Thread: Alpha Knife Supply buying

Hi everyone!

Anyone bought from them before? I wanted to make a purchase from them, but they said that for customers not in the US I have to be a returning customer, or someone must recommend me from their customers.

Is someone here who bought from them before, and is willing to recommend me to them?

Originally Posted by jeness

Hi everyone!

Anyone bought from them before? I wanted to make a purchase from them, but they said that for customers not in the US I have to be a returning customer, or someone must recommend me from their customers.

Is someone here who bought from them before, and is willing to recommend me to them?

That's crazy. Sorry I can't help with the recomendation but I can tell you that both USA Knifemaker and Jantz supply are happy to ship internationally and give great service. Maybe they have what you need.

I agree that does sound crazy to me also.

Bob

Just got an email, after seeing my homepage and my work they will ship to me no problem

They had some problems with credit card frauds in the past, thats why. My stuff will get shipped in a few days, so I am happy in the end, and their stuff looks really good. I have another shipment coming from USAknifemaker too, they are always a pleasure to work with.

Another vote for USAknifemaker from me. I've been buying a lot of stuff there, and they're always very helpful.

I'm in the UK and used KnifeKits.com in the US - service was quick and efficient.

Aside from credit card fraud, one problem that US suppliers have had is getting stuck with the bill for return shipping on bigger ticket items if the recipient decides that the local import duties are too outrageous and refuses to come get their package. That is supposedly why you can't get a KMG grinder outside of the US.

Biggest problems with grinders aren't the import duties imo, I was willing to pay everything related when I searched for one. The shipping price was really steep (around 500-600$), those who were willing to post to overseas said that they are only willing to do so with a courier. And yes, after that taxes and import fees would come out at around 35% extra on the whole price. If I remember right than we found a "local dealer", who doesn't have anything in stock, and would gladly order anything we would like to from the US. Oh yes, did I mention that their prices were around 50% more in _euro_ than in the US in USD? And if you are wondering, they wanted us to pay for shipping too. So they basically would have ordered the same thing, just for 60-70% bigger prices, very nice dealer, I have to say

But back to AKS, they were really nice with everything in the end, and they have a lot of stuff, those of you who use things like G10, CF, Titanium, stabilised wood, etc., should have a loot at their stock.

True. When the Euro was high, everyone I knew on your side of the pond seemed to accept that the would be paying euro for dollar equivalent for anything from the US once you added in the shipping VAT and import duty. I have carried over more than one piece of KMG gear in my luggage to Europe for people i know. Alpha has been and remains a truly great resource, but I think that Chuck is concentrating more and more on the stuff he specializes in like titanium products, his Timascus products, other metals and laminates. He used to carry a LOT of good stag and fossil over, but we know where those markets are going or have already gone. The stabilized wood biz is getting too competitive fro some folks.

Originally Posted by jeness

Biggest problems with grinders aren't the import duties imo, I was willing to pay everything related when I searched for one. The shipping price was really steep (around 500-600$), those who were willing to post to overseas said that they are only willing to do so with a courier. And yes, after that taxes and import fees would come out at around 35% extra on the whole price. If I remember right than we found a "local dealer", who doesn't have anything in stock, and would gladly order anything we would like to from the US. Oh yes, did I mention that their prices were around 50% more in _euro_ than in the US in USD? And if you are wondering, they wanted us to pay for shipping too. So they basically would have ordered the same thing, just for 60-70% bigger prices, very nice dealer, I have to say

But back to AKS, they were really nice with everything in the end, and they have a lot of stuff, those of you who use things like G10, CF, Titanium, stabilised wood, etc., should have a loot at their stock.

Hello,
My personal experience with them is so bad (rude messages (!!!), no advice) that it is better to look elsewhere. It is in fact difficult to find a worse supplier even if the materials are OK.