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!
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.
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.
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.
Since I was 7 or so I was taught to "listen" to our old folks, and NOT be quiet. After a few years it was easy. My Grandfather/Pops were always "teaching", and I was a sponge. Because of this, and SO many others, those stories were the start of my manhood and gave me the ability to be intuitive of the world around me. MANY mistakes I've made, but nowhere near all the successful ones that brought me love/family/friendship/ and so much more. Now, at 67, I STILL take any advantage of sitting down with folks like Ralph and ENJOY, JUST like the kids coming up I've known. I love this kind of work you're doing, and of course I subscribed. Thank You. ~Best
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.
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 ❤️❤️👍🏻
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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…
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
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🙏🙏🙏
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
Cool man !!! I mean that was the epitome of coolness !!! I enjoyed that , Your video really aroused much much thought & ceilings of nostalgia !!! TYVM !!! New Orleans loves ya baby !!! 👍👌😁……………….
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
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 !
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.
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
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
@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
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.
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.
This is so cool! In my town there are lots of old buildings that used to be small general stores. I often wonder if they sold Case knives and others as well :)
This is what True AMERICANS and AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT. lOVED THE SHOW. Made me cry.
Ralph answering the door with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth was the best part.
No school like the old school!
I never pass up a opportunity to listen the the old timers stories. There full of knowledge and experience
Thanks for watching Mark!
* they're full of knowledge.
Pure Americana! Love those small general stores that carried a little of everything and yes, always a display of Case knives!
Never knew what you needed until you went in lol
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!
Thank you for sharing your own Knife Tale with us
Those Barlows were indestructible.
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 !
Thank you Leland!
Thank you for sharing this experience. At 50 years old, the older generations in my family have passed on. Oh man, I miss the old-timers' stories.
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!
Thank you for watching!
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.
A snap shot of time and places forgotten
The wisdom and the history you learn from someone in there 90s is priceless I wish they could live another 90 yrs
There is much to be learned if we have the patience to slow down and listen
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.
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.
No school like the old school
Since I was 7 or so I was taught to "listen" to our old folks, and NOT be quiet. After a few years it was easy. My Grandfather/Pops were always "teaching", and I was a sponge. Because of this, and SO many others, those stories were the start of my manhood and gave me the ability to be intuitive of the world around me. MANY mistakes I've made, but nowhere near all the successful ones that brought me love/family/friendship/ and so much more. Now, at 67, I STILL take any advantage of sitting down with folks like Ralph and ENJOY, JUST like the kids coming up I've known. I love this kind of work you're doing, and of course I subscribed. Thank You. ~Best
If you don't learn from the past you are doomed to repeat it and these folks have a lot of good advice to let us skip a few mess ups along the way
@@SMKWcom Kabam
That was really awesome! The man is walking history.
Thank you Grom!
This is beautiful! Thank you for honoring that gentleman.
It was our honor
This is just too cool!! Thanks TC SMKW for taking your time to do something really special for this "young gentleman ".
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.
It is that small town store we all grew up with or at least wanted to
Every knife has a story that's why I love this community #SMKW
Thanks Mike!
Great video. I believe a lot of us appreciate what you did here and appreciate our seniors.
Thanks Al!
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.
Thanks for watching!
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 ❤️❤️👍🏻
Thanks for watching Robbie
Only in a minute but I can tell this is gonna be Amazing
Just keep watching lol
He was 30 years old when I was born. Amazing.
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..
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
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.
Thanks for watching!
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
it's important to keep the older videos like this one around so that the stories get passed along. Thanks for watching
I don’t have much to give but I’d give it all to go back in time.
Theres no school like the old school
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
Thanks for watching and sharing the memories
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.
96 years old and still smoking, now that man is tough !!!!
Don't pull on super mans cape and don't mess around with Ralph
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
Gotta love Case!
Precious peace of History, thank you, TC!
It was a honor and a privilege to meet Ralph
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.
Good to hear a collection like that is being passed on and we hope you can continue to grow it
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…
Thanks for watching!
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
Thanks for watching and we hope your collection continues to grow!
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🙏🙏🙏
Thanks for watching B8!
Seeing this got me a little emotional made me think about my PawPaw. He never left the house without one of his Case Knives
Thanks for watching and sharing your PawPaws knife tale with us
Seen you guys talking to old Ralph. Nice thing you done for the old man.
