Anyone Like or Collect Knives from the Various Chinese Makers??

[Chronovore]

I have tried out QSP and Civivi lately and been pleased with them overall…leaps and bounds from years ago by similar makers imo. I have noticed their prices are going up as well so will the real value diminish…not sure…

Not at all. While the Civivi knives are more expensive now, they've started using other steels like Nitro-V and have been re-positioned as a mid-tier by WE. Their new entry-level brand is Sencut, which is using the same D2 and 9Cr18Mov at the same $40ish price tag as the initial Civivi models from 2018.

Look at the 2022 line-ups from CRKT, Kershaw, etc. Compared to Chinese-made assisted knives in 8Cr13Mov at $50-70, the value of something like the Sencut knives has actually increased. The same is true of all of those $50-70 Kizer knives in N690.

 

[bigolegator]

Must be something to it bc even BHQ is doing exclusives with so of them.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

I've got 6 Reate-made knives, and they're consistently great in terms of finishing. They're all from US designers (Sharpbydesign/Brian Nadeau, Enrique Pena, Mark Varga) who use Reate as their OEM. Reate's quality is as good as any production brand in the world.

 

[Hashishiin]

Watch out for Eafengrow. They are effectively a rebrander and they've been known to stamp "D2" on blades made from 8Cr13Mov or even 5Cr15!

Oh yessir, worry not, this was about October of last year, when I was just getting into knives, had just made my last BudK purchase, realizing how terrible 90% of that crap was, and I was just clamoring for "D2", I wanted a "super-steel". Didn't know jack. Almost got an H1 Spyderco because I thought it looked like the Matriarch/Civilian. Didn't know about the RAT yet! My AUS-8 RAT2 is a way better knife, the thing is so thick it hardly cuts. I've now been far into "buy once cry once" and have made not one similar mistake since my first/last BudK purchase/EF purchase.

I do not buy poor-quality anymore, and, for the most part, avoid Chinese if I can. I intend to buy a couple of Byrd rescue knives. I might buy just one of those super-futuristic titanium WE's, eventually, just to try it, but Ontario is coming out with a blue, titanium, S35VN or AUS-8 flipper!

I digress though, about this EF I mentioned, it was only 20 bucks and a funny mistake I can look back on, I have a lot of other great knives, so it is not like I need the thing to function, but just out of curiosity, would the vinegar test do anything to show me the veracity (or lack thereof) of the "D2"? Cause I heard that they lied about their D2, got called out, were acting very shocked and appalled, and evidently created some real D2 knives that tested right, but at the same time were still selling the fake (because they are rebranders). Also, you wouldn't happen to know what, if anything, that EF65 is a clone of, do you? I enjoy the style and may buy the real version as it is reminiscent of a CRKT CEO or Boker Urban Trapper in shape.

 

[Hashishiin]

There are notable differences between those titanium frame locks. For anyone who likes that sort of thing, it creates tons of choice and hopefully, a chance to find exactly what they want. I know I found a few gems in 2021.

Just looking at the titanium frame locks from 2021, I saw different sizes, styles, blades shapes, handle shapes, inlays and overlays, ano colors, and opening methods including combinations of flippers, front flippers, thumb studs, holes, and fullers. Yet somehow, there are still variations and combinations I'd like to see moving forward. The same is true for all the liner locks those companies introduced.

Sorry, didn't see this reply! Yes, that is the odd thing, it seems like they're making fine knives that please people and continuing to do it. This will keep them around until someone round our side of the world can match it in terms of mass production. I am sure I would like one if I had one. The CRKT Squid, I have that, technically it's a Chinese D2 framelock. I like that knife.

I guess it's just overwhelming to my eyes. All the titanium. I should try my first titanium knife. Maybe I will get a mid-grade. Nitro-V, I feel like I've heard of that in relation to Higonokamis.

I also feel like brands like CRKT and Kershaw are fronting to seem more "American" than they really are. I would not fault someone for thinking they were American like Buck. I feel like WE is more honest. This isn't quantifiable, just a feeling.

Must be something to it bc even BHQ is doing exclusives with so of them.

