Is this Sanrenmu knife a copy of some other knife?

[Robert.B]

Or they are under the impression that international trade is somehow bad for the economy, their morals, or their highly American <self-censored>.

Well hey no one is forcing these people to buy them but the way some people carry on you'd think this was the case...bet these people have no less than 100 Chinese made items in their home that they could have bought domestically.

 

[NaturalMystic]

I own a few SRM knives. I also have a Tenacious and some of the Spyderco Byrds. The quality of the SRM´s is very similar to the chinese made spyders. Suspiciously similar, even. They are very good knives for the money.

IIRC Sal Glesser has confirmed that Sanrenmu is the manufacturer of some of the Byrd models, just can't remember which forum he said this in (Spyderco subforum here or the actual Spyderco forum).

 

[TurboScooter]

IIRC Sal Glesser has confirmed that Sanrenmu is the manufacturer of some of the Byrd models, just can't remember which forum he said this in (Spyderco subforum here or the actual Spyderco forum).

It was in a thread here about Sanrenmu.

Hi Cultivateitnow,

SRM do make some knives for Spyderco. Not all of those mentioned.

We have found them to be a good partner so far. Good quality, receptive to our demands (which have driven many makers nuts ) Consistent in quality and delivery.

We don't care for the round hole version that they are making available, but they were making that model for their domestic market long before we began working with them. I don't know if they know that it is creating a stir here. I'll speak with them when I get a chance.

We have trademarks and patents in China and as we learn more about their ways, we'll try to influence them in our values.

The prices that you are seeing are probably not realisic and may not last.

sal

 

[NaturalMystic]

It was in a thread here about Sanrenmu.

Wow TurboScooter, you found that post fast! I see where you got your name! LOL. Thanks, I'm pretty sure I'm still subscribed to that thread but was too tired to bother looking for it.

As I've mentioned in that and other threads, I've purchased about 6 or 7 Sanrenmu, Bee, Navy knives and keep them around as loaners, beaters, etc. Some are better than others, and as good as or better than some knives I have that cost upwards of $50 in terms of quality, fit and finish, etc.
Sure there are some here that claim they won't touch this Chinese junk with a 10 foot pole, yada yada yada. That's fine, to each his own. Just don't be making blanket statements that they're all junk. As far as I'm concerned, Sal probably knows a hell of a lot more about knives than most of us here so if it's good enough for him then who am I to judge?
As they say, ignorance is bliss.

 

[Folderguy]

I've been carrying the knife everyday now for over two and a half weeks, in that leather pouch you see in the photo. Great little EDC knife, especially when wearing dress slacks. Very sheeple friendly. And the carbon fibre inserts dress it up even more. As it is not an assisted opener, it's friendlier to folks that otherwise might be skittish even with such a small blade.

Sweet little knife. I'd much rather carry it than my Tenacious. Sheeplewise, the Tenacious looks threatening by comparison.

 

[flash900]

See Dagon's excellent review and vid of the 738:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822735

 

[dasmi]

Let me know how that manure collection works out for you.

It's working out fine. I have more expensive benchmade and spydercos and kershaws, and yes, they are better. I also have Chinese made 8cr13mov knives from the big name brands, like Spyderdo and Kershaw, and I fail to see how those knives are of any higher quality than the Sanrenmu branded knives. Same steel, same handle material, and often, made in the same factory.

 

[Sep]

A page on Sanrenmu's site did mention that they made knives for Benchmade and Spyderco. A forumer here confirmed that a Buck model is so close to Sanrenmu's that the components are interchangeable, which means Sanrenmu manufactured that model for Buck. These well known American companies don't sell junk, regardless of where the product is made.

I can certainly understand people buying only American made products to support American economy, but I don't understand the "it must be crap if made in China" attitude. China does make a lot of low quality products, but it also makes a lot of high quality ones. It all depends on what people are willing to pay. If Frost Cutlery wants to sell a $1 folder, then somebody in China will make one for the cost of 30 cents. If Buck wants to sell a $30 folder then the Chinese can make a better folder costing $10. If Apple wants to sell a $600 iPhone, they can make it too for around $200.

 

[00max00]

Steel liners and scales, huh? This makes the knife unnecessarily heavy and bulky, a poor design IMO.

 

[elkins45]

Posted in error

 

[Kru03]

I see a fair amount of criticism about Sanrenmu knives, but it's pretty general. Has anybody had some direct experience with them having poor quality or falling apart?

I've got a Sanrenmu 763 and I am super surprised by the quality and feel of the knife. Super, super low cost, but very sharp and solid knife out of the ...uh ... box ... well out of the blister pack at least.

 

[Niagara]

Seems like every week a post argues the high end or low end price spectrum of knives. I like them both, but the sweet middle the best.

 

[dasmi]

I see a fair amount of criticism about Sanrenmu knives, but it's pretty general. Has anybody had some direct experience with them having poor quality or falling apart?

I've got a Sanrenmu 763 and I am super surprised by the quality and feel of the knife. Super, super low cost, but very sharp and solid knife out of the ...uh ... box ... well out of the blister pack at least.

