Stone him!
Seriously, though, cough up the extra $10 and get him an American-made Buck 303 or 301. Hell, I'll even chip in $10 to help cover the costs.
Absolutely. Read on:
No way can China compete with U.S.A. Cutlery Quality. Also, who wants to collect China knives? Sellers are not honest up front with the Made in China cutlery business. Most knives say Stainless Steel, that's all! China knives are made with re-cycled 440A and 440B stainless steel. All U.S.A. knives are made from New 440C or 440HC steel. Do you notice today all gas barbecues are stainless steel, yeah cheap 440A and 440B stainless steel from China even from Weber!
Most commonly you see just 440 Stainless Steel. 440C was the first generally accepted knife makers' stainless and remains quite popular, particularly since the sub-zero process was developed to add toughness. 440C produces an excellent, serviceable and durable knife, even for the new knife maker. Anneals at very low temperature. Please note that 440A and 440B are similar alloys, often confused with 440C, but not worth a damn for knife making use. Commercial China made knife companies mark blades 440. That means it's 440A and 440B, one of the garbage versions, giving the real stuff a bad name.
420HC Surgical Stainless, Other High Carbon Steel or Tool Steel is whats wanted in America. These steels have the hardness for a Great America. Many American companies have gone to China for GARBAGE KNIVES. The dealers won't even include in their auctions "MADE IN CHINA", Why? Because it's PURE JUNK and you won't buy it. In China a knife can be made for a half a buck or less, (a bowl of rice?) China is a communist regime , heads up, we don't know what's going on there?
Buck Knives still has almost all it's Cutlery US made (Don't buy the Buck folding pocket knives with wood scales or red jigged bone, they are all Made In China). Case, Queen, Moore Maker is 100% USA. Other companies have closed their doors or went to China, SHRADE, OLD TIMER, UNCLE HENRY, CAMILUS, COLONIAL etc.
Shipment of scrap steel from New York's collapsed World Trade Center "Ground Zero" went to Shanghai according to media reports. The steel was bought by Shanghai Baosteel Group Corp., and several other domestic mills, which are always eager to buy scrap metal. Scrap metal contains different steels and other metals and impurities. Scrap has to be processed in different ways to make the desirable steels.
Baosteel Group, the nation's largest steel firm, had purchased 50,000 tons of the scrap steel from "Ground Zero," the ruins of the September 11 terrorist attack, at no more than US$120 each TON, according to Beijing Youth Daily. Then they sell it back to westerners for 1000% profit.
China, the world's largest steel maker in terms of output, relies heavily on imports of scrap for its steel production. Example, China imported 5.1 million tons of scrap in 2000.
Don't buy it, ask the Seller "Where is it Made", when they answer China, say "Not Interested, I'm an American"!
