I can't believe I bought this !

sharpstick

sharpstick

Joined
Jan 28, 2003
Messages
261
I went to the local county fair this weekend and was looking around at some of the booths. There was one booth selling various knockoffs and pos knives that had a large croud of people. I though I would get a good laugh and look at what they were selling and also though it would be a good time to show my wife the difference between quality and junk knives.

I happened to pick up an MTECH folding Kerambit the very first thing. I was pleasantly supprised. Double stainless liners, G-10 Scales, dual thumbstuds, black coated blade, a beefy liner lock...this thing looked pretty well built for a cheap knife. The only downside is the blade is 440 stainless. The price for the knife was only $15.00 so I had to buy it.

The point of the story...It is now a little harder for me to justify to my wife spending $400 on my SNG when I just invested in a cheapie. But seriously, for $15.00 you will be hard pressed to find a better value.
 
I've seen 2 M Tech folding kerambits. One is a direct knock-off of the Emerson, the other is a direct knock-off of the Liong Mah.

Edit:here's some on ebay Looks like they maybe did a derespina, too. Dunno about that T-Rex.
 
Wow, I guess I didn't realize they were such a close copy of the others. I never really looked at kerambits because I didn't think I would want to carry one.
 
Originally posted by sharpstick
The point of the story...It is now a little harder for me to justify to my wife spending $400 on my SNG when I just invested in a cheapie. But seriously, for $15.00 you will be hard pressed to find a better value.
Click to expand...

Try actually using the junker and show your wife the pieces it breaks into. It could turn out to be a good investment for the arguments it saves when you want to buy something good. :cool:
 
I doubt it's a junker if it's made in Taiwan. Most big name knife brands have had knives made in Taiwan for them and are continuing to do so. As far as the Chinese stuff it's getting better all the time.
What happens when the Chinese start using ATS34. The Chinese are talking about putting a man in space by the end of the year. VERY few countries posess that level of technical achievement.
Some people need to get their head out of their rear.
China is the future of manufacturing and will likely be the only true Superpower in twenty years.
 
For the same $15 I got a 5" Chicago Cutlery trapper and a Schrade LB7, both used but in near perfect condition except for several years worth of pocket lint in the works. Both made in the USA.
You say the MTECH is made of 440 -- 440 what? A, H ? You probably have butter knives in your kitchen that will hold an edge as well.
Okay, maybe I exaggerate some, and yes I do buy some overseas products, mostly electronics, even Taiwanese on occassison. But Chinese , as in RED Chinese? Not likely,
MtMike
 
"I do buy some overseas products, mostly electronics, even Taiwanese on occassison. But Chinese , as in RED Chinese? Not likely"

That is one of the most inane comments I have seen here recently.
You clearly have no clue about the number and quantities of goods produced in China and consumed here in the USA. I am confident you purchase a Chinese manufactured product or one that makes use of Chinese manufactured components on a weekly if not daily basis.
Do a little research and get educated.

Daimler Chrysler just anounced they will begin manufacturing automobiles in China. That's right, smart business has been srambling to partner up with China for awhile now so they don't get caught out of the loop.

A government doesn't define a people or a nation.
The communists have been in power only a short time - even now the country is moving forward with economic as well as other reforms that will eventually result in a more western / capitalist type nation.
 
That last post may be getting off track. I suspect the Mtech is made in Taiwan.
No problems with most stuff from here (Taiwan) and the steel in that Schrade lockback is probably 440A.
 
I doubt it's a junker if it's made in Taiwan. Most big name knife brands have had knives made in Taiwan for them and are continuing to do so. As far as the Chinese stuff it's getting better all the time.
Click to expand...

Very funny..

That last post may be getting off track.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more...


As a sidenote, since Red is the apparent way to go, lets tell Chris Reeve that he cannot make any more income this year than any of his employees, and if he has a 4 bedroom house, he better be able to house 8-15 people in it...

But about the Mtechs, has anyone here really used one for utility use? Maybe they aren't so bad after all? I mean, for what it is, the price, and the junky steel...
 
"Very funny.."

What's funny about that? I should have said "many" not "most" but otherwise that statement is factual.


"lets tell Chris Reeve that he cannot make any more income this year than any of his employees, and if he has a 4 bedroom house, he better be able to house 8-15 people in it..."

