Brand name knives from China

timsclips

timsclips

Joined
Nov 27, 2007
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Not going into a political stance on the subject, but I was looking for feedback on Buck, Camco, Winchester, Gerber, Rough Rider, Marbles, etc knives that members may have picked up to test. Have any of them been made of decent steel that can be sharpened and hold an edge? Is fit and finish acceptable for the price? There will always be a market for knives priced under $20 and these will not be made in the USA.
 
Let's keep answers germane to the questions asked folks. I don't want to have to close another thread or limit the exchange of info.
 
timsclips said:
Not going into a political stance on the subject, but I was looking for feedback on Buck, Camco, Winchester, Gerber, Rough Rider, Marbles, etc knives that members may have picked up to test. Have any of them been made of decent steel that can be sharpened and hold an edge? Is fit and finish acceptable for the price? There will always be a market for knives priced under $20 and these will not be made in the USA.
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The Bucks seem to be the most consistent in term so fit & finish and overall quality which is good for the money. Rough Rider can be a hit or miss as different models are made at different factories which result in variances in fit & finish. I have several Rough Rider knives I purchased to test carry a particular pattern. I have a canoe and a copperhead and they are surprisingly well built. In contrast, I have a congress pattern that is junk...came with bent blades...poor fitting....etc.

I've not had any good luck with Chinese Gerbers but others have on this forum. I can't really speak to the other brands you mentioned as I have no experience with them. There have been some good threads here before doing comparisons and lengthy reviews of Chinese-made traditional pattern knives. I'll try and dig some up for you shortly.
 
Only two Rough Riders have passed through my hands. A little razor jack and a sowbelly. The razor jack had one lazy spring and one nail breaker. Didn't fit my hand anyway. Gave it away. The sowbelly was excellent, all the way around. I never got to test edge holding because the wife claimed it. "Oh, it's pretty". If you had the chance to hand pick one I'd say go for it. If ordering online ask if they could check the springs or just cross your fingers. Maybe somebody who has tried more than two will come along and give better feedback.

Frank
 
I haven't had any problems with the Bucks. I have had many and never had problems sharpening them. The longest I have ever carried a Chinese Buck has been three years and did very well. As far as Marbles is concerned, so far so good. Great fit and finish. Shaving sharp out of the box. I am not fond with the feeling of the folding hunters though, but that's just my personal taste. Gerber has given me nothing but trouble.
 
Offshore Bucks tend to be better than others, I have 1 Camco lockblade that is a clone of a Schrade LB7 that is very well made.

Winchester/Gerbers have not impressed me much, and Rough Riders can be good, or poor in my experience, with sometimes wide variation.
 
i have had good luck with my 3 gerbers
1) Freeman Folder
2) Hinderer Fire/Rescue folder
3) Mini fastdraw
all have been good knives, fit andfinish were good and i carried and abused the mini fast for about a year even had the thing on me at the beach, salt sand, etc and it still works fine i gave it to my son to add to his collection:)

i purchased a RR baby sunfish cause i love the pattern and was surprised by its fit and finish, and it takes an edge really well. Also bought a import kissing crane tiny toothpick that is okay, fit and finish is alright and the edge doesnt seem to last, not the best but it's passable.
hope this was helpful
ivan
 
Another Chinese made brand that has gotten a lot of favorable reviews here is Steel Warrior.
 
Yep, Steel Warriors (I hate that name of a traditional slippy), are some of the better ones.

Another name that doesn't come up much, but so far everyone I have owned or handled that has been extremely well made, is Cowan Creek.
 
Chinese have been making swords for centuries. There has to be some talent there.
Does anyone have examples of these?
 
DSCF0238.jpg

Here's the Buck and the Marbles that I talked about.
 
I just picked up 4 rough rider knives and I have to say they are really nice, good users,they are a bit below case as far as the fit of the handles go,but you have to look very closely to notice.blades are sharp and grinds are even,springs are strong too.the buck knives I have from china are first rate but seem thicker than the usa knives.
 
I picked up a (China) Kershaw Vapor about 2 years ago or so.. Got it at Wallys for $17.
This knife has been used hard. Takes a razor edge, keeps it for quite a while too.. It is very smooth and the frame lock still locks up very solid.

Sorry, wasn't paying attention - Its not a slippie
 
I have two Chinese made Buck slipjoints, a trapper and a stockman. I'm pretty pleased with both, I can't see any difference in fit and finish or performance with my US made Buck knives.
 
I got three chinese Buck slipjoints. Ones the trapper, other two are stockmans. I love them! Sturdy, take and keep a good edge, and, to me at least, I like the looks of them.

My uncle has carried the USA version of a buck stockman for years (#301?). I showed him my china stockman and he loved it. Went out and bought one for work. He's still uses it every day. Saves the usa one for a "sunday knife":rolleyes:.

When I get the extra cash I'm going to pick up a USA stockman and give it a try but, until then. So far, so good!:thumbup:

Sam
 
I have a Kissing Crane Copperhead sitting here I forgot I had. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.
 
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