Thanks for watching Michael
Wonderful video. A trip back in time. American nostalgia. A simpler healthier time. Praise the Lord and thank you Jesus ! 😀✝️✌🏼🙏🏼
Thank you Larry!
I enjoy hearing stories from times past! This was a treat! Cheers, gents!
Thanks for watching!
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!
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 👍
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.
Lots of wisdom, often hard learned, from those old timers
I absolutely love stores like that it was a better time back then in this country brings back fond memories for sure. Darren
That guys awesome I miss all the old little stores like his
Thanks for watching
What a great treat for you all to visit Ralph, good for you.
We love Ralph!
Pure and total awesomeness ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Joe!
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.
We may not be in your neighborhood but we are all a part of the knife community👍
Tuned in, just to enjoy the old timer, sellin my favorite brand, knife. Thanks for postin !!!!!!
Thanks for watching
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.
Thanks for watching!
I've said the same thing, be awesome to be several century's old and the stories that you could tell
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.
Thanks for watching and stopping in!
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.
Thanks for watching! We love Knife Tales and for many more in the future 👍
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
We love where we came from and never forget it either. Thanks for watching!
As a Swaggerty and a proud East Tennessean I approve this story! Thank you SMKW!
It was a wonderful video and I was moved and wept.
Thanks for watching SD👍
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!
It is all about the character...the ones running the store and the store itself 🤣
That’s awesome, great knife you gave him as well!
I love it! Knifes bringing different generations together. 🤘🤠
Thanks for watching!
Amazing history! Thank you! Thank you! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thanks for watching Inox!
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
Thanks for watching and sharing your knife tale with us as well 👍
I collect the Trapper Knives the last few years,aIm going to get into 3 blades now,!! Thanks for sharing 😊
Thanks for watching!
Wow. Looks like they could reopen tomorrow. Thanks for sharing this history
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing your videos and keep them coming please.
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.
Thanks for watching and the suggestions
Great video as always 👍
Thank you Gerard!
And unfortunately a tale of Times past. This is great
You don't know where you are going unless you know where you have been 👍
Ralph is one helluva guy!
💯
Great stories! I've been watching that channel for a while! Ralph is one of a kind great show!
Thanks Mike!
I love videos like this and seeing the old pics of what you guys are talking about, that's awesome.
Thanks for watching BR!
Cool man !!! I mean that was the epitome of coolness !!! I enjoyed that , Your video really aroused much much thought & ceilings of nostalgia !!! TYVM !!! New Orleans loves ya baby !!! 👍👌😁……………….
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
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 !
Spot on... it's sad younger have no respect nowadays and I sure miss my great grandfather
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.
Thank you for watching and sharing that memory with us!
Absolutely love this!
It was a honor to meet Ralph
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
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
What a great story.... Legends are made of this.
Thanks for watching!
A living legend, great video on Case .
Thanks for watching Prop
@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
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.
A very nice thing you did there, great history.
Thanks for watching!
Hes still driving. Amazing
We are going to try and stop him!
Cool project visiting the elders 💯
Thanks for watching! No school like the old school
Awesome video! I love hearing stories from Old timers and they always have wisdom to teach.
💯NW
I visited that store back in the 70s ❤
That is awesome!
We go to Arkansas to visit family and love going in the old general stores there cool history in them
I buy your knifes. I watch your videos. It's good to be us.
Thanks for watching Mono!
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.
If you have pictures and info on them please send them to japarker@smkw.com
This is great. I wish there were more videos like this. Thanks guys
We hope to do more in the future and thank you for watching Snake
Very nice of SMKW
Thanks for watching Mark
That's just Amazing! Great video!
Thanks for watching!
Simply spectacular video! Thank you for doing this!
Thanks for watching!
THIS IS A COOL GREAT STORY
Old stores are the best
Awesome Story!😀
Thanks for watching Scott!
Top notch video guys!! Truly OUTSTANDING!!
Thank you Dion!
Respect des anciens
Aucune école comme la vieille école
Le jeune va vite mes le vieux connaît le chemin 😌
This is so cool! In my town there are lots of old buildings that used to be small general stores. I often wonder if they sold Case knives and others as well :)
my room is starting to look like his shop! ❤
Good looking room!
What a awesome look at a great shop.
Love it.
Thanks for watching!
This is top shelf content,great job guys ! 👍
Thank you Allen!
love smkw
And we love you!
Awesome video folks! You guys did an great job.
Thanks for watching!