Sanrenmu

wildjim · May 6, 2009

YayILikePie said:
While I can't say that I've given SANRENMU a try, I will say, however, that after looking through those links, I want to get me one of those SPEENO 1013 fountain pens.

Looks like another hobby has been formed. And fountain pens are expensive too. Yeesh.

China has something for everybody?

I'd like to go to China but I'd need to charter a plane for the return trip.

Golbat · May 6, 2009

I wrote a recent article to a magazine. In short: SRM710 roxx! :thumbup:

It can witstand a lot of abuse (batoning, even hammering

), it's good little knife. :thumbup:

(But here (Hungary) SRM knives are usually contraband goods, so it's a little hard to buy.)

wildjim · May 6, 2009

Golbat said:
I wrote a recent article to a magazine. In short: SRM710 roxx! :thumbup:

It can witstand a lot of abuse (batoning, even hammering ), it's good little knife. :thumbup:

(But here (Hungary) SRM knives are usually contraband goods, so it's a little hard to buy.)

WOW! BUSHCRAFT!

Where can I read the article?

I just thought it was a nice pocket knife. . .

stevekt · May 6, 2009

I'm going to have to place an order for a few of those Sanrenmu knives. I love cheapies.

ElectrikHellfire · May 6, 2009

WOW! BUSHCRAFT!

Where can I read the article?

I just thought it was a nice pocket knife. . .

Yes, where can I read this article?

wildjim · May 7, 2009

Since 5-5-2009 I’ve been examining, sharpening and using the SANRENMU 710 knife to cut habanera peppers for my southwestern salad and another day for a taco salad. It slices the peppers easily as my Forschner paring knife does. I also used it to open DVD packaging on new release movie and music day (Tuesday) and to cut some strings and things around the house. I still use a Blackie Collins box cutter to open parcel packages and boxes. But I have retired my Mora of Sweden knives and Forschner paring knife to the drawer as I carry the Sanrenmu around with me now.

GOLBAT’s photo further up the thread of the Sanrenmu 710 used to baton and split wood is amazing. I can the imagine the Sanrenmu 710 going hiking camping with me along side the Becker KA-BAR BK2 for backup and a camp utility knife.

The SANRENMU blade is made of 8Cr13MoV stainless steel and sharpens to a razor edge. The fit and finish on the knife blade and frame is superlative. I can see no flaws on the exterior surfaces on any of the five knives. On all five knives the locks snap in place perfectly solid with no wobble or wiggle anywhere.

I bought two Sanrenmu 704 knives which are like the 710 with G10 handles. Two Sanrenmu 710 knives which have a polished satin finish stainless steel frame. Also the PR-703 which has wood on one side and stainless steel on the other. The blade on the PR-703 has a finger cut out that allows you to choke up on the blade. The frame is smooth and flawless and lies in my hand like a smooth contoured stone. The exterior and liner lock are polished to a smooth flawless shiny stainless steel finish. All have 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blades.

I am so impressed with Sanrenmu knives I ordered four more of the 710 and two GB4-612 knives which is a skeleton frame with 2 inch Wharncliffe style blade. I also saw a few others I'd like to get in the future.

tradja · May 7, 2009

These look great. I am somewhat tempted on that 710 fake Sebbie, but a visit to their site shows many straight-up counterfeit goods (CRKT logo and all). The fake Byrds are a little too close for comfort as well. It's odd to see one Chinese manufacturer ripping off another Chinese-made knife.

I just can't condone that kind of blantant piracy.

wildjim · May 7, 2009

tradja said:
These look great. I am somewhat tempted on that 710 fake Sebbie, but a visit to their site shows many straight-up counterfeit goods (CRKT logo and all). The fake Byrds are a little too close for comfort as well. It's odd to see one Chinese manufacturer ripping off another Chinese-made knife.

I just can't condone that kind of blantant piracy.

I agree and I wouldn't want or purchase an outright counterfeit labled item but the ones I have are all marked with just the SANRENMU signature stamp on the blade. Its a shame the only source for this fine knife is also selling counterfeit items.

Also considering the quality workmanship on the SANRENMU knives I have to doubt if the manufacturer's goal is to be labled a counterfeiter?

ElectrikHellfire · May 7, 2009

Agreed. I would not purchase any of the items there that are fake stamped.

shecky · May 7, 2009

Where are the counterfeits?

tradja · May 7, 2009

shecky said:
Where are the counterfeits?

At the link in Post #3. To be fair, I can't tell if this one is a Sanrenmu or not.

Also, isn't this a Shallot? Isn't this a fake SOG? This is an obvious Gerber Truss ripoff, and although I can't place this one, it looks awfully familiar.

This design looks original, and kinda neat.

I'm definitely not trying to crap on this thread -- these are interesting discussions about integrity, intellectual property, comparative advantage, and the industrial maturation of China. If the ethical questions can be adressed and resolved, then something like this could really shake up knife knuts - imagine a sub-$10 knife worth owning!

wildjim, I'm curious: do you have any business interest in Sanrenmu products beyond that of a private knife enthusiast? For example, are you an importer or distributor?

shecky · May 7, 2009

tradja said:
Also, isn't this a Shallot? Isn't this a fake SOG? This is an obvious Gerber Paraframe ripoff, and although I can't place this one, it looks awfully familiar.

This design looks original, and kinda neat.

It's kind of funny, but I am not familiar with any of the knives referenced. I'll take your word that they are copies. However, the one said to be an obvious Gerber ripoff looks like a Schrade I had briefly a few years back.

And the one that looks "original", to me looks pretty generic.

