The Smokey Mountain Knife Works is the world’s largest knife store and museum. It is located in Sevierville, Tennessee, amidst the Great Smokey Mountains mountain range. The showroom measures over 100,000 square feet which houses around 1.5 million knives—both for sale and for show. If you love knives—whether a collector, a hobbyist, a cook, or just someone with a sense of history, the Smokey Mountain Knife Works museum is a definite must-visit.

Smokey Mountain Knife Works, Inc.
2320 Winfield Dunn Parkway
P.O. Box 4430
Sevierville, Tennessee 37864

Our guest writer recently had the chance to spend a day in the breathtaking place. Below is a short but comprehensive summary of his experience.

Smokey Mountain Knife Works—A Day Is Not Enough

The knife works museum is located in Sevierville—a city in Sevier County, Tennessee. It is in the southeastern part of the United States. The company was obviously named after the Smokies or the Great Smokey Mountains. The mountain range is part of the Appalachian Mountains, encompassing Tennessee and North Carolina. The Smokies is also known for the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, which in itself, is the most visited national park in the United States.

First and foremost, admission is free to all visitors. I think this was setup in such a way to encourage shopping or to at least pick an authentic souvenir. The place combines for sale items and display items. Do not be fooled though, this is no ordinary knife shop. It is, in more ways than one, a family place. In fact, most of the tourists there came with their families—complete with children. As we go further, you will find out why such is a good idea.

Inside there are multiple floors; there are literally millions of knives scattered in the floor area—it also does not house knives exclusively as there are also outdoor tools and gardening supplies. There are also places to eat and unwind, and even a play area for the kids.

The knife museum part is not done in typical, boring museum-like fashion. Outdoor scenes are set in themes, complete with lifelike stuffed animals like bears, mountain lions and even zebras. There are also real-life camping setups, much like a preemptive look into what you can experience in the national park. However, the highlight of this all is the indoor waterfall strategically placed as a center of attaction.

There are also knives housed in glass cages, much like regular museums. The collection ranges from historic and history-significant knives, and outdoor artifacts. There are also some genuine Native American artifacts, fossils, nostalgic tin signs, a knife cave, and last but not the least, the infamous 30-foot sword.

The items for sale are vastly overwhelming. Cutlery of all kinds and brands can be found, as well as other kitchen products and supplies. Of course, knives such as hunting knives, pocket knives, constant-companion, and the like are all carried. Brands such as Boker and Wile Boar are stocked in-house. There are also selections of tools, lighters, flashlights, and weapons such as swords.

As mentioned earlier, children will not get bored with this place. Aside from the enjoyable outdoor scenes, they also have an exclusive play area located in the back of the basement. Among the highlights of the area are a mechanical bear and a singing raccoon.

Food is also not a problem. They have an in-house food court which you can spend some time on after a tiring day. Tables are ample, and there are also outside benches which can be used for eating located in the front of the building.

Apart from the main complex, there is also a separate wooden building set in the parking lot. The small facility is a separate knife shop and is also the location of knife makers whom you can view while they hand-create custom knives. The facility poses an interesting and unique learning opportunity.

The Smokey Mountain Knife Works is definitely a worthwhile travel stop for those visiting Tennessee. The place’s highlights such as the indoor waterfall, the outdoor scenes, and the 30-foot sword can already make for a worthwhile trip, let alone the millions of knives and retail products. To add to that, admission is entirely free, although I doubt that you will leave the place empty-handed.

Sources

1. smokeymountainknifeworks.info
2. smkw.com

If you want to effectively cut metal using your circular saw, a quality saw blade made for metal cutting is a must. Metal is a tough material to slice through, and it is essential that a good saw blade be used to safely go through the tough medium. The good thing though, particular saw blades exist for every known medium or job—much like what we previously discussed in the Tile Saw Blades article.

To be able to select the right blade for you application, you must know how blades are named or labeled. For example, a masonry blade is obviously used for cutting bricks. A flooring blade is used to cut rough lumber, and, for the sake of this article, metal cutting blades for metal.