There is something to it. I think the main argument is over whether or not it is worth it to basically spend this money on big Chinese companies. Weird analogy here - it's like punk rock and prog. You could be in the 80s and listen to prog/poprock (Chinese knives) and say "These guys have thought over every last sound and drum beat, everything is PERFECT, they show up for every tour date, they are well-practiced and professional! This is the music I want to listen to" and someone might say "Yeah, yeah, but where is the SOUL? I want soul in my music. Henry Rollin's voice may be shot to hell and the sound levels suck, but this is PASSION and ENERGY, besides, I want to give my money to the little dudes doing music, not these huge corporate bands".

At least with style. That is how I see it. I admit all the WE knives are, like, perfect, futuristic cutters. They just don't have the soul of an Opinel in my eyes, even though Opinel is a lot rougher. Then there is the issue of giving money to a company that has to pay taxes to China even if they treat their employees better than BudK's factory.
But you're right, one thing nobody can say is that there is "nothing to" these knives. These ain't gas-station-specials no matter which way you slice it.

 

[bigolegator]

Sorry, didn't see this reply! Yes, that is the odd thing, it seems like they're making fine knives that please people and continuing to do it. This will keep them around until someone round our side of the world can match it in terms of mass production. I am sure I would like one if I had one. The CRKT Squid, I have that, technically it's a Chinese D2 framelock. I like that knife.

I guess it's just overwhelming to my eyes. All the titanium. I should try my first titanium knife. Maybe I will get a mid-grade. Nitro-V, I feel like I've heard of that in relation to Higonokamis.

I also feel like brands like CRKT and Kershaw are fronting to seem more "American" than they really are. I would not fault someone for thinking they were American like Buck. I feel like WE is more honest. This isn't quantifiable, just a feeling.

There is something to it. I think the main argument is over whether or not it is worth it to basically spend this money on big Chinese companies. Weird analogy here - it's like punk rock and prog. You could be in the 80s and listen to prog/poprock (Chinese knives) and say "These guys have thought over every last sound and drum beat, everything is PERFECT, they show up for every tour date, they are well-practiced and professional! This is the music I want to listen to" and someone might say "Yeah, yeah, but where is the SOUL? I want soul in my music. Henry Rollin's voice may be shot to hell and the sound levels suck, but this is PASSION and ENERGY, besides, I want to give my money to the little dudes doing music, not these huge corporate bands".

At least with style. That is how I see it. I admit all the WE knives are, like, perfect, futuristic cutters. They just don't have the soul of an Opinel in my eyes, even though Opinel is a lot rougher. Then there is the issue of giving money to a company that has to pay taxes to China even if they treat their employees better than BudK's factory.
But you're right, one thing nobody can say is that there is "nothing to" these knives. These ain't gas-station-specials no matter which way you slice it.

Oh I’m with you and agree…like I tell some of my friends, go through your house and put everything made overseas outside in your yard…see what is left inside

 

[Hashishiin]

Oh I’m with you and agree…like I tell some of my friends, go through your house and put everything made overseas outside in your yard…see what is left inside

My family has been getting better with this, not only to be more moral consumers, but also for quality. Very proud of my mom for doing this because people don't often make such a distinct effort to change their consuming habits. She was not aware for years why buying from China was a bad thing, in general, but re-thought her stance after some discussion with me about what the CCP is about. My girlfriend, also, is somebody who wants to be moral and tasteful, too. They like wooden. Hand-carved. Hand-made. European. They have good taste and do not prefer plastic things, in general. Glad my family is going this way!

 

[K.O.D.]

I gotta few.

https://imgur.com/EMIwoIL

https://imgur.com/g9VPJW7

https://imgur.com/3exnBho

 

[Random Dan]

I have really come to appreciate the quality, materials, and price of many of the recent Chinese brands. My Reate's are some of, if not the, best made knives I own. Companies like WE and MBK provide excellent value.

I realized when looking over my collection today that I don't own a single in-house design from WE or Reate. Nothing has really jumpedout at me, but I love their collaborations with knifemakers.

And of course, this thread needs more pictures.

