Opinion: The problem with most Chinese brands

[Chris "Anagarika"]

I don’t get interested because of this:
Not many lockbacks. Flipper, framelock, or liner lock continues to dominate.

 

[leghog]

Flavor of the month syndrome. Not just the Chinese and not just knives.

 

[Pomsbz]

One word. Victorinox.

 

[Knifeoholic]

IMO the best move this "WE" company can make at this time is get away from the propietery screws.

Agreed. I do like quite a few of the knives the WE company is producing. But those screws..... It's pretty much what's kept me away from them. I've read in reviews that they are very easy to strip. But it's more of a looks thing to me. They just look cheap and tacky. Personal opinion of course. If they started using torx screws I think I'd look more seriously at them.

 

[Korean Hog]

To me, one of the problems is the same as it always has been with a little different scale available (higher end Chinese knives) There are some Chinese brands offering "high quality" blades instead of cheap ones. Making them with titanium. vg 10, s35vn, etc. and using design elements that they know Americans associate with quality. The materials are there, but the fit and finish isn't and more often than not I see them using heavy stainless liners to beef up a knife that may break otherwise from poor workmanship.

My point is that my $80 Kizer isn't necessarily a bad value, but it isn't nice enough to turn my back on USA production that is most often much better. I feel that they are advertising cheaper $50-$100 price range knives like they were as good as $150-$200+ from the U.S. To some that $50-$100 dollar discount is worth the trade off of lower quality with the same materials as a better maker from the U.S.

I know that many people consider the quality and materials to be the same quality as the U.S. at a cheaper price and the only drawback is that you're supporting China instead of the U.S. but if this were the case I might have down-low bought a ton of "higher quality" Chinese knives. None of the Chinese blades look or feel IMO to have the same quality as a U.S. equivalent.

 

[sabre cat]

For those claiming Chinese made knives have HT problems, could you back it up with some evidence? That is a big brush.

Of course, it's a big brush. I was speaking in general terms, not about any specific manufacturer. Everyone here knows that you will always have exceptions. It is just common sense.

If you want evidence, just go to your local big box or budget retailer. Buy a budget Chinese knife and use it for three months. Or, pick up a gas station knife next time you put fuel in the family sedan.

Do I really have to spell it out any more than that? I'm surprised that I had to break it down this much.

 

[sabre cat]

As I get older and gain more life experience, especially with knives, I find that I don't care for most of the knife products produced in China. I have figured out that quality (or the lack thereof) plays a huge role. However, the two biggest issues for me are ergonomics and style. In general, Chinese knives offer more "bling" than I want and most of them don't fit my hand.

 

[sharp_edge]

Of course, it's a big brush. I was speaking in general terms, not about any specific manufacturer. Everyone here knows that you will always have exceptions. It is just common sense.

If you want evidence, just go to your local big box or budget retailer. Buy a budget Chinese knife and use it for three months. Or, pick up a gas station knife next time you put fuel in the family sedan.

Do I really have to spell it out any more than that? I'm surprised that I had to break it down this much.

So you were talking about low-budget chinese made knives? I dont think that is the kind of knives having been discussed in this thread.

 

[LX_Emergency]

My problem is they don't cater to lefties. That's why I don't own any of them. Owned one of the cheaper WE knives for a bit (the G10 handled ones). Pretty much the nicest "budget" knife I've ever owned.

Simply can't get over the fact that I can't move the pocketclip to my preferred side though. So I got rid of it.

I believe WE have finally made their first left hand pocket clip friendly model lately...so maybe I'll give it another try. But those lefthanded Sebenza's have been hard to kick out of my pocket the past few weeks.

 

[Eagle Scout]

So you were talking about low-budget chinese made knives? I dont think that is the kind of knives having been discussed in this thread.

No sense in trying to make sense of it sharp_edge. The OP stated "WE, Kizer, and Reate" and a lot of the discussion appears focused in that direction. It's great to see nationalism plays a role in peoples decision making process. Nothing wrong with rooting for the home team. At times however, it appears those underpinnings outweigh impartial comparison.