When looking at blades, you will instantly realize that there are a number of configurations for the teeth. Some blades have fewer but larger teeth, while others have smaller teeth but are packed together more tightly which gives a greater total number of teeth. In this aspect, blades that have more teeth cut through mediums cleaner and smoother. You might also come across carbide-tipped blades. Carbide is a tough compound in itself, and these blades, although more expensive, last longer and requires less sharpening.

For softer metals such as aluminum, brass, copper, and lead, non-ferrous metal and plastic blades can handle the job effectively. By the way, you will also come across ferrous and non-ferrous in your quest for a metal blade. Quite simply, ferrous is a term, more specifically an adjective, used to indicate the presence of iron. In this description, ferrous refers to the medium being cut—which is metal. Ferrous blades cut tougher metals as non-ferrous metals are those described earlier as softer metals.

Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blade Samples

Milwaukee 48-40-4515

Milwaukee is a known tools brand and manufacturer, and this particular blade of theirs is a popular choice for non-ferrous metal cutting. This blade has 42 teeth and measures 8 inches in diameter. Its tip is coated with cermet which makes it more wear resistant. The body is made from hardened steel and has natural vibration damping properties.

Click here to learn more and read reviews.

Click here to view more metal cutting blade saw samples.

Greetings and welcome to another installment from Blade Blog. If you are looking for tile saw blades online, you would be better of starting your quest from this article. We have compiled some useful resources and information regarding these specific blades used for cutting ceramic tiles on tile saws.

If you are someone who likes doing stuff on your own—a handyman—you save a lot of money because you avoid costly factors such as paying repairmen or contractors. To be an efficient handyman, you need to know and use appropriate tools for jobs. One such specific tool is the circular saw. A circular saw is efficient for tile cutting because it has variable speeds that can be set to form a nice slice or cut on tough tiles.

If you already have a good saw, the next logical thing to finish a good job is to get a quality tile saw blade. These blades usually have carbide tips which are stronger than regular metal—which is used for standard cutting such as through wood.

There are also different types of tile saw blades. Most common are dry and wet types. Dry blades are usually come smaller at diameter averaging 4 to 5 inches. These blades are also suggested for use in removal of old tiles—for example in the deconstruction phase of a kitchen remodel. These blades are also used on jobs that are held by hand, which gives it a slight disadvantage when trying to perform straight cuts. Such scenarios also cause messy workplaces and personal safety should not be overlooked because flying debris are more common.

Blades that are suitable for wet cuts, or wet cutting, produce smoother cuts and slices. Constant water literally lubricates the blade and the tile surface, which leads to a smoother, not to mention neater cut. Debris and dust is also controlled because it mixes with the water before it reaches the air. Wet cutting is also easier to control because fixed saws can be used instead of the aforementioned hand held saws. This method is also more suited for larger projects or mass production.

Both wet and dry type blades can be fitted with more efficient diamond tips that are stronger and durable. Diamond is extremely tough which makes it very effective for cutting through tiles.

Tile saw blade samples

DeWalt DW4762

The DW4762 is a 10-inch blade that is suitable for wet cutting. It has a continuous rim blade with 5/8 of a inch arbor made for porcelain or tiles. This blade is specifically designed for high power tile saws, which allows for quick, low heat, and straight cutting. This blade sells for $41.55.

Click here to learn more or read reviews.

Sample Images

A belt buckle knife can be tricky—it can be a very handy tool or a dangerous concealed weapon. These knives have been around for a very long time; they have been worn and concealed by many, and have gotten many into trouble as well as out of it.

Under United States law, belt buckle knives fall under the constant companion category. It is important that you know how your state or country views its legality before you go and purchase one for yourself. In any case, intent, or intent of carrying is what it all boils down to.

Under law, “intent” can be very misleading. People often manipulate the law’s loopholes—especially when it is taken word for word. However, based solely on intent, carry a buckle knife can be hard to sway in one’s favor. Because of its weapon-like appearance and shape, it would be hard to convince a judge, for example, that you only intended to cut steak with it. Even the most subtle belt knives look menacing.

Belt buckle knife legalities

As previously mentioned, each state and country treats the legality of these differently. Although we are unable to list each (United States) state’s laws in one post, below are some worth mentioning, simply because they have very specific articles written on such.