WEs
Gareth Bull production Shamwari, Terzuola CTF, Laconico Esprit, Gavko Nurse, Jim O'Young Mini Synergy

Reates
Liong Mah KUF EDC 3.0, Ohlone Goat, Ochs Osprey EDX, Nadeau Sharp by Design Micro Evo Typhoon, Pena X Trapper

Laconico by Alliance Designs and his own brand Monterey Bay Knives
Alliance Angry Baby Bear, Alliance Jasmine, MBK EZC 2.0, MBK Mini Old Guard

 

[Chronovore]

... I do not buy poor-quality anymore, and, for the most part, avoid Chinese if I can. I intend to buy a couple of Byrd rescue knives. I might buy just one of those super-futuristic titanium WE's, eventually, just to try it, but Ontario is coming out with a blue, titanium, S35VN or AUS-8 flipper!

I digress though, about this EF I mentioned, it was only 20 bucks and a funny mistake I can look back on, I have a lot of other great knives, so it is not like I need the thing to function, but just out of curiosity, would the vinegar test do anything to show me the veracity (or lack thereof) of the "D2"? Cause I heard that they lied about their D2, got called out, were acting very shocked and appalled, and evidently created some real D2 knives that tested right, but at the same time were still selling the fake (because they are rebranders). Also, you wouldn't happen to know what, if anything, that EF65 is a clone of, do you? I enjoy the style and may buy the real version as it is reminiscent of a CRKT CEO or Boker Urban Trapper in shape.

I have trouble making moral distinctions between Chinese companies and American or other companies who outsource their manufacturing to China. The practical distinction is that for budget knives, you can get radically better value from the former.

The Eafengrow thing is funny. They got caught more than once in the XRF testing being coordinated by LTK. They eventually contacted him and claimed they had no idea and were getting ripped off by someone else. While that might be true, it might not. I think it is more likely that they were just buying bulk knives from some Chinese Manufacturer X and having them stamped with whatever they thought would sell. Whether Eafengrow is unscrupulous or just didn't care, or the manufacturer selling the knives to Eafengrow was unscrupulous, the whole thing stinks.

Sure, Eafengrow did provide some real D2 to "prove" that they "fixed" the problem; but who knows if that covers their whole line or if they will even keep that up? Who knows what is where in the supply chain? If you order an Eafengrow, you won't know... unless you do a mustard test. I've experimented with it and it works on satin finishes. First, completely clean the blade of all oils using concentrated isopropyl alcohol. Get some French's yellow mustard or the Walmart-brand equivalent. Make a big enough blob that it will stay moist for an hour. This will produce a significant and unmistakable stain on real D2. Common substitutions include 8Cr13Mov, 5Cr15, 3Cr13, and occasionally 420. Of those, most will remain unblemished while 8Cr13Mov might get a very light stain, usually just around the perimeter of the blob. Of course, the bonus prize for real D2 is a stained blade.

Personally, I'd just buy from better brands. There are plenty of decent Chinese companies who make reasonably good products and don't lie about what they are. If you want a relatively nice flipper in D2 for around $30, check out Petrified Fish.

 

[Leo Greer]

WE/Civivi, Reate, Real Steel, Kizer = pretty awesome.

For way cheaper than an American brand, you can have better materials and basically the same quality.

BM is still using frickin’ S30V on a bunch of their folders. S35VN is the CLEAR superior in basically every way, and guess who uses it on practically every high end folder they have… For $100 you can have a Kizer titanium frame lock with S35VN, and great fit/finish/production quality. Even their action is smooth. WE and Civivi are on a whole nother level with their action.

A lot of them feel appropriately expensive too. If I handed you my WE Seer blind and told you to guess how much it cost, no WAY you’d say anything close to the real value.

 

[Leo Greer]

Also, PF, and QSP for the really budget end… my new QSP Parrot costs 20 bucks, has d2 n’ micarta, runs on washers, and has crazy snappy action with the thumb stud.

 

[Leo Greer]

Knives made by Chinese companies or American branded knives made in China? And China, not Taiwan?

I don't specifically collect knives of Chinese makers but I still own a few that I really like:

1) Artisan Cutlery - Waistline and Shark
2) Real Steel - Megalodon 2017 Titan

My favorite among these is the Ti Megalodon which I often carry:

Sold off most of my American branded/made in China knives which were mainly Kershaws/CRKTs.

Not sure how many of those I still own but my favorite among them is the CRKT/Ikoma Fossil because it's just so ridiculously "cool" to hold/look at.

LOL!

