Country of Origin; does it matter to you?

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.
 
Whitty, you can google "Chris Reeve" to learn about his background. Born on SA. Started his business in SA. I bought my first CRK from him in SA. The Sebenza started it's life in SA. Chris' knives have Zulu names. Chris still visits SA regularly ... did so a month or two ago. Chris moved to the States because his market was there. Knives in the CRK price category is out of reach for almost everyone in SA. His move to the States didn't mean he turned his back on us. He still is a member of the Knifemakers Guild of SA.
 
No it doesn't, quality and work conditions matter most. I would even pay more for a knife made in a foreign country that produces a quality product and provides favourable work conditions in a country where it is not the norm.
But I can understand the patriotism behind decisions. I face similar decisions when I can drive an hour and a half south and buy the same lumber, doors, windows etc that come from my country or even my own city at half the price. Still cant figure that one out...
But unless it is from a small local store(which there are not many that have what I am looking for), I buy most of my knives from American vendors over the large commercial stores here because the prices are just better even with shipping.
 
I really couldn't care less where it is made, or even what it costs. What I care about is that I am getting the best possible product for what I am paying for it. I'm a capitalist to the core, if the best option is US made then all the better, but I will not just buy a knife because it is US made over a better foreign option.
 
When my fond ness for knives began in 2010 l initially had no qualms about where my knife came from . As long as it served me well ; l did not care. So many of my early knives were made in China. My fist Switchblade was made in China. Had BMW written on it. Being a novice at that time l did not really care much. But 6 weeks later the knife started popping open on its own. At first l didn't bother much. I had it repaired and oiled regularly with WD40. But two days after the repair ; the knife popped open in my trousers pocket ; ripping a hole in my pocket and stabbing my leg by half an inch of the tip. Trust me. It was painful. And the blade had serrations. I sold that knife off for $2 .Then l also owned a Hongjie Liner lock knife. The blade lost its edge after 18 days of cutting nothing but envelopes. Later l found out that the steel did not have proper heat treatment. But the worst thing that ever happened to me was when the lock of a Taylor brands Gun stock trapper liner lock failed after 3 weeks of use and caused a very deep cut in.my ring finger. Needed a couple of stitches after that. I still have the scar.
Since that day ; with the exception of A Buck 112 Ranger which my father gifted me ; l don't own any Chinese knives. Don't get me wrong. Maybe SOME chinese knives are good but not the ones l had come across.
 
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.
 
I only care about quality (and that it isn't a knockoff of something). Could care less where its made.
 
it doesn't matter to me where my knife was made so long as the quality is there, although a lot of chinese produced knives are often cheaply made there are some quality chinese knives such as the spyderco tenacious line or byrd line or even chinese made bucks. however i find that a knife made elsewhere (switzerland, sweden,france, germany etc) although often more expensive but not always are the best quality.
 
Nellem said:
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.
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Choosing not to buy a knife from even a good company because you do not want your $$$ supporting the economy of the country, and/or the government, in which that company is located is not "punishing the innocent". It is business.
 
Sosa said:
How about the eastern span of the bay bridge?
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My point is that they are capable of doing it. They are human beings. Your gonna act like America never created a faulty product. Ever. Lol. How many full USA made bridges have failed? None? Another lol
 
Fantastic thread. Great Idea. I have been reading some very interesting posts and it really has broadened my Horizons.
 
I like knives from a lot of different Countries, U.S, Italian, German. What I avoid is when the great companies outsource to China etc . If it's an American knife I want it made in America, same for Italian, German etc. makes them more Genuine and special IMHO
 
I tend to prefer knives made in Switzerland, Japan and the U.S. Although I know Taiwan has outstanding manufacturing, I've yet to own or even handle one of the Taichung Spydercos. Ditto for German, Swedish, and Italian-made knives.

Jim
 
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.
 
Nellem said:
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.
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I agree. Well said. :thumbup:
 
It does. I can't imagine buying a knife made in North Korea or Zimbabwe.

All joking aside, it does somewhat matter to me but mostly in terms of pricing and value. I avoid buying French knives because a lot of them tend to be expensive for no reason (with the exception of companies like Opinel and Cognet). I find that Taiwanese knives generally deliver the best bang for your buck (Spyderco, Ontario, etc.). American knives seem to be of variable quality/value. On one hand, you have awesome companies like ZT, and on the other you have companies like Case or Benchmade that offer shoddy and overly expensive knives on a regular basis. China's a crapshoot. Kershaw and Buck's Chinese made knives are pretty great and are often better/cheaper than their American made knives, but then you also have things like Gerber. Chinese brands can offer knives of at least decent quality, but good luck finding one that's not just a ripoff of someone else's designs.
 
Nellem said:
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.
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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.
 
I've struggled with this issue over and over again. I know that, from a purely objective standpoint, country of origin shouldn't matter. An experienced user/collector should be able to spot a quality knife no matter where it's made. It has been proven time and time again that Taiwan can produce VERY well made knives, from budget Cold Steels to more expensive Spydercos.

However, for some unfathomable reason, I get no pride of ownership from a knife made in Taiwan even though I've tried a few and know they are well made. I prefer to carry something made in the US, Japan or Europe. My CS Voyager, for instance, is a fine knife with a very decent price tag. I would carry and enjoy it a lot more if it were made in the USA (or Japan like the older ones). There are some Spydercos I'd love to own, and would if they were made in the US. The only reason I don't buy them is that they are made in Taiwan, even though I absolutely understand that they are great and have recommended them to other people.

I also avoid Chinese knives. I just don't enjoy them and I realised I have no use for something like a Tenacious (I've owned one for ages and never carry it). When I'm looking for an inexpensive knife, I'd rather have an Opinel, SAK or Douk Douk. I can't seem to warm up to budget modern knives.
 
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