Bee knives?

W

wmc1982

Joined
Oct 2, 2010
Messages
174
Ahhh, didn't search well enough, sorry - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=772286&page=2 Lot of pages there. I'm trying to find out what's the best ones to try out. I have no idea about the Sanrenmu company; just thought this wooden handled "Bee" looked cool.

So I saw in a thread I was reading on here earlier where someone showed a picture of their "bee" knife. So I looked around and finally found these cheap but supposedly nice quality knives by these Chinese companies. They claim to be the guys who make many American knives (ex: the Tenacious).

I found two "Bee" knives I think I'll get (at only $12 each!). While looking I found other brands: Sanrenmu, Navy (look like Spyderco's), and Ganzo. A lot look like American knives but who knows who's copying who since so many are made there over there.

Anyone tried any of these knives or know much about these Chinese brands? I think it's interesting to see if the quality is as good as the same American knives that are made in China but cost $30+ more. Could be some American companies are the middlemen and buying these are getting straight to the source? I don't know, I just really like the wood one, most of my folders all have black handles.

IMG_1991_s.JPG

1_6893113.jpg


(The first image comes from a guy named "Saul's" blog, it may be a guy from here, I hope it's OK I use your image :) )

bee_l02_800.jpg
 
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wmc1982 said:
Ahhh, didn't search well enough, sorry - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=772286&page=2 Lot of pages there. I'm trying to find out what's the best ones to try out. I have no idea about the Sanrenmu company; just thought this wooden handled "Bee" looked cool.

So I saw in a thread I was reading on here earlier where someone showed a picture of their "bee" knife. So I looked around and finally found these cheap but supposedly nice quality knives by these Chinese companies. They claim to be the guys who make many American knives (ex: the Tenacious).

I found two "Bee" knives I think I'll get (at only $12 each!). While looking I found other brands: Sanrenmu, Navy (look like Spyderco's), and Ganzo. A lot look like American knives but who knows who's copying who since so many are made there over there.
Anyone tried any of these knives or know much about these Chinese brands? I think it's interesting to see if the quality is as good as the same American knives that are made in China but cost $30+ more. Could be some American companies are the middlemen and buying these are getting straight to the source? I don't know, I just really like the wood one, most of my folders all have black handles.

IMG_1991_s.JPG

1_6893113.jpg


(The first image comes from a guy named "Saul's" blog, it may be a guy from here, I hope it's OK I use your image :) )

bee_l02_800.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow...You have no idea....
Is it better to have 20 cheap knives that are copies of existing designs than 1 or 2 really well made ones that are original designs?
/double face palm
 
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yea I just read through those other 18 pages from the other thread, omg.

Next time minimum of 10 different searches before starting a thread.

(he, I'm still getting a bee and now an 710 thanks to the other thread! :) )

I'm Broke!

...slowly backs away...
 
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RevDevil said:
Wow...You have no idea....
Is it better to have 20 cheap knives that are copies of existing designs than 1 or 2 really well made ones that are original designs?
/double face palm
Click to expand...

oh no, these aren't copies though. MOST of these are all fully original designs and are of good quality. Nothing like those other chinese online stores that have fake US knives. These admit what brand they are. And the warehouses are where most US knives are made in.

But like others have said, they have copied wrongfully some designs, ok many designs but do offer plenty of unique and $50 quality knives for $10-15 after shipping.

I'm in the middle I guess. I have poured a few thousand over the past few years in American knife companies I figure I won't topple over our economy and disgrace the founding fathers by spending $10 on a few Chinese knives.

I don't know what a Sebenza looks like anyway so it will be original to me!
 
it's funny how all the guys on the Brittish knife forum love these knives and don't even think about worrying where they come from. Where does all the pro-American bs come from? Maybe from all the propaganda during the wars it was indoctrinated into us.

I feel it too, wanting to only buy American things, screw the rest of the world, look after ourselves. But as I've grown older, I've realized....I gotta take a piss
 
How about you save up and get yourself something GOOD like a Spyerco, Benchmade, or Emerson??
 
Neither SRM nor Bee have knockoffs although they may have similar designs to others. They offer great quality at a very low price point. I have 5-6 SRM knives and they have all been great for the price. Sanrenmu has also been known to contract with buck, Spyderco, and snap-on.
These knives are not taking any business away from Benchmade, spyderco, nor other similar companies since there is a clear distinction in materials and fit and finish.

IMO they are the best bang for the buck in the under $25 range and beat some that are more expensive.
 
What I mean is he should go the extra mile and pick up a more decent knife for the price. You can get the Spyderco Tenacious for around 25 bucks.
 
In the other threads I've seen about Sanrenmu and the other Chinese knife companies, some people seem to try and separate the different companies (and thus which companies are more morally acceptable to purchase) due to some of them having blatant copycats compared to "inspired by" designs.

People have said, for example, Sanrenmu is related to Land, but not Ganzo, who makes the HK14205 copycat. However, if you go to Sanrenmu's website, Ganzo is listed there under the multiools tab.

And are the Chinese companies copying each other? The Sanrenmu 710 series and Navy K507 look like the same design, but the blades are a bit different, and the Navy version comes with a G10 handle. Or are Navy and Sanrenmu actually affiliated?
 
Sanrenmu latest website has a new class of knives: Athletic, which most of them, up to recently, are the Bee L series.

Now, who's copying who .. it's hard to decipher ...
 
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Firstly, I recognise my pic, and it's cool for you to use it! ;)

Secondly, if you want to read more of my thoughts on the Bee L05-1 in particular, see here :: http://saulsays.blogspot.com/2010/10/knife-review-bee-l05-1.html

Thirdly, and I think I am going to stop counting my points now, I think the Bee L05 and L05-1 models are fantastic knives in terms of ergonomics. It's not just the wood that separates them - they have different blade shapes. Get one of each! I have given several away to family members this year as presents. In doing so, I've handled about 10 of these, and can say there is decent quality control. You may need to lubricate and loosen them slightly, then they are very easy one handed open/close.

I have tried many of the other cheaper models of more expensive named brands (Spyderco, Buck, Rat, Kabar even Benchamde Min-Grip etc), and the Bee L05 is still the winner for me. There is a lot of snobbery about brands. I go with what feels right. I have also tried a fair number of the other Sanrenmu/Land/Navy knives, and these two (L05/L05-1) are the best models. Most Bee knives feel pretty good though.
 
Chris "Anagarika";9042074 said:
Sanrenmu latest website has a new class of knives: Athletic, which most of them, up to recently, are the Bee L series.

Now, who's copying who .. it's hard to decipher ...
Click to expand...

Going by their website, it appears that Sanrenmu/Land/Bee/Enlan/Ganzo are all the same company. Navy most likely is also, but I didn't see their name anywhere on the site. It is somewhat of disappointment to find out that they are making that Ganzo HK knockoff afterall.

The two Bee knives that I bought are really nice. Like I mentioned before, they are at the same level of quality as the Spyderco Tenacious that I have, which is great.
 
Knifein said:
What I mean is he should go the extra mile and pick up a more decent knife for the price. You can get the Spyderco Tenacious for around 25 bucks.
Click to expand...

It is my understanding that Sanrenmu makes the Tenacious for Spyderco
 
I have a couple of the Sanrenmu's and NAVY branded knives which are actually my favorite edc for work, the NAVY brand that is. Just very excellent made knives I would put up against any of the other edc brands I carry including American made. keepem sharp
 
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