Are we shy of using European blades?

There are plenty of people out there paying big dollars for european kitchen knives. The big surprise is the resurgence of the American knife manufacturing industry. By the 1960's there were very few interesting and affordable pocket and field knives made in the USA. Most of the stuff that I bought in that era were German, Japanese, or Italian (oddly the former Axis Powers). I am surprised that not only did American companies get back into the game, they got in with both high performance and reasonable prices. The buy American ethic is a lot easier to take these days.

There are a reasonable number of quality European products, but with certain exceptions the prices are rather high for what you are getting. If nothing else, the strong Euro exchange rate adds a premium to the prices. Even Japanese knives often command a premium. So as long as we get top quality American products at good prices we will tend to favor American products.

PS. My primary EDC is one of those Swiss Victorinox models.
 
I like and own a couple of Boker knives and Muela knives and I like'm very much. I think it's a marketing thing.
 
Andy_L said:
what quality issues?

I agree import taxes are a major concern. We in the UK can pay the same in £ as you do in $ Even more in some cases.
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There you go, a man from Sheffield which was the knife making capital of the UK! (I am from England too ;)
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don't get me started on what is still there of the sheffield steel industry. I'll just state that more steel comes out then ever before but it just takes less workers. on pure numbers of blades sheffield still makes more then any other place (thanks to swann morton)
 
I agree with some other members that European knife quality has degrade over the years and their prices are too high for the type of steel. They prefer to use natural material while north americans prefer synthetic due to its ruggness.
 
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