Does PSRK make Ganzo?

[Blacplastik]

That China D2.
So many knives now in this steel from China who knows what mystery steel it is.

 

[JacksonKnives]

That China D2.
So many knives now in this steel from China who knows what mystery steel it is.

I understand skepticism about a lot of things, but why D2?
When an American designer/vendor/"maker" advertises "China D2" to distinguish his offshore-produced inventory, that's funny.

But why would we be skeptical of a manufacturer using a readily-available tool steel? Maybe they could save some money ripping people off by making blades out of "cheaper" steel, but at a certain point it costs more to buy cheap barstock of mystery metal than it does to buy actual D2. (Especially if you have high enough standards to throw away blades with inclusions that show up mid-grind.)
One of the reasons tool steels are popular in knives is that they're usually easy to find in bar form. It's not worth "faking" an easy-to-find steel.
You could save money cutting/grinding blades from mild steel, or by not hardening them... But the distinction in manufacturing quality is a lot more murky that that.

Blades coming from these factories are probably made from D2, just like they're using "real" G10 and "real" ball bearings. The issue isn't that a manufacturer of cheap knives doesn't have access to "good" materials; it's that if you pick one off the line it could have major issues with heat treat, lockup, detent, fasteners, edge grind, or a number of other things. These companies source millions of dollars worth of materials for large American knife companies. Fake D2 is not the problem.

 

[NorthernSouthpaw]

I understand skepticism about a lot of things, but why D2?
When an American designer/vendor/"maker" advertises "China D2" to distinguish his offshore-produced inventory, that's funny.

But why would we be skeptical of a manufacturer using a readily-available tool steel? Maybe they could save some money ripping people off by making blades out of "cheaper" steel, but at a certain point it costs more to buy cheap barstock of mystery metal than it does to buy actual D2. (Especially if you have high enough standards to throw away blades with inclusions that show up mid-grind.)
One of the reasons tool steels are popular in knives is that they're usually easy to find in bar form. It's not worth "faking" an easy-to-find steel.
You could save money cutting/grinding blades from mild steel, or by not hardening them... But the distinction in manufacturing quality is a lot more murky that that.

Blades coming from these factories are probably made from D2, just like they're using "real" G10 and "real" ball bearings. The issue isn't that a manufacturer of cheap knives doesn't have access to "good" materials; it's that if you pick one off the line it could have major issues with heat treat, lockup, detent, fasteners, edge grind, or a number of other things. These companies source millions of dollars worth of materials for large American knife companies. Fake D2 is not the problem.

Honest answer? It's Ganzo.
If you believe they are being straightforward about anything involving their "products", then I've got a bridge in Brooklyn that I'd like to sell you...... cheap

 

[Dogdrawz]

...if you pick one off the line it could have major issues with heat treat, lockup, detent, fasteners, edge grind, or a number of other things.

This & lack of warranty...I give em two thumbs down.

To try & answer the question; trying to find any truthful information on these knives is dern near impossible.

 

[SmartCastle7]

I would like to mug an old lady, but I don’t want to do it in a dark alley where I might get mugged. What do?

I would hardly equate purchasing a Chinese manufactured knife to mugging old lady, most people shop at Walmart and buy Chinese products so I don't think it's really that dramatic. I completely understand your point though.

 

[SmartCastle7]

This & lack of warranty...I give em two thumbs down.

To try & answer the question; trying to find any truthful information on these knives is dern near impossible.

I'm finding this to be completely true.

 

[SmartCastle7]

I appreciate all the input from everyone. You all have valid points. A big reason I don't spend &$100.00 or $200.00 dollars on a pocket knife is that I'm almost afraid to use it, or possibly lose it. I can forgive myself for losing a fifteen dollar knife a lot more easily... which really has nothing to do with the manufacturer.

 

[stonproject]

I appreciate all the input from everyone. You all have valid points. A big reason I don't spend &$100.00 or $200.00 dollars on a pocket knife is that I'm almost afraid to use it, or possibly lose it. I can forgive myself for losing a fifteen dollar knife a lot more easily... which really has nothing to do with the manufacturer.

Why not go with spydercos budget line, or even kershaw? They make quality products at the lower end of the price spectrum. You'll not only have a quality product from companies that will stand behind their product, but you also won't be supporting companies that are dishonest to you. If $30 is your budget, I can't imagine why you don't have a spyderco or kershaw

 

[SmartCastle7]

Why not go with spydercos budget line, or even kershaw? They make quality products at the lower end of the price spectrum. You'll not only have a quality product from companies that will stand behind their product, but you also won't be supporting companies that are dishonest to you. If $30 is your budget, I can't imagine why you don't have a spyderco or kershaw

I have an Esee Avispa, it's a great knife. I guess I just enjoy variety, but please understand that I really do appreciate quality.

