Country of Origin - Markings???

[mako20ft]

Curious if anyone else has this same question. Why do some manufacturers place the manufacturers Country of Origin and some do not? For an easy example...I have the 4 budget knives that make up Spyderco's inexpensive line of imports. The Ambitious, the Persistence, the Tenacious and the Resilience. All 4 tools clearly highlight China on the blade. Going the other way, I have some Boker Plus, Schrade and assorted which make no mention (on the knife itself...not the box) that they are made in China (or Taiwan, etc.)

It may be wishful thinking but I'd like to hope that folks naturally view "Made In China" as inferior to the homegrown variety of knives and/or tools available. Why do some practically highlight China and some avoid it? Is there a legal ramification?

Thank you for your thoughts...

 

[Redmasta]

Yes some hide it, I've noticed it on many things made in China and Taiwan. Kershaw and Spyderco make some nice budget knives and good on them for being upfront and not hiding the origin.

 

[JarrodS]

It gets more interesting... Early productions of the Boker Exskelibur 1 had "China" stamped on the edge of the tang, facing you when looking down on the liner lock. New ones don't. I thought that was interesting, and yes I would guess it's intended to avoid any stigma that people have against goods manufactured in China.

Someday this stigma will go away, the same way Made in Japan is now desirable whereas it most certainly was not in the 60s. There are some quality goods coming out of China these days, but also still plenty of questionable things. Over time I expect that overall quality will rise. For example, that Boker knife is really nice, full stop. Made in China does not necessarily mean garbage.

 

[mako20ft]

It gets more interesting... Early productions of the Boker Exskelibur 1 had "China" stamped on the edge of the tang, facing you when looking down on the liner lock. New ones don't. I thought that was interesting, and yes I would guess it's intended to avoid any stigma that people have against goods manufactured in China.

Someday this stigma will go away, the same way Made in Japan is now desirable whereas it most certainly was not in the 60s. There are some quality goods coming out of China these days, but also still plenty of questionable things. Over time I expect that overall quality will rise. For example, that Boker knife is really nice, full stop. Made in China does not necessarily mean garbage.

I agree, and not because I just picked up a couple of the Pro Skinners. Truth is AUS-8A has fallen somewhat out of favor to the endless variety of top quality steels. That said, I'm very used to and comfortable with how to sharpen AUS-8...particularly in the field. Boker is known for good, serviceable quality at a production price point so it seemed a good time to jump back in with this steel. The good, the knife takes a brutally sharp edge with little effort. The better, the knife has held it's edge quite well over the course of 2 days of genuinely hard use. Cardboard and leather have been cut multiple, multiple times and the AUS-8 has more than held it's own. Chinese manufacture or not...whoever did the HT on this steel knew a thing or two.

All that aside...I can't help myself and have to say I'm glad Boker did not include the China label anywhere on the tool. It's a stigma I still have regards their manufacturing. Just to much junk coming out of the Communist regime made by 13yr olds for $20 a month wages.