Chinese SAK clone

D

Don Luis

Joined
Dec 26, 2002
Messages
2,473
Some time ago I bought a Chinese made clone of a Victorinox Tinker, sold under the Truper brand which is a well known tool distributor in Mexico, I was impressed with how good it was for about $4 US.

Well, a guy at work was selling stuff from a Truper catalog and they have a clone of a Victorinox Huntsman for about $10 US, I just had to get it, I've had it for a couple of weeks now, it's OK but definitely not as close to a SAK as the Tinker clone, I guess more tools are more complicated and harder to make a good copy. Here are some comments and pictures:

What I received was not a clone of the Huntsman, it was larger at 5 springs wide and had three more tools, steel feels similar to the real thing, easy to sharpen, edge holding is fair, general fit and finish close to what I'd expect from a real SAK, somewhat over polished, springs on the weak side, one spring is very weak.

Comments on each tool:

Main blade.- Good but much thinner than the real SAK blade, machined down to make space for the small blade on the same spring.

Small blade.- quite good, if it was put in a SAK I would not know the difference.

Saw.- well made though not as sharp as the real one, feels like a SAK saw that's worn a little, spring is weak.

Scissors.- Not as well finished as SAK scissors, but cuts just as well.

Phillips driver.- about the size of a #1 Phillips, not so good, over polished and slips out of screws, I could probably make it good by sharpening it but wont bother for now.

Magnifier.- not good, smaller than the real one because of the plastic thing used to keep it in place, when focused in the center, the edges are blurred.

Screwdriver/Cap lifter.- Good, feels as good as the real one but the spring is very weak to the point of feeling dangerous, like it will close in use.

Can opener/screwdriver tip.- Same comment as with the screwdriver/cap lifter, well made but in the same weak spring.

Corkscrew.- good but a little bit shorter than the real one, will not hold the Vic accessory eyeglass screwdriver.

Reamer.- not sharp at all, could be fixed with some work, it is in the same weak spring as the screwdriver.

Hook.- Good, feels just like a SAK hook.

Small screwdriver on back.- Good. not as well finished as the real one but seems like will work fine.

Tweezers and Toothpick.- as good as the real thing, the toothpick was loose in the handle slot but a little pinching with pliers fixed that.

Luis

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I cannot begin to find the words to describe how much I loathe and deteste chinese SAK knockoffs. Vive le Swisse! (or something).
No offence Don Luis my man, generally I have all the respect in the world for you and your posts, really, it's just that I have a real soft spot for European knives in general and SAKs in particular. I feel the same way about good ole American Schrades, just can't abide asian pretenders.
 
yobbos1,

I do think I understand how you feel, I have mixed feelings on Chinese made stuff, like I really feel bad about the name Schrade on Chinese knives that have nothing to do with the real thing, but I've known some fine Chinese people in my lifetime and have learned to respect them and their culture. I can see that it is important for the Chinese to create an industrial infrastructure, improve their technology and with that their lives, of course since I'm Mexican my point of view may be different from yours.

These SAK clones are I guess something inevitable, SAK clones have been made for decades in Europe and the Orient, some such as Aitor from Spain are good quality, most Chinese made I've seen have been junk. But now the Chinese are making close copies that are not so bad and are getting better, true the one I review here will not take the place of my real Huntsman, and the weak spring in the screwdriver is a serious defect, but we cannot deny their existence or refuse to see the improvements.

What should I do, hide it so that no one knows that I have a Chinese clone ?, or come up and post the reality that I see ?

Take Care,

Luis
 
he compares a chinese clone to a v'nox and the clone doesn't always measure up. DL thanks for the info.....
 
Don Luis said:
...we cannot deny their existence or refuse to see the improvements.
Click to expand...
Many of the clones are actually decent knives, especially considering their price. For many though the nature of the design as a rip-off would cause them to avoid the product. There is an arguement that clones actually help the sales of the knife being clones by introducing them to an audience which frankly can't afford the origional version, but from the perspective of the person making the knife I would not appreciate it and thus personally will avoid them regardless of the price. Nice comparison in any case.

-Cliff
 
Thirteenth Star said:
BTW, are you sure that isn't a wood chisel on the back, rather than another screwdriver?
Click to expand...
It is definitely a screwdriver.

Thanks to all for the interesting comments, I may add that I have no intentions of buying any more of these, I have quite a few real SAKs, my favorites being Vic Huntsman and Vic Farmer.

Luis
 
Sorry if I came off hotheaded, it is a peculiarity of mine that I latch on to the nationality of something I like. Swiss SAK's, French wine, American baseball etc. The cold hard facts are the Chinese manufacturers are catching up quickly in all areas I don't like it, but I do admit it. By the way Don Luis, another very well done review.
 
yes yobbos, i have to agreed on your statement. the chinese is catching up. BUT workmanship and quality like wise might need quite some time to catch up
 
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