Review KEVIN JOHN knive

Status
Not open for further replies.
Gusmanb

Gusmanb

Joined
Mar 6, 2015
Messages
196
I was wandering if this is the real one or fake?

I read thet he makes fakes of other brands but I have still seen his Original designs sold on places like Blade HQ and AZCK

VENOM ATTACKER KEVIN JOHN Folding Ball bearing Flipper Knife M390 Titanium carbon fiber camp hunt survival outdoor knives tools

Links removed, read the site rules.

Also does one know where to get the Real Venom II that was sold at CKF?

thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm no expert on Kevin john so take this with a grain of salt. Many here know much more on the topic than I do. What I have read is that Kevin john is a particular machining company that blatantly counterfeited US knife maker products in the past. More recently I have read that they manufactured knives for CKF and have produced some original knife designs. Out of curiosity I looked on blade hq and did indeed find some Kevin john knives. From what I have read in terms if machining Kevin john produces well made knives. However, even if they are trying to ditch their reputation for counterfeits, the hardcore knife community have very long memories and extremely strong loyalties. If it was a friend or relative asking me about a Kevin john knife my advice would be as follows- for the same or less money you can buy a ZT, Spyderco, or benchmade that is not only extremely well made, but puts food on the table of American families.
 
Just to correct, Kevin John didn't counterfeit, but instead participated in IP theft of designs. His knives were always labeled as his, just many of the designs (most) were stolen. He makes a sadly good knife, and appears to use authentic materials, but don't forget he is a thief. The company does seem to be shifting to more legit knife, though, which is awesome, but as far as I am aware they are still making stolen designs. If you want cool designs and good materials and quality in a Chinese knife, just get a Reate. They started doing sketchy stuff, but went legit and are now loved (for good reason).
 
dkb45 said:
Just to correct, Kevin John didn't counterfeit, but instead participated in IP theft of designs. His knives were always labeled as his, just many of the designs (most) were stolen. He makes a sadly good knife, and appears to use authentic materials, but don't forget he is a thief. The company does seem to be shifting to more legit knife, though, which is awesome, but as far as I am aware they are still making stolen designs. If you want cool designs and good materials and quality in a Chinese knife, just get a Reate. They started doing sketchy stuff, but went legit and are now loved (for good reason).
Click to expand...

It seemed like he was slowing down cloning operations. However I have seen a spat of recent kevin john clones on the market recently. It seems like he has moved away from Strider clones and now mostly does CRKs and Hinderers.

He has long made his own designs called Venom. One of his designs is being sold under the CKF name. (I think it is the CKF Daboia) Funny thing is that here are now counterfeiters using the Kevin John name to try and say their clones are kevin john clones because of his reputation for making high end clones. I believe his company also goes by Triumph Precision.

Apparently the guy who started CKF originally ran a site in Russia that specialized in selling Kevin John clones.
 
Thank a bunch for all the info guys, I think I may steer clear and look at other manufacturers like Reate.

Thanks again!
 
craytab said:
And you know this how?
Click to expand...


I think he is trying to draw a distinction between making “clones”(IP theft) and marketing them as such, and counterfeiting ( where they would be marketed as original). Hair splitting to be sure, but I think thats what he is getting at.
 
KAEDC said:
I think he is trying to draw a distinction between making “clones”(IP theft) and marketing them as such, and counterfeiting ( where they would be marketed as original). Hair splitting to be sure, but I think thats what he is getting at.
Click to expand...
It was a rhetorical question. He does not know what he has claimed......unless he is Kevin John.
 
Here's my question to anyone - how do you differentiate between who makes what in china? I hear people say Reate or XXX knives were but no are not...how do you keep track?

Kevin John, lol what a name. You know what's better than one american name....TWO! There is also a Vicky at maxace, and in my personal business we deal with a John.... If the very beginning of the relationship starts with a lie - when do you decide there has been one too many lies?
 
It's not hair splitting, there is a big difference between counterfeiting a branded product and making full-quality copies for a different market.

Some of the companies blasted for 'copying' are actually legally making those knives, and people like Brous who slyly have parts produced overseas are certainly at fault when those companies run off a few thousand extra sets of parts and assemble them for overseas markets.

Ain't nobody in China or Russia paying $400 for D2 knives assembled in the US from parts made in China.

There is a lot more to it than a simple 'does this knife look like that knife? If yes it's a clone or a copy or a counterfeit and the term used is irrelevant'.

Interesting that I have never seen a knockoff TRM Neutron or North Arm Skaha, I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that those companies are doing the work on their own?
 
While generally Kevin John seems to not use trademarked logos and rather puts Kevin John or Triumph precision I have seen exceptions. Or atleasr I think I have, it is difficult to know if the “Kevin John” I am looking at is a counterfeit of a clone or a legitimate illegitimate Kevin John.

The exception I believe I have seen is typically Kevin Johns have “Titanium” engraved on the lockside where Hinderers have “Hinderer” engraved on their XM18s abd 24s. However I have the rare time seen Kevin Johns that have actually written “Hinderer” there.

Other than that I have never seen him use a counterfeit logo. But I’m not an expert and like I said it is hard to know who is making what.

Best to just stay away from these clones and counterfeits and save up your loot for the genuine article.

Although I do admit I sometimes have a morbid curiosity to see what is being cloned out there.

Btw it did appear kevin john had seriously slowed down cloning but has started up again lately. However there is another company making high end clones now called Samier. Seems like there will always be someone to try and fill in the demand.
 
Ryanol said:
Kevin John, lol what a name. You know what's better than one american name....TWO! There is also a Vicky at maxace, and in my personal business we deal with a John.... If the very beginning of the relationship starts with a lie - when do you decide there has been one too many lies?
Click to expand...

Heh?

1) Neither "Kevin" or "John" are "American"...whatever that means.
2) Psst. There are people all over the world, from all nationalities, named Kevin. Or John.
 
marcinek said:
Heh?

1) Neither "Kevin" or "John" are "American"...whatever that means.
2) Psst. There are people all over the world, from all nationalities, named Kevin. Or John.
Click to expand...

Here in America sometimes we communicate between the lines, my apologies. The point of my statement was that I don't believe his true given name is Kevin John regardless of its origin.
 
Ryanol said:
Here in America sometimes we communicate between the lines, my apologies. The point of my statement was that I don't believe his true given name is Kevin John regardless of its origin.
Click to expand...

Forget the name. The real point is whoever or whatever "Kevin John" is, that entity uses other knifemakers' work to make a quick buck. If "Kevin John" had an "Asian" name (whatever that means) or if "Kevin John" designed and manufactured its knives in the US, it really wouldn't change that at all.
 
I've heard nothing but great things about his craftsmanship and products.

It's a damn shame that I will never purchase anything with his name associated with it, whether it's legitimate or not.

I won't support a thief. If I can't afford the real deal, I'll wait until I can.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top