96 Year Old Case Knife Dealer

Welcome to Knife Tales, where we bring to light amazing stories about people and their knives. Ralph Robertson is as old school as it gets with his passed down family country store. Check out the old store and the memories Ralph has to share in this episode of Knife Tales. Let us know your story below, we are always looking for more Knife Tales to film!
Special thanks to Ralph, his family and Appalachian Homes People and Places. Check out their content below:
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[@Eccentric_Living]

Ralph answering the door with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth was the best part.

[@SMKWcom]

No school like the old school!

[@markpoore3260]

I never pass up a opportunity to listen the the old timers stories. There full of knowledge and experience

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Mark!

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

* they're full of knowledge.

[@Maurice895]

RIP Ralph Robertson, nothing beats old general store slip joints, takes me back to my childhood going to general stores like this with my Dad and purchasing a slippy.

[@DeanMD77]

You didn’t go online and read reviews. You just went to the display case and picked what ya liked. Now we have information overload. Man I miss those days. Great video. Would love to see more like this.

[@MrJohn714]

Takes me back to my childhood of over 60yrs ago, to the little gas station/store that set on the corner. There was always a group of men at the table in the corner playing euchre and drinking cokes out of little bottles, but my interest was the card full of Imperial Barlows on the shelf in back of the counter. It took me a while to collect enough pop bottles to get the 89 cents to buy one but for a young boy it was like heaven!

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you for sharing your own Knife Tale with us

[@lelandphill4408]

I’ve Always enjoyed hearing the stories from our seniors about the things they’ve been through . Glad y’all are doing something like this !

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you Leland!

[@dougdillard9006]

This is what True AMERICANS and AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT. lOVED THE SHOW. Made me cry.

[@jamesalderman90]

Pure Americana! Love those small general stores that carried a little of everything and yes, always a display of Case knives!

[@SMKWcom]

Never knew what you needed until you went in lol

[@GromMolotok]

That was really awesome! The man is walking history.

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you Grom!

[@matthewmoody2760]

The wisdom and the history you learn from someone in there 90s is priceless I wish they could live another 90 yrs

[@SMKWcom]

There is much to be learned if we have the patience to slow down and listen

[@timrodriguez1]

This is beautiful! Thank you for honoring that gentleman.

[@SMKWcom]

It was our honor

[@danno698299]

This old timer reminds me of my Papaw who just passed away last spring at 103. He lived not too far in Rogersville, TN, and loved knives and old collectibles. I spent a lot of time with him at SMKW throughout the years. Glad some of these old guys are still around.

[@SMKWcom]

No school like the old school

[@bigal2696]

Great video. I believe a lot of us appreciate what you did here and appreciate our seniors.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks Al!

[@jim5746]

96 years old and still smoking, now that man is tough !!!!

[@SMKWcom]

Don't pull on super mans cape and don't mess around with Ralph

[@mikejurnak4253]

Every knife has a story that's why I love this community #SMKW

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks Mike!

[@johnnymossville]

That pic of behind the counter is perfect. Everything from Cigarettes, Fishing Line, Ammo to Ex-Lax. Exactly how I remember the last general store in my area as a kid.

[@SMKWcom]

A snap shot of time and places forgotten

[@frankcastle4435]

Seeing this got me a little emotional made me think about my PawPaw. He never left the house without one of his Case Knives

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and sharing your PawPaws knife tale with us

[@p2o8wer]

I don’t have much to give but I’d give it all to go back in time.

[@SMKWcom]

Theres no school like the old school

[@Robbie7441]

what a great man , he must have some amazing memories and stories to tell , in this crazy world we now live , it would be so good to travel back to the 80s when i was young , it was a different world, thanks smkw for sharing ❤️❤️👍🏻

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Robbie

[@galenmullenax4039]

This is just too cool!! Thanks TC SMKW for taking your time to do something really special for this "young gentleman ".

[@DavidKing-tb8cc]

I grew up next to a old general store just like this...Im from Eolia Kentucky.. Near the head of the Cumberland River. The store was Run by J.D. Maggard. It became famous as the bologna store, and was featured in Coal Miner's Daughter the Loretta Lynn story. JD was one of my childhood mentors, and his daughter was my elementary school principal. Drank many a cold soft drink on that front porch.

[@Ray.J]

What a wonderful video! This is America folks! Proud to have gotten to met Mr. Robertson. My uncle and his wife ran a general store in a small town and they were salt of the earth.

