Smokey Mountain Knife Works Pictures

[Jdub]

My son and me visited the Knife works today, I snapped a few pictures. They have opened the upstairs museum part again. Very nice to look at these old knives and memorabilia.

[Jdub]

I would love to get my hands on one of these case rings!!

[Jdub]

More pictures

[Jdub]

Last ones..

[TripleF]

Very cool

[treefarmer]

Jdub,
I'll agree with Scott, Very cool! Good that you got to visit there with your son. One day maybe I'll get to go there and see the displays.
Treefarmer

[Steve Warden]

Neat!!

[Doc B]

Thanks for the post! Would like to get there one day!

[cudgee]

One thing i am very jealous of, is that in America you have a section of knife factories, museums and retail selling outlets. Nothing like that here. Everyone have a good and safe weekend.

[XX Case XX]

I would love to get my hands on one of these case rings!!

Me too!!!! Thanks for sharing those cool photos.

__________
Mike

[doglegg]

Thank you

[Louisville.Boy1947]

You just reinforced my desire to make it to SMKW this year. Thanks for posting these pictures.

[rustyoldknife]

Thanks for sharing

[ken98k]

Pretty cool! Thanks for posting.

[Old Folder]

Great post Jdub.
The rings are fascinating.
I wonder if they were made for Case employees?
Perhaps his and hers?

[artmcclure]

This is why I like this sight.

[Gunsil]

The "museum" upstairs is not anything like it once was. When it was the NKCA museum there were tons of fantastic antique knives on display. When SMKW and NKCA had their falling out and SMKW closed the upstairs most all of the knives from the museum were distributed elsewhere and are no longer available to see. Their prices on antique knives are over the top, and they sell fake Native American and other "artifacts". I liked going there as something to do and was impressed with the amount of knives they have for sale, but would not do business with them and see no reason to return.

[herbva]

The "museum" upstairs is not anything like it once was. When it was the NKCA museum there were tons of fantastic antique knives on display. When SMKW and NKCA had their falling out and SMKW closed the upstairs most all of the knives from the museum were distributed elsewhere and are no longer available to see. Their prices on antique knives are over the top, and they sell fake Native American and other "artifacts". I liked going there as something to do and was impressed with the amount of knives they have for sale, but would not do business with them and see no reason to return.

Thanks Gene. I went there years ago with great expectations and was very disappointed with the overpriced junk and the upstairs was closed. Now I understand....

[jmh58]

My last visit there (2018) cost me $400.00...
John

[Gunsil]

The "museum" upstairs is not anything like it once was. When it was the NKCA museum there were tons of fantastic antique knives on display. When SMKW and NKCA had their falling out and SMKW closed the upstairs most all of the knives from the museum were distributed elsewhere and are no longer available to see. Their prices on antique knives are over the top, and they sell fake Native American and other "artifacts". I liked going there as something to do and was impressed with the amount of knives they have for sale, but would not do business with them and see no reason to return.

Thanks Gene. I went there years ago with great expectations and was very disappointed with the overpriced junk and the upstairs was closed. Now I understand....

Yeah Herb, I went the because I had driven the 700+ miles to attend Parker's Pigeon Forge show and SMKW was on the way. First time I went the museum was open and man they had a fine collection of antique knives. I wonder what all the people who had donated knives to the museum think since their donations, all the knives, have "disappeared". I know some of the knives went to other small museums but may of the really valuable antique knives seem to have vanished. Some say they were sold to collectors. I went back 5-6 years ago to set up at the big Parker show and was dismayed to find the museum closed. I have had trouble mail ordering from them, once ordered several hundred dollars worth of knives for Christmas presents and they said all were in stock, but after waiting over a month for my order got a notice that all items I had ordered were out of stock or backordered. Took three months to get my money back, not a good way to do business. Could have been a better place, now it's just another Tennessee tourist trap. Since it is right on the main road close to Smokey Mountains National Park (the most visited National Park in the country) I am sure they do a great amount of business, but it is a tourist oriented place for sure.

[Mumbleypeg]

When I was there about 10 years ago the museum was a real disappointment. A lot of stuff, mostly ephemeral, just haphazardly strewn in display cases. No sign of any museum curator influence. There were a few shadow box type displays with older knives, mostly on the wall of the staircase going up to the museum.

The last time I was there about 4 years ago the museum was closed. The store has a few good knife brands like Case, Buck, SAK, etc but most of it is tourist trap cheap Chinese-made junk knives and other stuff. There were some older knives for sale in one area but they were over-priced IMHO. I was disappointed, did not buy anything and probably won’t go back. JMO. Some of y’all may like it though especially if you like Rough Riders, Steel Warriors and similar.

Ken

[stockman]

I was there 10 to 12 years ago, never looked at anything to buy. Went up to the museum, I loved it they had many nice old knives,that I would never have seen never ever. Was very happy to get to go probably will not get back to that area again. I have heard about the collection and many knives disappearing, this may be so, but what I got to see made me happy that day.

Harold

[Isuolympic]

I enjoy going there each year. A huge amount of knives in one building. Cheap Chinese to Randall's. Have bought several hard to find knives from the antique area. They will negotiate pricing on these, then you can use the coupon at checkout. Bought the last clearance priced Al Mar knives they had several years ago and they gave me an additional 20% off at the register on my entire purchase. If your after Case knives, Frost cutlery about 45 minutes west has better pricing.

[Quick Steel]

Isuolympic,I would be glad to see photos of some of the knives you bought, antiques or otherwise.