How to Spot Knock Offs?

M

MplsAtty

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Aug 20, 2007
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In another thread, a new collector mentioned that tips on spotting knife knock-offs or counterfeits would be helpful. He mentioned eBay in the post, & some of the most obvious knock-offs come from China. They seem to be a new design from the manufacturer quite often, one you haven't seen before. Or they barely mask themselves ("T-R-A-C-K-E-R" is one I recall that was in the same blade design as the Tom Brown Tracker). Often they use a blade steel that just isn't right (almost none of the big-name tactical are made of 440C these days, but many of the knock-offs are; or they're made of "stainless steel"). Most often, they're obviously from professional sellers, not just some guy trying to lighten his collection. And quite often, they're much cheaper cheaper than the real deal.

Just something I've noticed shopping eBay over the years.

I hope to see more tips posted!
 
One of the obvious ones is Phillips or Flathead screws on the scales or pivots. With some exceptions (Emerson comes to mind with the flathead pivot) most branded manufacturers use Torx screws on production pieces and have for the past several years.
 
Just good old comparison pics are always good, if the pics provided aren't sufficient ask for more, if the seller won't provide more, then don't bother with it.
If it's possibly an older version you're not familiar with the only right place is pretty much the forums, some databases exist too.
 
Stick with reputable dealers and or buy directly form the manufacturer website.

Don't buy knives at flea markets.

Look at the price, if it too good to be true then it usually is a fake.
 
Sometimes counterfeits are pretty easy to spot. Spydercos with thumb studs or oddly shaped holes and such. But some are extremely close. On the Spyderco forum, a few popped up that could fool almost anyone by internet pictures alone.

Reputable dealers are the best way to avoid counterfeits.

Non knife nuts will have a harder time, not being well versed in the design minutiae, but also often care less about the issue.

Knock offs or copies are often a different issue. Many copies carry their own brand names rather than the names of the brands they copy. Identifying copies is a much more gray area, requiring an even more keen knife nut eye, capable of identifying designs rather than trademarks and workmanship.
 
Knowing what to look for can be a challenge. Here's pics of a Stryker clone and a pretty good one at that:

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It's the fit and finish...blade grind is wrong, everything's rough, the actual 910 has a full back spacer, this has cheap barrel spacers.

When you open the real version there's a definite sound to the "clack" that's noticeable, the copy actually sounds dull.

On the copy it's got screws on both sides, the real one has 3 to the left and the threaded inserts on the right. The fake is missing a set screw above the pivot and the thumb jimping is wrong.

It goes on and on, and knowing what to look for takes practice. But after awhile you'll know what to look for.

Hope that helps a bit.
 
After a while, you can almost get a sense of something looking 'wrong' or 'off'.

I think that is what jkarp is referring to.

Then again, I once almost bought an Extrema Ratio clone at 70% of the price of the original, a year back.

That's when you have to be careful.

An easy way to tell if it's a fake is because it's so damn cheap.

If it's sold at the same price as the original...be wary.
 
if it's too good to be true, it is.

Build quality usually sucks

It ships from china

It's "like new" but doesn't have any packaging

It's more often than not, a liner locking design

Blade steel is advertised as "high carbon stainless steel" or "stainless steel" or "440 stainless" or something like that

the list goes on
 
Are knives that come in boxes without logos typically knock-offs? I purchased a couple of inexpensive boker knives at a gun and knife show a few months ago and they were packaged in plain white boxes. It didn't occur to me until I got home that there could be a problem.
 
Good god that Benchmade is a good knockoff! If you're gonna put that much time and energy into making fake blades, why not just design your own? Sigh, the world confuses me.

I've seen lots of fakes on eBay, and I second the comment that if the price is too good to be true, good chance it's fake. I emailed Strider about a fake that I found, and they said that since they're out of China, there ain't much they can do about it (though they did say I should find out who makes their boxes, THEN kick the **** out of them). In that circumstance, I can tell you that they're coming with a box, which Striders do not, and it's not too difficult to see that they're cheatin' ya. At first glance, they look very similar, but the model doesn't look quite like anything else in their line. the finish looks too "painted on" for lack of a better description, and you of course can look at the item description, which is usually listed as Hong Kong. Kind of a giveaway. I've noticed this with other knife brands too, but there are sneakier folks out there that don't make it so easy.

Places like eBay often have your back, offering protection if your purchase is over like 25 bucks or something like that. If I'm not confident, I usually ask the seller if the item is 100% guaranteed genuine, then save the email. This is nice, because if you get the knife and determine it to be a fake, you can always tell them you're going to return it, and if you get the runaround, eBay will cover you in full. Just be smart and keep your eyes peeled. If something looks/feels off, then take a closer look before making that impulse buy!
 
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TundraR said:
Are knives that come in boxes without logos typically knock-offs? I purchased a couple of inexpensive boker knives at a gun and knife show a few months ago and they were packaged in plain white boxes. It didn't occur to me until I got home that there could be a problem.
Click to expand...

I came across a counterfeit that came in a very well copied box. I don't think anyone would be able to tell just by looking at the box.

Also, sometimes you come across legit bulk packed knives, warehouse finds, and such. When the counterfeiters produce really good copies, it can be near impossible to tell.
 
the blade grinds, i saw some knock offs of smith and Wesson neck knives, and they used a chisel grind. the sheaths too, usually the sheath is fairly good for most knives, but sometimes they're badly copied (loose screws, badly placed lash points, deep sheaths for sheaths that have snappon straps to keep the knife in place, and visa versa). obviously, if they copy a design with a good blade steel, and the knife you use loses it's edge fairly quickly then that would be a dead ringer. i saw a you tube video that was on counterfeits, with one knife claiming to be "titanium 440C"
 
One dead giveaway is simple- spelling.

I've seen plenty of fake watches made in "Shiterland", "Swisterland" and so on. One misspelling, no matter how minor, kills it.
 
I had to try the link a few times before it connected... maybe the online traffic is heavy, or something.
It's a 551 101 Griptilian Gold Class from the Outfitter Country for $266.
 
If it won't shave hair when you get it, it's almost certainly a fake. I'd compare pics of the knives being sold to pics from reputable websites--while copies are getting better all the time, there are still differences.
 
jayinhk said:
If it won't shave hair when you get it, it's almost certainly a fake. I'd compare pics of the knives being sold to pics from reputable websites--while copies are getting better all the time, there are still differences.
Click to expand...

That's not 100% true sometimes knives get passed QC, and I remember when benchmade had a big problem with dull blades.
I'm pretty sure that they wouldn't get past QC gold class, but you never know.
 
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