I'm kind of interested in finding some of their stainless-handled slipjoints. I've seen very similar ones popping up here and there, but they may have been knockoffs, or knockoffs of knockoffs... However, I'd hold out for a Sanrenmu, as I've been impressed with their quality.

I think the CRKT marked one may not be Sanrenmu, which seems to mark their knives fairly prominently with their own logo.

wildjim · May 7, 2009

tradja said:
At the link in Post #3. To be fair, I can't tell if this one is a Sanrenmu or not.

Also, isn't this a Shallot? Isn't this a fake SOG? This is an obvious Gerber Paraframe ripoff, and although I can't place this one, it looks awfully familiar.

This design looks original, and kinda neat.

I'm definitely not trying to crap on this thread -- these are interesting discussions about integrity, intellectual property, comparative advantage, and the industrial maturation of China. If the ethical questions can be adressed and resolved, then something like this could really shake up knife knuts - imagine a sub-$10 knife worth owning!

wildjim, I'm curious: do you have any business interest in Sanrenmu products beyond that of a private knife enthusiast? For example, are you an importer or distributor?

No I have no financial investment in or affiliation with SANRENMU or SZWHOLESALE.

My only interest in SANRENMU is that its a quality knife and good value in my opinion. I would prefer to buy direct from SANRENMU but I "assume" that I would also have to become a importer of Chinese goods and work with US customs. A bit much just to try a few knives.

I can buy wholesale as I own a corporation and when I retire I am planning spin off into as a buyer and seller of goods and most likely knives but that is down the road. I purchase all my US brand knives wholesale.

tradja · May 7, 2009

shecky said:
It's kind of funny, but I am not familiar with any of the knives referenced. I'll take your word that they are copies. However, the one said to be an obvious Gerber ripoff looks like a Schrade I had briefly a few years back.

And the one that looks "original", to me looks pretty generic.

Sorry, I thought the references were to fairly widely-distributed knives. To clarify, I was refering to a Kershaw Shallot.

Yes, that wood-scaled one is fairly generic. In fairness, I just wanted to point one out that didn't bear a striking resemblance to a common name-brand product.

I am wrestling with your valid observation that they don't steal the logo too. Among watches, there are similar "homage" copies of Rolexes, Omegas and Panerai -- they are usually 5%-10% of the price and almost identical except for the logo. I'm not talking about the Fauxlexes you buy on Khao San Road in Bangkok, but designs that are so similar as to raise an eyebrow.

Back to knives, red-handled Chinese "SAK's" usually do not sport a fake Victorinox logo either, but there is little doubt that it is a copy or "homage". I suppose that after time, once-unique designs become generic (like a 1911, a stockman, a trapper, a "Barlow", etc).

Interesting.

wildjim · May 7, 2009

tradja said:
Sorry, I thought the references were to fairly widely-distributed knives. To clarify, I was refering to a Kershaw Shallot.

Yes, that wood-scaled one is fairly generic. In fairness, I just wanted to point one out that didn't bear a striking resemblance to a common name-brand product.

I am wrestling with your valid observation that they don't steal the logo too. Among watches, there are similar "homage" copies of Rolexes, Omegas and Panerai -- they are usually 5%-10% of the price and almost identical except for the logo. I'm not talking about the Fauxlexes you buy on Khao San Road in Bangkok, but designs that are so similar as to raise an eyebrow.

Back to knives, red-handled Chinese "SAK's" usually do not sport a fake Victorinox logo either, but there is little doubt that it is a copy or "homage". I suppose that after time, once-unique designs become generic (like a 1911, a stockman, a trapper, a "Barlow", etc).

Interesting.

As with watches you will know a fake Rolex as the second hand will jump even if so slightly on the best copy and the fake will actually keep accurate time ; )

shecky · May 7, 2009

After some looking around, I wouldn't be surprised if they were copies. However, it seems a stretch to call them copies of a Shallot or Paraframe. I'm not familiar with many SOG knives.

tradja · May 7, 2009

shecky said:
After some looking around, I wouldn't be surprised if they were copies. However, it seems a stretch to call them copies of a Shallot or Paraframe. I'm not familiar with many SOG knives.

Fair enough. They looked pretty close to me. :shrug: Back to the OT 710, is this too close to a Sebbie for comfort?

If Yugo made a "Porche" knockoff, would I buy it? Would I feel like a d-bag carrying around a $7 Sebbie clone?

wildjim, thanks very much for clarifying your role in all this. I too am excited by the prospect of a knut-worthy knife in this uncharted price range.

wildjim · May 7, 2009

tradja said:
Fair enough. They looked pretty close to me. :shrug: Back to the OT 710, is this too close to a Sebbie for comfort?

If Yugo made a "Porche" knockoff, would I buy it? Would I feel like a d-bag carrying around a $7 Sebbie clone?

wildjim, thanks very much for clarifying your role in all this. I too am excited by the prospect of a knut-worthy knife in this uncharted price range.

I like the SANRENMU 710 and if Honda makes a 911 porche I'll buy it ; )

shecky · May 7, 2009

tradja said:
Fair enough. They looked pretty close to me. :shrug: Back to the OT 710, is this too close to a Sebbie for comfort?

If Yugo made a "Porche" knockoff, would I buy it? Would I feel like a d-bag carrying around a $7 Sebbie clone?

It would bother me none. Maybe they could raise the price by a couple hundred dollars to level the playing field.

Clones really don't bother me. I'm not bothered that Honda (or Suzuki, or Yamaha, or Victory) copies Harley. What matters is that I get good value for my money.

tradja · May 7, 2009

If they were truly original designs, I'd be all over them. After thinking this over a bunch, I just have to leave the Pseudenzas alone. Ultimately, I do not want to support the producers of such knockoffs. I consider it a theft of intellectual property.