Does Sanrenmu Produce Any of Their Own Stuff?

R

RedLynx

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Aug 5, 2011
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Hi guys,

I know SRM has been discussed to death in various threads (there's another open right now asking about a specific one) but I didn't want to hijack any recent threads.

I don't want to open a can of worms here, just ask a straight question: does SRM produce any designs that you would consider their own, not ripped or "homage" work?

Lots of people here like them as affordable knives, lots say they are ripping off, and even those that enjoy them admit the similarities are too close. I'm just wondering if those of you who follow SRM have found any models that seem to be relatively unique and of their own design.

I understand we all have strong feelings about such knives and companies but I don't think we need to get into bashing or religiously defending them. If you like em, you like em, if you don't, you don't. It's all good. Thanks guys.

Edit: I am not intending to buy any of these, and I wouldn't unless someone knows of an affordable design that is THEIR design, which is why I ask the question. I can see in the other thread I referenced people already feel strongly. Understandably so.
 
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A148

I'm pretty sure there's more. There is a question. Is it wrong to buy from them if it ain't a copy?
 
I don't think so...

Honestly I am fine with them since Cold Steel has ripped off Okapi (Kudu and Eland), Opinel (Twistmaster), Strider (GI Tanto) and it seems like nobody has a problem with them

Is it wrong? Well, I'd say that depends. I know that some people buy rip offs first just to see how the knife feels in hand, sort of like training wheels I guess. Others (like me) aren't in the best financial shape and can't afford the real thing. I mean, I could eat without a Sebenza or starve with a Sebenza. While that wouldn't necessarily be the worst death, I'd rather avoid it if I can.

People on both sides of this have strong opinions, so I hope to not ruffle any feathers and will delete this post if I start a wildfire
 
davek14 said:
A148

I'm pretty sure there's more. There is a question. Is it wrong to buy from them if it ain't a copy?
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Hi Dave,

Interesting question. If we limit that to just knife production without considering other factors, I guess my answer is no? I mean it would then be their own work. But, there are other factors we as consumers may want to consider, such as the conditions of production and workers. Which I only mention because you use the phrase "wrong to buy" and many would consider bad working conditions a good reason for it being wrong to buy, in the ethical sense. I'm rambling today.
 
nick21 said:
I don't think so...

Honestly I am fine with them since Cold Steel has ripped off Okapi (Kudu and Eland), Opinel (Twistmaster), Strider (GI Tanto) and it seems like nobody has a problem with them

People on both sides of this have strong opinions, so I hope to not ruffle any feathers and will delete this post if I start a wildfire
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Thanks Nick, appreciate your thoughts.

But did Cold Steel rip off anyone with their Kudu design (a cheap knife that I really love by the way) and Opinel with their Twistmaster? I'd hate for anyone to rip off Opinel.

Can anyone chime in on this? Did they rip the designs or secure some rights to produce?
 
Nick,

Re the rest of your post: I am very into affordable, quality budget blades. If you need any help compiling a list of GOOD knives on a budget, please let me know. Trust me, I can give you a long list of knives better than anything from SRM, that you might even feel better about purchasing. Budget blades are kind of a personal specialty of mine.
 
Difficult subject to quantify. Actual counterfeits beginning to abound being obviously a horrible thing. Not to hijack your thread down that road, I think they are beginning to make a lot of home market knives and locks are illegal there. A lot of these designs are probably a lot less similar to existing knives if at all.
 
I didn't even think about the legality of the lock situation there Dave. A very interesting question.
 
RedLynx said:
Thanks Nick, appreciate your thoughts.

But did Cold Steel rip off anyone with their Kudu design (a cheap knife that I really love by the way) and Opinel with their Twistmaster? I'd hate for anyone to rip off Opinel.

Can anyone chime in on this? Did they rip the designs or secure some rights to produce?
Click to expand...

The Twistmaster is an, as you call it..."homage." As is the GI Tanto.
Heck, for the GI Tanto CS pretty much out and out claims that is their version of Strider's design.

This is an interesting thread, partially because of your choice of words in the title.

SanRenMu may not design the stuff they produce, but they do make the stuff they produce.

Cold Steel may not design some of the stuff they produce, and they don't make the stuff they produce.

BlackJack may not design some of the stuff they produce, but they do make all the stuff they produce.
 
Sure these companies make some of their own designs. The Enlan EL-01 is a great example. Good solid knife for on the cheap. Then again, these companies also make copies, fakes, and counterfeits.
 
As always, thanks for your logical response Marcinek.

Whatever else might be said of Cold Steel, I didn't think they'd blatantly rip anything off. I assume Opinel and/or Strider have no problems with Cold Steel's homage designs. I certainly haven't heard anything. I'm certain Strider knows that the GI Tanto is CS's version, particularly if they've basically stated as such. Very different from what SRM is purported to do.

Also the topic of making vs. designing is interesting, I appreciate you mentioning it.
 
craytab said:
Sure these companies make some of their own designs. The Enlan EL-01 is a great example. Good solid knife for on the cheap. Then again, these companies also make copies, fakes, and counterfeits.
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I was "relieved" to see you bought the EL-01. I like Sanrenmu's "A" series scalpel like slipjoints and have one of each size. I just got the A103 and it's a nice little keychain knife about as long as a toothpick closed.
 
Dave,

I FINALLY noticed the knife in the pic you posted. I looked at it about 10 times assuming that metal box thing was something they produced meant as a joke "yes they produce their own stuff, like this" type thing. Now that you mention the A103 as a knife I went back and looked and behold, the knife. I'm way off today apparently.
 
marcinek said:
The Twistmaster is an, as you call it..."homage." As is the GI Tanto.
Heck, for the GI Tanto CS pretty much out and out claims that is their version of Strider's design.
Click to expand...

I don't know, Cold Steel's vicious marketing makes it seem a lot more hostile than a homage...From Cold Steel's website:

Heavy, sharp and wonderfully balanced, it's easy to throw by either the blade or handle and it hits with real vigor. In a survival or self-defense situation, it can be quickly and easily converted into a spear or war club. Just remove the handle scales and lash the blade securely to a suitable wooden shaft! Best of all, it's a great value. Please don't throw away hundreds and hundreds of dollars on similar knives sold by convicted felons and rip off artists posing as elite "military operators". Get the real G.I. Tanto from Cold Steel and get more than your money's worth
 
RedLynx said:
Dave,

I FINALLY noticed the knife in the pic you posted. I looked at it about 10 times assuming that metal box thing was something they produced meant as a joke "yes they produce their own stuff, like this" type thing. Now that you mention the A103 as a knife I went back and looked and behold, the knife. I'm way off today apparently.
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My bad actually..
Here's it is with some Elvish script.
 
nick21 said:
I don't know, Cold Steel's vicious marketing makes it seem a lot more hostile than a homage...From Cold Steel's website:

Heavy, sharp and wonderfully balanced, it's easy to throw by either the blade or handle and it hits with real vigor. In a survival or self-defense situation, it can be quickly and easily converted into a spear or war club. Just remove the handle scales and lash the blade securely to a suitable wooden shaft! Best of all, it's a great value. Please don't throw away hundreds and hundreds of dollars on similar knives sold by convicted felons and rip off artists posing as elite "military operators". Get the real G.I. Tanto from Cold Steel and get more than your money's worth
Click to expand...

Oh for the love of god let's not get into a Strider Discussion....
 
Dave, that is super cool.

I like the symmetry I see in these knives. Do they make a model that has a blade at least 3.5" or thereabouts?
 
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