Can China made produce a good blade?

[bld522]

That bad huh?

Yep. Like I said, they're easy to spot.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Could you provide some evidence to support this claim? Because frankly I think it's nonsense. Well to do Chinese consumers seek out Japanese cutlery and scoff at domestic ones.

I can but I wont. I learned long ago that there is no such thing as evidence when talking about this topic. Any evidence I provide will be refuted with hypothetical what ifs and conjecture. I know that no matter what I say or do to try to convince you that it will have little to not effect. And I cant convince you of what I am talking about anymore than you can convince me of what you know about chinese consumers from your NYC home. This is why I am always very clear to use the term IMHO because opinions dont fall under the same scrutiny as fact. And I am just sharing that opinion, not trying to convince anyone of anything. When someone openly admits they feel a statement is nonsense I know better these days than to try and change their mind. And I have no interest in debating the issue with you for what will only earn one or both of us an infraction.

Could you please provide some evidence to support yours?

Thats the funny thing, I dont think you can make a blanket statement like that and actually be taken seriously. Of course "well to do" chinese people seek out high end japanese steel. For gods sake most "well to do" humans seek out japanese cutlery because it has the reputation as being the best. This wasnt a question of who makes the best knives and what are the most revered in the world or what will the upper class most likely buy if money is no object. The fact remains that not everyone is "well to do" and therefore just like here there will be those who want the best they can get for the least amount of money. And that is who chinese knives cater to. Those looking to get more for their money. And a year ago I would be shouting the virtues of chinese knives from the rooftops. But now Id rather NOT convert anyone because its only going to drive up the prices and then ill have to start all over. Id rather people believe china sucks. Im in this hobby for me. And I am happy. And thats all I care about. We know all too well that we cant even pigeon hole this forum on any one topic so i dont understand why people try to do it with a whole darn country with the highest population in the world.

 

[bld522]

I can but I wont. I learned long ago that there is no such thing as evidence when talking about this topic.

Ah, but there is. And it's mounting. And it's only a matter of time before it drowns out the whimpers of those who desperately wish it would go away. And when the day comes that only the shameless continue to rant and rave over knives that come from China, I will climb to the top of that mountain of evidence and plant a flag of victory for those who have contributed fearlessly and relentlessly to the truth.

So, anybody else want to talk about their personal, hands-on experiences with their Chinese-made knives?

 

[22-rimfire]

Bob W's post nudged me to order a AG Russell Sow Belly trapper (4.25" length) which is made in China. I want to play with this one and I know AG really pays attention to the knives he has made regardless of country of origin. I also ordered the CRKT tomahawk with the hammer end. This is a purchase I kept pushing aside. So, yeah, I buy some Chinese made stuff.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Ah, but there is. And it's mounting. And it's only a matter of time before it drowns out the whimpers of those who desperately wish it would go away. And when the day comes that only the shameless continue to rant and rave over knives that come from China, I will climb to the top of that mountain of evidence and plant a flag of victory for those who have contributed fearlessly and relentlessly to the truth.

Let me clarify BLD. There is evidence under my definitions of such. What I meant to say is there is no evidence no matter how strong that will be accepted by those opposed to the idea. When people are convinced of what they know I find they stay convinced despite any evidence.

 

[bld522]

I'd be surprised if you're not delighted with it. A.G. is pretty picky about the QC on knives that bear his trademark.

 

[bld522]

Let me clarify BLD. There is evidence under my definitions of such. What I meant to say is there is no evidence no matter how strong that will be accepted by those opposed to the idea. When people are convinced of what they know I find they stay convinced despite any evidence.

No, I understand. But the truth will eventually prevail. It always does . . .

 

[22-rimfire]

Without this thread, I probably would not have ordered that traditional. And yeah, I expect it to be pretty well made or I would't have ordered it.

 

[GronK]

The nice thing about China made knives is they're nicely affordable so you can still buy one after your job is outsourced!

 

[KenHash]

I can but I wont. I learned long ago that there is no such thing as evidence when talking about this topic. Any evidence I provide will be refuted with hypothetical what ifs and conjecture. I know that no matter what I say or do to try to convince you that it will have little to not effect. And I cant convince you of what I am talking about anymore than you can convince me of what you know about chinese consumers from your NYC home. This is why I am always very clear to use the term IMHO because opinions dont fall under the same scrutiny as fact. And I am just sharing that opinion, not trying to convince anyone of anything. When someone openly admits they feel a statement is nonsense I know better these days than to try and change their mind. And I have no interest in debating the issue with you for what will only earn one or both of us an infraction.

