Buying American ?

[5.56]

This is a very large and important issue with many points of view. I'd like to add some interesting "facts" that should be considered;

1. Size and money. America is too large to be a successful trading only nation. A smaller country like Netherlands can support the entire country by trading, but 350 million people cannot all trade. We MUST build product in America, we MUST grow food in America.

2. Global market and money. The concept of a Global market is skewed in that it is not an even playing field. An artificial currency valuation constantly changes the "global Market". 20 years ago, Japan was great value because the Yen was weak. Now the Yen is strong and the Chinese Yuan is weak. A US dollar is worth far more when it crosses the border into China. The US dollar is worth less when crossing the border into Europe or Japan. That's why there is so much deviation in the price of knives made in different places.

3. Import and money. The average US company having product made in China will generally make more profit selling that product in America than their Chinese partners make. If those funds are used to strengthen our manufacturing/food growing base, then it's an asset. If those funds are just undermining our Mfg/food gr base, then it will cause future problems.

4. Buying power and money. Continual lowering of wages in the US makes it more difficult for American workers to afford American products. We really need to focus on not only creating jobs, but they must be good paying jobs if we expect those workers to "buy American".

Just some thoughts to share.

sal

And I'll add another "fact" to that.

Too many companies are sending jobs overseas, when they could be creating them here.

 

[Damn_Animal]

And I'll add another "fact" to that.

A lot of companies are sending jobs overseas, when they could be creating them here.

Would just like to throw my two cents in here, Three knives that I have not been able to talk myself into owning even though I realy realy like them are from Spyderco, Sage II, PPT, and Gayle Bradley because they are expensive yet made in Taiwan.

I have to give 2 thumbs up for benchmade when they got rid of the redclass they no longer make a knife thats not US made.

Just to point out I like both Spyderco and BM no real bias

 

[nemesis]

well i aold nearly every knife i owned this weekend at a local gunshow so i can go all american made. all i have left is a Benchmade 551, a handmade i got as a gift on my 14th birthday and an old old schrade knife (back when they were made here) that was my grandfathers; it had been in the basement and had some damage and my dad had it re-worked and a sheath made for it. now im starting over. made in USA only, im trying to do this in as many areas of life as possible.

also ordered a Benchmade 950 Rift today

 

[miuamiu]

I'm not American.

As a knife enthusiast, build quality, design etc are more important to me than country of origin; that said, I have nothing against people (American or otherwise) who disagree with me. I respect their opinion, but not the occasional judgements that anything outside America is a POS. (Indeed, judging any product based on country of origin)

I completely concur with what you stated. It doesn't matter to me where it is made. As long as the product is resplendent and talks to me, whether it be from China, USA, Germany. It's mine for the taking!

 

[5.56]

Would just like to throw my two cents in here, Three knives that I have not been able to talk myself into owning even though I realy realy like them are from Spyderco, Sage II, PPT, and Gayle Bradley because they are expensive yet made in Taiwan.

I have to give 2 thumbs up for benchmade when they got rid of the redclass they no longer make a knife thats not US made.

Just to point out I like both Spyderco and BM no real bias

Benchmade's HK line is still made in China I believe.

But it seems they have seen the light and are moving more towards total USA manufacture. And this is very good news.

EDIT: To add that the BM Bone Collector is a good alternative to the Taiwan Sage and PPT. It features a Spyderhole and D2/G10 with axis lock and is made in the USA of course.

 

[bpiatt]

I try my best to buy everything american the best I can. But i do find myself browsing walmart once and awhile for certain things. as far as knives go its american only though.

 

[GallantEdge]

And I'll add another "fact" to that.

Too many companies are sending jobs overseas, when they could be creating them here.

If you run a publicly traded company, and your competing companies send job overseas and you don't, pretty soon you won't have employees to protect any way. Stockholders are no more loyal than the American consumer. I don't think that is right but it is reality.

 

[555]

I buy mostly USA Made knives and will buy some like a SAK for example made outside the US. As I have watched my choices for buying USA made products growing less over time, it has me buying and supporting US goods so I can have this is choice into not only my future, but my children's future too.

The only ban for myself buying knives and other things made outside the US I avoid by all possible means, is making sure as few of my dollars that I control goes to supporting Communism, be it foreign or domestic.

 

[HonedEdge]

Even though it's been said a thousand times, if given the choice I believe in supporting a local economy. I would hate to see any knife company that makes a product that I'm proud to own have to outsource to stay competative and make ends meat, possibly at the cost of making a lesser product. (yes, I understand that there is way more that goes into that statement then my over simplifying it).

On the flip side, I have no prolem buying any knife from a company that takes their craft seriously. If a company makes the effort to forge a knife that I would be proud to own, then I suppose they deserve the attention I would give any knife manufacturer. Microtech comes to mind as a company that makes a solid product with terrible customer service right here in the USA. The product says we take our knives seriously, the attitude says go buy something else.

Maybe I should learn how to make my own knives lol.

 

[KenM K]

In general I always try to buy made in the USA when I can. I also try to buy the best quality product when I buy it. If a different country makes a product that is really better then one made in the USA I will not fault anyone for doing that.

I try to support companies that pay workers a decent living wage. In general the USA, Canada and Europe all do this. Japan also makes some quality products. I have not issue buying from HI because my understanding is they try to pay their kamis well.

It's not about the companies to me it's about the workers. I try not to buy made in China things because the workers are not treated well. I am always willing to spend more money if I know a company is treating their workers well.

