Knives made in Taiwan & China

[silenthunterstudios]

I had a Kershaw Echo made in China, AUS 8 steel, and a Buck 303 made in China, 440C steel, both were great knives. Other than that, the rest of the stuff I owned that was made in China was junk. As for made in Taiwan, lots of CRKT, SOG and Kershaw is made in Taiwan. I haven't had any problems with the stuff from Taiwan that I owned from those brands.

 

[1Tracker]

I don't have any experience with brands other than Schrade but I can tell you the two Taylor Schrades I have that were made in China are junk.There not even a poor copy of the USA made Schrades.Arnold

I agree, China is flooding the World market with cheap knockoffs of everyhting ever made; and disrespecting patents to boot I refuse to allow anything made in China into my home, and will NEVER buy a piece of Chinese crap as long as I live. Their metalurgy is back in the friggin' stone age, and their lack of skill shows in the details.

Yeah, lots of 'big name' dealie mobobs are made over there; and they took lots of OUR jobs here with them, putting LOTS of our neighbors and fellow Patriots out of work onto soup lines:grumpy: I've never been in a Union, but i respect the right to work in this Country (USA) and refuse to buy crap was once made here, just to save a few pennies, meanwhile putting a guy out of work here that needs to feed his family...not 300million relatives:barf: :thumbdn:

I drive a '69 Sport Satellite, fly a 4 x 6ft American flag in my front yard and have NEVER set foot in a Walmart, and never will. If the blade is'nt made here in the USA it's not going to be found in my collection

 

[1Tracker]

Thanks for the information. I almost have my mind set to buy Ka Bar Dozier now. I like its simplicity, good quality, and low price. Low price and with high quality is what I want, I do not care where it is made.

You would'nt say that yahooblade if it was YOUR job heading overseas Go ahead buy the Commie crap:barf: just don't come running for help from Patriotic Americans when they come over to get your butt to work in their sweatshops!

 

[Will Power]

This thread has turned up a lot of interesting points both economic,political and knife-al.Globalization MEANS the outsourcing of jobs and capital to wherever the greatest (quick)profit can be made,currently China offers this. But this promiscuous transfer of money is offensive and wrong for these reasons: Many companies are profitable,offer quality products and have a loyal skilled workforce,junking these people for even vaster profits creates cynicism and despair.It ruins communities and despises skill and local identity. Then the huge factories in China with no regard for workers' rights or dignity, the vast pollution this causes and a culture of waste-far too many Chinese products wear out far too quickly because they are cheap and cheaply made, the world cannot afford this. Not all Chinese products are poor by any means though, but their govt subsidization of industries and protectionism ensures that they can whack American or European competitors or lure investors.The Globalization mantra never mentions the ferocious protectionism behind it,it benefits only the largest corporations who are bent on mergers-fewer companies, less choice more of the same.

It amuses me that some posters can be so naive about China âll those factories could suddenly be turned into making war materiel! Their military infrastructure is separate and very well advanced,this is the 21st century not 1933!Chinese students work and travel widely in the EU and US, these are their future and they watch and learn here very fast! I wonder if Americans are so naive as to believe in the yellow-peril still? Some it seems. Chinese power comes from industrial growth yes but the main power rests with their international financial operations and potential control over the strength of the US dollar.This coupled with a possible move to the Euro is what REALLY threatens America,not millions of Chinese turning out shoddy copies of RPGs or other military hardware. He who pays the piper etc.

But to knives! Came across some Gerbers from Taiwan that were simply vile,poor finish and a travesty of what was once a good cutler. Böker Magnums seem OK though and certainly superior to offerings from Germany like Herbertz or some of Bökers own stuff. A Paul Chen Sheffield style stag folder I have made in Hanwei China offers excellent feel and is clearly a worthy product. I have also just come across Rough Rider knives from China, extremely cheap but very likeable and ideal for some abusive outdoor work,attractive finish- frankly can't be bettered for the money. However, the US SHOULD retain its cutlers and knives as they are part of the American tradition and have a mystique about them. Do you want your knife-makers to go the way of the once proud companies in Sheffield England? Oblivion.I like to have genuine American knives as they are individual and are admirable products much liked around the world.Buck, Case,Bark River, Spyderco,Camillus are all outstanding knives (OK I know some of them outsource too) but Americans should introduce strict labelling on their knives Made in USA should be a hallmark and jealously guarded.Finally, I think that true knife enthusiasts are always interested in products from as many countries as possible and let us all hope that national knife companies retain their identity and independence wherever.

 

[1Tracker]

Hi HVR,

The world is shrinking, and constantly changing. The "big picture" view cannot be ignored.

As technoogy and material knowledge is moved all over the globe, everyone from China and India to jihadists have access to the latest materials and technology.