 

[Lapedog]

I have an Esee Avispa, it's a great knife. I guess I just enjoy variety, but please understand that I really do appreciate quality.

Check out the Ruike 801. Excellent knife for the money. Also check out the Steel Will Cutjack D2 for a slightly more expensive knife, but one good enough that it could last your life. There’s also the Harnds Talisman which is very cheap but from what I hear a good quality knife.

I understand skepticism about a lot of things, but why D2?
When an American designer/vendor/"maker" advertises "China D2" to distinguish his offshore-produced inventory, that's funny.

But why would we be skeptical of a manufacturer using a readily-available tool steel? Maybe they could save some money ripping people off by making blades out of "cheaper" steel, but at a certain point it costs more to buy cheap barstock of mystery metal than it does to buy actual D2. (Especially if you have high enough standards to throw away blades with inclusions that show up mid-grind.)
One of the reasons tool steels are popular in knives is that they're usually easy to find in bar form. It's not worth "faking" an easy-to-find steel.
You could save money cutting/grinding blades from mild steel, or by not hardening them... But the distinction in manufacturing quality is a lot more murky that that.

Blades coming from these factories are probably made from D2, just like they're using "real" G10 and "real" ball bearings. The issue isn't that a manufacturer of cheap knives doesn't have access to "good" materials; it's that if you pick one off the line it could have major issues with heat treat, lockup, detent, fasteners, edge grind, or a number of other things. These companies source millions of dollars worth of materials for large American knife companies. Fake D2 is not the problem.

They seem to be using Cr12MoV which is the Chinese standard analog of D2. It is close enough to d2 to be considered a non-proprietary d2 steel however it has a much lower quantity of vanadium in it (~.17%) vs Specifically D2 (~1%)

 

[stonproject]

I have an Esee Avispa, it's a great knife. I guess I just enjoy variety, but please understand that I really do appreciate quality.

Ive heard excellent things about civivi, WEs budget line. https://www.bladehq.com/cat--CIVIVI--3293
Kizer s budget line looks promising also. They can found on BHQ aswell

 

[Lapedog]

Ive heard excellent things about civivi, WEs budget line. https://www.bladehq.com/cat--CIVIVI--3293
Kizer s budget line looks promising also. They can found on BHQ aswell

Civivi! I have heard really good things about them from a good friend who got one.

They are a new line from WE knives that are supposed to be just excellent quality.

Spend 40$ on one excellent knife instead of 20 each for two crappy knife.

 

[Monofletch]

..... and don’t forget the Rat Model 1 and 2!

 

[craytab]

As to the original question, you'll likely not find a definitive answer. Even if ganzo themselves told you, would you believe them?

The best way to make sure you aren't getting a rip off of a rip off company's knife, sold by a retailer that sells rip offs, is to not get involved with any off them in the first place.

..... and don’t forget the Rat Model 1 and 2!

Utilitac II as well. There are endless budget options that are far better than supporting thieves.

Why not go with spydercos budget line, or even kershaw? They make quality products at the lower end of the price spectrum. You'll not only have a quality product from companies that will stand behind their product, but you also won't be supporting companies that are dishonest to you. If $30 is your budget, I can't imagine why you don't have a spyderco or kershaw

Exactly. Getting a warranty has real value, even in $20 knife. It shows that the company cares enough to stand behind their product. And when it comes to a cutting tool that folds where your fingers are placed, that is important.

 

[needler420]

Not sure about PSRK but ganzo knives are sold by dealers on here.

 

[T Abell]

I have a Ganzo. Not a bad knife but I wasn't trying to find a "poor man's Benchmade" either. I was looking for a knife that if I lost or broke it I would be like "Well, it was $16. Who cares?."

This is an internet grab but mine is the same model (I think) as the orange handled one:

In short I bought it because of what it is (a halfway decent knife at a cheap price) not for what it was pretending to be. Honestly I had no idea it was a ripoff of the Benchmade until well after I got it.

 

[Fire Beard]

Check out the Ruike 801. Excellent knife for the money. Also check out the Steel Will Cutjack D2 for a slightly more expensive knife, but one good enough that it could last your life. There’s also the Harnds Talisman which is very cheap but from what I hear a good quality knife.

