They have college kids sell them by way of presentations in the customers' homes. The kids are expected to first contact all of the people that they know (family, friends) and pitch them on the knives, and then try to get a list of the people that customer knows, and so on. This is how the salesperson builds a client base. The knives are expensive, so if you are a salesperson it helps to come from an upper middle class background, and know the kind of people who can afford the knives/ .

I think there are some similarities to the Amway model.

The "help wanted" ad was fuzzy on details, which should have been a red flag. Then my interviewer asked me about my work history and background, after which he asked, "If you believe in a product, can you sell it?" At the least amount of hesitation, he said he could stop the interview right there if I couldn't sell. If I followed through, I'd be going to a retreat where they trained all of us Cutco neophytes into becoming cold-blooded door-to-door salesmen.

They tell her that her customers have to be married, and she's supposed to try to sell to the wife when she calls to make the appointment. We've already got a set, so we helped her hone her pitch, and showed her how to cut the penny with the kitchen shears (which are totally worth it!), but,we can't afford to buy them. She's not a college student, and she's not living in a particularly well off area, so for her, the sales model really sucks. That "particular customer type" they tell her to sell to is hard for her to find; those she knows (other than us) are frankly rather rural and not very well off nor are they big into home cooking. She knows far more singles, unmarried couples, and gay couples that cook and might be able to afford to buy some of the smaller knife sets. If she is able to put out cards or flyers, or do the demos and make appointments at swap meets, she'd be able to sell even better, but they're really quite strict on how she sets up her bookings and sales.

That model may fly in a smaller middle class or well-off tight knit community where they all selling "Princess House", Avon or Tupperware to each other for pin money and everyone knows everyone else, but it doesn't really work in large cities where you need more of a "Fuller Brush" door to door model or a centralized wider net to catch customers such as swap meet, storefront corners(like the knife sharpeners or band candy sellers), or farmer's market selling. Most of the more successful "enough to regularly pay the utilities and gas money" level Tupperware and Avon sellers I know sell at the swap meets. Cutco should allow their vendors to do the same, because each market has a different selling dynamic. They'd certainly sell more knives.

Haele

They look and perform like new. I love them.

broke them no problem, sharpen them no problem...I just bought a couple from one of the local college students. Did I mention they are made in New York State

These Cutcos are by far the most superior knives we have ever used.

In Cuba, NY.

He once brought pocket knives in, each engraved with each of our names.

I have mine around still... it's a great little knife.

I purchased them in 1967 and wouldn't trade them for anything. I've had to replace one (due to someone apparently throwing it in the garbage...he shall remain nameless) and had a couple sharpened over the years. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.

Or maybe even longer than that, I'm not sure. I bought a few and they're still what I use to carve big roasts, ham, turkey, etc. And I always use a smaller one to cut tomatoes. I have another favorite knife I use for most things, but nothing can cut a tomato without squishing it like a Cutco knife.

From the steak knives to the paring knife to the large carving/slicing ones to the kitchen shears. All dishwasher safe and guaranteed forever! They'll even come to your house and sharpen them for you. Solid, quality products from top to bottom. Yes, I'm uncomfortable with their sales model, but they are worth every penny.

I respect that their products are union-made in the USA, but why do they have to operate as a multi-level marketing operation? Why can't they just sell via their website? I don't want to have an in-home demonstration... I know what knives I might want to buy, so why put up barriers?

Jebus... is this 1954?

Their business model cost them one customer. I went to their website with the intent of buying a few carving knives. Found out I couldn’t just enter my CC info and have them shipped to me. I would have to make an appointment for some guy to come in to my house…….mmmm no thank you.

I will settle for the second best knives out there.



Macoy

they are great. 20 years later, still in good shape (except for the handle of one serrated knife that fell onto the heating element in the dishwasher and melted). I highly recommend them.

I got my first apartment in 1974 and had never bought anything on time so had no credit rating which meant I couldn't get the utilities turned on. A Cutco Salesman came to the door and I bought the two racks of kitchen knives, utility pieces, scissors, sharpener and steak knives for $15 a month and gave them to my parents for Christmas. They also came with a set of pots and pans that I kept for myself. Mom and Dad are gone now, but the knives that have been used every day are still like new. I sent them back once for sharpening and the handle on one was damaged and they just replace the whole knife - same with the kitchen shears. So send back your melted knife - chances are really good they'll replace it.

When I look at the prices today in their catalog, I'm really glad I bought them and can't believe the deal I got!

As for selling only to married women, that's not the best plan. Singles have more disposable income and the ability to buy on whim when they don't have to think about the opinion of a significant other. A lot of single men fancy themselves amateur chefs thanks to all the cooking shows and they also appreciate good knives. Wonder how they compare in price and quality to the set Gordon Ramsey endorses. Wonder if it's made in the U.S. and if the guarantee could possibly be as good.

and I wouldn't trade them for anything! I've had a couple of them factory resharpened and replaced one that a was accidently thrown out. I'm so glad I purchased them when I did, because they'd be too expensive for this retired teacher now. But they were a great investment 45 years ago...and still are now.