Chinese Knife Companies

The knife manufacturing centers in China are all in Guangdong Province. There are 4 major cites, Jieyang, Xingxing, Xinhui and
Yangjiang. The last one the best known and was in fact making Chinese knives for the domestic market since 1920. After the Communist takeover and their economic revitalization of the 1980s, the Chinese government created a factory there. In 1990 a Chinese State owned factory received a subcontracting order from a Taiwanese company which had an OEM order from an American knife company.
This is generally considered to be the first Chinese export knife manufacturer. This lead to US and European, and even Japanese knife companies approaching the Chinese factories directly. When it all started the Yiangjiang factories had nothing, they had to import all the
machinery and tooling from Taiwan. That too changed over time. As the export orders increased during the 1990s the State owned factories went under finsncially and were replaced with privately owned factories. Today there are over an estimated 1500 knife factories
in Yangiang. As costs in China rise it is inevitable that at some point it may be replaced by another low labor cost source ad the OEM orders will evaporate, so in order to ensure China's cutlery industry remains, a major effort is being made to create brand name recognition.
 
I've liked some of the Rike Knife designs as well. Reate and Kizer are both very high quality knives that are close to or equal to a lot of us manufactures, heck sometimes even better. I'll still buy ZT over them MOST of the time, but I do have two Kizer's and a Reate on the way.
 
I just want to say for what it is worth and all company bias aside, that I am a Emerson fan. I had been wanting an HD7 for years and was finally able to buy one. 3 days after I had it issues began to come about so I exchanged it for another one. Took it home and once again due to lack of attention to detail on the employees end the knife was not really fit right. Trust me, I know because I fixed it and was rather embarrassed for them regarding the oversight. The funny thing is, is that I also have a Kershaw/Emerson 6k, also a framelock which is from china. And the sad thing is, is that I have had zero issues with it. It is smoother, locks up solid, centers without f ing with it and it cost 30 bucks as opposed to 387 dollars. Sure it is made with far "less superior" steel and was put together by a man from china but if that's it.
 
dasknife said:
I just want to say for what it is worth and all company bias aside, that I am a Emerson fan. I had been wanting an HD7 for years and was finally able to buy one. 3 days after I had it issues began to come about so I exchanged it for another one. Took it home and once again due to lack of attention to detail on the employees end the knife was not really fit right. Trust me, I know because I fixed it and was rather embarrassed for them regarding the oversight. The funny thing is, is that I also have a Kershaw/Emerson 6k, also a framelock which is from china. And the sad thing is, is that I have had zero issues with it. It is smoother, locks up solid, centers without f ing with it and it cost 30 bucks as opposed to 387 dollars. Sure it is made with far "less superior" steel and was put together by a man from china but if that's it.
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you could have just bought a ZT 0630 or 0620 and had the same thing, but for less, and better fit and finish. Oh an better steel.
 
xICEMANx said:
you could have just bought a ZT 0630 or 0620 and had the same thing, but for less, and better fit and finish. Oh an better steel.
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Personally, ZT 0620, 0620CF and 0630 are the best-made Emerson folders. However, for some they're just too heavy at around 6.3 ounces.
 
Yeah looked at those but came to the conclusion that its just to big to bust out in front of the simpletons of my commune.
 
Thanks all. Lots of great info.

I'm intrigued about the Carson Tech Labs Boiling and Stedemon SHY.
 
It has been a few months since the start of this thread. In the meantime, I tried some more Chinese made knives and I'm intrigued about a couple of new ones.

The Stedemon SHY looked great with great packaging but it had bad tool marks inside of the integral aluminum frame. Returned it to KnifeCenter for a full refund. I think overall even if the blemishes were not there it's overpriced at $240 considering the LionSteel SR-1 Aluminum is only $200.

The Proelia TX010BB has great packaging but it's a so so flipper. Liner lock was a little sticky and would disengage but after about 50 open.close cycles it was fine. Action is okay. Overall, okay for the $110. Knowing these I would've passed on it but keeping it for now.

I've been looking at the Maxace Corvus titanium frame lock (with steel lock bar insert and over-travel stop) bearings flipper with M390 steel for $399. The price seems too high for a somewhat unknown maker and they don't seem to be selling. Anyone has any experience with these (even other models)? The Maxace Balance liner lock flipper seems to be selling well but it's kind of pricey at $189 for S35VN.

I've also looked at the Rike 1507s Kwaiken Framelock Flipper. Nice slim profile and only 4 ounces for a 3.75" blade. The anodizing seems a little over the top. Bearings flipper, lock bar insert, etc. They go for $285-$300 for S35VN and $350 for M390. They seem to be selling well. Anyone has any experience with these?

In the past few months I've gotten more Reate as well as the Todd Begg Steelcraft Kwaiken made by Reate. Reate is just an excellent knife maker. No issues at all. The Steelcraft Kwaiken with Todd's design, IKBS and great build and titanium milling by Reate is an excellent flipper. As smooth as Shirogorov F95.

I also got some new Kizer flippers. Gemini and Intrepid are Ray Laconico designs and very well made by Kizer. These have ceramic bearings and detent, torx pivot and lock bar insert. My examples have been flawless but some have had issues with some Gemini. Kizer may be growing too fast. My Splinter is nice and narrow but uncomfortable.
 
RamZar said:
PLEASE DO NOT PARTICIPATE IF YOU MEAN TO BASH CHINESE MADE KNIVES.

Looking only at Chinese Knife Companies making knives in China under their own name.

I'm most familiar with:

  • Reate
  • Kizer

Any thoughts on:

  • Stedemon
  • Proelia
  • Nemesis

Any others come to mind?
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The Chines company called CN make a couple of different folders that I cannot tell the quality apart from my $400 Chris Reese knives
 
I have owned several decent Chinese made knives including the Kershaw Brawler and Browning Black Label. The Kizer Vanguard Gemini is my first knife from a Chinese company. So far I am pleased and inspired to give another one a try.
 
I've had very good experiences with my Chinese-made S&W and Schrade folding knives, with only one failure, and that was due primarily to poor design, not quality issues or inferior materials (who the heck designs a backlock by sliding the backspring into a groove less than 1cm in length?).

No problems with all of my Sanrenmus and Enlans as well, although i've noticed that their satin-finished 8cr13mov blades seems to corrode faster than Schrade's 8cr13mov.
 
carrguard said:
The Chines company called CN make a couple of different folders that I cannot tell the quality apart from my $400 Chris Reese knives
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this is a 2 year old thread you brought back to life.
 
I've been very pleased with my Chinese HARNDS, Enlan and Omuda, as well as all the SanRenMu which I find hard to beat for the money (best budget OHO folders available today)
The Ganzos have been both good and bad experiences depending on model, though.
 
I’m impressed with the Kizer Barbosa I recently bought. Spyderco, Kershaw, Leatherman and Buck have all made a lot of money off of me over the years so I don’t feel too guilty supporting a Chinese company now and then.
 
Only one I would buy would be a Reate, but they have yet to make one I like enough to buy. Got some I would love to have if just one thing about them were changed. When they do make that knife that checks all my boxes I will give em go. Other than that I avoid Chinese made knives.
 
Mrgauth said:
Only one I would buy would be a Reate, but they have yet to make one I like enough to buy. Got some I would love to have if just one thing about them were changed. When they do make that knife that checks all my boxes I will give em go. Other than that I avoid Chinese made knives.
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Try out a Reate horizon D in carbon fiber. The new series is also really excellent. I Haven't tried them all though.

Avoid the clones like CH and bestech.
 
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