I'd put a TRC K-1 up against any of the dozens of woodsman fixed blades that have passed through my hands. The fact it was crafted in Lithuania has nothing to do my opinion that it's a great knife. Same as my Mora Robust, which was made is Sweden. My Opinel was made in France. My collection of Seiko watches are from Japan.

My opinion of We, Kizer, and Reate has nothing to do with the country of origin - only the quality of product available to me. Just like the computer I'm typing on, the cell phone in my pocket, and the cars in my garage. It's simply a great time to be an American consumer.

 

[PirateSeulb]

I feel like expanding on my thoughts be naming some brands

WE Knives I originally was impressed with and they still have some models which draw my attention but mostly they seem more to just be a machine churning out knives. Really this quote kinda sums up how WE is viewed by me at least inregards to thier own product lines.

One of the largest problems for me with many of these makers is the narrative of their product. It comes across quite heavily as a desire to cash in on a market rather than as a genuine desire to improve the daily experience of the end user. I feel no passion from them.

Kizer they either seem more involved in knife community or at least have more models that appeal to me hard to really say but I don't don't get the same feel from them as I do WE.

Reate is really just in my view the people making Liong Mah's knives and he has some nice designs but outside of that I don't really think of them.

Ruike really falls much in line with WE and even fewer of their designs are appealing to me.

It mostly comes down to they often feel as others have said soulless and for me I also see so much looking like just knives being turned out to cash in on a market. I have seen some QC issues in them but not really outside expectations they are a factory there will be lemons it is a given but that isn't a mark against them. I don't view their knives as inferior in construction or quality but they still don't really provide a value in my opinion.

 

[marcinek]

Of course, it's a big brush. I was speaking in general terms, not about any specific manufacturer. Everyone here knows that you will always have exceptions. It is just common sense.

If you want evidence, just go to your local big box or budget retailer. Buy a budget Chinese knife and use it for three months. Or, pick up a gas station knife next time you put fuel in the family sedan.

Do I really have to spell it out any more than that? I'm surprised that I had to break it down this much.

So, because cheap Chinese "gas station" knives have a bad heat treat, then even quality Chinese knives have a bad heat treat?

That "spelling out" doesn't make sense.

 

[microtech85]

Interesting topic. When i look back at old catalogs from the early 80s and before, many companies had just a few products that they made very well and were in continuous production for sometimes decades or longer. now these companies seem to have been bought out by large hedge funds and then start churning out dozens or hundreds of products.
I think it devalues products. I too think market is becoming over saturated and it may be dangerous for economy. Naturally when there is an over abundance prices may plummet. I support our western way of life and want not to live under communism, so i will avoid enriching communist nations by purchasing their products.

 

[marcinek]

Interesting topic. When i look back at old catalogs from the early 80s and before, many companies had just a few products that they made very well and were in continuous production for sometimes decades or longer. now these companies seem to have been bought out by large hedge funds and then start churning out dozens or hundreds of products.
I think it devalues products. I too think market is becoming over saturated and it may be dangerous for economy. Naturally when there is an over abundance prices may plummet. I support our western way of life and want not to live under communism, so i will avoid enriching communist nations by purchasing their products.

And that all has to do with "China" how? It seems you are saying the US knife industry is flooding the market, devaluing its product, and hurting the economy, and because of that you won't buy Chinese products.

Not seeing the connection. Wouldn't it be better to not buy from the American manufacturers that you claim are endangering the our economy?

 

[Leo3an]

Market evolves. Making just very few quality knives is a very risky bet. If those few do not work out, you go bankrupt and everyone you hired loses jobs. As a company it makes sense to take all actions that help you survive. That is to churn out as many models as possible, at cost that most consumers are fine spending. Majority of consumers want to spend less money.

And wtf is this about company’s passion of making knives?? American companies arnt charities or artisans. They solely exist to make money just like any corporation. If it seems like they have more “passion” they are much better at “marketing”.

Come to think of it, what Chinese manufacturers need the most is a good American marketing agent. So they make it seem like they have more “passion”. You know, churn out more Youtube vids, come to forums and talk & whatnot. Thats more “passion” right?