I don't know what your talking about here. I can only assume your knowledge of modern day China amounts to some left over hostile feelings relating to the early years of the cold war era.
But what does this have to do with the quality of the goods being manufactured here?
 
If the blade-steel is 440C and the scales are G-10, then you got a very good deal indeed.

If the blade is 440A, then I would think the scales are not really G-10 and you got what you paid for.

Either way, you did'nt get hurt in the purchase.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
Originally posted by allenC
Either way, you did'nt get hurt in the purchase.
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He may not have. But Liong and Ernie certainly did. While I can't argue with the economics, the fact is they're producing knockoff's and people do get hurt when knockoffs are in play.
 
Originally posted by averageguy
Daimler Chrysler just anounced they will begin manufacturing automobiles in China. That's right, smart business has been srambling to partner up with China for awhile now so they don't get caught out of the loop.
Click to expand...
Way off topic here. How soon do you expect Diamler to start selling those cars here in the USA? And before you get on my case, I drive a ML320, which is made in Tuskaloosa, Alabama. :rolleyes:
 
I have to disagree.
I don't think Ernie got hurt either and here's why:

Emerson knives are somewhat expensive (at least IMHO), and Emerson markets their knives to a certain group of knife buyers (as does Chris Reeve).
With very few exceptions, the folks who buy Emerson knives (or Chris Reeve knives) are not likely to be the same ones who would buy an MTECH knife.
I'm sure Ernie Emerson is'nt sitting up late at night thinking "Dammit! MTECH is stealing all of my customers".

They simple are not competing for the same customers.

Or to but it in a car related anology:
BMW is'nt losing sales to Daewoo.

Allen.
 
Originally posted by allenC
I don't think Ernie got hurt either and here's why:
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Really? Yes, Ernie's core customers are not going to buy the M-Tech versions. And, yes, the M-Tech customers are probably out of the price range for Ernie's regular line. But since M-Tech has decided to copy his design and sell it for so much less, that leaves Ernie very little chance of launching his own low cost versions, as he's doing with his Hard Use line. And for Liong, the fact that such a cheap and unauthorized alternative is so readily available, it means that he's going to have a extremely hard time legally licensing that design. Still think that no one got hurt?
 
That's the realities of the business world.
Industrial espionage, politics, legal wars...that's all part of the price.

I've heard that Bob Terzoula was the first to use the liner-lock (designed by michael Walker) and G-10 scales on a "tactical folder", and Sal Glesser started the pocket-clip and thumb-hole revolution...now look how many makers use those same materials and concepts.
It's very difficult to determine just who's copying who.

I suspect we will just have to "agree to disagree",
Allen.
 
Originally posted by averageguy
I doubt it's a junker if it's made in Taiwan. Most big name knife brands have had knives made in Taiwan for them and are continuing to do so. As far as the Chinese stuff it's getting better all the time.
What happens when the Chinese start using ATS34. The Chinese are talking about putting a man in space by the end of the year. VERY few countries posess that level of technical achievement.
Some people need to get their head out of their rear.
China is the future of manufacturing and will likely be the only true Superpower in twenty years.
Click to expand...

...erm... Why do I get the disturbing impression that you seem to be cheering this?


---Jeffrey
 
Originally posted by allenC
It's very difficult to determine just who's copying who.

I suspect we will just have to "agree to disagree", Allen.
Click to expand...
Allen, with all due respect, I'm not speaking about borrowing a feature here or there. I'm talking about down right theft of design. That's entirely two different things. Let me put it this way: if M-Tech went out of their way to make a knife that borrows various features from X amount of sources, I'd applaud them for having the insight to make something new out of pre-existing designs. But since all they've done is copy, line for line, feature for feature, two kerambits from reputable sources, it's nothing but theft. And even if we disagree on that point, the fact is that those two designer have been hurt by M-Tech's actions.

(Spelling edit)
 
You got that right, Tony. It does smell like a rip-off of design.

I would like to think that forum members would not knowingly buy a cheap version of an existing design. I don't think forum members even like cheap versions, with all the knowledge that's out there regarding steel, heat treat, edge holding, etc., in addition to the dangers of questionably made knives.
 
i bought a knock off Rolex in Thailand 10 years ago and it still impresses and still works fine. $15 and have had nothing but compliments
 
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