I have the Real Steel Meg Indiana Knives exclusive, and it rocks. Only real difference is the micarta show side scale…

 

[Arathol]

The Eafengrow thing is funny. They got caught more than once in the XRF testing being coordinated by LTK. They eventually contacted him and claimed they had no idea and were getting ripped off by someone else. While that might be true, it might not. I think it is more likely that they were just buying bulk knives from some Chinese Manufacturer X and having them stamped with whatever they thought would sell. Whether Eafengrow is unscrupulous or just didn't care, or the manufacturer selling the knives to Eafengrow was unscrupulous, the whole thing stinks.

Eafengrow is one brand I would never buy. They are a blatant counterfeit maker, and openly sell fake Winkler knives on ebay and other places. Look up Eafengrow TZ-230.....for $65 you can get a Winkler Blue Ridge Hunter......in a Winkler box.....

 

[Chronovore]

Eafengrow is one brand I would never buy. They are a blatant counterfeit maker, and openly sell fake Winkler knives on ebay and other places. Look up Eafengrow TZ-230.....for $65 you can get a Winkler Blue Ridge Hunter......in a Winkler box.....

Yeah, they are more like a distributor. They rebrand a lot of knives for distribution but some they keep as is. At least for a while, they were the Amazon distributor for the legit CH Knives. (Thankfully, CH Knives are now available through other channels.) Given their track record on fake steel stamps, I'm not surprised to see Eafengrow also distributing outright counterfeits.

This doubles my recommendation to avoid them like the plague.

 

[VorpelSword]

UNBLF:

Asided from te knives themselves, those are some nicely done close-up and macro images.

To get back to the theme of the thread now. A close family member gave me a largish Spiderco folder for Christmas (so I have to keep it). Can't find a model designation on it anywhere. engraved on the blade right close to the pivot is, I think, the alloy designation "8Cr13MoV" and on the other side, "CHINA". Not really a Chinese knife, but it is a knife made there.

 

[GIRLYmann]

first of, i buy knives based on its merit
and definately not solely on a product's county of origin.
if they happen to be from
the land of the middle kingdom
its namely because
of its friendly
to the budget ie price point.
i think i would be keeping it that way for now strictly business;
as in friendly but not chummy.

 

[seabil]

Hey all.

FIRST OFF….I am NOT talking about companies that produce clones, copies, rip-offs or theft of designs from other well known makers.
I am also NOT denigrating or throwing cold water on the huge number of fantastic AMERICAN knife brands and makers.

I got a knife for Christmas that I really like. It’s a knife from a Chinese maker, MIGURON Knives. I got the Makora. It’s a BIG blade at 4 inches and it’s not a svelte lightweight either. I like large blade knives for carry though.

Since getting it I have started looking at knives from other Chinese makers, mainly CIVIVI and WE knives. I know there are lots more, but I’ve just started exploring.
I have seen quite a few knives that really look good to me. The knife I got is a flipper, I’ve never had or fooled with one before. I find myself really liking it. It’s certainly different than my long time EDC the Spyderco Endura.

Now that I am seeing more of what’s out there, I thought I’d ask you guys and gals if you like or collect knives from Chinese companies. If you do, which companies do you like and prefer to carry? If you have pics of your stuff, please post.

What’s your thoughts on these makers and their knives?

Thanks for your time.

I only accumulate. No collecting! QSP, Civivi and We have impressed me. The action on my examples is excellent. Steels are getting better, more S35 and 20cv Recently the designs are becoming “better” in my opinion - not so many gas station styles or copycat designs.

 

[bigolegator]

My family has been getting better with this, not only to be more moral consumers, but also for quality. Very proud of my mom for doing this because people don't often make such a distinct effort to change their consuming habits. She was not aware for years why buying from China was a bad thing, in general, but re-thought her stance after some discussion with me about what the CCP is about. My girlfriend, also, is somebody who wants to be moral and tasteful, too. They like wooden. Hand-carved. Hand-made. European. They have good taste and do not prefer plastic things, in general. Glad my family is going this way!

I like hearing things like this…more people need to be more aware about these things. It’s worth the time finding a quality source for essentials and sticking with it long term. That’s exactly what the wise old timers do.

 

[goldie]

Whoever that guy is whos making the genex knives is extremely talented it only goes to show that good things can be made anywhere in the world .