There is no doubt that the "Made in America" knives are the gold standard. But on a youtube video I just watched there was a comparison of a Case and Roughrider Barlow knives. The Case was judged as superior but the reviewer claimed suprise on just how nice the Roughrider was of about 1/8 of the cost. It appears to me that branding is a little more clear on the traditional knives that the tacticals. I mean that some brands are just Chinese, period when referring to traditional knives. In other words with a little research you know what you are buying. Now after that long winded preamble my question: is there a hierarchy of the chinese stuff when it comes to the traditional knives? For instance in the tactical I think there has been a lot of back and forth that says that enlan is a very good brand. Are there comparables for traditionals, and if so what are the better brands?
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A question on quality, please.
- Thread starter jebib
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AG Russel has some knives made in China. The fit and finish is said to be as good as anything made anywhere.
Edited to add:
You can do quite a bit of research on the topic by reading the 40 pages of this thread:
Forum > Knife Specific Discussion > Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades > Rough Rider & Related Slipjoints
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/582468-Rough-Rider-amp-Related-Slipjoints?
Edited to add:
You can do quite a bit of research on the topic by reading the 40 pages of this thread:
Forum > Knife Specific Discussion > Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades > Rough Rider & Related Slipjoints
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/582468-Rough-Rider-amp-Related-Slipjoints?
Last edited:
FLymon
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IMO there are good quality Chinese slippies (RR) and there are bad quality Chinese slippies (Frost), just as there are good US ones (Case) and there are bad US ones (Bear)
Railsplitter
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Definately A.G. Russell.
The price to quality ratio of Rough Riders is hard to beat. They are certainly worth checking out.
I have a couple of Colt branded slipjoints that are very well made for the <$25 each price I paid for them.
The price to quality ratio of Rough Riders is hard to beat. They are certainly worth checking out.
I have a couple of Colt branded slipjoints that are very well made for the <$25 each price I paid for them.
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I'll echo the kudos to the A.G. Russell knives. I've certainly spent enough money on his recent designs to be thoroughly convinced of their quality (3 Sowbelly Trappers, 3 Gunstocks, 3 Folding Hunters, and 2 each of the Rancher and Cowboy models; all Chinese production). For the money, I'm still astounded at how good they are.
As mentioned, there will always be 'good' and 'bad' examples from most any country. There was even a time when 'Made in Japan' was almost synonymous with 'cheap'. But, they've largely overcome that stigma, for good reason. I think China shows signs of moving in that direction too.
As mentioned, there will always be 'good' and 'bad' examples from most any country. There was even a time when 'Made in Japan' was almost synonymous with 'cheap'. But, they've largely overcome that stigma, for good reason. I think China shows signs of moving in that direction too.
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This is an interesting thread, and a topic that pops out now and then.
Being European myself, I find it a bit funny when you say that "There is no doubt that the "Made in America" knives are the gold standard".
From what I understand, this is quite a common thought among US users, and it's nice to see how Americans are proud of their homeland product. But, honestly, I really doubt that such statement is true. Also, too many times on BF I see alot of the "USA vs China" debate, which cuts out a huge share of world production knives (SAK's, Opinel, Mora, just to name a few).
My personal opinion is that there's no reason for generalizing things like that. I'm more than sure that quality is not a matter of origin, but of factory. Many people here (it has already been mentioned) speak very well of the China-made AG Russell knives, and many people are widely unhappy of the quality of some US made brands.
Also, I believe that sometimes the real problem is not quality as an average feature, but consistency in what you are buying, and the cost/value ratio...but this is another matter.
This said, and back to the topic, I have only seen one AG Russell China made knife and I found it absolutely flawless, and I have one China made Buck which I'm happy of, even though it's a real nailbreaker (to me). Can't speak about other companies, and I haven't handled too many knives, so my point of view is pretty limited, but I wanted to share it anyway.
Fausto
Being European myself, I find it a bit funny when you say that "There is no doubt that the "Made in America" knives are the gold standard".
From what I understand, this is quite a common thought among US users, and it's nice to see how Americans are proud of their homeland product. But, honestly, I really doubt that such statement is true. Also, too many times on BF I see alot of the "USA vs China" debate, which cuts out a huge share of world production knives (SAK's, Opinel, Mora, just to name a few).
