Kershaw Leek Question- Not Stamped "MADE IN USA"

celtic11 said:
By full redesign, you mean in material right? They basically look the same with the exception of frame lock vs. Liner lock?
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I think that the overall pattern of the knife (shape, size) are basically the same, though the machine capabilities of the Chinese factories may have dictated some of those to change as well. Materials changed, the lock changed, assist was added, and it lacks the 3D machining on the blade. Based on my understanding of starting up manufacture of a new piece, it takes a lot of work to figure out what will work at a given factory. The transition would essentially cause them to start from scratch despite the fact that they've got the overall design that they want. I suspect that's one reason why it's not usual procedure to bring a popular foreign made knife (say, the Cryo) to the US (another possible reason being factory capacities).
 
annasoH323 said:
I think that the overall pattern of the knife (shape, size) are basically the same, though the machine capabilities of the Chinese factories may have dictated some of those to change as well. Materials changed, the lock changed, assist was added, and it lacks the 3D machining on the blade. Based on my understanding of starting up manufacture of a new piece, it takes a lot of work to figure out what will work at a given factory. The transition would essentially cause them to start from scratch despite the fact that they've got the overall design that they want. I suspect that's one reason why it's not usual procedure to bring a popular foreign made knife (say, the Cryo) to the US (another possible reason being factory capacities).
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That all makes perfect sense. Thanks.
 
Dear fellow knife enthusiasts, just sharing my opinion. I used to work for many years managing the IT department of a defense and aerospace manufacturer in Malaysia. My boss then, a retired Lt. Col. used to frequent to Xian, China on business outsourcing trips. He used to mention that China was well advanced in many ways, only they lacked the imagination. He mentioned hangars upon hangers, housing the most advanced German and Japanese 5 axis cnc machines. Ready to accept jobs. We were already part of Boeing and Airbus' global supply chain then. Recently i purchased a clone sebenza and I can say that the tolerences on the clone are in fact tighter than the real one. Luckily the manufacturer did not try to put on any CRK stamp and used the more available D2 steel. Plus he designed a better functional handle machined out of titanium, all for 75 bucks. I'm really confused as well, i believe the big manufacturers got to step up to the plate and be more innovative and provide the best value to end users / consumers.
 
vijaykumarvictor said:
I'm really confused as well, i believe the big manufacturers got to step up to the plate and be more innovative and provide the best value to end users / consumers.
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Now I'm confused...US manufacturing has stepped up to the plate, brought all the innovation, and are producing to high standards.

Not sure what you are saying in your post. CRK's needs to keep up with his tolerances, all for like $75? :confused:
 
Whats I'm saying is Joe, I'll be thinking twice before I pay 450 bucks for a mass produced knife. I can't figure on how that price was derived.
 
vijaykumarvictor said:
Whats I'm saying is Joe, I'll be thinking twice before I pay 450 bucks for a mass produced knife. I can't figure on how that price was derived.
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Joe is it? Perhaps you need a lesson in the differences between American manufacturing and knives produced in China. Your answer lies there.

Additionally, you may want to start a new thread so to keep this one on topic.
 
With all due respect Sir, I am too well accustomed to the manufacturing industry. Even swiss watches are not all swiss watches anymore, except for the few with great tradition and pedigree.
 
vijaykumarvictor said:
With all due respect Sir, I am too well accustomed to the manufacturing industry. Even swiss watches are not all swiss watches anymore, except for the few with great tradition and pedigree.
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Sir now is it? With all due respect, if you were that accustomed to the manufacturing differences between the 2 countries, you wouldn't have posted what you did.
 
vijaykumarvictor said:
He mentioned hangars upon hangers, housing the most advanced German and Japanese 5 axis cnc machines. Plus he designed a better functional handle machined out of titanium, all for 75 bucks. I'm really confused as well, i believe the big manufacturers got to step up to the plate and be more innovative and provide the best value to end users / consumers.
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Well what it sounds like is other countries need to stop sending equipment to China so they can steal their IP and produce counterfeits. It is ridiculous to think someone should lower the price of their product to compete with a stolen design with lesser quality and materials.
 
Kai Corp. said:
Sir now is it? With all due respect, if you were that accustomed to the manufacturing differences between the 2 countries, you wouldn't have posted what you did.
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That made me choke on my dinner laughing so hard. If that is who I think it is, he is well versed in the manufacturing differences. Probably more so than anyone else in the industry. Maybe think a little before you crack on someone's credentials.

