- Joined
- May 20, 2009
- Messages
- 648
If at all possible, I try to buy American made products.
I've bought only American made knives for the past few years.
I've bought only American made knives for the past few years.
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Made in Taiwan
- Thread starter LUW
- Start date
I am kind of the same, most of my knives say USA with a few exceptions. However, I am looking at the CS mini lawman and its Taiwan, I thought it was a negative, but I think I will still try it. Japanese Spyderco's are an exception of course, and Boker germany for me.
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2005
- Messages
- 3,817
For the last twenty years I was working in various quality functions of few companies, two of them International. Currently I am working for the company, which in competition with Chinese manufacturing companies and In my honest opinion quality of Chinese product is about the same as domestic. Please, keep in the mind that Chinese companies build satellites, jet, submarines and so on.
This is one of the reasons, why I am avoiding to buy anything made in People's Republic of China. There are couple more reasons as well. Today I own only knives made in US, Japan or Europe. I use to own Spyderco Sage, made in Taiwan. Excellent workmanship, but sold it because I didn't like the knife. I will buy Taiwanese knife, if I really like it.
This is almost my thoughts. I live in US and my duty to give preferences to goods made in US. I will bring business to my countrymen; they can bring business to me. Globalization can be a good thing, when it is two ways road.
Until then
...
This is one of the reasons, why I am avoiding to buy anything made in People's Republic of China. There are couple more reasons as well. Today I own only knives made in US, Japan or Europe. I use to own Spyderco Sage, made in Taiwan. Excellent workmanship, but sold it because I didn't like the knife. I will buy Taiwanese knife, if I really like it.
This is almost my thoughts. I live in US and my duty to give preferences to goods made in US. I will bring business to my countrymen; they can bring business to me. Globalization can be a good thing, when it is two ways road.
Until then
...
The country a product is made in gives you an indication of the manufacturing standards.
If their manufacturing wasn't cheaper and they didn't pay their workers so much less, it wouldn't make sense for a company to ship the materials over there and back.
A well-paid happy worker does a better job. That's why I only buy knives made in true first world nations.
What?? Maybe your joking... Case and Queen are made in PA, whats your reason, I'm curious
Just some personal conflicts with PA politics, but really its alright now. I can't very well condem all of PA for just a few of their government employees.
They do have the Liberty Bell and many Amish ; )
I wrote that comment with a twist of sarcasm. Really I do not understand some people's hatred for China overall. It seems an opinion based on racial prejudice and or ignorance of current world economics.
Not really. Countries don't make knives. Companies do. If well paid workers made better products, the likes of GM would be king.
Should US knife manufacturing be judged by the products of, say, Bear and Son? There are clearly many very good knives being made in places like China, and they are getting better. Yet it is quite acceptable to write off the "Made In China" stamp because of the no name gas station special from that country.
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2008
- Messages
- 2,365
For many of the reasons listed here, I generally avoid buying knives made
in China. That being said, the two Chinese knives I DO have, CRKT's
Stubby and Folding Razels, have exceeded my expectations. They
are both well made and represent the Graham Bros concept well.
As for Taiwan, I have many knives made there and would not hesitate
to buy more.
in China. That being said, the two Chinese knives I DO have, CRKT's
Stubby and Folding Razels, have exceeded my expectations. They
are both well made and represent the Graham Bros concept well.
As for Taiwan, I have many knives made there and would not hesitate
to buy more.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2006
- Messages
- 6,038
The reality is that some stuff is made one place, taken somewhere else, maybe marked with the country of manufacture, maybe not, then it's here for us to buy.
Some companies are honest, others beat around the bush when asked where something is made.
I don't have much faith that the consumer is told the truth these days.
Some companies are honest, others beat around the bush when asked where something is made.
I don't have much faith that the consumer is told the truth these days.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 25,979
Taiwan is fast becoming the third major producer of high-end cutlery, joining the ranks of the USA and Japan. Check out some of the Taiwanese Spydercos to see what I'm talking about. These days I actually tend to look positively on "Taiwan" stamped on a blade. Oh, and they're political and economic partners of the US, so that's good too. 
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2002
- Messages
- 10,305
In my profession, I travel and do business in all parts of the world, including Japan, China and Taiwan, etc.
For those who just don't understand how technologically advanced Asia has become, I'll share a little secret (not really a "secret" to the ones who know): The technology that Taiwan factories use to make common cooking pots, is the same that the USA uses to manufacture missile warheads...
