Knives-Made in China

Much of what has been said about quality here was said in the 60's about Japan.

I haven't seen a cheap Japanese knife in decades.

Things are already changing. As an enthusiast, I have bought cheap knives from the US, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, China, Ireland, Italy, and Switzerland. Probably others. I got more value from some than the price indicated, others not. Country of origin is not much of an indicator of quality - it's a geopolitical thing that each individual exercises accoridng to their worldview.

I find it's the mindless US consumer who buys on price alone that is the problem. Having been one, I have learned to really research my purchasing - even the small stuff - and make my biased decisions from the eligible pool of products that deliver value for the price.

Brass punches that mostly sit in the tool box - China. Pocketknife I will never break - Strider. (I hope it's not a Chinese one.)
 
I'm not going to say it is right for businessmen to make or not to make money off of people with imported products,its a buyer beware world we live in and most people have been stung at one time.Know what you are buying,and you shouldn't have a problem.Much of the reason for cheaper prices are the fact they(Chinese) are paid pennies on the dollar,have no pensions to speak of and the market is calling for cheaper products.What alot of people do not understand is to get the cheaper price,somethings gonna give.Labor costs,quality or both.I work in a industry who deals with this every day.I am on the front lines of this and I can tell you this,more crap comes out Mexico than China.
Alot of the blade making has been passed between Japan and China for thousands of years(samurai,Ninja etc.If you do your homework,you will see that the Chinese had to defend themselves against the invading Hun and at one time, had the most powerful army.This was way before guns.What about guns?They invented those to(first for fireworks then defense),along with gunpowder.I would have to say after watching a couple swords being made by hand,if they want to,and need to,they can make a killer blade.They just do not have the need or want maybe,I don't know.
They may be to busy with technology products(computers etc.),which unfortunatly we don't compete with them.They are also a country who has an agenda,quietly taking over the world.That means knives are probably last on their list of things to do.Do American companies make awsome blades?You bet!Some of the most elite for that matter.We all own many.But do not fool yourselves,this is more a political and ethical decision not to buy Chinese made knives than quality control.
Who would have thought Hyundai cars from "Korea" would do so well in this country.Cheap with a great warranty,thats what most Americans want.I have worked retail for 16 years in several industries,its the same thing over and over.Whats your best price.You can do better than that.I know theres alot of markup in this stuff.When you ask for cheap,you will get it one way or another.
Look at our friends at BMW(European),how many of those are running around this country.They make one of the best cars around.Look at the prices though.Do you think they could make a car for $15,000?Yes,they could, but it wouldn't be a BMW as we know it.
Now,Would I buy a knife made in China? If it was the quality I expect and pleasing to my eye,Yes. Would I carry it? Yes I would.Everything I buy is bought with much thought going into it.My guns,coins,knives,electronics etc.

MPE
 
JD Spydo said:
I personally will not support any country that has an abysmal human rights record as the Chinese have. I am a weird person in that I actually do care about other people and I don't want to see anyone mis-treated, deprived, abused and living under tyranny. The Chinese routinely kill girl babies to get the quota of male babies according to several human rights organizations. They imprison thousands of people without even a fair trial. They have been know to execute people for simply possessing a Bible. The Chinese have also been guilty many times of manufacturing goods by the use of CHILD SLAVE LABOR.
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Well, for me your argument is flawed. If you don't support the companies that make the products, you don't support the people. The goods you buy are not produced by the government, but by companies who employ labour and services. If you take it to the Nth degree, if no-one buys the products most of the labour force will be laid off and starve, whilst a few are kept on to supply goods to other Chinese people who do have money and Chinese neighbours. If you supported the companies, and thereby empowered the people, perhaps they could change the government for the better or even overthrow it?

JD Spydo said:
I don't hate or have any racial prejudice against the Chinese people. There are some Chinese people here in my town that run an excellent restaurant and I patronize them a lot and have made friends with them. There's a reason they left China and came over here. But the Chinese government is possibly one of the most tyrannical on the entire planet.
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So the Chinese are good enough to make you sweet and sour chicken balls, but nothing else? :confused:
 
Andrew, I think you knew what he meant. The Chinese government is either behind trade infringement or tolerates it. In some cases they are cracking down, ie; Microsoft windows products. And that is because MS said they wouldnt sell in China unless that piracy was stopped.

China probably could make a good knife but seemingly has no interest in doing so. Cheap crap is what comes from China.
 
Very interesting thread!

As a side point but still relevant, Canadian PM Stephen Harper was to have a meeting with the Chinese President to discuss trade. The Chinese cancelled the meeting as Harper wanted to press the human rights issues that the Chinese government continually violate.
Now Harper is being roasted by the Liberals and NDP (the Canadian 'left of centre' parties) and the media.:jerkit: They are saying that he has damaged the business reputation of Canada for an issue that will not change regardless.
Had he not made mention of human rights violations, they would have labelled him a 'right wing fascist' so either way, you can't win.:rolleyes:

Personally, I'm glad he raised the issue because at some point in time, someone must step up and say "Knock it off!" If we don't, then we get what we deserve.
 