[@user-eg5yl9vn9i]

Precious peace of History, thank you, TC!

[@SMKWcom]

It was a honor and a privilege to meet Ralph

[@michaelfarris2556]

Seen you guys talking to old Ralph. Nice thing you done for the old man.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Michael

[@BushcraftWoodsDevil]

Love how polite folks in the south are. Everything's "Yes sir" and respectful of elders. Never see that out here left coast. Thanks for sharing this!

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you for watching!

[@mikejurnak4253]

Only in a minute but I can tell this is gonna be Amazing

[@SMKWcom]

Just keep watching lol

[@khakicampbell6640]

What a great series idea! 👍 Also, TC rides horses for Dolly Parton's Stampede!?!? COOL!!! 🤠 I appreciate the respect you showed this old timer, good job.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@SerenaConcertina]

I loved this and him so much. Seeing them posters in the store, I can’t believe how well just seeing something like those made me recollect my childhood so vividly.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@erscustoms911]

I’m not in my 90s but have been dealing case knifes for 30 years, I just picked up a early 1900’s case xx butchers knife at a estate sale yesterday!! Best knifes

[@SMKWcom]

Gotta love Case!

[@rottenapple6109]

He was 30 years old when I was born. Amazing.

[@paulvest3157]

I was just about to turn 7 when my Dad, a thoracic surgeon and midwest president of the American Cancer Society loaded his family up in a station wagon and took off for Beckley WV. A family reunion. His brothers, also physicians, met us later at this homestead. I learned my grandfather there was a big time Union organizer, he had lost his right arm in a coal mine explosion when my dad was a kid. He was a beekeeper, and I was infactuated with that, I couldnt leave this man alone. I started keeping bees after this religious like experience in getting to know him. I'd call him often for advice. He sent me an old folder knife he used all the time--cleaning beehives etc. I wish so much it never got lost.

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you for watching and sharing that memory with us!

[@crewnail1763]

I recently bought a collection from an 86 year old friend. 725 knives, mostly Case Kabar, Remington, Western Boulder, Keen Kutter, Cattaraugus, among many other brands. All types and years from 1800's to present.

[@SMKWcom]

Good to hear a collection like that is being passed on and we hope you can continue to grow it

[@jerrybranham1401]

This is right down the road from my house..great to see the area and history being spread nationwide of our little area and it’s people..

[@SMKWcom]

The big cities might get the credit but it is small towns and their stores like this that built generations of Americans and where many of our values come from

[@joekasperek1086]

Pure and total awesomeness ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you Joe!

[@inoxswissknife]

Amazing history! Thank you! Thank you! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Inox!

[@gerardmartyn1738]

Great video as always 👍

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you Gerard!

[@brandonbutts7468]

You can never go wrong with any Case knife. Great video!

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you Brandon!

[@brandonbutts7468]

I will be at SMKW soon! Can’t wait to come in and spend the day

[@MoonChild0678]

I'm thinking on getting a first case knife but not sure which one, I like the canoe style because my gf has her 93 year old grandfather's vintage case canoe knife which ive held and liked

[@rottenapple6109]

When I got past 60 years old or so, I found out first hand how little interest young ppl have in anything seniors have to say or do, nevermind what we've learned. So it's nice to see a vid like this

[@jfriend2001]

There are some of us left who want to learn - given that I'm almost 40 now - I've seen the drastic changes - but have always known y'all have done alot of loving long before we got here - seems like a person should WANT to learn from someone who's already been there and done that - but unfortunately- when we are young we don't seem to appreciate it and when we get to a point we do want to learn and realize what's right in front of us with grandparents and aunts and uncle and neighbors - they start passing away - Sorry for my terrible typing !

[@MoonChild0678]

Spot on... it's sad younger have no respect nowadays and I sure miss my great grandfather

[@user-cs3hi8zp7p]

I LOOOOOOVE hearing stories from our elders! And getting a peek in that old store was awesome! Thank y'all for letting us in & God bless you abundantly🙏🙏🙏

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching B8!

[@MoonChild0678]

I know this video is old, but man i love stories like this, especially knives and the store, a step back in time. Great video

[@SMKWcom]

it's important to keep the older videos like this one around so that the stories get passed along. Thanks for watching

[@terrillschneider3778]

I watch this from time to time as I get older and acquire more valuable Case Knives none anywhere near what these guys dealt in However the depth of knowledge inspired me to collect them

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and we hope your collection continues to grow!

