Indiana Knives: A Little Shop For Pocketknife Enthusiasts

BY NICK TROMBOLA

As a student at Indiana University, Indiana Knives owner Eric Ziliak, 25, never thought he’d open his own business. Ziliak, a criminal justice major, graduated from the IU Police Academy in 2014 and worked as an IUPD officer for almost two years.

“I loved working for the IUPD and I had a lot of fun,” Ziliak says. “But after two years working night shift after night shift, I eventually realized that it wasn’t the type of work I wanted to be doing for the rest of my life.”

Ziliak has always been a pocketknife enthusiast, and it was during his hunt for a new knife that he had the idea to open his own shop. “One day I was looking for a gift for myself, and after a little research I found that there just weren’t that many good choices to buy from in the area,” he says. “I’d much prefer to hold the knife I want in my hands and try it out before I buy, so instead of ordering something online, I got the idea to start my own store.”

His store, situated behind Soma near the corner of Kirkwood and Grant Street, has been a small but suitable home since July, says Ziliak. Two medium-sized cases, as well as two shelves on the west-facing wall, display his goods, which range in price from $30 to $250.

The distinction between types of knives is important to Ziliak. Although he says he might eventually branch out into selling kitchen knives, Ziliak notes that he only sells high-quality knives meant for practical use and collecting, not for use as weapons.

Indiana Knives is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays. In addition to pocketknives, Ziliak also provides blade sharpening. For more information, call 812-727-0453 or visit indianaknives.com.