Japan vs. China

E

Eyegor

Joined
Feb 22, 2006
Messages
848
I've had my share of Chinese knives that did not hold up but I probably got my money worth. The Chinese are ahead of the Pakistanis IMO. But what about Japan?
I came across two no name knives that have been floating around my house from the mid-late 80s.
1) Explorer Night Raider double-edge hollow handle black stainless dagger
2) Stainless clip point lockback with engraved steel scales. Victory on one side, Hawk on the other.

I am pretty sure that these are knives from the lower end of the spectrum but I am curious about the steel. Both are marked Japan. How did/do Japanese products stack up against the other asian imports we are familiar with?

PS: Sorry, no photos.
 
If I understand you question correctly you are asking about Japan vs the rest of the asian knife manufacturing countries.
The short and sweet of it all is "How much you want to pay?"

You could also look at the culture of Japan and how they have prided themselves about their blades for around 1000 years. But then again outside of an artform blades are about sales. Every country makes some junk, and every country makes good stuff.
 
Yup, SD summed it up.

I have seen total crap stuff that look like the steel is recycled kitchen sink and some real beauties.

With CNC anyone can make stuff as good as the guy next door if they have the same plans. The reason its cheaper is because they pay the workers about 5c an hour. Some of the BM stuff in the Red Box from Taiwan is outstanding for what you pay for them, the Ambush is an excellent example.
 
20 years ago, which might be the age of your knives, the Japanese were using a lot of 440C which is good stuff. I used the heck out of a couple of Explorer lockbacks on a daily basis, and still have them. They're probably ok. Knives from Japan these days don't cost much less than those made in the US, as their labor rates have about caught up with ours.

Steve
 
There is always going to be someone who will try to make a product that looks like the legitimate thing, but is made out of poor materials, with inferior craftsmanship. Where's the value in that?
Sometimes, a company makes a great product out of superior materials with ultimate craftsmanship. That's why we're here. HI is that company.
 
Japanese get, unfairly, maligned for their steel. Probably because they buy so much scrap from other countries. Current japanese makers get high marks for quality. Weatherby and certain Winchester rifles are Hecho in Japan.
 
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