It pisses me off when people say our wages healthcare is what led to the outsourcing. Everyone deserves to be paid a fair living wage with healthcare and a pension. it the people who continue to support companies that put profit above people that have caused our economic situation. People blame politicians to much when it is our own fault for our economic decline. We made the choices that we would rather save a dollar here and there buying outsourced good instead of domestic made.

In the automotive world after the latest Toyota recalls that say they buy a Toyota over domestic made are just full of it now. They had a huge design flaw that has led to several deaths now that they tried to cover up. The US car makers are currently making some very good quality cars. Full size trucks the big three still make the best quality most reliable trucks. Anyone that currently buys a Toyota over the big three due to quality are full of it. Notice I am not knocking the other Japanese brands because they have yet to have the huge quality control issue Toyota has.

 

[5.56]

It should be noted also that there are plenty of successful knifemaking companies that produce only USA made knives.

And I am sure they are proud of it too.

 

[GallantEdge]

It should be noted also that there are plenty of successful knifemaking companies that produce only USA made knives.

And I am sure they are proud of it too.

I agree. I don't know but I am guessing that they do it by using the latest and greatest machinery and using the bare minimum of employees needed to run the machines. The idea of building cars this way was objected to strongly by the unions.

 

[kamagong]

I prefer to buy American, but I won't buy a knife solely because it is made domestically. I have to like the knife first. Some people have already pointed out that the majority of our clothes, cars, and computers are made abroad. That is very true and because of that fact I am thankful to have the choice of buying a knife made in this country.

 

[godot]

In general, American knives are among the the best knives being made in the world right now. If you compare the price of a US made knife made and sold here with anywhere else on the planet they seem like a bargain.
Our knives tend to sell for twice as much in the UK and Europe then online here. They are real value.
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Having said the above, I have nothing against a cheap import to lend to others or carry to jury duty and hide in a bush outside the building to be retrieved after leaving the government building. They are also fine for really dirty mechanical work in when they are likely to be abused or broken. In short-throw away knives.

 

[sappyg]

The idea of building cars this way was objected to strongly by the unions.

yep... kinda why BMW builds in SC now... just a guess.

 

[Brian Sargent]

I agree. I don't know but I am guessing that they do it by using the latest and greatest machinery and using the bare minimum of employees needed to run the machines. The idea of building cars this way was objected to strongly by the unions.

Bark River isn't huge and they do use machines but the end product is convex ground by hand.

 

[jnevill]

I can't believe this thread has been allowed to go on this long without being shut down, kudos to the mods running this particular forum. I post a lot in the traditional forum, and this topic wouldn't have even made it to the second post without being pulled. It's a hot topic, and one we as knife collectors MUST discuss openly.

I see many many people proudy displaying their collection of, let's just say, "off shore" knives. These brands are not Buck, Spyderco and the like with a line made off shore for a price point, they are completely off shore brands owned by those who only wish to make a profit off knife collectors, they are doing nothing but harm to the hobby I love and have loved for more than 25 years. And some of these people are scandalous and come from scandalous bloodlines, some of you know who I am talking about.

Knife collecting is a hobby, knives are no longer a necessity in modern times like they used to be, but a luxury. Most of us could live all of our lives with 3 or 4 of our better mades knives, and never "have" to buy another. We stock pile them because we love the hobby.

If we do not support American made knives, they will go away. Period. We are living in a great time, American knife companies are making the finest cutlery with the finest materials in the history of the business. Sure, you can buy 8 "off shore" knives for what I paid for my last Northfiled Stag knife, and twice that many for what I paid for my last Spyderco and Benchmade, and sitting in your cigar box or safe, it sure looks the same, but pull it out and use it like I use my Northfield #25, or my Case Swayback Jack, or my 940, and see how long it holds up.

I could go on for hours, but nobody is probably still reading this anyway, but if you are, and you are a fan of these rough riders and other chinese made crap, let me ask you this - have you ever held a 100 year old Case knife in your hand? I have. I have also USED that 100 year old Case knife, and still use a 60 year old one almost daily. I just sharpened a Case XX stockman, it is a thing of beauty that will live longer than me, and has taken a beating for 60 years and still out cuts any and all rough riders.

Do you honestly thing your grandkids will be using your 60 year old rough rider?

Well, they might, because that might be their only choice...

Jim

 

[jimh0220]

I'm in the USA, work in the USA, hope others in the USA keep working so I buy from USA knife makers. Simple.

Glad you're so committed to this, but do not think that buying from other countries only eliminates jobs, as it create many jobs as well: finance, purchasing, banking, transportation (all modes), etc, etc,.

I recently found the BladeTech has their HQ in my area, so I paid them a visit. They make a fair number of their knives, and all of their kydex products, in their local plant. They also, in the same plant, employ many employees that do nothing but handle their imported lines. Both US and foreign made goods creating jobs in the same plant.

That is the typical US my friend.

 

[A.P.F.]

Would just like to throw my two cents in here, Three knives that I have not been able to talk myself into owning even though I realy realy like them are from Spyderco, Sage II, PPT, and Gayle Bradley because they are expensive yet made in Taiwan.

I have to give 2 thumbs up for benchmade when they got rid of the redclass they no longer make a knife thats not US made.

Just to point out I like both Spyderco and BM no real bias

You are doing yourself a great disservice, my friend, if you have not closely examined the quality of the knives you mentioned. The Gayle Bradley is probably the best made and finished knife that I own, and I own a significant number. In fact, I think many Spyderco owners would agree, that the Taiwan product frequently eclipses even Seki City.

 

[555]

Glad you're so committed to this, but do not think that buying from other countries only eliminates jobs, as it create many jobs as well: finance, purchasing, banking, transportation (all modes), etc, etc,.

I just see the some humor in the types of jobs created and how this has worked out in resent history.