IRBI Knives — Local services in Alaska

The customer service at I.R.B.I Knives is unsurpassed!! We visited Alaska in July 2015; falling in love with Moose Pass and Cooper Landing. While driving around one day, we came across I.R.B.I's. Although they were not open at that particular time, my husband did meet and speak with Virgil as he chopped wood behind the shop. Virgil also gave him a sample of some smoked salmon. Needless to say, my husband has spoken about Virgil and his knives (and smoked salmon) ever since. So as Christmas approached this year I thought "how can I blow my husband's mind for Christmas?" Then it donned on me; Call Virgil!! I phoned on Thursday 12/15 and spoke with Dawn, telling her of my master plan; she quickly emailed a picture of the knives they currently had available. I chose 2 (knowing my husband's best friend would feel left out had he not gotten one too). It is now Monday the 19th and the knives are here! What?! WOW!! I'm simply blown away. This order was placed at 3:15pm EST on the 15th and received at 10:30am EST on the 19th; shipped from Alaska TO Virginia. TAKE A NOTE CABELA'S!!! Further, I did not realize the sheaths would be included; guess that was a female oversight ~ But the knives are all tucked safely in their hand-made sheaths. They also were kind enough to send a sample of smoked salmon. Who does that?! Who goes that far above and beyond and remembers such small details from a brief conversation?? I'll tell you who: Virgil and Dawn Campbell! My husband is literally going to fall off his chair when he opens this knife on Christmas morning. The craftsmanship is incredible (yes, I know little about knives, but you know quality when you see it). He's been talking about I.R.B.I.'s for two years now and will be ecstatic to finally have a knife from Virgil. And yes, I will proudly strut around with the title of super-wife all day (thanks to Dawn and Virgil)!! So the point of all this is to say: I.R.B.I.'s not only has the friendliest staff; their customer service will never be surpassed by anyone, in my opinion, and their knives are truly amazing works of art. Words cannot express my gratitude to Virgil and Dawn. Thank you, thank you, thank you and MERRY...

I was on a road trip with my two friends in mid September 2019. Actually passed the place and turned around about 10 min later because well, it’s a road trip and that turned out to be a great decision. Virgil was friendly down to earth and showed us around his shop and we even got to see his 200lb ?? forging hammer in action, crazy strong! We had a great visit and I ended up picking out a handle and blade shape that he used to produce the final piece. These are hand built, that takes time so be patient it is worth the wait!! Although we didn’t meet his wife Dawn that day I can attest to her skill with leather work. The knife sheath fits great is beautiful in its own right and will hold up excellent against time and use. On a side note, I mentioned that my edc knife had served me well but I needed to keep a better edge on it. Without hesitation he asked to see it and said he could put sharp edge on if I wanted. Just like that, Lickety-split and it was shaving sharp! Well done sir! Can’t wait for my next...

We drove back through the Kenai peninsula borough and I wanted to stop at this cool old knifemaker shop that was closed when we first came through. The little shop called IRBI Knives was open, and we walked in to what seemed like a man cave with a very excited to see us sweet lady named Dawn. She told us about their shop, her husband and family,, showed us a few knives, and also her hand made sheaths. She had some cool stories like about the time that Aerosmith came through and pulled in with Black Suburbans. They ran around to their house and talked them in to opening, and Joe Perry was a knife nut who bought a couple of pieces. Before they left, they gave their family all tickets and backstage passes to their sold out performance. Dawn also made cookies featured on a film starting Alec Baldwin. I don't care for the guy, but her cookies looked great! Stop by if at...