My personal opinion is that there's no reason for generalizing things like that. I'm more than sure that quality is not a matter of origin, but of factory. Many people here (it has already been mentioned) speak very well of the China-made AG Russell knives, and many people are widely unhappy of the quality of some US made brands.
Also, I believe that sometimes the real problem is not quality as an average feature, but consistency in what you are buying, and the cost/value ratio...but this is another matter.
This said, and back to the topic, I have only seen one AG Russell China made knife and I found it absolutely flawless, and I have one China made Buck which I'm happy of, even though it's a real nailbreaker (to me). Can't speak about other companies, and I haven't handled too many knives, so my point of view is pretty limited, but I wanted to share it anyway.
Fausto
I don't own any Rough Riders, never have. I do love Case, and have several.
However,
One of my friends, Chet, is a Rough Rider fan. Chet is a knapper, and goes to all the flint snapping events, makes great obsidian and flint knives, arrow heads, scrappers, for his hunting. Makes his own primitive archery gear, went to Errett Calahans primitive school down in Lynchburg Virginia. Carries a small flint knife in a case on his belt. But, he knows the limits of the things, and for harder cutting and a blade that won't break too easy, he has one of his Rough Riders in his pockets. He's in the building trades, and uses the pocket knife to score sheet rock, strip wire, all kinds of tough cutting chores. He's never broken one yet. At our Friday morning breakfast meet, he'll often have his pocket knife there and I've seen some very beat up Rough Rider two blade jacks and barlows, the blades will be worn down by sharpening on rough old carborunum stones, but no broken blades or knife. What Chet likes about a 8.99 pocket knife, is that in the course of two years, he can wear one out on construction jobs, and not cry over it. He can use the heck out of it, doing things he'd never do with a 40 dollar Case.
I'll admit I'm not a fan of Chinese knives without going into politics. But the Rough Rider brand has, in my own judgement went from very skeptical to downright amazement at their survival in Chet's hands. I now respect them. Chet buys a new one every now and then, shows it off at breakfast, then uses and abuses the holy living crap out of it. For months, we'll see it as it ages in his day to day use, and the rest of our breakfast club is also amazed at them.
If your just looking for a tough pocket knife to use for the dirty work, and don't care about name brand or the prestige, get a Rough Rider. It may not have the cache of a nice Case, but it will get the job done for about what those two beers at your corner pub will cost.
Carl.
However,
One of my friends, Chet, is a Rough Rider fan. Chet is a knapper, and goes to all the flint snapping events, makes great obsidian and flint knives, arrow heads, scrappers, for his hunting. Makes his own primitive archery gear, went to Errett Calahans primitive school down in Lynchburg Virginia. Carries a small flint knife in a case on his belt. But, he knows the limits of the things, and for harder cutting and a blade that won't break too easy, he has one of his Rough Riders in his pockets. He's in the building trades, and uses the pocket knife to score sheet rock, strip wire, all kinds of tough cutting chores. He's never broken one yet. At our Friday morning breakfast meet, he'll often have his pocket knife there and I've seen some very beat up Rough Rider two blade jacks and barlows, the blades will be worn down by sharpening on rough old carborunum stones, but no broken blades or knife. What Chet likes about a 8.99 pocket knife, is that in the course of two years, he can wear one out on construction jobs, and not cry over it. He can use the heck out of it, doing things he'd never do with a 40 dollar Case.
I'll admit I'm not a fan of Chinese knives without going into politics. But the Rough Rider brand has, in my own judgement went from very skeptical to downright amazement at their survival in Chet's hands. I now respect them. Chet buys a new one every now and then, shows it off at breakfast, then uses and abuses the holy living crap out of it. For months, we'll see it as it ages in his day to day use, and the rest of our breakfast club is also amazed at them.
If your just looking for a tough pocket knife to use for the dirty work, and don't care about name brand or the prestige, get a Rough Rider. It may not have the cache of a nice Case, but it will get the job done for about what those two beers at your corner pub will cost.
Carl.
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and it's nice to see how Americans are proud of their homeland product.
Fausto
Its always nice to see the passion and pride you take in the knives of your homeland Fausto
I agree.
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If I am looking for quality, I go with reputable makers from USA, Germany, France, Italy, Japan to name a few.
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Kevin, even though I'm not American, I come from a land of proud (and stubborn) people.
