Country of Origin; does it matter to you?

[toflick]

i used to think that some countries offered better manufacturing, in general, but don't find this much the case anymore... there are many high quality factories in places like China that offer great products...

 

[todapoint]

Usa!!

 

[tas237]

Here in SA we believe the best made Spyderco knives are those from Taichung, but one has to live outside the States to see that.

My other key interest is tech gadgets. I've witnessed too many debates about iOS vs Android and Apple vs Samsung. I've had every flavour of iDevice (a lot of my money has gone to Apple over the years). I wonder why it is okay for Apple to make just about everything they sell in China - and still be regarded as the superior choice - but when it comes to cars, guns, knives, younameit quality can only come from within the US of A? Because people see things as they want to see them and not for what they really are.

This argument paints with too broad a brush. I think you'd find many Americans who prefer German or Italian cars, Japanese tech devices, and American or Swedish knives. Further, you can't compare knives to vastly different products like cars or tech devices. In the modern world there aren't really viable options for all USA made tech products. Even if assembled in the US, like many autos, tons of parts are outsourced.

Knives are a different story. We're talking steel and some few working parts, not high tech. There's an art to it & part of any art is appreciation by the beholder. In that sense quality is only part of the story.

 

[Nellem]

Knives are a different story. We're talking steel and some few working parts, not high tech. There's an art to it & part of any art is appreciation by the beholder. In that sense quality is only part of the story.

Isn't what you say here then even more reason not to discriminate against knives made outside the USA? Why can another human being in any other place on earth not meet the requirements of your statement? Or do Americans do art and quality better than other humans? Why would that be the case?

 

[mrdeus]

I try to avoid USA made, but it limits the options a bit.

 

[Nellem]

I try to avoid USA made, but it limits the options a bit.

Hehe, true. We all appreciate what the US does for the world knife industry. Without the US the whole "knife thing" (a knife culture if you like) would have been a fraction of what it is now.

 

[leghog]

You raise an excellent point and the Iphone/Apple products being made in china and people seeing things the way they do.
Without getting to far off topic, are any of the Android Samsung phones/products made anywhere else besides china?
I will getting a new phone shortly.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom and Samsung I9000 Galaxy smartphones are made in S. Korea. Samsung has products made in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and South Korea as well as in China and Vietnam.

Those stating you can't but electronics, phones, computers, etc outside of those made in China are simply passing on bad information.

 

[red mag]

Of course does the country of origin matter; as does the company, or the maker, the materials and the design.
As human beeings we make a lot of decisions, based on the experience of those decissions we deceide again.
Guess what? A positive experience leads to a similar decision. So I have experienced.
red mag

 

[murfdog67]

I try to give preference to knives made in the USA. I do own a Southard and it is a quality product. I have also owned and still do, Spydercos that were made in Japan. I do have a problem with China produced products. So many of the things that I buy because of limited options are already made there. So, I avoid purchasing knives made there because I have the option. I'm sure that some of these knives are high quality, but I also believe that working men and women here in the country I live in have paid the price and lost the battle when it comes to cheaply manufactured goods from China. I also, do not see China as one of our allies, but a nation that would quickly throw us under the bus.

Maybe I'm crazy, but it is USA #1, most other places #2, China, only if I can't help it.

I agree and couldn't have said it better. I is a personal choice and does not reflect any geo political statements. Lol. Well said

 

[tas237]

Isn't what you say here then even more reason not to discriminate against knives made outside the USA? Why can another human being in any other place on earth not meet the requirements of your statement? Or do Americans do art and quality better than other humans? Why would that be the case?

I don't claim one nationality has a superior grasp on art. Rather, I'm looking at it from the other side, the beholder. If the person appreciating a piece of art gets more enjoyment from a certain style or maker, who is another person to judge that enjoyment?

As stated before, I have knives from the USA, Japan, Germany, Italy, & Sweden. I like them all and enjoy them enough to justify a greater price. For example, I'm currently in the market for an old timey knife. I want a USA made knife for that role. Why not Chinese or Taiwanese? Because that wouldn't fulfill the image of an old timey for me...the kind of knife my grandfather carried. Could a Taiwanese company produce an old timey of equal quality? Probably. But, it won't do it for me aesthetically to see Taichung stamped on the blade instead of Titusville.

 

[Kowan]

All of my knives are made here in the USA. When I see a knife listed, I look for where it was made. If it doesn't list it as made here, I pass.
Great knives made elsewhere, but I choose to buy only made in the USA knives.

