Chinese clones of Chinese brands

vanadium

vanadium

Joined
Apr 5, 2003
Messages
807
I'm often amazed at the variety of clones of US and European knives available from the Chinese import sites, often at prices on par with the originals. I read in these forums, some time ago, that they exist largely to serve Asian markets that can't obtain the originals at reasonable prices. That makes sense to me.

However now I'm seeing something I can't explain. (Hope it's ok to post the link here. I don't personally buy or endorse buying clones.)

[url removed]

This is a $285 Chinese "Dicoria" clone of a $285 (US retail) Chinese-made Rike D9.

Okay guys, what the heck is going on here?

Obviously, people in China should be able to buy the real thing, since it's made over there. Why does this exist? The only explanation I can think of is that Dicoria *is* Rike. Sorry to pose that theory if it's not true, but does anyone have an alternative explanation of the economics here? Dicoria, like Rike, seems to have something of a reputation for mechanical excellence. Unlike Rike, they are branding clones of Chris Reeve, Shirogorov, and others.
 
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Link won't be okay with the mods.

Who knows what relationship good quality Chinese knife brands (clones or not) have with each other, probably more than they want the consumer to know.
 
Another discovery about Dicoria, is that they're selling knives branded "Lwknives" on the blade, and the typography is identical to "Rikeknife".

I suppose it's possible that they are the OEM for Rike.

It's too bad the Chinese knife world is so opaque, otherwise it would be fascinating to watch the knife industry grow up there, and the history books be written. But I think you're right, Jill, it's not a history book they want anyone to read.
 
The plot thickens. I just found a Microtech clone being advertised by a company calling itself A-DAI, YANGJIANG DICORIA KNIVES CO., LTD.

So this "Dicoria" company is, in some way, the infamous A-DAI.
 
That District 9 knife is not a clone it is an original(just because it is being sold on chinese site does not mean it is a clone). BTW D9 is not manufacturer it is designer that has his knives manufactured by other companies like Rike, Reate and Kevin John.
That "infamous" A-Dai is now being called Reate.
BTW all "Custom knives factory" are being manufactured by "Kevin John"
 
its been said that A-Dai, Decora and Reate are the same just different divisions. alot of them do this. things are very confusing over there

clones make them big money. copying is a way of life over there.
 
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Dicoria is a seller not a maker. They have had certain things made for them but they themselves dont own a factory. And they sell originals and clones. That district9 is likely a real one. Rike, district nine and reate all got their start selling on those sites. Now just because the knife is legit doesnt mean its perfect. Every knife I have purchased directly from dicoria has had a severe flaw. Imho they often sell factory seconds at a slightly discounted price.
 
that's why its comical to see Custom Knife Factory knives going for big money.I would never buy one; I had a feeling it was made by one of those Chinese factories that sell similar knives for way less....
 
powerslave said:
That District 9 knife is not a clone it is an original (just because it is being sold on chinese site does not mean it is a clone).
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Sorry you can't see the original listing, but they don't call it "Rike" or "District 9". Why omit those terms, except to avoid a conflict? They call it the "DICORIA Hardboiled". This is clone behavior. I'm not judging the listing for being on a Chinese site.

powerslave said:
That "infamous" A-Dai is now being called Reate.
BTW all "Custom knives factory" are being manufactured by "Kevin John"
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I've heard this said before. How do we know this?
 
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They are the same.. but a each a different division. Ha ha ha. I like that one.

Is it okay for a US company to clone a Chinese design not registered with the Patent & Trademark office? First to file? Hmmm..
 
vanadium said:
Sorry you can't see the original listing, but they don't call it "Rike" or "District 9". Why omit those terms, except to avoid a conflict? They call it the "DICORIA Hardboiled". This is clone behavior. I'm not judging the listing for being on a Chinese site.


I've heard this said before. How do we know this?
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They do call it a district 9. On both chinese sites if you are looking at the dicoria seller.
 
wensynch said:
They are the same.. but a each a different division. Ha ha ha. I like that one.

Is it okay for a US company to clone a Chinese design not registered with the Patent & Trademark office? First to file? Hmmm..
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Thats right. You have never heard of a company that sells under more than one brand name? it happens a lot with asian companies. Its very prevalent with guitars. ESP sells guitars inder numerous brand names depending on the materials and whether its a copy or not.
 
I don't appreciate all of this deception. I want to try a high end Chinese knife, but things like this always hold me back.
 
J85909266 said:
I don't appreciate all of this deception. I want to try a high end Chinese knife, but things like this always hold me back.
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Well if you want to try something buying a Reate, We or Kizer is a safe bet from an authorized dealer. And on those brands buying from a Chinese wholesale site is not going to get you much of a better deal on a legit knife. The only time you really need to go there is in the case of things like the maxace covenant balisong which is not sold in the USA. I know this deception you talk about it is usually associated with china. But try to remember that there are scammers in this hobby in all corners of it. Americans rip off americans and usually when someone sells you a fake here in the states its another American doing it. This is why I always say consumer education is the best defense against such things. Authorized dealers are always best. But even then its not a 100% sure thing. The only way to not get screwed is to gain as much knowledge as one can.
 
Badge engineering is not restricted to cutlery. I remember working on a GMC mini-van one time, made a Chevy comment, and the owner got absolutely irate. He drove a GM because GM knew how to make cars, and Chevrolet was worse than walking. So is a Chevy Astro a GMC Safari clone?
In electronics the number of products that just get their housing changed and a different brand put on is incredible. Anyone can do a re-badge, be it from an OEM, as a marketing/brand holding company, salvage, any number of reasons. So these things are sold as one thing, maybe they are or are not exactly that, but I think that focusing solely on the issue of clones might cloud the discussion somewhat. I'm very much against clones, but what about gray market or side-channel imports/export? Does it matter how many hands the item goes through before sale? Does it matter if the sale is a tax dodge, or any other legal reason for making the sale somewhat ambiguous, or is ignorance a defense? Or maybe because of SEO and translations, these are just machine generated listings shot-gunning out ads into anywhere people might look?

At the end of the day, if it matters to you what you get, then the reputation of the supply chain, maker to you, matters. If you don't care, or are just seeing what's out there, then they are your dollars to spend.
 
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