Day Trips

Photo by Gerald E. McLeod

Texas Knives & Collectibles in Spurger, Texas, was kind of hard to find. You wouldn't think that anything in this hamlet with a population of 1,198, about 45 miles north of Beaumont, would be difficult to locate. But "the largest collection of Case knives in southeast Texas," as the billboard on the edge of town proclaimed, was cleverly disguised as the Mott Wholesale store.

The collection of knives was well worth the search. The glass cases hold hundreds of fancy knives, some with exotic wood and bone handles, chef-quality cutlery, and even cheap butcher knives with plain wooden handles. The wood showcases hold some of the best American-made cutlery in the world. Several of the beautifully crafted knives have blades as ornate as a custom-made boot. They are a blending of art, craftsmanship, and the ultimate utilitarian tool.

For the residents of the Piney Woods outside of Woodville, the family-owned Mott Wholesale is also the local supply depot when something breaks, wears out, or gets lost. Wandering the aisles of the hardware store is nearly as much fun as looking at all the shiny new pocketknives.

Texas Knives & Collectibles in the Mott Wholesale store is on FM 92, south of the intersection with FM 1013. It's in beautiful country for a Sunday drive, with roads lined with towering pines and idyllic pastures. For more information, call 409/429-3461 or go to www.tkcknives.com.