About those Chinese imports

LorenzoL said:
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?
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I'll check that out.

I agree with your point about what's happened with Japanese and Korean goods. I remember in Vietnam buying a Seiko watch at the PX because it was really nice looking, and it was incredibly cheap. I just knew it had to be junk, because it was Japanese. Boy, was I wrong. Keep in mind that Marines are not exactly gentle with gear, yet it lasted — even in the bush — for a long, long time. It may still be running, for all I know, since it disappeared one day, never to be seen again.

I think the same thing is happening with the Chinese stuff right now. We're just catching on to how good some of their stuff really is.
 
dawsonbob said:
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.
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Check out the ITP lights that Knives Ship Free carries. They are cheaply priced, and really good quality. I have one of the A3 EOS models, and it's incredible the light you get for $18.50 shipped. 80 lumens, clips in your pocket, and mine is tough as nails. It simply will not die. Oh, and it runs on a single AAA battery. Nice. And, this is coming from a guy with multiple Surefires. The quality to price ratio just isnt there...

ETA: I just noticed they now have the A3 in a polished titanium version. The price? $45. A Surefire Titan (basically the same light, actually only 70 lumens in roughly the same size package)? $200.
 
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EMT_Lee said:
Check out the ITP lights that Knives Ship Free carries. They are cheaply priced, and really good quality. I have one of the A3 EOS models, and it's incredible the light you get for $18.50 shipped. 80 lumens, clips in your pocket, and mine is tough as nails. It simply will not die. Oh, and it runs on a single AAA battery. Nice. And, this is coming from a guy with multiple Surefires. The quality to price ratio just isnt there...

ETA: I just noticed they now have the A3 in a polished titanium version. The price? $45. A Surefire Titan (basically the same light, actually only 70 lumens in roughly the same size package)? $200.
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I just checked that out. It looks pretty good for that price shipped. I'm going to have to investigate that more thoroughly when I don't have people over watching football.:D
 
One thing to consider that does mean something to me is pride of ownership.Nothing else like carrying a very high quality and medium to high priced excellent hand made or factory top tier knife in your pocket.Also,if you collect,to have a collection with nice value.It's not the best of investments,but we enjoy it and the value of a great knife does hold well and usually will increase.The Chinese knives are yes,decent to good user quality,but have no lasting value beyond using them up.Just another thought to throw in the mix.
 
No one should be ashamed of purchasing and using a Sanrenmu 710. Buy a dozen and use them hard. ALSO buy a Sebenza.
When you go work, camping or the supermarket take the 710. When you go to a fine restaurant, church, or the theatre...you get the point.
Each knife excells in its specific function, by virtue of the materials and labor costs, and is geared toward different uses and markets.
Chris Reeve has nothing to be afraid of and neither does America. If we as free enterprising Americans can't or won't make a compettitive product, shame on us. It's not like we don't know how. IMHO, we had better shake the dust off of our ingenuity in a hurry. I take examples of products like the Sanrenmu's to be a huge wake-up call.
Having said that, there will always be separate markets for upscale exclusivity and value-priced, well designed tools.
 
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Arakiel said:
No one should be ashamed of purchasing and using a Sanrenmu 710. Buy a dozen and use them hard. ALSO buy a Sebenza.
When you go work, camping or the supermarket take the 710. When you go to a fine restaurant, church, or the theatre...you get the point.
Each knife excells in its specific function, by virtue of the materials and labor costs, and is geared toward different uses and markets.
Chris Reeve and neither does America.
There will always be a market for upscale exclusivity AND value pricing on good tools.
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Oh, I'm not the least bit ashamed of buying and using a Sanrenmu 710: all my pride about that kind of thing went out the window when poverty took over my life.:D Besides, the Sanrenmu 710 has proven itself to be a very good knife in its own right.

Would I like to be in a position to get a Sebenza? Certainly. But I'm not, so the Sanrenmu 710 will do just fine till I start making some more money.
 
I posted in another thread that a friend of mine bought a Benchmade counterfeit at a knife show for $20. Actually it was two knives for $20.00, a fake Sebenza and a fake Benchmade!!!

At first glance a Noobie would say "Nice Benchmade", the weight is close, the look is close. But to the experienced eye it is not a Benchmade.
Well, for $10 my friend has carried it and used it every day. The blade needs to be resharpened often but the knife has a solid lock-up with a perfectly centered blade.

I tried to convince him to destroy the knives as Counterfeits but he is not a knifeknut and is far too happy with his new 'Benchmade':jerkit::rolleyes:

I did take some quick photos when first saw the knife:
 
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