Knives Made in China thoughts?

[EDCeeker]

No bashing and no politics: Check.

Well, for starters, knives, like firearms, are still one of the things we do very, very well right here in the Good Ol' U.S. of A. Sure, one can get something less expensively when it's made someplace with a lower standard of living, but... well... if we don't support our neighbours and neighbours' employers they won't have an income with which to support us. So, while I'm often unsuccessful at it, I try to "buy American" whenever possible.

The second thing is QC. There have been far, far too many examples of sub-standard product coming out of Chinese manufacturing plants--sometimes even when allegedly thorough QC was in place.

So, all things considered (which includes those that cannot be discussed): I think I'll stick with knives made somewhere other than China.

Jim

 

[harkamus]

I have no issue buying stuff that's made in China if the quality is up to snuff. To me it all boils down to quality. There are some American products that have poor quality. I wouldn't by those either. If the quality is there, I don't care where it's made. If there are multiple products of the same thing coming from different countries with all having the same high quality, I'd just pick the cheaper one price wise.

Slightly off topic. Over at another forum that discusses mainly HK firearms, I often notice people paying a premium for "Made in Germany" HK45s. This is funny because most of the HK45 is built in Germany and then shipped to the US to get assembled. The end result is identical in terms of fit, finish, and function, except one is stamped assembled in Columbus, GA and the other is stamped, "Made in Germany." Even more slightly off topic, back in the early 90s when I was a fresh immigrant to the US from Germany (was West Germany when I left), I considered Germany to be one of the top countries for quality manufacturing. 20+ years later, other countries have caught up and the discrepancy between quality is either very close or does not exist anymore depending on product. The lines are blurring whether we like to admit it or not. The rest is nationalism.

 

[hank_rearden]

well, i just bought a 4-year old buck 371 stockman for $12. i saw a bit late it was the chinese-made version with so-so stainless steel blades. they still had their original factory-ground edges. well, even the US-mades didn't have that much of an edge, despite better carbon steel. i still bought it and it'll make a good desk fixture for opening letters. at least all three blades can sharpen a pencil.

notwithstanding the blades, fit and finish is quite good. the wood grain handle inserts have a handsome swell to them, complementing the nickel bolsters. overall, a handsome knife.

now that i'm here, can anyone tell me what the lazy 'T' (it's lying down) after the 371 stands for?

 

[Gramps]

I don't approve of Chinese knife makers who blatantly rip off other manufacturers patented designs. However, the Chinese don't hold an exclusive on this kind of reprehensible behavior, as we all know.

I have seen some designs by Enlan and Sanremu which are original and well built. Great value for the dollar...or should I say Renminbi? When Chinese producers get their creative act together, and move beyond reverse engineering, their knife manufacturing industry will eventually become world class. For better or for worse I would imagine that within 25 years some of the best production knives in the world will be made in China.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

Before you say the Chinese can't make a first class knife look at one of the new Boker Rexford folders. I've handed Todd's knives and these Bokers give the customs a serious run for the money.

 

[frenchmade]

I own a benchmade tiPika II which was made in China. Its a very high quality folder. I'm very impressed with it and will hold it against any $150 knife that I own.
I believe that anyone's unwillingness to purchase a chinese-made product comes from a deep-rooted sense of nationalism and not the interest in the quality of product.
I challenge anyone to go buy the same knife that I have and find a real fault in it that an "American made" $30 folder doesn't also share.

 

[Danbo]

I just hate seeing CHINA on the ricasso of any knife, so I won't buy them.

 

[Free2game]

Knives out of China keep getting better and better made. Cost keeps going up on them though. It's something like Taiwan, how that used to be a place you would find many more cheap and inferior quality knives made there, and now you see $100 slip joints and $200 high end folders made there. Not to get too political, but the big reasoning for that is because of skill gap problems in the USA. If anyone remembers the case of the ESEE Folder, they had a large problem finding someone able to make it for them in the US, likely because of skill gap issues.