[@TheStreamingEnderman]

I enjoy hearing stories from times past! This was a treat! Cheers, gents!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@joeisabella6811]

I just got done making a shadow box display with a few of my fathers old case pocket knifes he used to carry daily. Pocket worn doesn't even come close to the miles those knives have. A story all their own showing decades of work in a steel mill. Great video!

[@SMKWcom]

That is an awesome Knife Tale as well! Thanks for sharing and be sure to tag us if you ever decide to put up pics of them 👍

[@larryleventhal1148]

What a great treat for you all to visit Ralph, good for you.

[@SMKWcom]

We love Ralph!

[@lilguywiththebigg101]

And unfortunately a tale of Times past. This is great

[@SMKWcom]

You don't know where you are going unless you know where you have been 👍

[@shadowdancer8352]

It was a wonderful video and I was moved and wept.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching SD👍

[@monomarino5349]

I buy your knifes. I watch your videos. It's good to be us.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Mono!

[@jeremynedrow7003]

I love his store it reminds me of a little store in tunnelton called WW service center.I go there at least twice a week. This is my favorite video you guys have done thanks for showing me a place that reminds me of home.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching! We love Knife Tales and for many more in the future 👍

[@tommywalker742]

This was really cool. I relocated to Knoxville for a year after Hurricane Katrina and was able to visit SMKW. I’ve been ordering knives from there ever since and I just love the Case pocket knives.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and stopping in!

[@timrodriguez1]

Community used to mean something back in them days, when people used to know their neighbors. I wish we had a place like that old store in my neighborhood nowadays.

[@SMKWcom]

We may not be in your neighborhood but we are all a part of the knife community👍

[@ronnielewis1862]

I collect the Trapper Knives the last few years,aIm going to get into 3 blades now,!! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@larrymackerethjr.3812]

Wonderful video. A trip back in time. American nostalgia. A simpler healthier time. Praise the Lord and thank you Jesus ! 😀✝️✌🏼🙏🏼

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you Larry!

[@mikeloeffler2801]

Yeah buddy great video TC love that old fella I love that he had some Boker knives too my first knife was a yellow handle toothpick case knife it was my grandfather’s wish I still had it I love the channel keep up the great work👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻And God bless you all

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and sharing your knife tale with us as well 👍

[@Maurice895]

Tito you're not just a knife media dude, you're a traveling historian.

[@guitargallery2375]

Cool project visiting the elders 💯

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching! No school like the old school

[@alanparks7919]

Fabulous video! Ole Ralph still smoking at 96! That was the very best of the USA. Hard workers, solid and stable people, honestly working to support family, friends, and their communities…

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@bigrig4630]

I love videos like this and seeing the old pics of what you guys are talking about, that's awesome.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching BR!

[@charleywalker2982]

Thanks for sharing your videos and keep them coming please.

[@joeltowle2737]

Absolutely love this!

[@SMKWcom]

It was a honor to meet Ralph

[@markboger2734]

Very nice of SMKW

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Mark

[@Dmhlcmb]

Great video, you should visit John at Knives and More in Huntsville. He’s a character and he know absolutely all there is to know about Case. He buys and sells the old stuff.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and the suggestions

[@tylermatthews1094]

I always tell everyone I was born 100 years to late. It’s amazing to listen the older generations, unfortunately it’s fading very quickly and these generations we have now will just never even compare.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@MoonChild0678]

I've said the same thing, be awesome to be several century's old and the stories that you could tell

[@darrenbowers3267]

I absolutely love stores like that it was a better time back then in this country brings back fond memories for sure. Darren

[@timrodriguez1]

I love it! Knifes bringing different generations together. 🤘🤠

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@zathrasnotzathras655]

Wow. Looks like they could reopen tomorrow. Thanks for sharing this history

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@appalachiangunman9589]

I love old timers like this gentleman. He reminds me of the old timers here in Southeast Kentucky. I always enjoy listening to them talk about life in their younger years.

[@SMKWcom]

Lots of wisdom, often hard learned, from those old timers

[@billhughes3066]

Im in my late 40s. This so reminds me of riding with my paw paw to the old general store in small town east texas.

[@SMKWcom]

It is that small town store we all grew up with or at least wanted to

[@user-wp2xg7wx1n]

i love this story live in oregon and love pocket knives have a lot of old ones from dad and gramps thanks for the memories

[@SMKWcom]

We love where we came from and never forget it either. Thanks for watching!