 

[RedLynx]

RedLynx, I would also not support a business as per your example, but then one must have the facts to back-up a decision not to do business with the company at fault. What I'm trying to articulate is that people must be careful not to punish the innocent for the sins of their governments. Too many tragedies happen that way. When you know a company is well run by people that shares the same values as yourself it would be wrong not to support such a company irrespective of where it is based. By supporting such people in "hostile" environments you strengthen good in an atmosphere of evil. How I see it.

I can certainly see your point Nellem. It does take some research and knowing the facts... Without going too far off topic, it's why I can't donate to most major charities... after researching, I found that the vast majority put far too much of your charitable donation into private pockets rather than going to help the people you wanted to help. It's a shame, but sometimes it's better to find a way to get that money directly into the hands of the disenfranchised, if one can.

You make an interesting point below regarding Apple, etc. Personally I refrain from buying any Apple products for a variety of reasons not even associated with their country of origin. In general I just dislike how the company and its business practices are run... a story for another time. But it's interesting the host of reasons we as people have for supporting or not supporting something.

 

[Nellem]

Guys you must know that I don't have anything against US made knives. Most of my factory knives are US made ... Hinderer, CRK, BM, Spyderco ... the list goes on. I am however open minded and will buy quality and beauty from anywhere, provided there is a proven track record over a reasonable time period. I foresee that China will become very competitive ito quality. They are learning fast and acquiring the same machinery used in the USA.

When it comes to customs I dare you guys to look at South African makers too. You will be amazed ... and the exchange rate makes it cheap for you guys to get serious quality.

 

[ems guy]

I try to give preference to knives made in the USA. I do own a Southard and it is a quality product. I have also owned and still do, Spydercos that were made in Japan. I do have a problem with China produced products. So many of the things that I buy because of limited options are already made there. So, I avoid purchasing knives made there because I have the option. I'm sure that some of these knives are high quality, but I also believe that working men and women here in the country I live in have paid the price and lost the battle when it comes to cheaply manufactured goods from China. I also, do not see China as one of our allies, but a nation that would quickly throw us under the bus.

Maybe I'm crazy, but it is USA #1, most other places #2, China, only if I can't help it.

Amen. I do have to agree here on just about all facets

 

[goodeyesniper]

I'm a human first, American second. I prefer my knives to be made on planet earth, which is why I usually buy spyderco. I know of no other maker who clearly states when a knife is built on planet earth. The last thing I want is to support "USA, Mars"... If you thought a red STATE was bad, how about the whole damn planet being red.

 

[Quiet]

I'm a human first, American second. I prefer my knives to be made on planet earth, which is why I usually buy spyderco. I know of no other maker who clearly states when a knife is built on planet earth. The last thing I want is to support "USA, Mars"... If you thought a red STATE was bad, how about the whole damn planet being red.

If there's an award for post of the thread, Sniper here should get it.

 

[Quiet]

I used to be a staunch anti-Chinese knives person (for the same reasons that Scurvy elegantly stated), however, I have purchased several Chinese-sourced Kershaws, and I have to confess that I love each one. That said, I most likely would not purchase any other knives from China.

Incidentally, this was my post on page 1 of this thread.

Two more Chinese made Kershaws arrived today, my Emerson collabs, the 7 and 8k, and they are fantastic in fit and finish. So, the country of their origin doesn't bother me that much. So, maybe my policy is "I don't buy knives from China...unless they're Kershaws." That feels about right.

 

[RedLynx]

Guys you must know that I don't have anything against US made knives. Most of my factory knives are US made ... Hinderer, CRK, BM, Spyderco ... the list goes on. I am however open minded and will buy quality and beauty from anywhere, provided there is a proven track record over a reasonable time period. I foresee that China will become very competitive ito quality. They are learning fast and acquiring the same machinery used in the USA.

When it comes to customs I dare you guys to look at South African makers too. You will be amazed ... and the exchange rate makes it cheap for you guys to get serious quality.

I'm pretty open-minded in this regard as well. I do not own any custom knives from any country... can you recommend some SA makers that I can take a look at?

 

[RedLynx]

So, maybe my policy is "I don't buy knives from China...unless they're Kershaws." That feels about right.

Sums up my current buying practices as well. Although considering how good they are, I now have to keep an open mind about future companies/cutlery products from there too... it will be interesting to see where we go from here in this regard. At least, I think so.

 

[murfdog67]

Incidentally, this was my post on page 1 of this thread.

Two more Chinese made Kershaws arrived today, my Emerson collabs, the 7 and 8k, and they are fantastic in fit and finish. So, the country of their origin doesn't bother me that much. So, maybe my policy is "I don't buy knives from China...unless they're Kershaws." That feels about right.

Yes sir my cryo is a frickin bank vault. It's quality easily matches my blur. The price on the other hand is another story.