XIKAR Fills Niche by Offering Gentlemen’s Pocket Folders to Tobacco Retailers

KANSAS CITY, MO — In response to consumer need for access to high-quality
gentlemen’s pocket folder knives, XIKAR, Inc. now carries the William Henry
and Beretta lines as well as its own XIKAR line. XIKAR’s entrance into the
market, which makes a full range of these popular knives available at retail
tobacco stores for the very first time, was announced at the recent Retail
Tobacco Dealers’ Association (RTDA) convention in San Antonio.

"Consumers have very few retail options when it comes to purchasing
high-quality gentlemen’s pocket folders. Therefore, we’re using our
expertise in the cutlery trade to choose the finest knives at each price
point. We’re offering them to retail tobacco stores for the first time,"
explained Kurt Van Keppel, president and owner of XIKAR, Inc.

According to industry analyses by The Gale Group, pocket, pen and replacement
blade knives represented a $188 million market in 1992. In 1997, the
"non-kitchen knife" segment captured $339.5 million. Despite market research
indicating continued demand increases, the distribution channels for
non-kitchen knives remains constant. For high-end pocketknives, specialty
stores such as knife and gun shops have been the distribution channels
preferred by manufacturers — until now.

"The tobacco retailer is a non-traditional vendor for this product, but we
think consumers will appreciate having easy access to some of the world’s
finest knives. Now they won’t have to go into a gun or knife shop or a store
that specializes in hunting to buy an heirloom-quality pocketknife,"
continued Van Keppel. "Also, most tobacco retailers don’t have the time or
budget to travel to several national blade shows each year. They can lean on
us to keep up-to-date on the industry and make those purchasing decisions. Of
the hundreds of knife products on the market, we’ve selected the William
Henry, Beretta and Kantas as our primary manufacturers."
—more—

The smaller William Henry knife studio has quickly emerged as one of the most
respected folding knife companies in the world. Winning numerous awards
including Blade magazine’s 2000 Overall Knife of the Year and 2000
Investor/Collector Knife of the Year, each William Henry knife is completely
hand finished to exacting "custom" knifemaking standards. The handles feature
exotic materials such as fishtail oak, amber jig bone and mother of pearl.
Carbon fiber versions offer a delicate balance and feel. Titanium liners and
laser-cut bolsters provide a great fit. ATS-34 stainless steel ensures
durability and superb function.

Renowned Italian firearm manufacturer, Beretta, draws on 470 years of
craftsmanship to design elegant blade and handle combinations for pocket
folders in a wide variety of styles. For example, the Aluminum Airlights
offer optimum performance in an ultra-light, ultra-slim profile with solid or
skeletonized blade. The compact Tasca is a stylish, yet sturdy knife that can
be used as a money clip. With hard VG-10 steel and microchips embedded in the
handle, the high-tech Electra is ideal for individuals who embrace technology.

XIKAR’s private line offers compact, lightweight pocket folders that feature
architecturally inspired skeletonized handles. These durable and fully
functional knives combine excellent quality and value in a knife that anyone
can afford.

Since their launch in August 1998, XIKAR has sold its cutter to more than
3,000 retailers worldwide. For more information, visit their web site at
www.xikar.com.

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