Doesn’t Sanrenmu make both Ruike and Real Steel knives? I believe both brands are owned by Fenix, but I was under the assumption that Sanrenmu produced the knives. I could be totally wrong.

Also, I have a Ruike P128-SF that’s one HELLUVA knife for $50. Also just picked up a Civivi Aquila to check out and I love it. Both knives are outstanding quality—not just ‘for the money’ either—just good quality stuff that doesn’t break the bank.

 

[Lapedog]

Doesn’t Sanrenmu make both Ruike and Real Steel knives? I believe both brands are owned by Fenix, but I was under the assumption that Sanrenmu produced the knives. I could be totally wrong.

Also, I have a Ruike P128-SF that’s one HELLUVA knife for $50. Also just picked up a Civivi Aquila to check out and I love it. Both knives are outstanding quality—not just ‘for the money’ either—just good quality stuff that doesn’t break the bank.
View attachment 1000115

Fenix owns Ruike. Real Steel is a sub brand of San Ren Mu. It is entirely possible that SRM makes the knives for Ruike as they do alot of work for other manufacturers.

There are some things I have seen that indicate SRM is probably doing the manufacturing for Ruike.

 

[craytab]

I have a Ganzo. Not a bad knife but I wasn't trying to find a "poor man's Benchmade" either. I was looking for a knife that if I lost or broke it I wouldn't be like "Well, it was $16. Who cares?."

This is an internet grab but mine is the same model (I think) as the orange handled one:

In short I bought it because of what it is (a halfway decent knife at a cheap price) not for what it was pretending to be. Honestly I had no idea it was a ripoff of the Benchmade until well after I got it.

Not a single original design.

 

[Hackenslash]

Not sure about PSRK but ganzo knives are sold by dealers on here.

Which vendor on the supporting vendors list sells Ganzo?

I have a Ganzo. Not a bad knife but I wasn't trying to find a "poor man's Benchmade" either. I was looking for a knife that if I lost or broke it I wouldn't be like "Well, it was $16. Who cares?."

This is an internet grab but mine is the same model (I think) as the orange handled one:

In short I bought it because of what it is (a halfway decent knife at a cheap price) not for what it was pretending to be. Honestly I had no idea it was a ripoff of the Benchmade until well after I got it.

S SmartCastle7 , welcome to Blade Forums and thanks for sharing your question. You picked a very divisive topic to introduce yourself to the community, but I think you deserve the best answers that we can offer.

Every knife in the picture above is a rip-off of another knife...
from left to right...Benchmade Snody H&K 14210, Benchmade 950 Rift, Benchmade 741 Onslaught, Benchmade 860 Bedlam, Lionsteel SR2 for the next two knives, Ontario Rat Model 1 and Spyderco PM2.

It's stuff like this that makes true knife enthusiasts loathe Ganzo. Stolen designs and features hurt the entire knife industry and as knife knuts we hate to see the industry suffer due to these cloner companies. Yes, you have reason to be concerned about getting a "genuine" Ganzo because the cloners are now cloning the cloners. The damage cloners do to legit knife makers is NOT up for debate. The argument about not being able to afford the real thing doesn't hold water either. True, a genuine Benchmade 950 might be out of the price-comfort range for many knife buyers, but there are some great choices available in inexpensive, original knives. Many have been named already in this thread.

For within a few $ of a Ganzo you could get:
Kizer Tangram (the Sante Fe in particular is an awesome knife)
Ontario Rat Model 1 or Model 2 in AUS8 steel
Some of the Chinese produced Kershaws (I'd ask about a particular knife that you may have interest in because these can be hit or miss)
Honey Badger (I don't see much talk of them here but I think they're an incredible knife for the money. They originate out of South Africa but I doubt they're actually made there)

For the price of 2 Ganzos you could get:
WE Civivi
RealSteel (I recommend the H6-S1. Although RS shares a common ancestry with SanRenMu I think enough distance has passed to separate them from SRM's cloner past)
Ruike (As I understand it, not related to SanRenMu but a derivative of the group that made Factor knives...who have a cloner past)
Kizer Vanguard
Bestech budget line
Steel Will
Ontario RATs in D2 steel

There's many more that I can't remember off the top of my head. This is a renaissance time for high quality, high value knives. There are so many great choices, there's no excuse to buy a clone, copy, homage, rip-off when you can support knife design/development/production and buy an original. And get a warranty. And get materials you know to be as advertised. And deal with an authorized reseller who'll stand behind what they sell. Hopefully you get the drift. There's no reason to buy from a cloner and too many reasons to NOT buy from a cloner.

Good luck finding great knives!