For those who just don't understand how technologically advanced Asia has become, I'll share a little secret (not really a "secret" to the ones who know): The technology that Taiwan factories use to make common cooking pots, is the same that the USA uses to manufacture missile warheads...
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2009
- Messages
- 1,711
My KA-BAR Kukri has "Taiwan" stamped on it - I couldn't care less. It was a good price and it is a good chopper, where it was made matters to me so much less than how well it is made. I really like my Leatherman and that was made in the USA, I also like my Spyderco Endura 4 and that was made in Japan. A good knife is a good knife and that is what counts!
This topic should just remain a sticky cause it comes up a lot.
I even started a tread like it once and it got closed. In any
case I will buy from any country for the most part as long as
it's well made and high quality. Though I like US made gear
best cause to me it seems to have the best quality and usually
comes with the best customer support.
I even started a tread like it once and it got closed. In any
case I will buy from any country for the most part as long as
it's well made and high quality. Though I like US made gear
best cause to me it seems to have the best quality and usually
comes with the best customer support.
- Joined
- May 5, 2005
- Messages
- 955
The problem with China products(make it knives) is not the county of origin.
The problem is that producers moved to China to lower cost, and to lower it more, producers cut QC, materials and so on.
If product is made in Japan, Taiwan etc, one can suspect it will be higher quality than China, because if producer would like to maximize cost cutting, they would move to China, cause it will always be cheaper than Taiwan.
I will change with time, and is changing now - every year we get more and more China made knives that are equal or higher than Taiwan, Japan or US, but still we get lots of crap.
The problem is that producers moved to China to lower cost, and to lower it more, producers cut QC, materials and so on.
If product is made in Japan, Taiwan etc, one can suspect it will be higher quality than China, because if producer would like to maximize cost cutting, they would move to China, cause it will always be cheaper than Taiwan.
I will change with time, and is changing now - every year we get more and more China made knives that are equal or higher than Taiwan, Japan or US, but still we get lots of crap.
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- May 27, 2009
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- Joined
- Apr 17, 2003
- Messages
- 5,283
What?? Maybe your joking... Case and Queen are made in PA, whats your reason, I'm curious
seriously...I love my Queen made knives. :thumbup:
I have knives from all makes, british, euro, japanese, chinese, taiwan and even a few from africa. It can be hit and miss occasionally with brands i havnt heard of but if the price is right i'm willing to give em a chance.
For the most part though I like known brands that still have USA stamped above the guard/bolsters
Back in the 80's, 90's, and even now, knives coming out of Japan are of excellent quality. But at one time Japan meant cheap. Now Tawain, and to some extent China, are in the process of becoming the "new Japan". I have two fixed blade knives that were manufactured in China, a BokerPlus Valkryie, and the CRK&T Hisshou. Unless you knew they were made in China, you would be hard pressed to identify either of them China made products.
There's no question that the quality hurdle has been passed in Taiwan, China, and other Asian countries. Both these countries are more than capable, but individual factories may not pass the muster. That's more the American companies fault for not keeping an eye on QC, and releasing a defective product to their customers.
My attitude is "all other things being equal" buy made in U.S.A. products. However, I won't forgo a good value because something in made in Taiwan.
I, like most Americans want the best products for the money. That's why Wal-Mart is one of the top retailers in the U.S. (although I don't shop there because of the ridiculous waits in line) That's why Honda and Toyota, who build a large percentage of their vehicles HERE, thrive, and GM and Chrysler have to go us taxpayers to get bailed out.
My attitude is "all other things being equal" buy made in U.S.A. products. However, I won't forgo a good value because something in made in Taiwan.
I, like most Americans want the best products for the money. That's why Wal-Mart is one of the top retailers in the U.S. (although I don't shop there because of the ridiculous waits in line) That's why Honda and Toyota, who build a large percentage of their vehicles HERE, thrive, and GM and Chrysler have to go us taxpayers to get bailed out.
I live outside the US (ethnically Chinese ) so my first concern is build quality. If the Taiwanese make good knives like those SPyderco Sages then sure, why not. The Chinese do make good knives too, but generally those aren't the ones that make it out of the country. By which I mean Chinese custom-makers or blacksmiths, who don't export their goods.
I don't buy into that "nationalistic" buying thing, but perhaps that's just because Singapore doesn't produce much.
) so my first concern is build quality. If the Taiwanese make good knives like those SPyderco Sages then sure, why not. The Chinese do make good knives too, but generally those aren't the ones that make it out of the country. By which I mean Chinese custom-makers or blacksmiths, who don't export their goods.I don't buy into that "nationalistic" buying thing, but perhaps that's just because Singapore doesn't produce much.