About those Chinese imports

[godot]

While I agree with what you're saying, I have to point out that Japan had the same reputation at one point, and look at them now.

This is dead on. Don't forget the Chinese were dressed in silk and writing poetry when the Brits were painting themselves blue. The QC is weak on many things right now, but when they elect to do something, they are unstoppable.
Example:
There was a problem with mosquitoes and no funding to get rid of them. Mao began a kill mosquito program. Every child brought in dead mosquitoes to their teacher and every worker did the same with his boss. In no time at all there were no mosquitoes in the whole country. Amazing.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

all the reviews i have read here about the sanremus have been very positive.

they appear to be very well made, albiet with "lesser" material. but for $7 who cares what blade steel it has if the construction is good?

i wont buy them, but that doesn't mean they are crap.

 

[dawsonbob]

all the reviews i have read here about the sanremus have been very positive.

they appear to be very well made, albiet with "lesser" material. but for $7 who cares what blade steel it has if the construction is good?

i wont buy them, but that doesn't mean they are crap.

All the things I have heard so far seem to indicate the same thing: very good overall, but made with "lesser" materials. I'm beginning to wonder just how bad the blade steel really is. Obviously, it's not one of our new super steels,but is it really as bad as some people have made out? I don't think it really is.

A year or so ago I did a review of the Kershaw Whiplash ( http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=663655&highlight=kershaw+whiplash ) which uses 8CR13MOV steel. In all honesty, I wasn't expecting it to be all that good, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it easily took a very sharp edge. It didn't hold it as long as some other steels, but still, it was better than I expected. If the 8CR14MOV in the SanRenMu is better than the Whiplash, then I don't see any problem at all. Like you said: for $7, what can you expect?

I did buy one, because I'm really, really curious. It should be here in the next few days, and I'll give it a try.

 

[jill jackson]

My friend got this 710 off eBay for 90 cents. It cost him about 7 bucks shipping, but never mind that in his mind he paid 90 cents. It's a nice enough little frame-lock and I hit it a few licks on the fine sticks, then it push-cut newsprint very easily. So, no they aren't junk by no means, this one has zero blade play, opens smooth, locks up tight and seems to hold an edge very well.

 

[dawsonbob]

My friend got this 710 off eBay for 90 cents. It cost him about 7 bucks shipping, but never mind that in his mind he paid 90 cents. It's a nice enough little frame-lock and I hit it a few licks on the fine sticks, then it push-cut newsprint very easily. So, no they aren't junk by no means, this one has zero blade play, opens smooth, locks up tight and seems to hold an edge very well.

90¢? Wow! Okay, there was that $7 shipping fee, too, but still — 90¢!

Why, I had to pay a whopping $6.40, plus $3.09 in shipping (from China: how do they do that?). Over all, though, it runs pretty close.

Thanks, Jill, that was just the kind of user feedback I was looking for. I can hardly wait to get mine and try it out. I have more expensive knives, of course, but for some reason, I'm really looking forward to this one.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

All the things I have heard so far seem to indicate the same thing: very good overall, but made with "lesser" materials. I'm beginning to wonder just how bad the blade steel really is. Obviously, it's not one of our new super steels,but is it really as bad as some people have made out? I don't think it really is.

A year or so ago I did a review of the Kershaw Whiplash ( http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=663655&highlight=kershaw+whiplash ) which uses 8CR13MOV steel. In all honesty, I wasn't expecting it to be all that good, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it easily took a very sharp edge. It didn't hold it as long as some other steels, but still, it was better than I expected. If the 8CR14MOV in the SanRenMu is better than the Whiplash, then I don't see any problem at all. Like you said: for $7, what can you expect?

I did buy one, because I'm really, really curious. It should be here in the next few days, and I'll give it a try.

ive had a couple kershaws in that blade steel or similar as well.

it takes a great edge, and is easy to sharpen. i just find it does not hold it very well. i also was able to take a decent size chip from a blade cutting some cardboard boxes.

i have the kershaws as "beaters", and actually like them very much. i would probably spend the extra money on the same models with upgraded steel (talon, skyline).

re: the sanrenmus, i have no intention of buying one. although i would consider one if they did not have to be shipped from china. str's identity theft story scares me a bit.

 

[dawsonbob]

ive had a couple kershaws in that blade steel or similar as well.

it takes a great edge, and is easy to sharpen. i just find it does not hold it very well. i also was able to take a decent size chip from a blade cutting some cardboard boxes.

i have the kershaws as "beaters", and actually like them very much. i would probably spend the extra money on the same models with upgraded steel (talon, skyline).

re: the sanrenmus, i have no intention of buying one. although i would consider one if they did not have to be shipped from china. str's identity theft story scares me a bit.

