Could these Chinese knives really be that good?

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Don't know much about the brands you mentioned, but I can tell you civivi is good to go. Both of my civivis are great. Getting an Artisan Tradition here soon to see how it is, but from what I've heard and seen they're good too, and have a budget brand (cjrb) that's supposed to be as good as civivi (we knives budget brand).

Just stick with one of the brands that is well known, and known to not lie about their materials. Eafengrow, no clue, but I believe they lie about the steel per luv them knives tests. Plus they ripped off the zt 0456, so I'll never buy one of their knives anyway.
 
In general, yes. Some of the best values for the money today are coming from Chinese companies. Brands like Tangram, Kubey, Ruike, Civivi, Bestech, and Real Steel are putting out some very nice products for the price tag. I've owned examples from these companies and a few others. Overall, I've been impressed.

For the same price that you might get a Chinese-made CRKT in 8Cr13Mov, you can get something with as good or better overall quality using better steels like 9Cr18Mov, 14C28N, Acuto 440, or Chinese D2 from one of the above companies. One reason I think that companies like CRKT continue to use steels like 8Cr13Mov (or worse) is that they have a comfortable foothold in American brick and mortar stores where these other brands don't have a presence.

The best quality for price today is arguably Civivi. If you're going to try one of these knives, that's the brand to try.
 
Ben Dover said:
I have a $25 Chinese knock-off of the Buck 110. It was purchased as a "beater" and "loaner."

I've been amazed at how well it has held up to some fairly hard use. Holds an edge about the same as a Buck.
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You payed $25 for a knockoff when you can get the real deal at any Walmart for only $10 more ?

To the topic at hand, the knives are probably too good to be true and are very likely clones or knockoffs.
I'd say find out if it's a knockoff or anything first then try it out if it's not.
 
"Made in China" - For many people these words are synonymous with inexpensive, knock-offs and zero-originality/zero-design innovations.

Concerns about authenticity of materials, (lack of fair) labor conditions, and questionable business practices have created a stigma about Chinese made knives.

However over the last few years a new set of Chinese knife brands have emerged that are ready to change the knife industry by offering quality, value and affordable price. These companies have good/modern manufacturing and quality control processes; however originality and innovations appear to be still lacking in my POV.

I have the following "Made in China" knives in my collection (sorted in order of preference) :
  1. WE Knife Co. Isham Pleroma Integral Knife Champagne Ti /CF - M390 blade. Futuristic Design from Isham. Made a splash during Blade Show 2018.
  2. J.E. Made Lanny's Clip Slip Joint Knife Stag/Ti - CPM-S35VN blade. Modern take on a Tony Bose traditional. Good substitute for those who can't afford the iconic Tony Bose custom.
  3. Kizer Lundquist Feist Liner Lock Front Flipper Knife Shred CF - CPMS35VN blade. Super Lightweight and Classy. Justin Lundquist design.
  4. Real Steel G5 Metamorph Front Flipper Knife Marble CF - M390 blade. Gentleman's knife. I love the oxidized blue pivot, clip and backspacer.
  5. Kizer Flashbang Skully Flipper Knife Titanium - CPM-S35VN blade. This knife was my first introduction to a Matt Cucchiara design.
 
Korean Hog said:
With the exception of a few European countries, I'd say your best bet is to buy American or Japanese made blades.
All the knives I carry are either American or Japanese and I don't ever worry about the quality, mostly because the proof
is in everyday I use them at work.

I have one knife made in Taiwan, the Ikuchi from Spyderco, and it seems to be on par with my usual USA or Japanese made knives.
In other words, Taiwan is probably a safe bet.

Also, as mentioned above, there are plenty of affordable blades made in the U.S.A, Japan, Europe etc. that are also quality blades meant to be used.
I realize there are a few exceptions like Kizer or Reate, but generally speaking your best bet is to stay away from Chinese made knives.
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This post belongs in 1999. There are TONS of quality knife companies based in China nowadays. There are obviously scummy companies like Ganzo out there, and the garbage ones like Mtech, but to act like everything made in America is perfect is flat out wrong.

To list a few off the top of my head:

We
Civivi(Best budget knives in existence)
Kizer
Reate
Ruike
Real steel
Bestech


The trash and the gold are pretty obvious to tell apart. Grab a 42 dollar Civivi and see for yourself.
 
Been extremely happy with my 2 recent Twosun purchases, punches well above their price point.
DacYwz1.jpg

l4xCoPc.jpg

J4ricpp.jpg

RuZmFPv.jpg

mVbRwCz.jpg

Ayex9Y1.jpg

q5zFXdT.jpg

Premium materials, Fit and finish is outstanding, action that's fantastic and a price point that can't be beat IMHO.
 
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Just got a brand new Cold Steel Voyager made in Taiwan. AUS10a is scalpel sharp, perfect blade centering, perfect ergo's for my hand, rock solid up, down, left & right blade, baby butter ass drop free pivot action. $55 bucks brand new from a well known to everybody authorized dealer. It's perfect, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy more if needed.
 
