I'm overseas (US Military, Japan) so I don't have the ability to view knives prior to purchase, so I rely on your reviews and suggestions. My options for purchasing knives are limited to online sources. Where can I find the best deals? My searches have led me to www.knifeworks.com but I would appreciate your advice.

I've used http://www.knifecenter.com quite a bit with excellent service and prices.

I'm in Germany and can wholeheartedly recommend www.knifeworks.com for international transactions. Roger is a great guy and their prices are very competitive.

www.knifeworks.com
www.knifecenter.com
www.theknifeconnection.com
www.knifepro.com

knifeworks is by far my favorite.

Smokey Mountain Knifeworks www.eknifeworks.com

Good sales, great service.
Dave

I have use Smoky Mountain Knife Works which has a very large store close to where I use to live. I have not used their e-store but they have a very large brick and mortar store. Their web address is at www.eknifeworks.com Cold Steel calls them The TN. Knife Mafia since they demand such low $$ from their suppliers.
I have been buying from Ragner at www.ragweedforge.com lately as his prices and service are top notch.

Do you mean you cann't find good knives in JAPAN ?????? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />


If standard production doesn't satisfy your tastes, try to contact this japanese knifemaker, member of the Knifemakers Guild USA :
Kansei Matsuno : kansei@m.email.ne.jp - his web site is at URL www.ne.jp/asahi/kansei/knives/
He makes fixed and folding knives, even kitchen knives !

Here are a few web pages, concerning this knifemaker :
- http://www.bladesinternational.com/archives2001/kansei.php
- http://www.plazacutlery.com/kanseiMAINPAGE.htm
- http://www.ameyoko.net/marukin/html/custom/matsu.html
- http://www.knifeart.com/kanseimatsuno.html



P.S. : be prepared to spend some money on his custom knives.
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I buy lots of stuff from http://www.knivesplus.com/index.html
Fast service and great prices. They are in Amarillo, TX and that is several states away from me and I always get my items in 2 or 3 days. Japan APO will be slower, of couse!
I always look at Knives Plus first to see if they have what I am looking for. Good luck <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

AG Russell has excellent customer service, a good selection of knives and they offer a 25% discount to military members.
www.agrussell.com

I got a catalog from eknifeworks.com and they seem to be pretty good.