I'm beginning to believe we, in the West, have sold our souls for cheap Chinese consumer goods. Inhuman working conditions are acceptable as long as the workers in question are Chinese, same goes for health and safety standards, environmental etc. As for China-made knives, I have noticed lately that the real cheapness aspect lies in the little things not being done. For example screws and bushings found on these POS's are almost universally crap. (this applies to the Name Brand stuff too). Heat treats are often sub-par as well.
 
A lot of "interesting" opinions here. Here are some more.

The Chinese people are a hard working intelligent highly social society. They have been around for 5,000 years. Many governments have come and gone and will continue to do so. Try not to think ill of the people because you may dislike the government.

If you think there are no quality Chinese knives, I suggest you check out the byrd line. Already a respectable line and it's just beginning. "Hide 'n watch".

The bottom line is what you are willing to pay for when you purchase something. Many spout about buying American, but have some excuse for buying the cheaper Chinese made product.

We're proud to be making knives in Colorado. And we would hope that you like them and purchase them. But....when we have to compete against; Gerber, Buck, Benchmade, United, S&W, etc. All making knives in China, there is little choice, but to have a Chinese made offering.

Americans vote with their wallets every day.

As an aside, I heard a Senator's speech several years ago, (sorry, I don't remember his name). He said; "We have illegal aliens, They cannot complain about low wages, poor working conditions, long hours or abuse, because if they do, they'll be deported. We've re-invented slavery!"

Food for thought.

sal
 
I've gots no problem with Chinese people or Chinese made product. I hate kncok offs and any company that doesn't respect patent law or otherwise uses unethical practices of any sort. I like Chinese food, I really can't complain about the creators.

I don't like products that I can't trust with my personal safety. I would buy products from BM and Spyderco's China made line simply because we have companies with integrity (not trying to start a debate about BM's integrity) that stand behind their product and take care of their customers. The only reason I wouldn't buy Spyderco's line in China is because I've been so damned spoiled with more expensive knives from their line (not saying that the Byrd line can't keep up).

I support American companies just as I support local businesses. However, I'm not afraid to put money into Large businesses as well as other countries. If Americans want to stay at the top of the financial food chain, we mustn't be afraid of competition, we must thrive because of it. As a capitalistic society, I'm always surprised by how little some Americans "capitalize" on opportunity and are afraid of change. I'm definitely not saying that we shouldn't be concerned by the changing shift in the concentration of world wide moola and that we should irresponsibly waste our dough. I'm just saying that I'm not scared to spread the wealth with our economy's long-term status in mind.

As Sal stated, I can't blame the Chinese just because their Gument is a gang of Commies.
 
The Chinese are not our friends. They will one day be at war with us using technologies sold to them by Klinton. I am an enemy of China and am an American. I have fought this countries enemies before and my oath was all enemies foreign or domestic.

That means any of you aiding or abetting China.
 
You better worry more about Mexico next door,who wants to reclaim part of the United States as their own, and has a loose border relation with this country. You also better worry more about Iran and N.Korea, because when these goofballs get the nukes they are looking for,your knives,made here or made in China, will do you no good!Fanatical terrorists are the real worry here,not the Chinese people.The government may not be humane to its people but that does not stop our trade with them.Bush still seems eager for trade with them and eager to invest in oil from the fanatical terrorists.

So with that said,everyone buy knives and be happy, cuz life is short.And enjoy what you have today,because it could be gone tomorrow.And take an oath to be human!

MPE
 
Andrew Taylor said:
Well, for me your argument is flawed. If you don't support the companies that make the products, you don't support the people. The goods you buy are not produced by the government, but by companies who employ labour and services. If you take it to the Nth degree, if no-one buys the products most of the labour force will be laid off and starve, whilst a few are kept on to supply goods to other Chinese people who do have money and Chinese neighbours. If you supported the companies, and thereby empowered the people, perhaps they could change the government for the better or even overthrow it?



So the Chinese are good enough to make you sweet and sour chicken balls, but nothing else? :confused:
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No Mr. Taylor my opinion is not flawed. It is based on sound principles of right and wrong. It is the same as doing business with organized crime members. When you fuel them with money you help escalate their evil endeavors. When you establish business relationships with tyrants, despots and slave drivers you in effect put your stamp of approval on their hellish government and their despotic goals.

