Can China made produce a good blade?

[Haze]

I'm stitting infront of a computer in Taiwan right now.

Haze, I respect your personal experience and appreciate what you've shared with this discussion. I think this "Chinese Spring" for knives is fairly recent. I think most of the good examples of Chinese knives have been around for less than 5 years, so I'm certain your first hand experience is completely valid just perhaps not applicable to current production. Affordable CNC is a fairly recent thing also.

I don't think I could go back to pre-2005 and find Chinese knives that I felt were worthy of purchase or support, in fact I think the roots of quality Chinese knives lay in the US companies setting up facilities there. Much of the early growth came in the form of copies and rip-offs, but a segment of that spin off industry has matured to produce quality, original knives.

These quality, high-value Chinese offerings ARE a recent thing and I encourage you to check them out.

 

[bld522]

Apparently that's not far enough.

There's an old saying that applies here, I think. Keep your friends close . . . and your enemies closer.

 

[KenHash]

Knives, like firearms, often retain much of their original value if ever resold. Some makers and models do appreciate but that's not the norm.
How does "Made in China" affect a knife's resale value? Especially as there appears to be, for various reasons and rightly or wrongly, a bias at worst
and quality skepticism at best from many consumers? I'm talking about modern factory knives, not custom brands that might have it's own following,
or knives that have historical value.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Knives, like firearms, often retain much of their original value if ever resold. Some makers and models do appreciate but that's not the norm.
How does "Made in China" affect a knife's resale value? Especially as there appears to be, for various reasons and rightly or wrongly, a bias at worst
and quality skepticism at best from many consumers? I'm talking about modern factory knives, not custom brands that might have it's own following,
or knives that have historical value.

In my experience the chinese knives I have resold have similar depreciation to other knives i have owned. The reason being that the people who have purchased them from me are like minded individuals who feel the same way I do about them. Im sure if someone who wasnt very fond of or didnt have much experience with a chinese knife may want to lob me off at the knees on the price because its the only way he feels comfortable giving it a shot but for the most part its just like any other knife. You gotta get the right buyer. But I havent had any issues moving any of my chinese knives. In fact with all the hype surrounding them these days I find them a bit easier to get rid of. Especially reate's. They dont make a ton of them so as long as you sell when a certain model is hitting a dry spell you really do OK.

Now I will say knives that start in china and then get otherwise finished in another area of the world such as CKF? Those dont seem to hold value nearly as well but I think that has more to do with people feeling they are a bit overpriced to begin with. Decent knives but you pay a premium for them. And I feel some makers in china are all ready making superior products in whole so I dont feel the premium is worth it. YMMV.

 

[brancron]

You either trust Chinese manufacturing or you don't.

What the hell is "Chinese manufacuring"? This is a ridiculous notion. There are many individual manufacturers in China. A lot of them make shitty, cheap knives because that's what American companies are effectively asking for by making their buying prices so low. Some make excellent knives that rival any made in the USA and at competive prices. Some even make knives that exceed any and all USA production makers in terms of quality.

If you have no experience with the latter two categories, then stop speaking in generalities about "Chinese manufacturers" and "Chinese quality." It's completely disingenuous.

 

[PURPLEDC]

What the h*%& is "Chinese manufacuring"? This is a ridiculous notion. There are many individual manufacturers in China. A lot of them make (crappy) , cheap knives because that's what American companies are effectively asking for by making their buying prices so low. Some make excellent knives that rival any made in the USA and at competive prices. Some even make knives that exceed any and all USA production makers in terms of quality.

If you have no experience with the latter two categories, then stop speaking in generalities about "Chinese manufacturers" and "Chinese quality." It's completely disingenuous.

While you are on 11 where as im trying to stay about a 7, lol I have to agree. Not all american quality is the same. Not all chinese quality will be the same. Gotta take it on a case by case basis. China is still earth, still humans and they have all the access to technology if not more than we do. Sure the place has its issues. But doesnt everywhere really?

 

[Hackenslash]

Knives, like firearms, often retain much of their original value if ever resold. Some makers and models do appreciate but that's not the norm.
How does "Made in China" affect a knife's resale value? Especially as there appears to be, for various reasons and rightly or wrongly, a bias at worst
and quality skepticism at best from many consumers? I'm talking about modern factory knives, not custom brands that might have it's own following,
or knives that have historical value.

Amongst the brands that have established some degree of track record I think the resale value is decent. Take, for example a Spyderco Tenacious. Those can regularly be found on the exchange for $30-40, while new ones sell for a little over $40. Keep in mind, however, that not too many years ago a Tenacious was a $25 knife so it's possible they could be re-selling at a higher price. I think the similar is true with Chinese Kershaws, but at a little higher discount. The CRKT's and Bokers are discounted a little more, all dependent on the esteem held for an individual brand.

If you look at the Chinese only brands, Kizer seems to have a similar resale discount as Kershaw, probably not as good as Spyderco. The SanRenMu's, Enlans, Ganzos don't really have much resale value because...well...there just isn't much resale value in a readily available $20 knife. Reate seems to be an exception. I've seem them resold at a very small discount and sometimes at or just over the original sale price depending on the popularity of the specific model. A LNIB Reate Horizon A or B may actually resell at more than the last stock sold as new. I also predict people will go nuts over the Begg Steelseries Kwaiken when they get out in the wild. A Begg for $450 in limited numbers will likely appreciate in value given time. The same may be said for the Reate/Yamin Valkyrie and the Reate/Mah designs.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Those problems may not be unique to the Peoples' Republic of China, but they are endemic in the People's Republic of China, and that's the point.