[@WVKnifeEnthusiast]

Nice job SMKW! Still a lot of those old stores in WV. Those old General Stores have character, something the convenience stores of today will never have!

[@SMKWcom]

It is all about the character...the ones running the store and the store itself 🤣

[@roycolglazier1061]

@TC, a great BIG hat tip to all ya'll from SMKW, involved with this road trip and the interview and gift to Mr. Ralph! Naturally, as a Son of the South, I've been in countless numbers of stores just like this, and have always admired and respected the good folks who own and run them - long may they prosper - as they're invariably an asset to the towns and byways where they're to be found. Thanks again, RRC

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Roy! Many people forget that we are still a family-owned and run business so Mr. Ralph and all independent business owners hold a special place in our hearts.

[@propblast82nd]

A living legend, great video on Case .

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Prop

[@mikecurtis2585]

Great stories! I've been watching that channel for a while! Ralph is one of a kind great show!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks Mike!

[@Cache73]

What a great story.... Legends are made of this.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@chrisreuther4546]

Simply spectacular video! Thank you for doing this!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@napsterninja]

Very nice SMKW! I should go to you guys, have an old Case 6001 trifold for information. Sadly reached out to Case with no luck on information about the blade. Only found a few old forum post that mentions the knife.

[@SMKWcom]

If you have pictures and info on them please send them to [e-mail]

[@MrAlaing1974]

Old stores are the best

[@scotthoneycutt1778]

Awesome Story!😀

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Scott!

[@klaustrumputin-trudeau4142]

Ralph is one helluva guy!

[@SMKWcom]

💯

[@KungFuTweety1]

That's just Amazing! Great video!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@snakeinthegrass4726]

This is great. I wish there were more videos like this. Thanks guys

[@SMKWcom]

We hope to do more in the future and thank you for watching Snake

[@nativewildman9335]

Awesome video! I love hearing stories from Old timers and they always have wisdom to teach.

[@SMKWcom]

💯NW

[@randyblackburn9765]

Old stores are about gone but back in the 50’s and 60’s they were alive with farm workers eating dinner while sitting on cola cases, flat bed trucks were parked all around.

[@SMKWcom]

No school like the old school

[@danielowens4789]

A very nice thing you did there, great history.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@timgross16901]

I want to thank you all for this story. Love the old case knives🌠And stories behind them! I am wishing for a genuine stag hobo knife 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼. Personal scribed with case s special logo. I won't hold my breath though

[@timgross16901]

I'm always looking at flea markets, yard sales.. Even go far as asking 🤣, but best of all it usually leads to great old stories as such. Most of all a warm friendship like connection ***. Love learning about old time case family stories

[@dionpage7948]

Top notch video guys!! Truly OUTSTANDING!!

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you Dion!

[@augustojm1860]

This is pretty cool!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnscarborough4746]

What a awesome look at a great shop.

[@bsd9230]

Love this. Respect!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@Arthurian.]

Hes still driving. Amazing

[@SMKWcom]

We are going to try and stop him!

[@SuperCourser]

Awesome video folks! You guys did an great job.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@AllenGoodman]

This is top shelf content,great job guys ! 👍

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you Allen!

[@jaytee7822]

96 year old man wow !! Came to the door with a cigarette hanging out his mouth surprised me. Lol😅

[@SMKWcom]

There is not much Ralph does that doesn't surprise us lol

[@swaggstang1]

As a Swaggerty and a proud East Tennessean I approve this story! Thank you SMKW!

[@jeffreylockhart8292]

Nice to see the old store as it is now and old pics. I grew up a little kid in the pot belly store days and had a round of cheese and bologna they sliced it up and weighed, wrapped in paper we made lots of them sandwiches in a fishing boat

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching and sharing the memories

[@paulbesemer6090]

This is cool.

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you for watching👍

[@user-sq5qv9fg1e]

Love it.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@Raaa1111..]

my room is starting to look like his shop! ❤

[@SMKWcom]

Good looking room!

[@shadeshiest22]

TC should have started poking around that old store more to find that long lost hidden grail knife!!!

[@SMKWcom]

TC starts poking around old stores he either buys things or things fall n him....or both!

[@jamesomalley4556]

Very nice

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you!

[@daveybass655]

Tuned in, just to enjoy the old timer, sellin my favorite brand, knife. Thanks for postin !!!!!!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching

[@SkunkApe48]

love smkw

[@SMKWcom]

And we love you!