade.

Thanks for the info, I wasn't really sure. I definitely always love fondling knives.

 

[Qapla']

I haven’t, my primary experience is with a few different single bevels that my uncle has, and my personal knives. I’m definitely gunna go check it out!

Which single-bevel knives do you use?

 

[jprugel]

Which single-bevel knives do you use?

I don't use any currently, Ive tried 2. I am curious to try more though.

 

[WildBoar]

Come to the ECG on July 16. District Cutlery will be here with a sampling of their inventory, and it's a great chance to talk to one of the owners. Plus you'll get to see a couple/ few hundred knives owned by other KKFers, and you can meet 8 knifemakers from the mid-Atlantic area.

District Cutlery and Korin are probably equal distances for you, but with the 95 bridge accident it may be easier to get to DC. Plus it's a lot cheaper to park near the market where they have their storefront.

 

[jprugel]

I was invited previously but unfortunately I am busy that weekend. I'll see if I can check out those stores in nyc during my vacation in a few weeks! I am not really huge on the DC area.

 

[WildBoar]

Please note you can't go wrong with Jon Broida at Japanese Knife Imports in CA. He is 100% a great shop owner to establish a relationship with.

 

[jprugel]

Please note you can't go wrong with Jon Broida at Japanese Knife Imports in CA. He is 100% a great shop owner to establish a relationship with.

I mean he is pretty far out given I live in PA.

 

[BillHanna]

I mean, if you take a vacation to see a knife shop, I can tell my wife it’s a real thing that people do. Gotta set a precedent.

 

[WildBoar]

I mean he is pretty far out given I live in PA.

The beauty of dealing with Jon is you don't need to be at his shop. He asks all the right questions and knows what knives can do what.

 

[jprugel]

I mean, if you take a vacation to see a knife shop, I can tell my wife it’s a real thing that people do. Gotta set a precedent.

Once the travel limitations are over you could always go somewhere like Sakai!

 

[jprugel]

The beauty of dealing with Jon is you don't need to be at his shop. He asks all the right questions and knows what knives can do what.

Maybe he is who I should talk to before I start getting custom single bevels haha

 

[WildBoar]

Maybe he is who I should talk to before I start getting custom single bevels haha

Jon deals directly with a bunch of Japanese makers. He spends about a month in Japan each year. For this kind of stuff he is probably the best knife shop in the US to work with.

 

[jprugel]

Thanks for the info!

 

[parbaked]

Stopped by Bernal Cutlery yesterday and it really is a well curated emporium of goodness. Definitely worth a visit if in the area.

I’ve known Josh since he shared a space in Bernal Heights with a pickle shop and an empanadas baker. I’m very impressed with what he’s accomplished