Back on topic. I've seen different variations on markings from most all of the Kershaw models. Nothing wrong with it at all. I had a JYD CB that wasn't marked with the normal D2 on the edge. Just differences.
 
Sorry, my bad. My sincere apologies. Who knows maybe it might work out to be good for the industry. Never effected Rolex. Cheers, meant no harm.
 
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vijaykumarvictor said:
Sorry, my bad. My sincere apologies. Who knows maybe it might work out to be good for the industry. Never effected Rolex. Cheers, meant no harm.
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I hate to keep this thread off topic but your last comment is simply too off base to ignore. Rolex has most definitely been effected by the counterfeit watches. In fact they shell out millions every year to try and combat the fakes. If they didnt the situation would be much worse. Aside from the money they lose they also have to inspect watches coming in for warranty work better because some of the good 1 for 1 copies they dont want to service and repair with genuine rolex parts if they didnt make it. Luckily most of the rolex fakes arent able to fool people yet they still have a negative impact. When a fake rolex breaks down it hurts their reputation for reliability. Customers are more weary of purchasing Rolex watches because they are so heavily replicated and this has a negative impact on grey market and secondary market sales. Sure the counterfeiting or Rolex products wasnt enough to put the company in a financially dire situation but to say they have not been effected by it is extremely ignorant and simply completely false. There really is no such thing as a crime with no victim. Simply excuses and justifications in which not to have to admit them.
 
I would like to know hoe the CRK clone's tolerances are 'IN FACT' tighter than the real thing.

Like specific numbers please.
 
I did not Have it CMM-ed yet dear sir but If I do get to it, you'll be the first to have the numbers. I can tell by just holding both, operating both, and taking a close look at both. Anyhow, i regret voicing out my opinion. As one of you yourself have pointed out, lets see how this all plays out in the long run, I for one will opt for one of a kinds.
 
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Kai Corp. said:
Personally I've always shook my head at what they do counterfeit/copy over in China. The patterns they decide on seem like there always the high profile uber-low volume pieces that are out there. Kinda comical, but I know they are not overly smart at understanding the American market or American brands. Why would you counterfeit/copy patterns from brands that make/sell hundred of knives per year? It makes little to no sense to me.
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I have come across A LOT of Kerhsaw Select Fires (both black and blue handle versions) on sites that specialize in Chinese counterfeit knives, so I'm figuring they must be counterfeits, but they are sold for basically the same price as an authentic Select Fire... if they can't sell a low dollar knife for less, I don't see the point in counterfeiting it (unless the authentic versions aren't available in China and that is the intended market or something like that...).
 
tje803 said:
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I did noticed that the stamp on the blade reads:
1660
Patented
Ken Onion Design

My question- is this normal? Every Kershaw Leek I have seen in stores/online photos are stamped "MADE IN USA" on the last line. Is there a good explanation for why this "MADE IN USA" line is left off from my Leek?

Here is a picture. Any insight from the more knowledgeable Kershaw folks would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
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Attempting to get back on track here...

Actually, I find it strange that every Leek you have seen was stamped "MADE IN USA", because I believe that if you search the internet for pictures and look at the versions that sites are selling (when the back side of the blade is displayed), the version you have is the easiest to find. I believe this is the 'newest' version and my Leek 1660, purchased this year, has the exact same markings as yours.

A little bit of research turned up the following:

Leek 1660 blade markings.jpg

All five of these have different markings in some way and I am sure there are additional variations I didn't come across. Kershaw obviously changes these things over time with long-running models. As long as they don't screw up the model# (a reference to a discussion I was having with Kai in another thread recently), I think these changes are positive, as they give some indication as to the age of the knife and I can imagine some dedicated Leek collectors might even want all the different variations.

[EDIT: A semi-related subject occurred to me and I figure this is as good a place as any to mention it. I don't know when exactly Kershaw stopped dating their blades (I can't remember ever seeing any with a date after 2009, but I'm really not sure) and while I expect that it was a cost saving measure, I would think that even the least expensive Kershaw knife would be more collectable and desirable with a dated blade than with an undated blade. It would be great if Kershaw could start dating all their blades again, but we all have dreams, don't we? ;) ]
 
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