National Knife Museum

This summer's opening of the National Knife Museum new home will offer opportunities for almost a million visitors to learn more about knives and knife history. The National Knife Museum was originally formed as a non-profit tax exempt 501(c)3 corporation in 1981 by the National Knife Collectors Association . The two corporations share a Board of Directors but are financially separate entities with different charters, policies and administrative procedures. The NKCA is a membership organization; the NKM is not.

The original National Knife Museum completed construction and opened in 1982 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It remained there until 2001, when significant problems with traffic flow, major road construction and DOT restrictions had developed for that location. The building containing over 10,000 knives was sold that year with the knives and educational materials being placed into storage, awaiting a more appropriate location.

Now located in Sevierville, Tennessee on the mezzanine level of Smoky Mountain Knifeworks' new 50,000 square feet addition, the new museum will be open to the public seven days per week with no admission charge. As the world's largest cutlery distributor and retailer, SMKW is visited by more than 900,000 people each year. A significant portion of these visitors can be expected to spend time in the new museum that occupies 4,500 square feet of floor space and 3,000 square feet of wall space.

Custom-built display casework has been installed. In addition to easy, well-lit viewing, these cases are designed for flexibility, allowing displays to be changed periodically and for special exhibits to be presented with relative ease. There will always be something new for everyone to see at this Museum!

The central theme is a five-thousand-year timeline history of knives - their development and direct relationship to civility of mankind. In addition to the more than 12,000 knives that will be available for public view, interactive displays, special visuals and a Little Theater will provide an opportunity for visitors to see brief cutlery related presentations on a large screen. The NKMÕs libraryÕs extensive resources will also be made available to the public upon request. A demonstration area is being provided for special scheduled demonstrations by various craftsmen within knifemaking and related professions.

While custom/handmade knives are on the leading edge of cutlery development, public awareness of the accomplishments of custom cutlers, especially bladesmiths, is very limited. NKM has set aside a major display space for display of handmade cutlery. The American Bladesmith Society is encouraged to actively participate in a section devoted entirely to modern handmade knives and a representative of ABS will act as liaison to maintain a working relationship with NKM, on behalf of our Society.

Bladesmiths are invited to be a part of this dynamic undertaking to present the best side of knives to collectors, future collectors and knife users. Quality examples of the bladesmiths work will be "on loan" for a fixed period of not less than six months and a maximum of two years. The NKM will provide insurance coverage for loaned knives based on documented values and also will provide 24-hour security on the museum floor.

All knives will be identified by maker with a very brief description of the and an access number which will allow the museum visitor to obtain further information about the knife and its maker. Periodic rotation of displayed cutlery is necessary for the presentation to remain fresh and inviting to inquisitive visitors. The Museum wishes to present to the public an impressive display of craftsmanship, artistry and advanced technology expressed so well in today's custom/handmade cutlery but no direct sale of any exhibited knife is permitted. Any sales associated with exhibited items must be conducted external to and off the premises of the National Knife Museum and Smoky Mountain Knifeworks.

Historical documents, photographs, advertising materials, and other cutlery memorabilia will be featured in special exhibits. This presentation of modern cutlery will promote and encourage today's knife user and collector to become aware of the sweeping changes that have taken place in the cutlery industry, especially within recent decades.

Further information regarding the loan of one or more of your knives for viewing by thousands of potential collectors and users will be available by contacting Houston Price.