As money markets change in connection with that technology and materials knowledge, there seems to be a lag in valuation. Whether it's the Japanese Yen going from 350 to 105 (15 years) or the Euro going from 80 to 125 (4 years), some country at any given time is going to have a pricing advantage, for a while. Right now it's China.

Business will always try to take advantage of that "lag" in the currency values. Or may be be required to follow others into that country in order to be competetive. There are many markets where China has already taken the market.

I can't speak for any other companies, but Spyderco is making knives in a number of different countries, (USA, Japan, Taiwan, Italy and China [byrd])but we design the product, control the quality of manufacture and the materials.

Our "byrd" brand is a low cost alternative to our Spyderco models. Because of the dollar / Yuan difference, the value is difficult to beat. I see many other major brand have been manufacturing in China far longer.

hope that helps.

sal

Sal, that's one thing I notice a lot off manufacturers refuse to do, state where the knife is made, not 'assembled'; tough to your credit you have made the distinction her. Some places have 'origin' listed on their knife product pages, but it can be both good and bad I guess from either perspective to put that on there.

I know that I automatically return EVERYTHING I mail order that has China anywhere on any piece, no exceptions. My job and CNC machine went over there and I'm not backing down from my buying habits.

I will say that Taiwan is starting to catch up to Japanese made items as far as QC goes. But a knife with Seki stamped on the blade is usually a keeper IMO.

 

[rprocter]

when i was a kid (over 50 years ago), "made in japan" signified crap, you expected whatever it was to break within a day. but for many years now japan has produced the highest quality (think electronics and automotive).
there is no doubt that taiwan and china are rapidly heading the same way. it is easier to make money at first with low end, but that money is re-invested enabling ever more quality products. it won't be long before the very best in the world of many products will emanate from these 2 countries and prices will reflect that. one hopes that the profits will also include more equitable human rights. get your chinese/taiwanese knives soon before prices reflect their already good workmanship. gotta go, my 18 mo. old daughter is playing with my bowie knife.

 

[Tetsusaiga]

I will say this... my Taiwan made BM Monochrome is the one folder that I have that has absolutely ZERO, zilch bladeplay..... and I have other BM axis as well as made in US spydercos in my collection as well and all the others have had barely discernable to pretty obvious bladeplay... so either the BM axis and spydercos that I have are screwed or you gotta admit that there's good stuff coming out of Taiwan or China...

I'm not from the States, not even from EU, I'm from Asia, Singapore, to be specific. Obviously, I don't share the same patriotic sentiments as most of you do, but I do see Chinese coming over here and getting a lot of our jobs... Heck, even the Indians are "taking over" our jobs over here...

Do I get a bit mad?? heck.. of course I do.. is there anything I can do to stop it?? Not really... save to upgrade myself and ensure that I'm one step ahead of the competition.. make sure I have something that they don't have..

I think that it is inevitable that something made in China or Taiwan will eventually find their way into your life... good luck to those that are holding out.. I agree with that comment about Made in Japan 50 years ago. These days, everyone looks for Made in Japan as a mark of quality.. especially in electronics..

So times have changed... either we accept that its inevitable or we get left behind... reality is cruel indeed...

 

[Don_Luis]

If you live in the city and you buy some chicken, the chicken was not raised in the city, it would not be reasonable to raise chicken in the city (you may keep some chicken in your backyard but it wont work for commercial production), on the other hand you wont see a supermarket in a chicken farm. The country is a good place to raise chicken, the city is a good place for its commercialization.

IMHO something similar is hapenning with manufacturing in a Global World, Some countries are good for manufacturing, some countries are good for providing technology and services, in the USA you have the scientists, the engineers, the bankers, etc., in China you have manufacturers, sure you can manufacture things in the USA but like growing chicken in your backyard it may not be very efficient.

If you think that it is bad or unfair because the Chinese worker makes little money, well yes, it's just as when a worker in a chicken farm makes less than an office worker in the city.

Would you only buy city grown chicken to protect the city's chicken producers ?. Would you say that those who live out in rural America are talking away the farming jobs of those who live in the city ?.

The city is the place for the farmer to sell his chicken, the people in the city make money enough to buy the chicken, but they don't make it by farming, there are other jobs in the city. America is an important market for China to sell manufactured products, and there's enough money in America to buy them, money that may very well be made by means other than manufacturing.

Luis

 

[stevekt]

I think that there are some fine knives being made in Taiwan.
And even China is getting better and better.

HOWEVER....I cannot deny that there is a certain pride in carrying a knife that is made in the USA.

I agree. I have many great knives from European and Asian countries but seeing "USA" on a knife puts a smile on my face.

 

[Tetsusaiga]

I would rather see "USA" on a knife as well, but only because that usually means that the quality is there... but now that I have had experience with the Taiwan made BM Monochrome... I would be a lot more inclined to sample more of products from Taiwan and China...