And even if, rationally, I don't think that American knives are really the gold standard, still I find it nice to see the pride Americans put in their products. Maybe it's because we (meaning Sardinians, more than Italians) share the same pride in our homeland and products...so I feel some kind of sympathy in that
Fausto
And even if, rationally, I don't think that American knives are really the gold standard, still I find it nice to see the pride Americans put in their products. Maybe it's because we (meaning Sardinians, more than Italians) share the same pride in our homeland and products...so I feel some kind of sympathy in that
Fausto
Fausto, you really caught me on a very ethnocentric comment, me bad. I guess in haste I was referring more than anything about traditional knives. Now that I think about it there are a number of european slipjoint knives I just brushed to the side (several of which I am proud to own). But as a genre those traditional type of knives that are made by companies like Case, GEC and others were my focus. I think it's fair to say they are the leaders like the french are leaders in the Laguiole style of knife. So I'm contrite if you were offended but within the scope, I hope I have now better explained what I was trying to ask.
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I think, when there should be a comparison on slippies, you can´t just compare US made with chinese made.
Many countries make a good slippies, some aren´t called like this, but work the same way. US, Chinese, French, Italian, German, Czechian and so and so on...
Nevertheless, I think, it´s not important where a knife is made, but under which quality aspects they were made. RR is a good example for a good made chinese one and Case for a good made US. Carl Schlieper, Kneissler and Otter for Germany and Mikov for Czech, GEC and Case for US made. This list could be a never-ending-story.
When we wanna compare we should campare everything and not just a couple. Because it would disbalanced the whole thing. You know what I mean? Imo there´s nothing more to add, what Fausto said.
You can get good knives here and there and the bad ones are treated the same way.
Just my 2 Cent!
Greetz from Bavaria
Andi
Many countries make a good slippies, some aren´t called like this, but work the same way. US, Chinese, French, Italian, German, Czechian and so and so on...
Nevertheless, I think, it´s not important where a knife is made, but under which quality aspects they were made. RR is a good example for a good made chinese one and Case for a good made US. Carl Schlieper, Kneissler and Otter for Germany and Mikov for Czech, GEC and Case for US made. This list could be a never-ending-story.
When we wanna compare we should campare everything and not just a couple. Because it would disbalanced the whole thing. You know what I mean? Imo there´s nothing more to add, what Fausto said.
You can get good knives here and there and the bad ones are treated the same way.
Just my 2 Cent!
Greetz from Bavaria
Andi
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This is aimed at no one in particular. I think we're having a good discussion here and I hate to see it take a bad turn. Please keep in mind that we don't want any disparaging remarks regarding country of origin to be posted in this sub-forum. We've got folks from all over the world here, and we're happy to have them all be part of this community.
Any questions please refer to the sticky "Guidelines For The "Traditional Folders & Fixed Blades" Sub-Forum". Thanks in advance folks.
Any questions please refer to the sticky "Guidelines For The "Traditional Folders & Fixed Blades" Sub-Forum". Thanks in advance folks.
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Ditto
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I beat the living daylights out of a Cabela's Buck 371 (chinese made 301) and it took it great. I think the blade geometry is better than my 301, and as much as i hate to say it, i think it is overall superior to my 301. there, i said it, i think the 371 is overall slightly better than the 301.
And to confirm that, my grandpa carries a well worn 371. kinda funny, the clip blade is getting slim but he's hardly touched the sheepsfoot and spey blades. Go figure for a man who's lived in rural areas for a lot of his life. I think he likes the softer springs, the fact that it was like $20, large nail nicks, and clearly a hardworker.
No, china made knives are not always infererior.All politics aside, I just can't bear the sight of "china" stamped on the blade. If i had a piece of junk american knife and a beautiful and well man chinese knife, I would choose the american knife just because i cannot stand china being on the blade. My way is stupid, unreasonable, and illogical. I know. But it's just how i am. I'll take USA Case and Buck please.
And to confirm that, my grandpa carries a well worn 371. kinda funny, the clip blade is getting slim but he's hardly touched the sheepsfoot and spey blades. Go figure for a man who's lived in rural areas for a lot of his life. I think he likes the softer springs, the fact that it was like $20, large nail nicks, and clearly a hardworker.
No, china made knives are not always infererior.
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I don't buy anything from China unless I have to. It is sad but sometimes you don't have a choice. Having said that, I was given a RR slippie and was very impressed with the fit and finish. But after using it for 4-5 months, I noticed that the backsprings were very weak. It now resides in a junk drawer.