BK&T's.... too bad

J

jforbush

Joined
Sep 29, 2007
Messages
1,244
It is really shame that Mr. Becker took his business over to a company that now farms out his blades to Japan and Taiwan. I own pretty much every BK&T that was made from Camillus. I was happy and proud to buy those knives because they were made in America by American workers. I have always been a HUGH proponent to purchasing any and ALL knives that are made in the USA. I am saddened that Mr Becker choose to allow Ka-Bar to farm out the work or that he even chose a company in the first place that does that. I have always associated the name Becker with "fine AMERICAN craftsmanship", "quality AMERICAN knives", and so on and so on. I will not be following Mr Becker over to KA-Bar. I still really like his designs but WILL NOT purchase a knife that is made overseas. :(
 
You must be referring to the BK-11 limited edition made in Japan with a San Mai (laminated steel) blade? From what Ethan has posted, all of the production line will be made here in the U.S.A.

As far as Camillus knives being made here in the U.S., the company got it's start as an importer of knives from England, Germany and Austria. Then they began importing the workers. Camillus had imported knives and components intermitently up until the closing in 2007.

But as mentioned, I don't think you have to boycott Ethan Becker's designs made by KaBar, unless you have something against Ethan or KaBar, or the workers there. Japan and Taiwan (and China) are not involved with the design or production of the new KaBar BK&T knives other than that one special limited edition.

Codger
 
I have NOTHING against any of the above mentioned. I am only making the statement that it is a shame that a great American knife maker would allow ANY of his knives made by overseas hands. I understand that it is only one knife but it has to start somewhere right? Before you know it is the entire line. I truly hope that Ethan and Ka-Bar will keep the remainder of their production here in the states but I will not buy a knife made overseas!!! My personal preference. I would prefer to pay more money and get a American made knife any day of the week.

As far as Camillus....... I understand all of that but they were made by AMERICAN workers in AMERICA.
 
jforbush said:
As far as Camillus....... I understand all of that but they were made by AMERICAN workers in AMERICA.
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Yes. As far as the Becker line, as far as I know that is true. I too prefer to buy knives made in this country by workers from this country. Cutlerys who do not import either some finished knives or components from overseas are few and far between though.

I am reminded, however, that most of those workers were decended from foriegn workers who came here to work at Camillus, some well into the 1970's. I understand that at least one of those workers, an Englishman I believe, had some very direct involvement in the development and production of the Becker line, working directly with Ethan, language barriers not withstanding ;) .

It would not surprise me at all to learn that there were foriegn nationals working at every one of the few remaining cutlerys here in the U.S. Talent from abroad, as it were.
 
jforbush said:
I have NOTHING against any of the above mentioned. I am only making the statement that it is a shame that a great American knife maker would allow ANY of his knives made by overseas hands. I understand that it is only one knife but it has to start somewhere right? Before you know it is the entire line. I truly hope that Ethan and Ka-Bar will keep the remainder of their production here in the states but I will not buy a knife made overseas!!! My personal preference. I would prefer to pay more money and get a American made knife any day of the week.

As far as Camillus....... I understand all of that but they were made by AMERICAN workers in AMERICA.
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well, don't buy the BK11CSM then. the others are american made.

or don't buy them at all :)


Bladite
 
Wow. I usually don't look at the Camillus forum, but the Becker caught my eye. While I don't have any Beckers yet, I do plan on purchasing one or a few in the future. I'm excited that they are being produced again. It sounds like there is some worry of a worst case scenario here. Maybe I have too much faith in Ethan Becker and Kabar, but from what I've read, it sounds like Ethan knows who his customer base is and knows that it's important to a lot of them that his knives are made in the USA. As far as the limited edition Necker, I just figured that the Japanese have better skill making San Mai blades. As far as I know, blades produced in Japan are done so because of their quality, not the price. As a side note, some of the most beautiful SOG knives I own are made in Seki Japan. Any other SOG knives I've seen (including USA made ones) seem to be of a bit lesser quality. All I'm saying is that it is only one knife that I see as being made in Japan due to the capabilities of the knife manufacturers over there. I don't think it is necessary to frown on the whole line of Kabar Beckers because of one knife.
 
dl351 said:
Wow. I usually don't look at the Camillus forum, but the Becker caught my eye. While I don't have any Beckers yet, I do plan on purchasing one or a few in the future. I'm excited that they are being produced again. It sounds like there is some worry of a worst case scenario here. Maybe I have too much faith in Ethan Becker and Kabar, but from what I've read, it sounds like Ethan knows who his customer base is and knows that it's important to a lot of them that his knives are made in the USA. As far as the limited edition Necker, I just figured that the Japanese have better skill making San Mai blades. As far as I know, blades produced in Japan are done so because of their quality, not the price. As a side note, some of the most beautiful SOG knives I own are made in Seki Japan. Any other SOG knives I've seen (including USA made ones) seem to be of a bit lesser quality. All I'm saying is that it is only one knife that I see as being made in Japan due to the capabilities of the knife manufacturers over there. I don't think it is necessary to frown on the whole line of Kabar Beckers because of one knife.
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and there's the thing. i don't anyone really, that produces quality san-mai, that's not in japan or didn't buy their steel from japan [1]

the BK11CSM is a jewel. it costs MORE than a BK7/9 right now and almost as much as the BK3 tac-tool, so anyone thinking "cheap asian import" is dead wrong. it's quality (it might be TOO good). my understanding is that the man that finishes these things, *hand* strops each and everyone to a highly polished edge. VERY sharp. very VERY nice finish. plus it's san-mai, and they didn't coat it. should make for a VERY formidable outdoors, survival, backup blade in general.

[1] how many american knives, typically stock removal method not forged, are made from IMPORTED steel [2]? mmm? yah. a lot of those lovely exotic steels we so like... not american made. if one is going to complain about this, make sure that all the materials from balls to bone are american. [3]

[2] i *believe* that the handles on typical beckers are made from the swiss glass filled material (grivory/gv6h)... made not in america. doesn't seem to matter right? best handles EVER :) except the micarta ones :> need to buy a dozen of those when they are available again. heh.

[3] like some famous name motorcycles. foreign parts ;)


Bladite
 
The BK11CSM is far from a cheap import.

It's a special edition, made in Japan due to their expertise in the manufacture of San mai steels. It's a novelty item for the most part but very cool indeed.

I don't think the fact that it's made overseas is a detrement to Becker in the least.
 
I have found after reading more, that the Becker line is made in the USA, but the sheaths will be made from Taiwan, not Commie China.
 
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