 

[Bladescanada]

Funny 30 years ago we bought Japanese cars because we couldn't afford American cars. Now we buy American cars because we can't afford Japanese cars!
While the Japanese went for improvement in quality, the NA car manufacturers countered by offering cheaper deals, until they lost the market.
As a knife store owner in Canada, I think today the "Made in the USA" stamp on a knife indicates quality in metarial, supervision, workmanship and brings an overall confidence to the buyer in the standard of the product.
The best thing American knife companies can do is maintain a no compromise high standard that has been earned by them over the years. How many people will tell you that their made in the USA Ka-Bar they bought 12 years ago still takes a beating, or how the made in the USA Cold Steel Recon Tanto they bought in 1992 is still dependable as day one 15 years later?
I carry an American made Emerson Commander in one pocket, and a made in Taiwan Cold Steel AK-47 in the other. Two different price markets. There is room in the market for both.
All I'm saying is don't throw away the high end "made in the USA" market. Because if you do, someone else will fill the void, then sell you the same product, for the same price 10 years from now, only made somewhere other than the USA.
And this is from a Canadian!

 

[Hardman]

Some people have a short memory.

1) When I was a kid, a knife made in Japan was considered junk. Now Seki and Spyderco are made in Japan and considered top quality.

2) If you want to talk politics, don't forget that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, tortured and raped millions of Chinese civilians, and has an aggressive culture seeped with samauri traditions. Chinese culture is based on Confucian philosophy. China has never been imperialistic, but rather has been claimed and divided ... I wouldn't worry about the knife factories.

3) My bottom line ... I'm Glad that I can get a decent Buck or CRKT made in Taiwan for a good price. The quality will only better with time. I bet in ten years the discussion may be over knives made in another part of the developing world like India or Africa.

No Flames please, Junst my 2 cents

Mike

 

[jill jackson]

I will say this... my Taiwan made BM Monochrome is the one folder that I have that has absolutely ZERO, zilch bladeplay..... and I have other BM axis as well as made in US spydercos in my collection as well and all the others have had barely discernable to pretty obvious bladeplay... so either the BM axis and spydercos that I have are screwed or you gotta admit that there's good stuff coming out of Taiwan or China...

My BM HK axis lock had a little blade play (USA) as shipped all it took to tighten it up was a little tightening on the pivot.

 

[rhino]

I think just about any country has a factory or some craftsmen that can make really good knives, but they don't always do it (including USA).

I have a large drop point lockback made by Gerber International in Taiwan back in the early 1980s. It's the oldest knife I have with a blade made of AUS8A steel and my particular knife is easily one of the best made factory knives I've ever held in my hands. Of course, it was made back in the day when Gerber was on the top end of things, so the standards they demanded were high.

 

[Will Power]

I think just about any country has a factory or some craftsmen that can make really good knives, but they don't always do it (including USA).

I have a large drop point lockback made by Gerber International in Taiwan back in the early 1980s. It's the oldest knife I have with a blade made of AUS8A steel and my particular knife is easily one of the best made factory knives I've ever held in my hands. Of course, it was made back in the day when Gerber was on the top end of things, so the standards they demanded were high.

I believe standards WERE higher then. Latest Gerber offerings are frankly undesirable.Maybe since Fiskars took them over?

 

[rhino]

I believe standards WERE higher then. Latest Gerber offerings are frankly undesirable.Maybe since Fiskars took them over?

I think the Fiskars acquisition occurred after the effective death of what we used to know as Gerber.

 

[James Y]

Hardman:
It's true that the Japanese military committed many HORRIFIC atrocities, BUT so did the Communist Chinese in Tibet. It's man's inhumanity to man. Your average Japanese person is no more warlike than your average Chinese or Westerner. BTW, I am an American of Japanese descent, and have dealt with the stereotypes ad nauseum.
Jim

 

[James Y]

I have come to the point where if there were a knife I liked made in China I would consider trying it out. I still prefer U.S., Japan, Swiss, or Taiwan-made, but that's simply my perception. The Byrd line has probably one model I might someday try...looks pretty well-made.
Jim

 

[flatgrinder]

Depending on the make and model, some are good, some are junk. You just gotta know how to pick 'em.

Personally, I don't care what country is printed on the blade, just as long as the quality is there.

 

[GIRLYmann]

Red Chinese or Free China knives?! Certainly if there's one thing you can be sure of (for now at least!); is that domestically produced knife designs aren't about to gain an international foothold anywhere beyond their shores. As culture and taste preferences differ from shore to shore. They fail to understand the importance of design; the first thing that impress the buyer by sight. Quality of manufacture can be attained much quicker with the use of fabrication technology. It's no surprise why they end up duplicating successful or foreign markatable brands, notably American for the sake of making quick profits with their low end duplicates.