Knives Made in China thoughts?

I hear from some big electronic and motorcycle firms here that you can go to china, meet up with their factory execs and they will ask you to chose from class c to class aa quality for a certain model. It's just all about the price you're willing to pay.
 
My last 2 knives were a Spyderco Navaja (Taiwan) and a Benchmade-HK Pika 2 Tanto (China) for the price and quality I cant complain.. was really against buying Chinese stuff (Commie/slave labor) but looking around 95% of everything is made there or oversea's somewhere.
 
I've got mixed feelings about knives made in Taiwan and China. From a purely objective perspective, there are some good products coming out of those two countries. Several excellent Spydercos I've handled were made in Taiwan, I own a couple of Chinese Buck slipjoints that are every bit as good as the US made ones, and I could give more examples. As many people here pointed out, it all depends on the quality demanded by the company that commissions the knives.

However, I can't bring myself to enjoy Chinese or Taiwanese knives. They just don't "feel" right to me. I passed on some knives that I know are excellent (like the Spyderco Sages, Gayle Bradley, PPT) because they'll just end up in a drawer. There's no rational explanation for this, I admit that it's a purely personal bias.
 
I guess a lot off you guys won't be buying Ford's any more - Ford is having many of their transmissions built in China now -
 
OhShoot said:
It is to laugh. Kershaw is owned by a Japanese company, and has plenty of models made in Japan and China -- more than does Buck as far as I can tell, which has made a commitment to bring all manufacture back to US.

- OS
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Very True Kersshaw is owned by a Japanese firm, however, they have one of the most modern, best equipoed and staffed factorys in the U. S. They mark their knives as to country of origin and are a very ethical company.
 
Tom Hudson said:
I guess a lot off you guys won't be buying Ford's any more - Ford is having many of their transmissions built in China now -
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This doesn't make ANY sense! Moving the factories to China won't make the quality any worse as long as they keep the same QC level, it only makes the price lower, which IMO is a good thing to the customers. Do you think all those Japanese cars' transmissions are all made in Japan?
 
dongbeiren said:
This doesn't make ANY sense! Moving the factories to China won't make the quality any worse as long as they keep the same QC level, it only makes the price lower, which IMO is a good thing to the customers. Do you think all those Japanese cars' transmissions are all made in Japan?
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Most cars, even early on had parts from the Asias...why? either the US wasn't producing them at the time or it was cost effective to do so. But with the knives thing its mostly referring to chinese companies that aint going through a US company like spyderco or BM.
 
I buy the Byrd line of knives to give away to those who do not have a knife or can't afford a knife.! I own 7 or 8 knives from China and use them all the time but not to carry because the first thing the other person see's is made in China and then they don't like it.! But they watch TV and have a Computer -- do they know where 90% of these are made.? We all have a choice (so far) here in the USA and it is really up to each one of us what and where to buy and spend there money on.
Thank you. Jack
 
I think this conversation is lacking some definition, as in what is "American made" and "Chinese made". What about a knife that has its components made in China but the final assembly is made done in the US? Theoretical question: What if the factory in Chine is using the same machines as the one in the states (probably made in Germany), With steel, G-10 and hardware from the same suppliers in Japan, and the worker on the line has had the same training as the on working in the US? As long as the QC is there whats the difference? I know what people say, (440 from china isnt 440, its something else...), me personally, I like to buy American, but when I can get a tenacious for 42$ and Spydercos American made models are around 3 times the price, that's why the only Spyderco I own is a Tenacious.
 
I'm wearing a Chinese Boker Tom Krein Pocket Bowie right now. Outstanding. Seems perfectly finished, sharp as bejeezus. 36 clams in hand vs. 225 or more for one from Krein's shop. I'm not really sure I'd appreciate the difference except possibly on a subjective level (only structural diff is the steel, and 440c has always treated me fine).

And surely Mr. Krein must not be ashamed of the PRC version?

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- OS
 
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Joben said:
I buy knives based on my tastes and their quality, not based on a political agenda.

As it happens Chinese knives are rapidly rising in quality.

Frankly the fit an finish of many of my Chinese knives equals or exceeds that of my knives made in the USA, Japan or Taiwan. And I'm not talking about cheap stuff. Spyderco, ZT and soforth.

People who think they are making a measurable change to global economics with their choice of pocket knives are hopelessly naive.
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Totally agree with you, specially naive are the people that claim they only buy American made products, yet their clothes, phone, TV, car, shoes, etc. are all made overseas. Kinda reminds me of the senator that said Apple products where American made, when they are in fact made in China.

I just bought a Chinese made Kershaw for the first time and IMHO the quality and craftsmanship is similar to the American made knives I own. Like you I buy the knives I like regardless of country of origin. Some of my favorites are Nepalese made Kukris and Spanish made Navajas also I love the American Ka-Bar (btw the leather sheat is made in Mexico).
 
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If you're talking about the snap-as-soon-as-you-hit-something variety of Chinese knives, then I avoid them like the plague. Cold Steels and other blades that are manufactured in Taiwan aren't too bad.
 
i think that the knives made in china can be great......or crappy

i have seen the flea market specials (a couple bucks) that are crap, or good companies whose knives are made in china with great knives

it all depends on quality for me, not where they were made

I may one day buy an expensive custom made knife from one of the makers on here, but until then, i am happy with a foreign made good quality knife
 
i think most chinese knives are very good for the money.
the only one i ever owned from a western brand was a spyderco persistence wich i sold a few weeks back.
it's not because i don't like chinese knives or not willing to support them.
in fact, i like the fact that most of you like to support american made knives wich is a very honorable thing to do for your country!
i, on the other hand, have no problem buying chinese, specially those sanrenmu brand like knives.
they have some very good models like the 710 or the EL-01 wich, for the money, are very hard to beat.
 
I second the Buck 371, I was more than impressed with the F&F of this handy little knife.
 
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Dorito Monk said:
Meh, I generally avoid them, chiefly because so many are made with the 8cr13MoV type steels. I really don't like those steels...
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Why? (I may agree)

What I don't like about Chinese knives at this point is so many makers are moving their operations there and "old dependable" companies are no longer that.

I've always bought Red Wing work shoes. I have big feet and am a bit tough to fit so I've picked a style and size which works for me and actually go to a Red Wing store and give them the model number and size I need.

The last time I bought a pair my feet began to hurt and eventually, my knees. The shoes seemed tight and I got 'em wet and wore them dry, applied neatsfoot oil, etc. etc.. I went back to my old shoes and my problems went away. I checked the model number and size on the new pair and they were correct.

The only difference was that it now said on the tag "Assembled In USA With Imported Components".

I've probably bought 8-9 pairs of this shoe with no problems till now. No more Red Wings for me.

Just like I can't buy a Kissing Crane knife and depend on their quality anymore. I MAY be able to still get a good knife from a reputable company that has sub-contracted to China, or it may be krap now.

So what about the Boker Barlow in Carbon? Is it made in China?
 
Iv never bought a knife made in china that's lasted more then a month. BUT, I do have a rayovak xtreme, and i beat the hell out of it, and it performs exceptionally.
 
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