I Can’t Believe How Good Cheap, Chinese Knives Are Getting!

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I only buy USA made knives.
As for the rest, well I buy USA if it’s available. Sadly we are not self supported any longer so some things must be purchased from off shore, but if we make what I want here I’ll pay whatever it takes to buy it and keep it here.

Oh and in before the lock!
 
I'm no longer at the stage that I'm very interested in the lower end stuff, but I think at the higher end, for some time already, the quality Chinese companies have been showing a level of inventiveness and response to customer demand that has surpassed anything elsewhere. The only area they really miss out is having access to the best (newest) steels with the best heat treats, although that doesn't mean you can get good M390, etc.

In general, I don't want to be buying many knives these days (I already have far too many). And in general, I'm more reluctant to direct large amounts of discretionary spending towards large economies that are openly hostile to liberal democracy. But WE knives is making that very hard with some of the stuff they're bringing out, often with their in-house designs leading the pack. And then when you look at the new things Reate is doing with their EXO line . . .
 
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I am sure that China’s manufacturing can be world class. This is where the first world has decided to relocate its production, their assembly lines are supported by the majority of the global wealth and have been trained coached and led by the best that global manufacturers can provide. In short they currently have the best tools.

It is a country with a great deal of internal stress, which relies on slave and child labor, and certainly not the basket that I would entrust with all the eggs. But, we are where we are; and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them become the majority of our master knife makers within a generation.

n2s
 
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Maybe the solution is to just let them operate here under their laws? Slave labor in the US, maybe use migrants, minus international shipping, dump the waste products in Lake Michigan, etc… means awesomeness for even cheaper! It’s just makes sense when you think about it. Cheap, quality items, and no USA made debates anymore!
 
Two different discussions are going on here. One is political in nature. The other concerns quality.

The quality (materials, fit and finish) exhibited by WE and Civivi as well as Sencut, Kizer, Reate, Artisan, Kunwu and others rival makers anywhere else in the world. It just is. Someone said his Chinese Spyderco was junk but reviews are solid. Designs among different makers vary wildly but there is likely one who produces a style you’re looking for.
 
It would be very hard to beat WEs quality for the price. I like my country, I served my country, I have no issue buying from WE or any of the other BIG Chinese knife companies. However, I will not buy any no name or flagrant copied versions of popular US knives.IMG_1924.jpeg
 
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"Not a butt boy" well that's cool. Unless you like butt boys, then I support your right to let your butt boy flag fly.

<Putting on Rant Hat>
Nothing wrong with the Chinese as a people/culture. Why I thank them every time I eat General Tso's chicken. Now here's the but...
Everything dollar you spend goes into their Chicom business model of world domination. One day and mark my words here, we'll bump heads like we did w/the Japanese over who's the boss of the Pacific.
I know that now I'm past the draft age my ass will never be on the line. But think of that $$$ you put into that Chinese made knife may just cost you the life of a loved one. I for one buy Taiwan items with a smile on my face knowing that this pisses off a commie m'eefer and gives them heartburn.

In the end it's YOUR $$$ so do what your conscience lets you get away with. I for one try double extra hard to avoid Chicom items, fuck them. I think I'm going to get a Himalayan Imports kukri because they say sucked it to their asshole neighbors on the other side of the mountains.

<Rant Hat Off>

Have a good Wednesday boys! God Bless and keep your powder dry.
 
Chinese prices are getting up there too. I was surprised to see that even some years ago, some European makers offered better deals then Chinese manufacturers, all while using the same materials & same or better quality. Lionsteel comes to mind. I was able to get my Ti Thrill for $190 back then. Show me a similar Chinese knife that can compete with that price.

The Chinese are doing excellent work & have been for years. These are not sweat shops, but modern factories filled with skilled professionals. They can give any US or EU brand a run for their money if they want to, and often do. But with the economy changing, they aren't the bargains they used to be.

This is partially because just like everywhere else, materials & labour is getting more expensive in China, but also because these brands realized that they didn't have to sell their knives are bargain basement prices any more to compete internationally. Many Chinese makers are household names these days & the brand recognition is definitely there, so they raise prices just like US or European companies did before them.
 
Again Regarding Cheap and Chinese:

A few years ago, I started seeing e-Bay offerings for Chris Reeve knives at prices so low (~1/4) of the retail for a genuine CRK that they could only be a knock-off. They looked very close to a CRK, but the Sebenza offerings were in 2D steel. There were Green Beret knives in S30V (or S35V?) That only misses by a fraction, but agin the price was only 25% of a real knife. . . .and they shipped from Cina. I contacted the CRK organization and Customer Service there confirmed that there were unauthorized copies out there.

So then, why can't a Chinese outfit create a knife that is different from but just as good as a CRK for a blue-color price point?
 
I have so many Chinese knives that I don't even know how many. They could be considered a collection. So far I have never had a Chinese knife that I regretted or that was not worth the money. They are cheap. They have quality materials. They have a wide variety of models. They are innovative. When buying something, I think it is more rational to look at how and what it is produced, and whether there are ethical violations in its production, rather than where it is produced. Just because a knife is made in China does not make it bad or of poor quality. You may want to pay 4 or 5 times more for the same knife just because it is produced in your country. I respect that. However, keep in mind that most of the big manufacturers invest the money they earn from the knives they produce in your country to produce other models in China or Taiwan and invest there. So you are indirectly doing the same thing again. In every period of history, some regions stand out with some objects of production. This is a very natural process. I don't give a damn why people don't buy Chinese knives, I want people to do the same. You can stay away from Chinese knives because they are communist, or because they put the producers in your country in a difficult situation, etc. and you have every right to do so. Just don't expect it from other people or impose your irrational reasons.
 
I own many knives, Most usa brands. These are my first chinese knives and was impressed. Very reasonably priced and pretty much flawless and the sheaths are good as well.20230607_090537.jpg
 
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irsh said:
And when all that's left are Chinese companies?
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Yeah that's the outcome they're advising American makers to avoid, by improving their product or pricing (which would include doing better work for the same price, btw, not just price reductions) in whatever way they can
 
w said:
I own many knives, all usa brands. These are my first chinese knives and was impressed. Very reasonably priced and pretty much flawless and the sheaths are good as well.View attachment 2210504
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Well said, I believe it was Sal from Spyderco that said its not "where" but by "who" that makes the knife. Guess QT is where its at and the Chinese are capable of great products. But I still fall back on my Chicom statement.
 
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