But then again, there will be more excuses to hate a specific nation. Chinese made junk before so it was hated. Now they have high end stuff, and “they have no passion”. There will always be an excuse to want to hate a group of people. I have no excuses. I like americans because I am one. I hate Chinese for no reason, without making up excuses. end of story.

 

[marcinek]

And wtf is this about company’s passion of making knives?? American companies arnt charities or artisans. They solely exist to make money just like any corporation. If it seems like they have more “passion” they are much better at “marketing”.

Its funny how that one point against "the Chinese" is their rabid pursuit of Capitalism, and another against them is their rabid pursuit of Communism.

You are correct in that people will always come up with some rationalization for not buying Chinese.

 

[danbot]

Its funny how that one point against "the Chinese" is their rabid pursuit of Capitalism, and another against them is their rabid pursuit of Communism.

You are correct in that people will always come up with some rationalization for not buying Chinese.

I will admit that my criticism of Chinese knife designs is probably harsher than I would judge other countries designs. Maybe its a sub-conscious thing, because I don't really realize I'm doing it until I really question why I don't like it.

But OTOH there are many Chinese company designs that just don't appeal to me based on aesthetics alone. Many times I've seen pictures of knives that did not appeal to me and it turned out they were indeed Chinese designs. But some have turned out to be American companies designs as well...(mostly the mall ninja styles) but a crappy (IMO) design is crappy no matter where it comes from.

 

[Barefootdog]

This same thread can be found on any number of other forums.

On guitar forums it looks like....Gibson and Fender have "MOJO". By the mid/late 70's Gibson and Fender were making a lot of junk...quality/quality control was a crap shoot. But their past was the sound of rock and roll we all grew up with so they could sell whatever they made despite consistent defects....they had "MOJO"..."SOUL". Other new makers forced them to up their game....Enter PRS guitars (US maker)...Fender and Gibson had to get better because you could buy a PRS sight unseen w/100% confidence you were getting a quality instrument with the best materials and quality control of any US made (production) guitar. Jap made Fenders remain highly sought after guitar. Gibson is still a crap shoot and often disappointing.

On the 1911 pistol forums is looks like....Phillipine and Turkish made 1911's have no soul....If it doesn't say Colt on the slide its a soulless copy...not a "real" 1911. Nonsense.

Apparently its the same with blades....China can't/won't do anything right.
Compete with them w/that mind set and we will lose.
Some of the stuff they're turning out is damn nice.

Just MHO.
Spend the $.02 where ever cash is still taken....

 

[marcinek]

I will admit that my criticism of Chinese knife designs is probably harsher than I would judge other countries designs. Maybe its a sub-conscious thing, because I don't really realize I'm doing it until I really question why I don't like it.

But OTOH there are many Chinese company designs that just don't appeal to me based on aesthetics alone. Many times I've seen pictures of knives that did not appeal to me and it turned out they were indeed Chinese designs. But some have turned out to be American companies designs as well...(mostly the mall ninja styles) but a crappy (IMO) design is crappy no matter where it comes from.

Nothing wrong with not liking the way they look. But We, Reate, Kizer, etc flood the market with the same stuff US manufacturers flood the market with. Titanium framelock flippers....it's not a "Chinese brand problem"...it's an "everybody problem."

 

[sabre cat]

So, because cheap Chinese "gas station" knives have a bad heat treat, then even quality Chinese knives have a bad heat treat?

That "spelling out" doesn't make sense.

Your right, "that" "spelling out" doesn't make sense but, that is not what I said.
Read my comment again. Nowhere in my post did I say that higher end Chinese knives have poor heat treatment. Why twist things in that direction? To me, that doesn't make sense, either.

Considering that the title of this thread is, and I quote, "Opinion: The problem with most Chinese brands", my comments about HT are solid. Remember, most Chinese knives sold in the US are not higher end products.

I have to admit that the Chinese are producing some finely crafted knives. Some of them I even like. But, why purchase overseas and ignore producers here at home?