new remington MOP

[rev_jch]

Has anyone seen the new remington MOP series at smkw? They look nice, but I read the caption and it said, "made off shore" (or something like that). Kind of sad. So many companies have outsourced, out of necessity, profits? Who knows, maybe both? Its sad to see the age of the amercian cutlery coming into extinction? They knives look good, but would I buy them now?

 

[knifeaholic]

To me they look a lot like the Rough Rider knives...Chines made

 

[CapCase]

"In order to produce these classically beautiful mother of pearl patterns, Remington manufactured the collection off-shore" :barf:

Thanks for the heads-up Rev. Somehow I missed that when I first looked at the catalog. But I knew the knives didn't seem to interest me, which is odd for Remingtons. Now I know why.

I guess Camillus is about to lose a customer with Remington... :grumpy:

 

[textoothpk]

Kinda reminds me of what has happened to the Winchester branded knives, from blue grass cutlery. Now... same cheap stuff that comes out of the Rough Riders.

And Smith & Wesson... They once made a 'real knife' as well.

Phil

 

[brownshoe]

What I've read recently indicated no import restrictions on MOP that would make remington have to manufacture off shore. What is true is that larger pieces of high quality MOP are getting expensive because there is high demand. I personally thought the SMKW ad copy was fraudulent.

 

[textoothpk]

One problem with Mother of Pearl is the toxicity of the material when working it. That stuff caused all kinds of health problems to the nineteenth century workers, mostly women, in old Sheffield knife works. Luckily, workers today in the US have OSHA to protect them. I think this is the reason the ad copy states: "...due to strict U.S. government Production requirements."

Third world countries working their way slowly up to being industrial powers have no such protections for their workers, exactly the way it was in England - and in this country- in the 1900s. I have no proof that whoever is making these knives for Remington is misusing their workers, putting them in danger.. but I would ask the question before making the purchase.

I note a couple of other features of these mop handled knives that would lower the price. First, the handles are glued on, not pinned, riveted. That sure takes the risk out of working with MOP. Also, they use the old trick of putting a piece of metal across some of the handles... so they can use two small (less expensive) sections of the shell instead of one big one.

Phil

 

[rev_jch]

Phil, thats a good point!!! Now that you mention it I see what you are saying!!! The handles are glued, and there are "splice" pieces of metal. Im very dissappointed in remington for doing this.