 

[Robert.B]

Knives out of China keep getting better and better made. Cost keeps going up on them though. It's something like Taiwan, how that used to be a place you would find many more cheap and inferior quality knives made there, and now you see $100 slip joints and $200 high end folders made there. Not to get too political, but the big reasoning for that is because of skill gap problems in the USA. If anyone remembers the case of the ESEE Folder, they had a large problem finding someone able to make it for them in the US, likely because of skill gap issues.

Yup, a lot of US companies have been pushing me away...Case and Queen cutlery has been my biggest let down! which is a shame for how long they have been around. GEC and companies like it are slowly restoring my faith.

 

[Robert.B]

Before you say the Chinese can't make a first class knife look at one of the new Boker Rexford folders. I've handed Todd's knives and these Bokers give the customs a serious run for the money.

While they might be a knock off, the china strider fakes are some of the best knives I have seen come out of china.

 

[monkeyman666]

Don't buy Chinese crap. Buy USA! China is great for building big walls and making food. The rest is just rip off and Fucking crap.

 

[monkeyman666]

While they might be a knock off, the china strider fakes are some of the best knives I have seen come out of china.

Thank you for supporting an all American company....not. Buying Chinese fakes is just what is needed to support American economy.

 

[Tom Hudson]

problem is - USA made knives are turning to crap - import stuff getting better all the time - not just knives either - at one time Made in USA was something special - now - not so much - USA have to cut corners to pay those union wages

 

[brets-ftw]

USA have to cut corners to pay those union wages

and yet Europe can still turn out a great product with higher standards set by unions that are far better paid and regulated, all around the same price point I might add.

That being said, I too am curious as to what will happen in the near future out of Asia. machining seems to be on the rise with a hefty workforce. Could Also do with a few more ethnic inspired designs out from them similar to what spyderco is doing

 

[bdmicarta]

I'm a little late to this thread. I prefer not to buy Chinese made products if I have a choice, although even after saying that I have bought 3 CRKT knives recently. I find that the CRKT knives are well made and look good, and I bet they will perform well. I have also ordered a Spyderco Tenacious after reading good things about it on the internet. But I do understand that Chinese knives don't use the best steels available these days, and I've read of problems with some Chinese knives such as soft steel in the screws.

 

[Ankerson]

problem is - USA made knives are turning to crap - import stuff getting better all the time - not just knives either - at one time Made in USA was something special - now - not so much - USA have to cut corners to pay those union wages

Ah Nope, they have to cut corners to support those huge Corporate paychecks and bonuses and pay out stock dividends and support those mandatory 10% increases in profits every quarter that American Corps just have to have so they cut corners everyplace they can to pad the bottom line so they can look good to the investors.....

 

[JWRobinson]

I buy American whenever I can and don't mind spending a little more. That said, there are so good quality China knives and I don't feel bad about purchasing one as the companies selling them are US companies outsourcing their manufacturing. Not all of the money is going to China.

 

[jbass]

I buy products that are American made with American materials from American owned companies whenever possible if they are quality products and even if they cost a little more.

 

[calvinw]

I honestly think there's a high probability our children will be collecting Chinese knives, just like people now collect Delicas made in Japan. In our lifetime, I think we'll consider "cheap knives" the ones that are made in the Phillipines or Indonesia (not bashing those countries, just noticed that inexpensive shoes are starting to come from there).

 

[Tsujigiri]

and yet Europe can still turn out a great product with higher standards set by unions that are far better paid and regulated, all around the same price point I might add.

Not as far as knives are concerned. I've found that American knives are much nicer than European knives at any price point (unless you live in Europe and import taxes come into play).

As for the Chinese knives, I've been pretty impressed with some of them at the lower price range. I probably wouldn't be willing to spend a lot on a Chinese knife, but some of the under $20 offerings they have are really great for the price. Just got a Rough Rider in today with nickel bolsters, brass liners, bone handles, a combination lockback and slipjoint, and surprising quality. After all the designing, manufacturing, importing, reseller, and shipping costs, it ended up setting me back only $12. Very impressive, especially considering this is an American-operated company, rather than a purely Chinese business venture like SRM.