As far as your condescending remark about the Chinese people in my town who run a great restuarant and myself being a patron and friend of them>> Well first of all it has nothing to do with the food they cook whether it be Chinese cuisine or American. They are now legally natualized citizens of this country ( the USA) and they told me they have no intention of returning. They also told me that the USA is paradise compared to what they came from. Plus they literally gave up everything to come here. They are good people and I respect them. Don't try to twist what I said. You must make a slug of money out of that country or have a business/occupation that highly profits from it or you wouldn't have defended them in such a distorted fashion.

I ask you one two fold question Sir?? Would you want to live there and would you want their form of tyrannical goverment to live under? Nevermind I already know.

And as far as making them a better society by doing business with them and giving them our money and resources> NO!! you help build a military that will probably eventually destroy both of our countries. The people of the country are not benefiting from their government's industrial revolution. The people over there are being treated like disposable trash. You all who think that China is a good and benovolent country are really deceiving yourselves. The common people of the country are good people for the most part. But the Government that they currently have would make Idi Amin smile from the pits of hell. They are that evil :( . JD
 
a223cat said:
The Chinese are not our friends. They will one day be at war with us using technologies sold to them by Klinton. I am an enemy of China and am an American. I have fought this countries enemies before and my oath was all enemies foreign or domestic.

That means any of you aiding or abetting China.
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Does this include BM and Spyderco for manufacturing some of their knives and those of us that have no problems buying knives in these lines? I'm interested in learning what exactly you meant by "aiding and abetting China".
 
Perhaps one day, and that day may never come, we will look back on today and see it as a golden age of affordable knives from China. Inexpensive goods from China are but a passing shadow floating on the breeze.

As China fleshes out its development and standard of living and we become to them what Britain has become to us prices of China goods will rise. Heck, you don't even have to wait for progress. A sharp rise in the value of the Chinese dollar vs the American dollar will have the same affect. That could happen if lenders take their wealth offshore and slow lending to the US Treasury.

Revel in the bargains from China today. Turn around and they may go away.

"At the end of 2005, China, with $820 billion in such assets, was the second-largest holder of U.S. debt after Japan, which held about $10 billion more." http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive/2006/Feb/17-883919.html

All the best,

oregon, who has worked for Chinese, Japanese, Malay and Singapore slave drivers.
 
ignoramus said:
Does this include BM and Spyderco for manufacturing some of their knives and those of us that have no problems buying knives in these lines? I'm interested in learning what exactly you meant by "aiding and abetting China".
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yes. I will not send my money to China nor to American companies who give jobs and money to china.

China does not send anything back that I want.
 
a223cat said:
yes. I will not send my money to China nor to American companies who give jobs and money to china.

China does not send anything back that I want.
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Sorry if I'm being a little slow, I have a hangover right now. Does this mean that anyone who has ever purchased from the Spyderco's Byrd line or BM's Red class is your enemy?

Let me add that if I knew for sure that we were going to war with a country, I wouldn't buy anything from them either.
 
a223cat said:
yes. I will not send my money to China nor to American companies who give jobs and money to china.

China does not send anything back that I want.
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Hi Cat,

Our Distributor in China is doing well distributing Spyderco knives to Chinese knife people. These knives are made in Golden, Colorado and the distributor pays us in US dollars.

sal
 
I've yet to find a connection in the realm of knives associating any given nation with poor quality. I own knives from the US, China, Japan, Taiwan, France, Finland, Norway and Switzerland off the top of my head. I've only had one knife fail from manufacturing defect (Opinel #12), so by my experience that would make France the producer of the worst quality knives. Of course that would be a ridiculous assumption to draw based on my limited sampling, but the point is my knives from the "bad" countries have stood up there with the US, Japan and Swiss made blades.

If I'm going to make extra efforts to purchase US made knives, it will be for other reasons that strctural integrity of the knife.

I do wonder, for those buying with the intent of trying to keep more money within our borders, how far do you extend this mindset to your material purchases? Where was your TV made? Where is each component of your computer made? Your wardrobe? Your Car? Your watch, wallet, pens, microwave, silverware, lightbulbs etc?
 
I've yet to find a connection in the realm of knives associating any given nation with poor quality. I own knives from the US, China, Japan, Taiwan, France, Finland, Norway and Switzerland off the top of my head. I've only had one knife fail from manufacturing defect (Opinel #12), so by my experience that would make France the producer of the worst quality knives. Of course that would be a ridiculous assumption to draw based on my limited sampling, but the point is my knives from the "bad" countries have stood up there with the US, Japan and Swiss made blades.

If I'm going to make extra efforts to purchase US made knives, it will be for other reasons that strctural integrity of the knife.

I do wonder, for those buying with the intent of trying to keep more money within our borders, how far do you extend this mindset to your material purchases? Where was your TV made? Where is each component of your computer made? Your wardrobe? Your Car? Your watch, wallet, pens, microwave, silverware, lightbulbs etc?
 
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