Off Topic Not even a snark-wide pandemic can keep us down...

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Got to go to Philadelphia for the first time a few days ago. Didn't have as much time to explore all the history I wanted to, but I did get to go into Independence Hall and see the Liberty Bell. Crazy how much security they had for both but I guess it's for the best that they're being protected.
 
Wasty said:
Just replied to the BK40 Thread... Why China?? - Whyyyyy?? (Sorry needed to vent)

However, I hope they don't Gryll it like Gerber...
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Right there with you. Nope.

I've recently remembered how much I like Buck's American made folders - there are a number of worthy variants of the 110 and the 112 and the Sprint is a cool flipper, etc.

I guess it's cool that it's still convenient to pocket carry the BK 11 or 14.
 
Alas, I'd prefer a USA-built folder too.
I'm sure it would be a HUGE capital investment for Kabar to start making folders in-house. Without clear projections that it would pay for itself in a reasonable term and a plan to commit many designs to domestic production, they'd probably have to sub it for a one-off USA-built design. I'd pay $100 for a Kershaw-made Becker folder. And a little more for a Spyderco-made one. I don't know if the big names do private label stuff, and if Kabar considered sub-contracting it domestically beyond the Hogue prototype. Also don't know if Kabar owns a facility in China, or if they're just subbing it out to an existing big manufacturer there (that's my guess).

Arguably, Taiwan IS China. I'm not sure how labeling is being enforced these days. Back when I worked in corporate reference data, we had to make sure that our master record on Taiwan was "Province of China". And obviously there's a long-running dispute over all that, and I'm not taking sides. I certainly don't know how it impacts Kabar's blade markings. I do agree that a Taiwan marking would sell better.
 
daizee said:
Alas, I'd prefer a USA-built folder too.
I'm sure it would be a HUGE capital investment for Kabar to start making folders in-house. Without clear projections that it would pay for itself in a reasonable term and a plan to commit many designs to domestic production, they'd probably have to sub it for a one-off USA-built design. I'd pay $100 for a Kershaw-made Becker folder. And a little more for a Spyderco-made one. I don't know if the big names do private label stuff, and if Kabar considered sub-contracting it domestically beyond the Hogue prototype. Also don't know if Kabar owns a facility in China, or if they're just subbing it out to an existing big manufacturer there (that's my guess).

Arguably, Taiwan IS China. I'm not sure how labeling is being enforced these days. Back when I worked in corporate reference data, we had to make sure that our master record on Taiwan was "Province of China". And obviously there's a long-running dispute over all that, and I'm not taking sides. I certainly don't know how it impacts Kabar's blade markings. I do agree that a Taiwan marking would sell better.
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Now I am likely wrong but I was under the impression that though China thinks they own Taiwan, Taiwan believes very differently and that their secession is valid. I also thought that any sort of labeling like you mentioned above was simply to play nice with China as the whole Taiwan thing is a rather sore spot for them.

My understanding is that Taiwan's factories have a reputation of producing quality product where mainland China can be far more hit and miss.
 
Pàdruig said:
Now I am likely wrong but I was under the impression that though China thinks they own Taiwan, Taiwan believes very differently and that their secession is valid. I also thought that any sort of labeling like you mentioned above was simply to play nice with China as the whole Taiwan thing is a rather sore spot for them.

My understanding is that Taiwan's factories have a reputation of producing quality product where mainland China can be far more hit and miss.
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I was initially reluctant to buy them but I have several Taichung Spyderco knives that are phenomenally done. :thumbsup:
 
GeofS said:
I was initially reluctant to buy them but I have several Taichung Spyderco knives that are phenomenally done. :thumbsup:
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I have one of those Spydercos, the Swayback, and it's very nice. I've also been buying several Cold Steel knives - their higher end folders - and all of those are from Taiwan as well.

I think the biggest difference for me is the trust factor - with cheap Chinese made knives, it is hard to trust what sort of steel you are getting. With Taiwan, I haven't had reason to believe otherwise when told what steel it is.
 
Pàdruig said:
I have one of those Spydercos, the Swayback, and it's very nice. I've also been buying several Cold Steel knives - their higher end folders - and all of those are from Taiwan as well.

I think the biggest difference for me is the trust factor - with cheap Chinese made knives, it is hard to trust what sort of steel you are getting. With Taiwan, I haven't had reason to believe otherwise when told what steel it is.
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I agree with your assessment. I also have the Swayback, plus two Smocks and the SpydieChef. All are done really well.
 
Noswad0208 said:
Got to go to Philadelphia for the first time a few days ago. Didn't have as much time to explore all the history I wanted to, but I did get to go into Independence Hall and see the Liberty Bell. Crazy how much security they had for both but I guess it's for the best that they're being protected.
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Very cool! I visited way back in the 80's, got to see Independence Hall (from the outside) and the Liberty Bell. As I recall, the bell was simply under a gazebo roof in those days, with a courtesy rope around the display. Their was a local 'official' there in a green uniform, mainly just answering questions.
 
I visited philly around 2010 i think. I was only there for an evening. All the philly cheese steak stands were already closed for the night which was the only disappointment. I mostly just drove around for an hour and then went to a couple bars for one drink each just for some local experience. Walking the streets there was pretty neat. If i recall correctly, i did get to see the rocky statue which was a cool thing to do. Chinatown was way cooler than the lame examples in portland and seattle. Id like to spend more time in philly for sure.
 
Xr6x said:
I had hoped when KABAR mentioned they would be teaming up with Spartan, that maybe a folder with the KABAR or BECKER brand would happen. I guess not o_O
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That’s an amazing idea. :thumbsup:
 
tanglediver said:
Very cool! I visited way back in the 80's, got to see Independence Hall (from the outside) and the Liberty Bell. As I recall, the bell was simply under a gazebo roof in those days, with a courtesy rope around the display. Their was a local 'official' there in a green uniform, mainly just answering questions.
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They have the "Liberty Bell Center" now, big building with the full history of the bell on display as you walk down the hall, and the bell is at the end. They also have a spot just outside the front door where you can look into the excavation and see part of the foundation and walls of the house that George and Martha Washington stayed in when Philly was the capital. Cool stuff.

Mass1632 said:
I visited philly around 2010 i think. I was only there for an evening. All the philly cheese steak stands were already closed for the night which was the only disappointment. I mostly just drove around for an hour and then went to a couple bars for one drink each just for some local experience. Walking the streets there was pretty neat. If i recall correctly, i did get to see the rocky statue which was a cool thing to do. Chinatown was way cooler than the lame examples in portland and seattle. Id like to spend more time in philly for sure.
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I didn't get to see the Rocky statue but I did see the famous steps on the way out of the city.
 
Pàdruig said:
Now I am likely wrong but I was under the impression that though China thinks they own Taiwan, Taiwan believes very differently and that their secession is valid. I also thought that any sort of labeling like you mentioned above was simply to play nice with China as the whole Taiwan thing is a rather sore spot for them.

My understanding is that Taiwan's factories have a reputation of producing quality product where mainland China can be far more hit and miss.
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I only have one Taiwan blade. My Browning Barker Comp Chopper. I'm embarrassed how much I love the blade....Not the handle though, but still one of my favorite knives
 
Damn phone won't send a photo via texting. Never had that problem before. Checked a bunch of sites, which all basically suggested the same thing. Nothing worked. Normal text works, but a photo will not. I think it's time for a new phone.
 
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