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Tour of Smoky Mountain Knife Works
Published: April 30th, 2025
Located in Sevierville, Tennessee, Smoky Mountain Knife Works is proudly recognized as the world’s largest knife store. What began in the early 1970s as a humble operation, just Kevin Pipes and John Parker selling knives out of the backs of their pickup trucks, has grown into a legendary destination for knife collectors, outdoorsmen, and history buffs alike. After nearly a decade of building connections with customers and suppliers, Smoky Mountain Knife Works was officially founded in 1978.
The business grew quickly. After outgrowing our first two stores, we moved in 1991 to our current location on Winfield Dunn Parkway, right beside the French Broad River. In 2005, we expanded again, this time building out to the side of the original structure and connecting the basements. That addition gave us the massive 108,000-square-foot showroom we have today.
Step into the main floor of our original showroom, where you’ll find a huge selection of knives from well-known brands like Buck, Bear & Son Cutlery, Boker, Cold Steel, Spyderco, and more. This is the heart of the store for many visitors, a place filled with traditional folders, fixed blades, EDC knives, and more. Mounted high above the cases and across the walls, you’ll also notice our extensive taxidermy head collection. It wraps around the showroom and adds quite a unique touch to the atmosphere, something you won’t find in any ordinary knife store.
Head downstairs to the basement of the original showroom and you’ll find our entire kitchen department. This section features cutlery and tools from some of the best-known kitchen brands in the world, including Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Victorinox, Wüsthof, Shun, and Miyabi. Whether you’re stocking a professional kitchen or upgrading your everyday set, there’s something here for every cook.
From here, you can walk into the basement of the new showroom, where you’ll find two of our sister companies. Smoky Mountain Relics (pictured) offers a wide range of artifacts, fossils, coins, and historical collectibles. Right next to it is Smoky Mountain Guns & Ammo, which carries a full selection of firearms, ammunition, and accessories for both enthusiasts and first-time buyers.
Inside Guns & Ammo, there’s a wide, winding ramp that leads you up into the next level. This ramp wraps around a large indoor fountain, with a massive sword in the stone right in the center. It’s one of the most iconic features in the building and a favorite photo stop for visitors. At the top of the ramp, you’ll arrive in the Knife Cave. This area features a wide selection of swords, fixed blades, exotic designs, and collectible pieces. Right in the middle of the room, you’ll find two large displays with knives from Kizer, Artisan Cutlery, and more.
Continue up just a bit further, either by following the ramp or taking a short staircase, and you’ll enter the main floor of the new showroom. This floor features many of today’s most popular knife brands, with dedicated displays for Case, Microtech, Benchmade, Kershaw, CRKT, WE Knife Co., CIVIVI, and others.
Finish your tour by heading up to the third floor of the new showroom, which houses our full apparel and gear department. This area features boots, outdoor clothing, and accessories from trusted names like Under Armour, Ariat, Danner, and LaCrosse, as well as hunting and fishing gear from Columbia, Sitka, Drake, Costa, and more. Whether you’re outfitting for a backwoods adventure or just picking up something for everyday wear, you’ll find it here.
So if you’re planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, make sure to stop by Smoky Mountain Knife Works, the world’s largest knife store. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, there’s always something new to discover.
Written By
Drew Clifton
Drew is the lead writer for SMKW's Knives 101, crafting informative and engaging content for the world’s largest knife store. With expertise in knife history, design, and functionality, Drew delivers articles and product descriptions that educate and inspire knife enthusiasts at all levels.
Expert Reviewed
T.C. Barnette
T.C. Barnette is a dynamic media personality and the esteemed spokesperson for SMKW (Smoky Mountain Knife Works), where his passion for knives intersects with his captivating on-screen presence. With a magnetic charisma and deep expertise in cutlery, T.C. has become a beloved figure in the knife community.