Best nontraditional folder $10 or under?

BM 910 Stryker, straight from hong kong, $10 or so. I bought one, but ended up giving it away. Cool imitation, but bleh, I didn't need or really want it.
 
What model does Sanrenmu have that's 4" or close to 4" blade length?

The blade length of the bigger ones (Model 939; Land) is around 85 mm.

P1010469k%20srm939.jpg
 
So they abuse and underpay their workers is what you are saying.

It’s a matter of perspective. I recently talked to a young Chinese woman (21 years old) who explained her situation to me.

Her family works on a very small farm . She doesn’t want to work on the farm (hard work, low income) and she doesn’t like living in a rural community (not enough young people).

Working in a factory for her means (female) friends her own age, access to luxury goods (CD player, television, make-up, cheap jewelry) and a certain level of independency (less parental control).

She has to work hard. The job doesn’t pay well, but she is still able to save some money.

The job also offers the occasional opportunity to travel abroad and learn another language.

I’m not suggesting her life is ideal or that working circumstance couldn’t be better. Nor do I believe everybody who is working in a factory in China is as happy as she is.

But compared to factories in the first half of the last century in Europe, workers in (most) Chinese factories don’t have it that bad.
 
Are you forgetting the fact that sanrenmu makes knockoffs and we shouldn't buy knockoffs?

I’m not judging anybody. But personally I choose not to buy knock-offs and to respect original design.

In all fairness though, it’s sometimes a fine line. Most manufacturers copy design from other manufacturers at one time or another.

It’s the same with watches. Some prestigious brands make and sell watches that are copied / strongly influenced by a historic designs. Others are clearly influenced by more recent designs by direct competitors.
 
Kershaw Half Ton.
Rough Riders are nice. Actually, the photo you used looks almost identical to a Rough Rider 617 (been out for almost three years now); a well-made frame lock using 8Cr13Mov blade steel; cost is about $8.
RR617.jpg
 
Whats up with SRM?

An US or other 'western' brands knife made in the same factory is fine?

I have handled a couple and they make very decent knives. Why some of their looks too close to other products - CRKT Drifter, Buck Nobleman, etc.? Because SRM is actually making these OEM for those brands ?! I doubt any of the CEOs will admit that, as thats actually a part of their know how.
 
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In the past I have had a rather negative opinion of the Chinese government, but not their people. The Chinese people have the same hopes and dreams as we do. Whereas in the past I have strongly advocated against Chinese goods, some recent 'experimental' purchases of Chinese knives has opened my eyes. Case in point, the Bee L05 by SanRenMu. The picture below does not do the knife justice.

The fit and finish is as good as anything coming out of Taiwan. The blade grinds are perfect and the CNC milled G10 is nicely finished to give a comfortable grip without shredding pockets. Perfect blade centering, full stainless liners and a very well designed handle. If you didn't know who made the knife, I am sure it would be placed in the $50-$60 range.

L05_1.jpg
 
Personally, I would choose not to give my money to SRM, but would save a bit more more and get something on the more inexpensive side from Kershaw.

The problem I have with SRM is their blatant ripoffs from some popular designs in today's market. I've heard alot of speculation that SRM produces knives for Boker, CRKT, and Buck yet I have seen no proof to back up any of these accusations. Until that proof is revealed, if ever, I say that SRM produces many pirated designs and that is what you are buying when you purchase from them.

I don't know how factories are run in China, but this statement threw me a bit:

But compared to factories in the first half of the last century in Europe, workers in (most) Chinese factories don’t have it that bad.

Compared to factories that were run 100 years ago? I would hope at this point in 2010 that factories around the globe are run with better equipment, better safety precautions, and better pay than in 1910 Europe. :eek:
 
Tony, you are asking for proofs? Email the companies! I dont think they got balls to confirm, but maybe I am wrong, you never know. Second, you dont seem to like knives ex PRC, but look around and count how many other things do you have, that are made there?

Go buy a cheaper imported, but US brand, and but it may happen your 8cr13mov Kershaw is maybe be built in the same factory ;) Or other one.

Like it or not, SRM is the best chinese product, not oursourced, that you can have from a real chinese factory, nowadays. Enlan, who possibly makes the Bee brand as well is a close second, together with infamous 'navy' spyderco. I believe all those OEM makers make stuff for US companies as well.

The good part of it is that you can get a quality for 50usd directly from China for much less. The Bee would cost more if branded as "fill in your domestic brand''.

I think you have to open the eyes a little bit more, not everything what looks simillar is immediately to be called a knock off. You can tell that SRM used BMs axis, but someone else can tell the case with BM using the Spydie hole... hm?

Lets move to a diff. area - I guess many of you know the Rolex Submariner, do you know how many well rep`ed companies make the same looking watch? And its not the 25USD beach edition you get on the street. I am speaking about regular watchmaking companies.
 
Tony, you are asking for proofs? Email the companies! I dont think they got balls to confirm, but maybe I am wrong, you never know. Second, you dont seem to like knives ex PRC, but look around and count how many other things do you have, that are made there?

Go buy a cheaper imported, but US brand, and but it may happen your 8cr13mov Kershaw is maybe be built in the same factory ;) Or other one.