When you say it doesn't hold an edge very well, you're demonstrating a true flair for understatement. Still, as you said, it's so easy to sharpen that the edge holding really doesn't bother me as much as it might in another blade.

As far as ordering the Sanrenmu's, I just used PayPal. The seller never sees your credit card information. The process was quick, painless and efficient.

I ordered mine from http://www.exduct.com/

 

[MORIMOTOM]

When you say it doesn't hold an edge very well, you're demonstrating a true flair for understatement. Still, as you said, it's so easy to sharpen that the edge holding really doesn't bother me as much as it might in another blade.

As far as ordering the Sanrenmu's, I just used PayPal. The seller never sees your credit card information. The process was quick, painless and efficient.

I ordered mine from http://www.exduct.com/

i read that twice!

 

[dawsonbob]

i read that twice!

Sorry, man. I hate it when people have to work to read something I wrote. Means my old mind isn't working the way it should.

 

[Seals]

I know a maker that designs for Master.He says they have all the modern machines we have,and many we DONT.They can make really cheap crummy knives or really excellent knives.It depends on the price they get.Dont like it?Blame Nixon.He woke up the sleeping giant.

 

[dawsonbob]

I know a maker that designs for Master.He says they have all the modern machines we have,and many we DONT.They can make really cheap crummy knives or really excellent knives.It depends on the price they get.Dont like it?Blame Nixon.He woke up the sleeping giant.

Well, you're never going to put that Genie back in the bottle, and that's probably a good thing.

As far as the machinery, I wouldn't be surprised if they were producing it now — they certainly have the capability.

 

[LorenzoL]

I don't know about Chinese knives but they do make awesome flashlights. I would never buy a Surefire again if I can have a JetBeam or a Fenix.

 

[dawsonbob]

I don't know about Chinese knives but they do make awesome flashlights. I would never buy a Surefire again if I can have a JetBeam or a Fenix.

That's something I'm looking at too, right now. The site I bought my 710 from has some flashlights at amazingly low prices. I have no idea how good they are, but I think I'm going to find out in the near future.

I know Surefire makes a good product, but I simply can't afford them. The Chinese flashlights, on the other hand, are worth a try.

 

[LorenzoL]

Mind you, I am not talking about cheap flashlights. Check out the JetBeam RRT-3, that's a $325 flashlight. They started making cheap flashlights, a bit like they are doing with knives, and now they are market leaders.

 

[Seals]

My Fenix is awesome.Was a gift.I didnt even know it was China.I did have to send it back for a 2nd one.Didnt work out of the box.Got a replacement from the distributor here in Tx. in no time.Works perfectly.

 

[glockman99]

A few days ago my wife bought me a made in China copy of the Camillus CQB-1 Cuda, for a whopping $19.95 at Big5. The quality (fit & finish) of this knife is outstanding! For $20, I was expecting junk, but this really is a QUALITY, well-made knife!.:thumbup:.:thumbup:.

 

[dawsonbob]

Mind you, I am not talking about cheap flashlights. Check out the JetBeam RRT-3, that's a $325 flashlight. They started making cheap flashlights, a bit like they are doing with knives, and now they are market leaders.

I just checked, and that thing is gorgeous. It's also way out of my price range.

My needs are simple, so I think I'll be looking for one of those companies who is trying to establish itself, just as JetBeam did when they were starting up.

I live on a small pension, so If I bought a $325 flashlight, I couldn't eat or pay bills for a month. I'm fond of eating — a lifelong habit — so I'll look for something less expensive.

 

[dawsonbob]

My Fenix is awesome.Was a gift.I didnt even know it was China.I did have to send it back for a 2nd one.Didnt work out of the box.Got a replacement from the distributor here in Tx. in no time.Works perfectly.

The trick for me, I think, will be identifying the next Fenix or JetBeam while the quality is high, but the prices are still low. It could be an interesting search.

 

[LorenzoL]

That's their top-of-the-line model. A Fenix TK-11 should work for you.
My point is that very often companies start making non-descript products that are priced well below the competition. Then they build on their success to improve their products and their image.
Who would have thought 40 years ago that Japanese cars would become synonymous with quality, or 10 years ago that the Koreans would start challenging those same Japanese manufacturers?

 

[dawsonbob]

A few days ago my wife bought me a made in China copy of the Camillus CQB-1 Cuda, for a whopping $19.95 at Big5. The quality (fit & finish) of this knife is outstanding! For $20, I was expecting junk, but this really is a QUALITY, well-made knife!.:thumbup:.:thumbup:.

Odd, isn't it, how our expectations change. There is no doubt whatsoever that a few years ago we just expected anything made in China to be garbage. Now, bit by bit, we're coming to realize that they can — and do — make some quality items.

My personal take is that we should identify those companies that are producing high quality goods at extremely low prices, and grab them while we can, because these prices can't last forever.