Most states consider double-edged knives as illegal. Most buckle knives are double-edged.

Both California and Nevada have laws written around belt buckle knives. In California, such—in all its forms—is entirely illegal. However, there is a 2.5 inches minimum blade length. Aside from that, it is also defined as being “integral.” In Nevada, there is no minimum blade length; the only qualification needed is it being integral.

To define integral under this context, the following question is posed. Does the buckle still function as such (a buckle) when the knife is in use? If the answer is no, then said article is considered a weapon.

However, these laws does not take into account modern buckle designs like that of the Gerber Touche. The Touche can still function as a belt even when the knife is removed. Its design, therefore, is not illegal—the same reason that made the Gerber Touche popular.

Before buying one

Like most dealers—both online and offline—a waiver announcing your acceptance of full responsibility is often prearranged. As no one has the right to tell you what you can and can’t buy, please be responsible for all your actions. We hope that any future ownerships inspired by this post fall into the hands of responsible owners.

Deals and buying guide

Always make sure to prioritize quality. In these items, steel quality is above the rest; craftsmanship a close second. Some of these knives are and can well be collector’s items. Most would even argue that the most delicately crafted pieces are works of art.

Gerber Touche

As we have previously mentioned, the Gerber Touche made its way around knife laws and legislation. Gerber in itself is a respected knife brand, so expect nothing less from the Touche. The Touche was first made in the early nineteen eighties. It has long been discontinued but is always around knife marketplaces and forums. Should you luckily find one in excellent condition, hold on to it.

Sample belt buckle knives (photos)

Having an electric carving knife in your kitchen comes in very handy especially for those who love their hams, roasts, and turkeys. We all know how cutting the old turkey with a manual knife can be laborious, not to mention hard to keep the cuts smooth and straight. Below we shall discuss the electric carving knife—its usefulness, known and important features realized by users, and some popular products to aid you in your quest. Read on and feel free to hit the comments with anything related to this article.

About Electric Carving Knives

A carving knife is a kitchen necessity. Whether you need to cut even slices from a thick piece of meat or cut freshly baked bread, an electric knife can do the deed quickly and effectively. The blades on these knives are ultra sharp and usually jagged, made from quality stainless steel, that are rocked back and forth—in a slicing motion—by an electric motor. The blades from these knives are also removable, making them easy to maintain and clean without damaging the circuitry.

When searching for a good unit—there are many available options out there which we will discuss further below—make sure the blade is made from, at least, stainless steel. The blade is the knife’s heart and soul, and it would be costly to replace, let alone hard to find aftermarket replacements. These knives should also come with an easy to access blade release button. You wouldn’t want to grab your tools every time you need to clean the blade.

Another thing to note when searching for a knife the the quality and style of the grip. There are knife models out there with rotary handles. This feature is quite useful as it allows you to approach the “slice” in four different angles. This will give you more flexibility than fixed-blade units. Also, make sure, if you can, the grip feels right on your hands and that you can maneuver the knife easily—not too heavy or bulky. A rubberized grip can also add to safety to provide stability and avoid slippage.

Best Electric Carving Knives

Below are some popular products known to be used (and abused) by satisfied customers the world round. See each brief description on review beside it and click on to read more.

Kenwood Electric Carving Knife

The one offered by Kenwood is a popular knife mostly in Europe. It has a very sharp stainless steel blade that is dishwasher safe. The blade will easily cut meat and poultry; it is also ideal for bread and pastries. The blade has a quick release button that is easy to access. The unit weighs only 0.54 kilograms—one of the lightest in its class—and measures 44 centimeters in length and 11.5 centimeters high.

Click here to read more about the Kenwood knife including reviews.

Black & Decker EK700

Black & Decker is a known tools brand. This can only mean their take on the carving knife is toughly built and dependable. The EK700 sells for only $15.79 and comes with a 7-inch serrated blade made from stainless steel. The handle has a non-slip feature with a safety lock for added comfort. The unit weighs less than 2 pounds and is approximately 12.25 inches long.

Click here to read more about the Black & Decker EK700.

Please stay tuned as we feature more electric carving knives in the future.