I wondered the same thing, so I ordered several different brands to check out. I was pleasantly surprised. The ones I got are good quality. I also watched several Youtube videos where a bunch of them were sent off to be tested for steel type and hardness to see which brands came back good to go. I got:
-1 Twosun in 14c28n $28
-1 CH in D2 $25
-4 Kizers. 2 in s35vn/titanium, 1 in m390/titanium, and 1 VG10. 2 at $90, 1 at $120, and 1 at $50.
-1 Ruike in 14c28n $25
-2 CJRB in D2 $35
I love the Kizers. The quality is amazing for what you get. Great fit and finish and great actions. And a buddy of mine just got a Civivi in D2 that he got for $50 and loves it. If you are looking for an inexpensive user knife the lower end companies will probably be a bargain. There are a couple that don't test out right though. And Kizer and We make some really nice higher end knives.
 
IMO, the best way to get what you pay for and avoid blatant clones/rip offs is to educate yourself on knives coming from overseas. Not all overseas knife makers are questionable. I’ve noticed several well known knife makers/companies use various companies to produce their line of affordable knives. Bodega,Pena,Spyderco, Kershaw come to mind. If these makers trust overseas companies to produce their level of knives, then you will have an idea on which ones are delivering what they claim.
 
I have had good experiences with the following Chinese brands of knives:

Artisan Cutlery: Nine of their green G10 and D2 blades.

Bestech: At least a dozen.

Real Steel: Four of these.

Tuyaknife: Two of the Bruisers.

Kizer: Over a dozen. I really like their Vanguard line.

Kubey: At least seven.

Civivi. Two.

WE. Three.

Am considering a Two Sun like the orange one pictured above.
 
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A good knife is a good knife, no matter where it is made. Same as for any other product. If it's good, it's good. If it's crap, it's crap.
QC is my job, and my standards for knives are fairly high. But I still know a bargain when I see one.
 
If you are looking to spend $200+, then WE, Rike, and Reate are great options for you.

I seem to like knives where the American designers are using these companies for their OEM. These custom makers and designers often will make their production lines in China. Look at Berg Blades, Sharp by Design, Liong Mah (my fav), and Something Obscene Company for ideas.

Hope this helps.

If you are looking in the sub-$100 range I would look for on the exchange for Kizer, Civivi, Bestech.
 
I personally REFUSE to purchase a knife from Communist China....

I am old enough to remember the "Great Leap Forward" (30+ million civilians died for no reason) and I spend my money for knives from ANY other country...

I am sure I own a few things made in China... But I am determined to buy American....
 
PRC, regardless of quality, I’d prefer my knife money go elsewhere. This includes when well respected American (or other nationality) designers decide to have their knives produced there.

ROC (Taiwan), some of my favorite Spydercos are made there.
 
A knife is a tool for cutting stuff. If I like a knife, and it meets my standards for quality, I don't much care where it was made. It just has to cut stuff that needs to be cut. That's all. Right now, as most days, I have a $35 Ruike Chinese folder in my pocket, and a $300 American made White River Sendero Classic on my belt. They both cut stuff for me. I'm not torn between loyalties. I PREFER American made, but I'm not OCD about it....
 
DrRollinstein said:
This post belongs in 1999. There are TONS of quality knife companies based in China nowadays. There are obviously scummy companies like Ganzo out there, and the garbage ones like Mtech, but to act like everything made in America is perfect is flat out wrong.

To list a few off the top of my head:

We
Civivi(Best budget knives in existence)
Kizer
Reate
Ruike
Real steel
Bestech


The trash and the gold are pretty obvious to tell apart. Grab a 42 dollar Civivi and see for yourself.
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That flat out wasn't what I meant. I agree a Kizer is obviously worlds apart from some gas station knock off deal.
I didn't say everything from America was perfect. I said all the American made knives I had were good quality knives, again not perfect.
I've tried
Kizer
Reate
Ruike
Real steel
Bestech
They all seemed fine to me. Like I said in my post YOU quoted, " I realize there are some exceptions"
Go ahead and buy TONS of Chinese knives if you like. I still prefer to buy knives from the U.S. or Japan.
I really don't care what year you think the post belongs in.
 
DrRollinstein said:
To list a few off the top of my head:

We
Civivi(Best budget knives in existence)
Kizer
...
Grab a 42 dollar Civivi and see for yourself.
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Civivi is probably not what most people think of as a "budget knife." But they are a fantastic value. The one I have (Naja) is made like a Swiss watch, absolutely flawless in fit and finish. Maybe not as much edge retention as I would like, but I carry it every day and use it often.
 
sechip said:
Been extremely happy with my 2 recent Twosun purchases, punches well above their price point.
DacYwz1.jpg

l4xCoPc.jpg

J4ricpp.jpg

RuZmFPv.jpg

mVbRwCz.jpg

Ayex9Y1.jpg

q5zFXdT.jpg

Premium materials, Fit and finish is outstanding, action that's fantastic and a price point that can't be beat IMHO.
Click to expand...

Whats the model number on that second one?
 
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