Like it or not, SRM is the best chinese product, not oursourced, that you can have from a real chinese factory, nowadays. Enlan, who possibly makes the Bee brand as well is a close second, together with infamous 'navy' spyderco. I believe all those OEM makers make stuff for US companies as well.

The good part of it is that you can get a quality for 50usd directly from China for much less. The Bee would cost more if branded as "fill in your domestic brand''.

I think you have to open the eyes a little bit more, not everything what looks simillar is immediately to be called a knock off. You can tell that SRM used BMs axis, but someone else can tell the case with BM using the Spydie hole... hm?

Lets move to a diff. area - I guess many of you know the Rolex Submariner, do you know how many well rep`ed companies make the same looking watch? And its not the 25USD beach edition you get on the street. I am speaking about regular watchmaking companies.

I'm sorry, but you're not going to change my mind. I don't have a problem with knives made in China. I own knives made in China. What I don't own are blatant ripoffs of designs made in China. Yes, Benchmade uses the Spyder Hole... With permission from Spyderco. I highly doubt that SRM has permission from Benchmade to use the Axis lock. I doubt even more that Chris Reeve allows them to use the same profile and design as his Sebenza 21. I'm not going to call companies to find out whether SRM makes knives for them because I am not the one throwing around accusations that this happens.

All you've stated so far is conjecture and heresay. You have no proof that any of these companies have a contract in any way with SRM. You've stated what you think and what you believe. Until you show me the proof of what you're talking about it's all BS to me.

Finally, we're not talking about watches, or shoes, or TV's, or DVD players, or even cars. We're talking about knives. Yes, some makers look at another maker's product and use a bit of creativity with the design to make something that may look similar, but it's not a blatant ripoff. I don't have a problem with that.

I have a problem with this.

srm710_010.jpg


crk_smicseb01.JPG


Neither of these are my pictures.
 
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Thats cool for me, that you have a diff. opinion Tony :)
To me, yes, the 710 is quite a lot inspired by the Seb, but, both are intended for diff. customers. People that buy the 710 look for a most cheapest but still decent, something that serves you well, however you wont cry when tossing it on vacation. I doubt someone with real Seb in his collection would buy a 710. So I dont think that the 710 is an actual threat to the CRK and its taking their customers away = loosing money.

The knives are very simillar, but their are not the same. So we can talk about 'inspiration' but not a 100% copy. Materials are different. Another case would be SRM making a Ti framelock with imported S30V, in this shape and selling it for 50USD. That would be something else, from my point of view. A try to steal CRKs potential customers.

Boker just proved that a Ti framelock made OEM doesnt have to be expensive - Ti Subcom of CLB or the Anti-MC thingy with ceramic blade. Both are Ti framelocks.

I appreaciate you have your own opinion on this, even if its a diff. as mine, and even though we can talk about it in a polite way, Sir :)
 
Personally, I would choose not to give my money to SRM, but would save a bit more more and get something on the more inexpensive side from Kershaw.

The problem I have with SRM is their blatant ripoffs from some popular designs in today's market. I've heard alot of speculation that SRM produces knives for Boker, CRKT, and Buck yet I have seen no proof to back up any of these accusations. Until that proof is revealed, if ever, I say that SRM produces many pirated designs and that is what you are buying when you purchase from them.

I don't know how factories are run in China, but this statement threw me a bit:



Compared to factories that were run 100 years ago? I would hope at this point in 2010 that factories around the globe are run with better equipment, better safety precautions, and better pay than in 1910 Europe.
:eek:

I believe the point is that a developing China has the SAME or better conditions for it's average citizen that America had at the same point in it's growth and expansion (ie. child labor, long work hours, etc.).

You are not doing anyone a favor by buying less or moving those factories out of mainland China nor is it a communist inspired plot for oppresion.

Just imagine if the steel mills, logging operation, minning ops and clothing shops of developing America were closed down and shipped outside the country because 'international opinion' thought America's growth was being fueled by 'sweatshop operations'.
 
The problem I have with SRM is their blatant ripoffs from some popular designs in today's market. I've heard alot of speculation that SRM produces knives for Boker, CRKT, and Buck yet I have seen no proof to back up any of these accusations. Until that proof is revealed, if ever, I say that SRM produces many pirated designs and that is what you are buying when you purchase from them.

A representative of MultiTaskerTools has stated unequivocally that SanRenMu OEM'ed for CRKT. MultiTaskerTools is a company that makes MTs for firearms users. Designed in the US and manufactured in China. I would think he'd know.

Link follows:

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,21001.msg396815.html#msg396815
 
A representative of MultiTaskerTools has stated unequivocally that SanRenMu OEM'ed for CRKT. MultiTaskerTools is a company that makes MTs for firearms users. Designed in the US and manufactured in China. I would think he'd know.

Link follows:

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,21001.msg396815.html#msg396815

I've never heard of MultiTaskerTools. Are they in any way affiliated with CRKT? Did this representative work for CRKT at some point that he would know this information as fact? How does being a representative for a company that manufactures mutil tools for firearms give him the inside track on how CRKT does business or who they use for OEM? If this is proof then we have different ideas of what proof is. I can't just take some guy's word for it because he says it matter of factly.
 
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