Country of Origin; does it matter to you?

I haven't read all 6 pages yet but, guys, bravo, it seems we've gone quite a few pages and it hasn't become a shouting match yet. Awesome.
 
A made in China knife does carry a stigma with it regardless of the level of quality. On the plus side, you might not feel as bad when you beat the crap out it.
 
It influences my decision, yes, but doesn't make the decision for me. Integrity of the brand matters more than country of origin in my decision matrix.
 
mk.ultra said:
Exactly, nations are just imaginary lines drawn in the sand. Just a way to divide us rather than unite us.
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Tell the guy in another country where he is being oppressed. To him those lines are not imaginary at all but very real
 
Generally I look at the reputation of the manufacturer more than the country of origin. As far as production knives go I have found myself buying from a small number of companies recently. Since joining the forums here I have become much more interested in buying knives made by individuals.
 
First place for me is USA-made, followed by a tie between Germany, Italy, South Africa, Sweden, and Switzerland, all at second place.
 
The beef I have with China, revolves around theft of intellectual property, patent abuse, and blatant knock offs made out of inferior material. This is not just with knives, but with a wide variety of products.
I won't buy anything made in China if there is a viable alternative, and even then, I do my best to make sure that the product is what it is purported to be.
 
whitty said:
It is of my opinion that most (not all) of the best designs and ideas come out of the USA ... As I have said many times I believe other countries make very good knives but I think when they are done right no one can beat out what the USA can make.
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Do you know the history of Chris Reeve and the Sebenza? And what about LionSteel (you sell them BTW)? Fällkniven, Rockstead, Victorinox, ...

When it comes to custom knives just from South Africa you will be hard pressed to beat André Van Heerden, André Thorburn, Des Horn, Rob Brown, ... (there are so many). Neill Schutte from SA just won the Best Fighter Award at Blade Show. Owen Wood is ex-SA.

Do the US have a better blade making history/tradition than Japan?

Let us not confuse patriotism with quality.

Steve Jobs - the über perfectionist - was happy to let the Chinese make iPhone, iPads, etc. Why? Because excellence comes not from the soil the factory was build on.
 
The only time I use a made in China knife is if I'm going fishing. If I lose it, or it accidentally gets knocks overboard, it's no big loss.
 
I don't care where my Knives come from as long as they meet my spec's and that I am happy with that Knife.!
Love Spyderco Knives and I really don't care where they are made as long as Sal likes them I am going to buy even if I do not like the design.** { as there are only 3 Spydies I do not have in my Collection.!!* } I really don't look at the Country where they are made that much as long as I know who is bringing them into the good ole USA.! Enough said.^^
 
ellipticus said:
Yes, it matters quite a bit.

The knives I own are a reflection, to some extent, of my value system.

In addition to buying the best blade for my money I do consider where my money is going.
I choose not to support countries that treat their people poorly.
A company may make the perfect knife and have integrity out the ying-yang but it is my integrity that is more important to me
and I will not do business with that company if it is located in such a country.

To do so would violate my value system.
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Let's say you and I share the exact same value system but I live in a country that you don't like. I am working hard to make a living in my country making good quality knives. Per your argument you will not buy my products because you don't like the government I live under ... a government I did not choose?

In too many minds the world is binary ... everything is black and white.
 
Yes it matters. The real question is what do you mean by "matter"? I own plenty of inexpensive 'good' knives produced in other countries. But lately I have focused on quality US made products like Chris Reeve, Bark River, Blind Horse, and ZT.
 
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