This is a knife

If you’ve ever been in the Chico Mall around the holidays, you’ve likely seen the draw that The Cutlery Works has on the male animal. The place has an actual suit of armor in the window for Pete’s sake, not to mention a wall of swords, hatchets and bo staffs and several cases of shiny pocket knives. Of course there’s also a full array of kitchen cutlery, a large variety of specialty scissors and one whole wall of Irish-themed merchandise. Owner Warren Childs started the store in ‘83 in the North Valley Plaza (the “old Chico mall") and was there for 13 years before moving to the Chico Mall. We caught up with the husband and father of two fresh off a trip to the Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas.

How does one get into the knife business?

I needed a change. I was looking for a new job and it was a franchise at that time … Cutlery World. They went under about two years after I got into it—which saved me my royalty fee—and I was able to continue. It’s a neat business. It’s fun talking to people. Of course their eyes get really big when you show them these swords and so on. It’s pretty cool.

Do you make more on swords or kitchen knives?

The real money comes out of these display cases—the pocket knives and that kind of thing. Between the two, I would say the kitchen knives probably do better than the swords overall, but the swords definitely create interest.

Any laws saying who you can or can’t sell knives to?

My law is 18 to purchase a piece of cutlery of any sort. I could sell to one of these boys [gawking at the display case], but I won’t. I have a conscience. Knives that are sharp on both edges, the police really frown on those. I don’t carry many. But, my best-selling knife in the store? Swiss Army. Outsells everybody.

What’s the one knife no home should be without?

The paring knife. And the chef’s knife. Everybody should have something to chop with, [and] something for utility. You don’t need all these knives to do the job.

Why all the Irish stuff in a knife store?

My wife had a store down the way called Paddy’s, and she just decided, “I want out.” When she dropped them, I was carrying kitchen gadgets and I just got tired of looking at kitchen gadgets, and they weren’t producing very much. She ordered some things for me, and we put them on the wall and “poof,” they started selling.

Cut yourself much?

Unfortunately, yes. I’ve only had to be sewn twice in 22 years.