The New Smokey Mountain Network !!!

[wt3l]

Well, I have spent a LOT of hard earned money on this particular knife show. Today after many days (approx. 10) of waiting, I got ONE of the knives I ordered in the mail. I am dissapointed a little. First of all The knife...a very nice Carl Schlieper Solingen German Eye Stag Trapper, is just perfect, BUT!!! It came to me is a bubble envelope, and NO!! absolutely no papersork what-so-ever. No invoice...nothing, also the box which the viewers are constantly told "Don't Booger-up the Box" was jsut that. Torn almost in half. Now I know that Chris is having growing pains with his move from SMKW and all. But I think there should have been a copy (at least) of the invoice. I ordered 3 knives. I was told over the phone that one was sold out,they thought,. The other knife I ordered is a Boker Tree Congress, and the other one which sold out, I wanted to try one of the U.S. Classic Natrual Bone Congress. I know these knives aren't made in this country, just currious. I'll contact these folks this week and see what's up. Anybody else had this problem?? later, Keith J.

[skip]

Keith,
I have not ordered from Chris's new show yet, I think I'll wait till they get things goin. I have also seen and admired their U.S. classics. Price is not bad on those, but You ought to give the Rough Rider brand a look too. They are also made "over there" good quality and about five bucks cheaper.
I'm curious about the new knife show on direct tv, has anyone seen it? How is it?
Skip

[straybulletbmc]

I watch it, most every friday and a few mondays, don't know what happen between chris and his assistants, I have not seen a bulldog on there yet sent his move, which is what i mostly collect, In the past if i ordered a knife and it was not quite right, they always take it back, no questions asked, so give them a call, they will work with ya.

[wt3l]

Thanks Skip and Straybulletbmc for your replys. I also love the Fighting Bulldogs. Skip I own several rough riders...they're nice but made in China and I suppose the u.s. classics are too. The way I understand it...The old knife show was broadcast from Smokey Mtn Knifeworks strore. He used their computers and tried to get as many of their operators that would to stay over and work the phones for him..Nothing wrong with that but don't cut down the old place since now you have to hire a bank of operators..of course they'll be there after midnight. Anyhow I don't have a dog in that fight...just think his quality has gone down. I do know the new SMKW tv show is on direct tv on monday nights. It is also simulcast on the net. log onto http://www.eknifeworks.com click-on the yellow thingy and "bam" there you go. I like Chris and I agree with about 98% of what he says. I hate that he and Kevin Pipes (owner of SMKW) had this falling out. Maybe some day they'll realize they need each other. Robeson, Fighting Bulldog, Schatt & Morgan, Queen, and as always ANY old John Primble....that's what turns my head and makes me spend money. Later Keith J.

[Roger - 50/2050]

Howdy Boys,

----- I have watched Chris Kirk on knife related shopping channels for six years now & must admit he is a very entertaining knife salesman with out a doubt but don't think I would ever buy any knives from him from a collectors point of view ... On last Friday nights show Chris did make a statment that he will be selling off a Case Classic collection & that sparked my interest since I'M into collecting the Case Classic series brain child of the late & great Jim Parker, I don't know as of yet which patterns in this series he will be selling off but it should prove to be a very good show for me to watch!


"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

[straybulletbmc]

Yeah I heard him say that too, but I also heard him say that SMN will be off for the next two monday nights in a row, then I think he will have the classics on the monday of 30th. Could get interesting to say the least, wonder if it will be auction stlye

[Roger - 50/2050]

Hey straybulletbmc,

----- Yes Sir you are correct about that show date of Monday Jan 30th & judging from watching his shows in the past way before he got hooked up with SMKW when ever he had knife lots of this caliber in quiality he used to sell them off with a set price on some pieces & auction style with the rarer pieces that were Salesman Samples & Prototypes! ... Please be aware my knifer friends that even though I do watch Chris Kirk & have stated that he is very entertaining I say this because to me he is very amusing the way he characterizes any knife he is selling into a "rare piece" even though it clearly isn't! ... When he starts posting those Case Classics if any of these knives are serial numbered on the front bolster with the long tailed C & are serial numbered #00, #000, #0000 he may call these knives Salesman Samples or Prototypes & reflect on them as being the only ones in the world like this, well that just won't be the real truth as all Case Classics that are or have been serial numbered like this on the front bolsters have been done like this at the request of the very first knife dealer that bought these knives from Jim Parker back in the day, same/same if Chris trys the same thing with a serial numbered knife like #01, #001, #002 & so forth & claim that these knives were the very 1st or 2nd knife made in that pattern! ... Ya'll have a great time like I do watching Chris but please be careful & watchful if your buying from him, read up on what the man has to offer before you buy!!!