My 763, 704, and two 710's have held up well under moderate use. As with all my folders, I locktite the pivot screw where I like it, and oil once in a while.

 

[LX_Emergency]

I see a fair amount of criticism about Sanrenmu knives, but it's pretty general. Has anybody had some direct experience with them having poor quality or falling apart?

I've got a Sanrenmu 763 and I am super surprised by the quality and feel of the knife. Super, super low cost, but very sharp and solid knife out of the ...uh ... box ... well out of the blister pack at least.

So far I've only seen positive and surprised comments from people that own and have held them. I owned a 710 by them and it is a very good knife. It wasn't quite to my taste so I ended up giving it away to a friend. But the quality was excellent.

The price/quality ratio is excellent on them. Yes, they're not $300 knives. But they don't cost that so who cares?

 

[bluebanshee]

I bought a 710 because I was curious about them after reading some on here and wanted a beater knife.

Didn't come that sharp (usable) but it did take one of the best edges I've ever put on a knife with the paperwheels.

I've used it to scrap grout, forced it through paneling and wood smacking the blade with the rubber end of the hammer. And other stuff I wouldn't do with any of my other knives.

I haven't cleaned (other than the blade), oiled, tightened or done much else to the knife but its still very smooth opening, no bladeplay, and tight lockup. I end up carrying this knife the most because I'm not afraid to break it, thin in my pocket and I like the clip.

I don't see why all the extreme hate and elitism. Its a $10 knife, its not like its $50+ and its a let down. ....A lot of the airbag modules in new cars are made in CHINA FYI. I bet some of the haters have never even seen an SRM knife in real life. Maybe if they put "BENCHMADE" on the blade and sell it for $110 they'd like it.

 

[GlockLobster]

I don't see why all the extreme hate and elitism. Its a $10 knife, its not like its $50+ and its a let down. ....A lot of the airbag modules in new cars are made in CHINA FYI. I bet some of the haters have never even seen an SRM knife in real life. Maybe if they put "BENCHMADE" on the blade and sell it for $110 they'd like it.

There's no doubt that things made in China are prevalent here in America... I don't think that there's as much anti-China sentiment in these posts as you Sanrenmu fans are making it out to be. The difference between Sanrenmu and companies like Spyderco, Kershaw, Benchmade, etc. is quality control, testing, and warranties that you can trust. Maybe Sanrenmu is making good knives, maybe they aren't. But I'll let you in on a little secret about people using them to manufacture - vigilant quality control. Every knife that these companies export to China, Taiwan, etc. all come with the same guarantee - we make sure that each stands up to our US knives.

And as far as that Benchmade comment... yeah I'm sure that people go to Benchmade for all their prestigious 8Cr, liner locks... :jerk it:

In my previous post I noted that for two Sanrenmus you could easily get a Spyderco... if you don't want to do that. So be it. I'll also add that I do have knock off knives. I use them for all the crap that I'd never use my real knives for. I think someone mentioned grout work above... that's exactly the use for these knives. But to own 7 of these? Jesus... you could get a freaking Zero Tolerance off the second hand market for that much money. Are you kidding me?

 

[bluebanshee]

And as far as that Benchmade comment... yeah I'm sure that people go to Benchmade for all their prestigious 8Cr, liner locks... :jerk it:

That really wasn't my point... I'm saying some people buy things only based on their name/brand. Especially people that don't know as much about the product, material, etc.

 

[shecky]

In my previous post I noted that for two Sanrenmus you could easily get a Spyderco...

If you're paying that much, you probably aren't shopping around. Interestingly, that theoretical Spyderco probably comes from the same factory as the SRM.

Why would I get 7 SRMs when I could have a ZT instead? Because ZT makes nothing I want, and they do it for a whole lot more money. Even second hand. I buy SRM knives because they are good. Not even good for the money. Just good, period. The same way Spyderco and ZT knives are. It isn't a matter of quantity so much as value.

 

[risen]

Well, I'm a huge supporter of value, not hype.

I've got folders priced in the hundreds, and I've got Sanrenmu priced at a steal.

I like Sanrenmu because they're a terrific deal.

Here's my current/immediate EDC rotation:

Top: Benchmade Mini Stryker (pre-9/11)
Middle: Sanrenmu GA-763
Bottom: Sanrenmu GR5-605

The 763 has actually taken over as my favorite SRM. Still like the 710, but the 763 is just too much fun with that bottle opener.

For those who've never actually held/used a Sanrenmu, I highly recommend them.

 

[Tsujigiri]

First the 710 was a smll Sebenza knock off. This looks inspired by Rick Hinderer's Cam Knife. Is it a framelock or a linerlock?

Pic courtesy of DavidR/T

Or an RJ Martin Overkill

It doesn't look anything like those knives. And if it did, then those two would look the same. Which would mean that Rick Hinderer and RJ Martin are knocking off each other.

The 710 is obviously a knockoff, but this one looks ok. I don't know if I'd use one if I had it, though.