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davek14 said:
I've bought plenty of good budget knives directly from China. One bad thing about them is not being sure what is being represented is what is being sold. The steel in the commonly bought China knives is perfectly decent, but if it's marked "440C" you can't be sure it really is 440C.
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That notion seems to be a rallying cry among the Sinophobes. But I've found the steel in the Chinese-made knives I've purchased to be perfectly decent too. So for me, at least, whether it's real "440C" or not doesn't matter . . . especially when the price I pay is taken into account.
 
bld522 said:
That notion seems to be a rallying cry among the Sinophobes. But I've found the steel in the Chinese-made knives I've purchased to be perfectly decent too. So for me, at least, whether it's real "440C" or not doesn't really matter . . . especially when the price I pay is taken into account.
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Me too actually. The steel is perfectly decent for the cost. I do see that as one disadvantage though. For instance if I want to try out a new steel.

I've bought batches of SRM710's as gifts. If you shop at WalMart you can't call yourself a proper Sinophobe.☺☺
 
I have to say that I've found the Tai Chung Spydercos to be of exceptional build quality. A Sage4 was my first from Tai Chung and it was a thing of beauty. I'm not sure if I "favor" American made knives. But I do seem to love the designs coming out of Golden and Oregon City. And I'd like to try a Lion Steel from Italy. Chinese knives I'm happy to stay away from.
 
Quiet said:
I generally will not buy knives made in China if I can help it. There have been some Chinese knives made by Kershaw that I've purchased, because I trust Kershaw to take care of me if there are any issues. China is the only country I have an issue with, because I believe that their longterm goal is to destroy us economically. That's my belief, and I spend my dollars on American made when given the opportunity. I do not have any issues with products from other countries (except for China), and will say that Taiwan Spydercos dominate their Golden products in my opinion.

For many things, there are few choices other than buying an imported product. But knives? With knives there's always a choice. :thumbup:
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+1 on the point of mainland communist China having a longterm goal to destroy the U.S. economy. For everyone here who says he doesn't care where his knives come from, I hope you know that you are sowing the seeds of your own destruction with every made-in-China product you buy (unless you live in communist China). That situation in the far east will end up in war sooner or later. As far as the quality of the products, anything made in the People's Republic of China is garbage. Do your research. They put poison in milk, toys, crayons, flooring, drywall. What do you think they're putting in your knife steels? One last point, a lot of people seem to equate Taiwan with communist China. They are political enemies. If you are going to buy foreign, at least Taiwan is a Western ally and their quality is excellent.
 
Wolverine666 said:
Chinese knives I'm happy to stay away from.
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That's your choice, of course. But I can tell you flatly that you're missing out on some very well made knives at exceptional price points. If you don't believe me, check out Kizer Cutlery. They have a manufacturer forum right here on BF. :)

GrReaper said:
+1 on the point of mainland communist China having a longterm goal to destroy the U.S. economy. For everyone here who says he doesn't care where his knives come from, I hope you know that you are sowing the seeds of your own destruction with every made-in-China product you buy (unless you live in communist China). That situation in the far east will end up in war sooner or later. As far as the quality of the products, anything made in the People's Republic of China is garbage. Do your research. They put poison in milk, toys, crayons, flooring, drywall. What do you think they're putting in your knife steels? One last point, a lot of people seem to equate Taiwan with communist China. They are political enemies. If you are going to buy foreign, at least Taiwan is a Western ally and their quality is excellent.
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Yep. Sinophobia at its finest. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I buy knives . . . not milk, toys, crayons, flooring, or drywall. Nor do I buy political systems. YMMV.
 
bld522 said:
That's your choice, of course. But I can tell you flatly that you're missing out on some very well made knives at exceptional price points. If you don't believe me, check out Kizer Cutlery. They have a manufacturer forum right here on BF. :)


Yep. Sinophobia at its finest. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I buy knives, not political systems. YMMV.
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I may give Kizer a look. But I just have it in my head that China-made (knives) are crap. Especially reading some posts here from people who are more knowledgeable about such things than I am.
 
I understand. Prejudice can be very difficult to overcome, especially with people screaming in your ear. There's only one way to know for sure, of course. Buy a Chinese-made knife and judge for yourself. Just keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Pay $20 for a piece of crap Chinese knife and that's what you'll end up with. Pay $120 for a well-made Chinese knife and you may just get your mind blown.
 
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And concerning Japanese knives , I'm fond of many Spydercos from Japan but they tend to use VG-10 a lot and I find it to be a little on the soft side. Still a decent steel but I prefer the likes of S30V. But I'm sure other brands may use different steels.
 
I really think the best of all possible worlds are Taichung Spydercos. If you want the safety of a name brand and prices that are reasonably affordable, they are awfully hard to beat.
 
bld522 said:
I really think the best of all possible worlds are Taichung Spydercos. If you want the safety of a name brand and prices that are reasonably affordable, they are awfully hard to beat.
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I agree. Tai Chung produces some outstanding blades.
 
Still, give a Kizer a try. I really think you'll have a change of heart about Chinese-made knives if you do.
 
benchwarmer380 said:
The Taiwan made Spydercos are excellent and rival or arguably surpass the quality of the Golden products. Sal has said they outsource there because of the high level of quality that their factories put out at a reasonable price. Yes, reasonable can be subjective but if they were made over here the price would probably be closer to mid tech/custom rather than high end production.
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You can take this post to the bank. I have many times...and will continue (gladly) to do so.
If you do a Search, you can find RamZar's excellent posts and listing of the Spydies that come from Taiwan. Simply wonderful fit/finish.
Sonnydaze
 
I look at the features of the knife first. If two knives, one off shore one US, are comparable I'll by the U.S.A knife even if it costs more.

I am a blue collar guy who makes a product for a living. I would rather my disposable income keeps a guy( or gal) employed here at home.

That said I do own four knives made in Japan, one Taiwan , and six U.S.A.
 
The world has changed. Unfortunately I really can't say that USA quality is where it once was. However, I do prefer American made, and China being my least favorite.
 
bld522 said:
That's your choice, of course. But I can tell you flatly that you're missing out on some very well made knives at exceptional price points. If you don't believe me, check out Kizer Cutlery. They have a manufacturer forum right here on BF. :)


Yep. Sinophobia at its finest. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I buy knives . . . not milk, toys, crayons, flooring, or drywall. Nor do I buy political systems. YMMV.
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You really, really need to stop using that word, or attempting to portray those of us with the values I've stated here as though our beliefs are bad. They aren't, sorry. If you disagree with my position, then you simply aren't paying attention. I take no issue with Chinese people, or their culture (I don't count their business ethics in this). I take the broader view of the subject, along with an understanding of what the Chinese Government's true endgame goals are along with their aforementioned business ethics. That's why I do my best to support any country other than China. That's all I'll say on the matter, because to go further takes this squarely into political territory, and thus lockage-and-redcards-passed-outsville.

Also, Kizer? You mean the same Kizer who now sells their Ti/S35vn knives at the same same $250-$350 price points as American companies do? That Kizer?
 
I think supporting made in USA is great. But if not at least support a US Ally. not a communist dictatorship that is NOT our ally.
This is not "Sinophobia" and it isn't bias or prejudice. It's geopolitics. And an individual's personal choice.
http://www.rense.com/general67/topch.htm
Just my two cents.
 
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