You won't because you can't. You made a bold statement but when called on it resort to evasion. Where I live is irrelevant because in my line of business I have quite a few Chinese business contacts and hear their opinions directly. Not just China but Taiwan and Hong Kong as well. The Japanese cutlery industry hasn't competed directly with China's since the mid 1990s.
When you start seeing Knives made in China using the latest powder steels and costing ridiculously high prices your "opinion" might carry some more weight. I try not to make bold statements unless I can substantiate it, otherwise I'd just be talking out my hindquarters.

 

[bld522]

The nice thing about China made knives is they're nicely affordable so you can still buy one after your job is outsourced!

Too late, alas. But I've got a nice lance I can lend you for your next windmill attack. Just try and bring it back in one piece if you don't mind.

So where were we? Oh yeah. Anybody else with personal, hands-on experience want to talk about the quality (or lack thereof) of their Chinese-made knives?

 

[bld522]

When you start seeing Knives made in China using the latest powder steels and costing ridiculously high prices your "opinion" might carry some more weight.

Oh, you mean like S35VN? If that counts, I'm still waiting for those ridiculously high prices you refer to. I haven't seen them yet. Oh, and if that should happen, I'm still a value buyer. If China doesn't provide the value I'm looking for, I'll simply look elsewhere. But right now, they do. BIG TIME!

 

[22-rimfire]

Can a good blade be manufactured in China? The answer is yes whether you like it or not. Many people love the Rough Rider knives because they are inexpensive and the fit and finish is consistently very good.

 

[B.F.U]

Yes. It has the largest population of any nation. Obviously someone there is making quality. Kizer makes good stuff. I'll say, I don't have any because there are so many other offerings.

Do what you feel, buy what you want. Nothing wrong with going for US made.

 

[bld522]

None at all. Just depends on what your priorities are. Mine are to my wallet. YMMV.

 

[PURPLEDC]

You won't because you can't. You made a bold statement but when called on it resort to evasion. Where I live is irrelevant because in my line of business I have quite a few Chinese business contacts and hear their opinions directly. Not just China but Taiwan and Hong Kong as well. The Japanese cutlery industry hasn't competed directly with China's since the mid 1990s.
When you start seeing Knives made in China using the latest powder steels and costing ridiculously high prices your "opinion" might carry some more weight. I try not to make bold statements unless I can substantiate it, otherwise I'd just be talking out my hindquarters.

What like the chinese knives using Bohler M390 and S35VN? Where have you been? Either way I am not going to debate this with you. I cant confirm any of your claims. I dont know your "Business contacts" And you dont know mine. So we would just be sitting here throwing unverifiable information at each other as if it matters. The point is others and I have the knives you think dont exist. Reate uses M390 and s35vn. Crucible has confirmed their orders for steel. And maybe call up todd begg about his steelcraft knives he is having made in china by reate and will be sold for $450 a piece. What was that about hindquarters? What I find hilarious is someone who has no experience with high end chinese knives thinks he knows more than those who do. Armchair expertise at its finest.

 

[KenHash]

What like the chinese knives using Bohler M390 and S35VN? Where have you been? Either way I am not going to debate this with you. I cant confirm any of your claims. I dont know your "Business contacts" And you dont know mine. So we would just be sitting here throwing unverifiable information at each other as if it matters. The point is others and I have the knives you think dont exist. Reate uses M390 and s35vn. Crucible has confirmed their orders for steel. And maybe call up todd begg about his steelcraft knives he is having made in china by reate and will be sold for $450 a piece. What was that about hindquarters?

Are you under the misimpression that Bohler 390 and s35vn are steels developed by Chinese companies?

 

[22-rimfire]

I have to admit that when Chinese made knives reference higher end steels, I think twice about it. They could say anything they want to and I would not be able to truly refute it. So, stick with the brands or retailers that you trust regardless of country of origin.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Are you under the misimpression that Bohler 390 and s35vn are steels developed by Chinese companies?

Bohler steel isnt made in the USA yet people are impressed when USA makers use it. Are you under the misimpression which by the way isnt a word, that knife manufacturers only use domestically made steel? Keep moving goal posts. You didnt say when china started manufacturing powdered steels. You said when they start making knives with them which they do. News flash, most knife companies dont make their own steel and they dont only buy domestic.

 

[bld522]

Are you under the misimpression that Bohler 390 and s35vn are steels developed by Chinese companies?

Are you under the misimpression that Bohler M390 and S35VN steels are NOT being used by Chinese companies?

which by the way isnt a word

I know. But I had to use it anyway. Got to speak to these people in a language they understand.

So parsing out the information in this thread from those who have ACTUAL, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE of Chinese-made knives, I conclude that the answer to the OP's question is an overwhelming YES!