Reate productions on par with high-end mid-techs?

ChrisKnife said:
I don't think I have anything to argue with you. Every Hinderer I've ever owned would have certainly preformed everything I could've ever asked it to, without a doubt. Was more or less trying to draw attention to a few aspects of some of my personal favorite manufacturers that couuld be addressed, that would make them more appealing in my eyes. My opinion, surely. I just find it irritating that another company can accomplish said aspects at a lower price point.

I carrying Spyderco, ZT, Hoback, Emerson, and Reate weekly. 4 of the 5 being American made.
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Well, I mean, let me ask. Why would you find it irritating? The reason why things are cheaper in China is no secret. The understanding that Chinese companies can turn out quality, exceptional quality, are not in contention. Those are known things. My primary issue with the presentation of this thread is that really, your main assertion was against Strider and Hinderer, two companies who most decidedly sell to a certain core customer base. Those folks aren't going to be swayed to Reate for multiple (also well known) reasons. (shrug) For that matter, that probably applies to Emerson fans also.

I mean, Zero Tolerance turned out multiple Hinderer designs which are better executions than actual Hinderer knives are, well...were at the time. ZT has released the ZT0562 in three different steels, and is highly regarded. However, Hinderer still sells a ton of knives, so as you can see, fit and finish, bearings, and so on aren't the overlord arguments that they might appear at first glance. ZT also made two different Emerson knives which are exceptional, but people still buy Emersons (full disclosure: I'm one of 'em) even though in the respects of (again) fit, finish, and materials choice, the Emerson products are inferior. I'd still rather have the Emersons, though. I do not currently own the either the 0620 or 0630 (had both at various times but just sold 'em), but I've got like, 21 Emersons. (shrug).

If I can offer some advice, it would be this. If you make a thread of this nature again, it may be more of a benefit to approach with your cards on the table, preferably with a big bunch of pics. "I like Reate knives, because at this certain price point, they do.....THIS" and then it's picture city. Let people make up their own minds, you know? Telling folks that their high opinion of whatever their preferred maker is, is incorrect because a Chinese company operating in a different marketplace than American companies do can put out a comparable product for cheaper, just puts folks on the defensive. Once that happens, communication and receptiveness to ideas is usually off the table. Just a thought.

Have a good evening.
 
jstn said:
I love the looks of that knife, but I'm so infuriated by the proprietary pivot hardware w/out a tool included that I can't bring myself to buy one.
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I'm pretty sure that's just a fancy pivot with a TORX hole in the center.
 
Ok, I’ll admit that Reate makes a good blade, and there are many positive reviews available to back my assessment. However, saying they are better than Hinderer is a very bold statement. You are entitled to your opinion but I’m not sure too many folks will agree.
 
Exactly.
Quiet said:
Well, I mean, let me ask. Why would you find it irritating? The reason why things are cheaper in China is no secret. The understanding that Chinese companies can turn out quality, exceptional quality, are not in contention. Those are known things. My primary issue with the presentation of this thread is that really, your main assertion was against Strider and Hinderer, two companies who most decidedly sell to a certain core customer base. Those folks aren't going to be swayed to Reate for multiple (also well known) reasons. (shrug) For that matter, that probably applies to Emerson fans also.

I mean, Zero Tolerance turned out multiple Hinderer designs which are better executions than actual Hinderer knives are, well...were at the time. ZT has released the ZT0562 in three different steels, and is highly regarded. However, Hinderer still sells a ton of knives, so as you can see, fit and finish, bearings, and so on aren't the overlord arguments that they might appear at first glance. ZT also made two different Emerson knives which are exceptional, but people still buy Emersons (full disclosure: I'm one of 'em) even though in the respects of (again) fit, finish, and materials choice, the Emerson products are inferior. I'd still rather have the Emersons, though. I do not currently own the either the 0620 or 0630 (had both at various times but just sold 'em), but I've got like, 21 Emersons. (shrug).

If I can offer some advice, it would be this. If you make a thread of this nature again, it may be more of a benefit to approach with your cards on the table, preferably with a big bunch of pics. "I like Reate knives, because at this certain price point, they do.....THIS" and then it's picture city. Let people make up their own minds, you know? Telling folks that their high opinion of whatever their preferred maker is, is incorrect because a Chinese company operating in a different marketplace than American companies do can put out a comparable product for cheaper, just puts folks on the defensive. Once that happens, communication and receptiveness to ideas is usually off the table. Just a thought.

Have a good evening.
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Seems all subjective, personal opinion and preferences to me. The American market has served me well and I am satisfied with my knives. Reate's may be well made but do absolutely nothing for me, so they are a no go right from the start.
and this is subjective, personal opinion and based on my preferences. Buy what you like and I will do the same.
 
