AliExpress??

Powercat80 said:
I have a hankering to buy a Vespa Ripper. I see that they are on sale through AliExpress, but I know nothing about this provider. I assume they are the Chinese version of Amazon, but are they legit? Trustworthy? Reputable? etc. Also they say the knife will not be available until March, which makes me leery of giving them my money for that long. Anyone have any experience with this outfit? Other options to acquire a Ripper? TIA
Click to expand...

Not a great idea, for the myriad of reasons multiple other Forum members have listed previously.

Chuck_Nunface said:
Considering Vespas are already knockoffs, might as well get it from them. Not sure there are any US based distributors for that company anyway. As an aside, I hear they make a decent knife.
Click to expand...

I disagree. Supporting sites and manufacturers that promote and sell counterfeits and clones hurts legitimate makers.
 
For knives, the only manufacturer I can think of with an official AE store is Kizer. There's no compelling reason for me to buy a Kizer knife from AE when they have excellent distribution at US retailers, but it's an interesting outlier. (Does TwoSun have an AE store? That rings a bell.)

I steer clear of AliExpress for everything but flashlights. There are several manufacturers of enthusiast lights, like Convoy, who have their official/more-or-less only web presence on AE. I've had no problems ordering from them, but that's a different kettle of fish than knives.
 
marcinek said:
And that makes them OK how exactly?

They. Make. Clones.
Click to expand...

I was just correcting your “AFAIK” comment; the knife OP asked about isn’t a clone. I didn’t say anything about the propriety of their business.

marcinek said:
So them knocking off, i.e, stealing, the hard work of legit knife designers and manufacturers, many who are fellow BF members...you are fine with. You would give them your money. Nice.
Click to expand...

Did you actually write this to defend Microtech? The irony is intentional, right?
 
MolokaiRider said:
Not a great idea, for the myriad of reasons multiple other Forum members have listed previously.



I disagree. Supporting sites and manufacturers that promote and sell counterfeits and clones hurts legitimate makers.
Click to expand...
Fair enough but I'd the op has his heart set on one, it's his money and he can do as he pleases. I'm sure he has gotten the advice he needs.
 
Chuck_Nunface said:
Fair enough but I'd the op has his heart set on one, it's his money and he can do as he pleases. I'm sure he has gotten the advice he needs.
Click to expand...
You Sir, are a good man, and yes, it is my money! I don't know if this is a good purchase or not. Just trying to do me research. Don't like being attacked for doing so. From my perspective, I like the M390 steel option at this price point. I like the Tanto blade option. I like the clean lines without a glass breaker. I like the carbon fiber accent. Candidly, I can't see where this is a counterfeit, because I don't see another knife like it. Microtech or otherwise.
 
So this forum requires you to think in a prescribed way, otherwise you are not allowed to have an opinion? Interesting!! Maybe you should study the free market system!! And yes, I buy American as often as I can, but the free market will dictate that. That is what your current President has been trying to educate the public on.
 
Powercat80 said:
So this forum requires you to think in a prescribed way, otherwise you are not allowed to have an opinion?
Click to expand...
No, but this is clearly a bad idea, and you've asked for our advice. Maybe you should listen to the experienced folks here that are warning you. You've been given a whole smattering of reasons why you should avoid this purchase.

Yes, it's your money, feel free to go waste it. :rolleyes: We'll still be here to tell you, "I told you so!" when you come back and complain about it when (not if) it fails to meet your expectations. Good luck, I think you're gonna need it!
 
Powercat80 said:
So this forum requires you to think in a prescribed way, otherwise you are not allowed to have an opinion? Interesting!! Maybe you should study the free market system!! And yes, I buy American as often as I can, but the free market will dictate that. That is what your current President has been trying to educate the public on.
Click to expand...

Other members are trying to help you, and also share why purchasing from counterfeiters and sites that support this practice is bad for our hobby. We are enthusiasts and passionate about the topic.

You asked for opinions, and you got some.

I would recommend not using that particular website, but would encourage you to visit one of the many legitimate dealers that can offer you an authentic knife that will also offer manufacturer and dealer support.

It is absolutely your money and your choice. Many of us have seen this time and time again, and want to share our experiences.
 
Powercat80 said:
So this forum requires you to think in a prescribed way, otherwise you are not allowed to have an opinion? Interesting!! Maybe you should study the free market system!! And yes, I buy American as often as I can, but the free market will dictate that. That is what your current President has been trying to educate the public on.
Click to expand...
No, but this forum is firmly against clones and the places that sell them. If you come here asking if you should by a knife made by a cloner company from a dealer that sells counterfeits, you are going to hear why it is a bad idea.

Leave the politics out of this discussion please.
 
Powercat80 said:
You Sir, are a good man, and yes, it is my money! I don't know if this is a good purchase or not. Just trying to do me research. Don't like being attacked for doing so. From my perspective, I like the M390 steel option at this price point. I like the Tanto blade option. I like the clean lines without a glass breaker. I like the carbon fiber accent. Candidly, I can't see where this is a counterfeit, because I don't see another knife like it. Microtech or otherwise.
Click to expand...
The blowback you're experiencing is due to the fact that Viper has several designs that blatantly rip-off microtech OTF designs. This is something you should be aware of, and consider that before supporting a company that does that. In any case, it is your money and if that knife gives you a tingly feeling, go for it.
 
The Aliexpress IPO in 2014 was preceded and accompanied by their professing the intention to address the rampant IP theft riddling the 'site.
Seems pretty clear that was a steaming pile of BS. So you're buying from somewhere that's inherently dishonest, long term, in a number of ways.

I'd be leery of thinking it really is M390, and dubious of it's HT.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
They’ve been confirmed to use M390, not that it really matters to people who don’t bother to research anything.

Click to expand...
Besides a youtube video, do you have any proof? And we can do without the insults. Thanks!

Edit: Good god, that was a chore watching that. The guys voice gives nick a run for his money. Looks like M390 with questionable HT.

The problem still remains that you are buying a knife from a known clone making company and from a dealer that sells counterfeits.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top