"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

[wt3l]

Hi Roger- 50/2050 and thanks for all your info. I've told my wife for months now that it's kinda funny how "EVERY" knife that's shown on TV on Mondays and Fridays in his opinion is a rare find and a real deal. Hey, I usually buy what I seem to want at that time and I've built a nice collection that way. I also like ...no love to hunt for the older knives. I go to flea markets...yard sales estate sales etc. I too am entertained by Chris and the way he seems to get worked-up over illegals entering the country, Nafta and the like. He does seem to be genuine in his religion though. I really hope to the good Lord he isn't doing the religious stuff JUST to sell knives. I personally don't think he is. That's my take. I hate that he broke off relations with SMKW. I think both of them need each other. Enough about that...We're here to talk knives..I'm into John Primbles specifically. Thanks again for your reply. wt3l

[PA Knives]

Folks,

I use to get Chris Kirks show a couple of years ago, then it was moved from my TV. Anyway I saw this post and watched the SMKW version last nite. I was more than disappointed. I throughly enjoyed the true knife talk that Chris had. These guys didn't impress me much. I thought it was more like the QVC version. No detail about history, types of steel and inside banter etc. OF course being I don't buy new knives I don't buy anything. Chris did occasionally have something of interest to me. Does he still have a show? Can I get it on Direct TV? They need some real collectors on this show to excite me. JMO though

[Roger - 50/2050]

Hey pa knives,

----- I get his knife show but not on Direct TV, out here in the great state of Texas I get him on the Dish network, channel 221 prevu on Friday & Monday nights around 7:00 P.M.

----- wt31, I don't really want to touch on his religous beliefs although he does speak that way alot, I do know that he used to be a used car salesman like his Daddy & if you think about that while he is doing his detailed knife talking descriptions I'M sure ya'll will agree with me that he walks that talk al right! ... Most knives I buy come from sellers I trust & have delt with for years on end, even when buying an occasional knife on EBAY I have a favorites sellers list posted in my EBAY with posted sellers names I buy from I trust, sure I take a chance from time to time on sellers I don't know but that does not happen too often!


"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

[skip]

Chris does know alot about the Bible, and I don't think he uses religion to sell knives. He is a southern Baptist and from what has been my experience they will openly talk and make more references about God. Personally I don't have a problem with it. I'm sure his viewers are to the right of center and he must not get alot of complaints about the religous talk. I like him and I'll keep watching.
Skip

[Roger - 50/2050]

Hello Skip,

----- That's fine as I will be watching him also as a great source of intertainment but not as a potential knife buyer not unless he is selling a piece I know about from bolster to bolster & that includes book & market values also! ... We all work very hard for the money we spend on our collectable knives we add to our growing collections so all I'M really saying to ya'll is be aware of who your dealing with & know what your buying that way you will be showing a good investment for the money you spend & have a great time doing it!


"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

[ivanskee68]

Howdy Members,
I feel that i have to put my two cents worth into this little discussion.
I have never done business with this individual so I don't know all of the particulars but I have learned one thing in life and that is ,know the person before you start doing business wih him or her. Just because they start bragging about their church affiliation doesn't make 'em Holy. I have a sister that is married to a Southern Baptist lay preacher and he had to do some hard time in a federal prison for scamming old ladies out of their life savings.
I can also say that my favorite people to deal wih belong to this club.
One of my most favorite kniives is a Case xx 5265 Blue Scroll that I bought from Bryan. It is everything that he said it was and more and the other person that I had dealings with is Roger. If either on of these two guys tell you something , you can take that info. to the bank.
I am going to sign off now before i get too wordy.
Sincerely, Ivan

[wt3l]