Regarding your litany of Chinese products you choose to use, most people's flat screen TVs will likely be Mexican as Mexico is the worlds largest exporter of flat screen TVs. Is the Chinese one you bought a counterfeited copy?

Nope. Panasonic Viera purchased from HH greg. Assembled in mexico of mostly chinese parts. Most products even if Assembled in another country doesnt mean it was from the ground up.

Who here feeds there dog(s) Chinese dog food and Chinese dog treats? What's not to trust?

Not sure how its relevant. I dont eat my knives do you? I got sick from some bad burger king once. Must mean we cant make knives either.

 

[bld522]

Knives, like firearms, often retain much of their original value if ever resold. Some makers and models do appreciate but that's not the norm.

True that. I think it's pretty well understood that if you're going to buy knives, you shouldn't buy them for their investment value no matter where they come from. Having said that, some knives retain their value better than others. That's part of the educational process every prospective knife purchaser ought to go through when they consider a knife purchase. But it certainly isn't at the top of my list of considerations when I purchase knives. It's just something I need to keep in mind.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Just as likely Taiwan, South Korea, or other Asian countries as it is the People's Republic of China.

There's no argument to win or lose. You either trust Chinese manufacturing or you do not.

And you have either handled and used a high end chinese knife or you havent. You have not.

 

[bld522]

Darn it. Where's that awesome Purple post when I need it. I know I left it around here somewhere . . .

Really people, if you don't what you're talking about, please don't try to convince us that you do. We're going to see right through you. Don't you know that? Or don't you care?

Be impeccable with your word!

Agreement No. 1
The Four Agreements

 

[RevolverGuy]

I've seen so-so Chinese made knives and I've seen some good ones as well, but most of the ones I have seen are not very good when it comes to fit/finish. Someone mentioned how they tend to use their resources to mostly copy other designs. I find this mainly to be true and I believe it has to do with the culture and the communistic roots they have. I can't remember where I heard it but communism/socialism hinders creativity. I imagine that even if they have talented people putting those knives together, their work force is not encouraged to come up with their own ideas/designs.

 

[bld522]

Yet another Guy that needs to spend some time in the Kizer and Reate forums.

You can lead a horse to water . . .

 

[Haze]

Your condecsending arrogance is obsurd and needless. Please do tell us what it is that qualifies one as "knowing what they're talking about". Tell us what makes you so solid here ?

Darn it. Where's that awesome Purple post when I need it. I know I left it around here somewhere . . .

Really people, if you don't what you're talking about, please don't try to convince us that you do. We're going to see right through you. Don't you know that? Or don't you care?

Be impeccable with your word!

Agreement No. 1
The Four Agreements

 

[Hackenslash]

I imagine that even if they have talented people putting those knives together, their work force is not encouraged to come up with their own ideas/designs.

Tell that to the Kizer Walkabout...original almost to a flaw, lol. Funny thing about that knife, the prototype used human footprints in the scales while the production version uses animal footprints. We may have our first true Lycanthrope knife! Better get one fast and lock it down during full moons.

 

[bld522]

Your condecsending arrogance is obsurd and needless. Please do tell us what it is that qualifies one as "knowing what they're talking about". Tell us what makes you so solid here ?

The fact that I speak from my own personal, hands-on experience of high-quality, Chinese-made knives that are in current production. Can you say the same?

I'd submit that the only condescending arrogance going on this thread is by those who either speak as if they have actual hands-on experience when they don't or don't even attempt to engage in a discussion of the knives themselves while claiming to participate in what's supposed to be a knife discussion forum. :thumbdn:

If you can't talk about the knives, why are you even here?

 

[timberweasel]

Hell, I loves me some Chinese food. Kung Po chicken is delicious! I also like cuisine from Italy, France, India, Africa, Ireland, Mexico, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Israel (and many more countries,) and my Ma's home-cookin' too. I've had less than stellar meals from reputable restaurants, and have enjoyed surprisingly savoury dishes from obscure, hidden away eateries. I also enjoy cooking at home (and do a fair job of it, if I do say so m'self) but I've pooched more than a few main courses...

Sorry for the drift; can't think of how it could possibly relate to cutlery...

-Brett

 

[Haze]

Are you joking ? You bought a few knives and now your king of the thing, are you. One of my best mates here has a huge knife shop, I have played with all the "high end" Chinese knives. I'll be there on Thursday, want some pictures of your wee darlings ? They don't sell too well over here for some reason so they will still be there. ...

The fact that I speak from my own personal, hands-on experience of high-quality, Chinese-made knives that are in current production. Can you say the same?

I'd submit that the only condescending arrogance going on this thread is by those who speak as if they have actual hands-on experience when they don't or don't even bother trying to engage in a discussion of the knives themselves in a knife discussion forum.

 

[bld522]

Are you joking ? You bought a few knives and now your king of the thing, are you.

It's a few more than you've got.

One of my best mates here has a huge knife shop, I have played with all the "high end" Chinese knives. I'll be there on Thursday, want some pictures of your wee darlings ? They don't sell too well over here for some reason so they will still be there. ...

Sure. Bring them! At least we'll have knives to talk about.

 

[GronK]

And you have either handled and used a high end chinese knife or you havent. You have not.

I've never experienced an A bomb either and I'm pretty doggone sure I wouldn't like it. It's not necessary to experience something to know it's not for you.