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I have an open mind. After this thread began I went and looked at all the Reate knives that were on major resellers sites and the Reate site. The K1 and Mini Horizon-D don't look too bad. The blade steels in M390 are good.

But with China literally stealing the sovereign assets of the Philippines and harassing Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, and doing as they have in Hong Kong, it's a NO CAN DO for me, and you are talking to a guy who almost married a woman from Shanghai. But that was before they made their moves in the South China Seas.
 
Peter Hartwig said:
Seems all subjective, personal opinion and preferences to me. The American market has served me well and I am satisfied with my knives. Reate's may be well made but do absolutely nothing for me, so they are a no go right from the start.
and this is subjective, personal opinion a based on my preferences. Buy what you like and I will do the same.
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Right on! Good statement,
 
Planterz said:
I'm pretty sure that's just a fancy pivot with a TORX hole in the center.
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Nope, the 609 has a proprietary pivot that is see through, you need a specific tool that you can buy sometime from Kershaw/ZT for ~15$, as soon they feel like selling it.
 
Strangely my friend just got a Liong Mah Slim Daily Carry from Reate and said he was not at all impressed by the knife.

He said it isn’t bad or a poorly built knife but it has lots of sharp unchamfered lines on it, such as the corners to the inside of the handle. Also he said the knife is clunky and heavy and just didn’t feel like a 300$+ knife.
 
Given all things equal without a doubt the Chinese can produce a knife equal to all the high end American brands. It's many of the designs and the fact the people themselves aren't afforded the freedom most Americans take for granted that keeps me from buying a high end knife made by these new companies in main land China.For example many Doctors here in America from China are the very best in there field.I'd rather buy something like this Spyderco Gayle Bradley made in Taiwan .
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Qbert_72 said:
Have or had several crk’s, Hinderer, strider, and Reate and agree that reate’s quality/fit and finish is on par with or in some cases better than the “Big 3” but at the end of the day with Reate I’m left with zero pride in ownership. As someone who loves our country and proudly served it, I find pride in buying my blades that are 100% American made and when I’m ready to trade or sell, I’ve learned that there’s a broader interest in US companies within this awesome community of knife collectors.
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Exactly. I hate to admit it, but I get this same feeling with my CS knives too.
 
We could have talked about only a few folding knife manufacturers 50 years ago, probably only Buck and Gerber.
I am glad that we have so many options now.

Anyway, the title should be "Reate makes knives some feels better than Hinderer and Strider."
 
BUCK and Gerber are still here. Most will fade off..
 
I only have two Reates and they're both well made and were a good deal at well under 200 each. Comparing them to a knife like Strider or Hinderer is not something I even considered though. The only Strider I have I bought to see for myself what they're like in person. It's well made smooth and very tight. Feels solid and dependable. Hinderers I have 3 and same deal. The two Reates are well made fast flippers that were a good deal at 175 and 150 each. I wouldn't want to pay as much as I did for the Strider or Hinderers for either and that's why I don't have more Reate since they went up so much.

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A bit off topic, but I am more impressed (mostly)with the enthusiasm and range of experience of the community here at BF than the discussed knives themselves. :cool: To me, this thread speaks to the wealth of knowledge available around here and the passion for knives in general. :thumbsup: By the way, the Chinese talent for making quality blades is NOT recent or just a matter of cheap labor; they did, after all, teach the Japanese how to make swords centuries ago. :eek: Personally, with well over 400 knives I still prefer (in general, not for any specific use or quality) my American Buck knives; they make me happy when I hold them, but that is just me. ;)
 
I do find that alot of these Chinese manufacturers seem to have the manufacturing down but the design seems to sort of elude them. I think companies like WE and Reate and Kizer seem to usually be ar their best when they are building someone else’s design.

Say what you will about them that strider sng and hinderer xm18 are comfortable in a variety of grips and somehow I feel like every inch ofnthe knife is well thought out. (Well except maybe that huge strider triangular butt)

I find knives like WE and Rike in particular tend to be overdesigned with too many angles and colours for my personal taste.
 
Lapedog said:
I do find that alot of these Chinese manufacturers seem to have the manufacturing down but the design seems to sort of elude them. I think companies like WE and Reate and Kizer seem to usually be ar their best when they are building someone else’s design.

Say what you will about them that strider sng and hinderer xm18 are comfortable in a variety of grips and somehow I feel like every inch ofnthe knife is well thought out. (Well except maybe that huge strider triangular butt)

I find knives like WE and Rike in particular tend to be overdesigned with too many angles and colours for my personal taste.
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You're a strider fan? Huh.
 
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