Hi again Guys, First off let me clear up something. I was in NO WAY questioning Chris's motives or enthusiasm for selling his products. I too was raised in a southern baptist church (Virginia). He is truely entitled to say or do anything on HIS network, he pays the bills.He is entertaining to say the least, and as a christian. I agree with 99.9% of what he says on that topic. Now...pa knives, Chris has said repeatedly that he will be coming to Direct Tv also. Like Roger 50/2050 said Chris's show is currently on Dish Network channel 221 on Mondays and Fridays. He might think twice now that SMNW has a show on Monday's on Drect TV. I dunno. I will say this, every knife that I have bought from Chris is exactly as advertised. From my Fighting Bulldogs, Robeson's, Schatt & Morgan's, Marbles, all the way down to the Rough Riders. I'm not dissatisfied, of course as I have stated in another post, I have an order from the NEW SMN. Got part of the order, just got off the phone with the operators there and was promised an answer from customer services tomorrow.
Something else...P.A. Knives, I was "GIVEN" an old John Primble 4 blade comgress today at work. It's a Primble Belknapp, on the back of the tang that says John Primble is stamped 5711 this number is over a 5 point star....ya know anything about such markings?? thanks guys kj

[PA Knives]

1880 to 1985, and everywhere in between. You would have to go by the style and material to try and narrow it down. Great Company with lots of cutlery history.

[wt3l]

Thanks P.A. for the info. w3tl

[Tuzz]

I purchased $250 worth of knives from the Smokey Mountain Network show (DishNetwork channel 221 Monday and Friday night 8 to 11PM) on December 9th. As of December 29th I had no knives. I called and did speak to someone and 3 of the 7 knives then showed up without any packing slip info. I have since called them at least every Monday and Friday since. All I'm able to do is leave a message with a call center. Each time I'm told that someone would be back to me within 24 hours but I never get a call back. I just got my credit card bill for the full amount of the order and a second order I had placed for $60.
I have gone to Discover card to stop payment.

I then spoke to someone last night( Feb. 3, 2006) at the Smokey Mountain Network and was promissed that a customer service manager would call me today for sure. Still no calls.

I would recomend that no one buy from this shopping channel as I believe they may be committing credit card fraud.

Has anyone else been defrauded by this program? It is on DishNetwork Monday and Friday evenings , channel 221 8 to 11PM.

I have even called DishNetwork to see if they could get me in touch with more that this mindless message center that takes messages but does not retun calls or resolve the problem.

[jwb]

I have also recently purchased some knives from Chris Kirk's show. At least in my case I don't think it's fraud or anything, just a poorly run shipping department. And their "Customer Service line leaves much to be desired.
I called about an order and never got a call back. So I called again and again, no responce. The knives did show up a few days after. In fairness My first call may have been "rushing it a bit", They say 10 working days for orders.
My second order is late again. Now on working day 17, but I did get a call thursday and they said the knives were on back order for a while and were shipped on the first, so I'll give it till friday.
I really like Chris's show, his "Preaching" is the best part, I may not agree all the time, but he seems to stand up for his beliefs. Some of the sales pitch he could lose though.
Anyway, I hope he's ligit business wise, but he does need to work on shipping and coustermer service
John

[Roger - 50/2050]

Howdy Boys,

----- I would like to ask my knifer friends that have been posting on this topic, do ya'll check the knives bolster to bolster with a loop when they arrive to make sure they are not factory seconds/cosmatic seconds? The reason I'M asking this question is because in the last year I have been tutoring two fellas that have only been in the hobby & collecting for a short time that have bought several knives from Chris Kirk that have noticeable cosmatic flaws to a seasoned collectors eye which vary from imperfections in the handle materials as well as even more imperfections in the blades & back springs! ... I once again caution you my knifer friends & be very careful what you buy & know what your buying first of all, do research on the knives you intend to put into your collections & be watchful & wary of fast talking knife salesmen!!! ... I will say this again my friends, Chris is a very intertaining knife salesman but that's as far as I see him, I would never buy from him from a collectors point of veiw so ya'll please be careful on how you spend your hard earned money on his show & remember every knife so see on his show is not & I repeat not rare!!!


"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

[Aaron]

Guys,
Chris' SMN is no more. He sold out to SMKW,and knives live is in his time slot. Go to hoppinmadhillbilly.com to read his message.

[Tuzz]

I spoke to someone at the SMN "studio" today and she promissed me a refund on my undelivered items. I have also filed a complaint with my credit card company and now hope this is behind us.

I watched the new show for a while last night and they seem comitted to fixing the messed lefted behind by Chris' and his SMN.

They are not as entertaining but let's see if they are a better run business.

I will wait a while before placing and orders.