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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Steel prices
- Thread starter weld
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2000
- Messages
- 265
Try buying US made steel for knives, its pricing was competitive even before the new tariff.
Most knifemaking steels are made in this country also, or a similar variation. In some cases, the imports copied what was already produced here.
Most knifemaking steels are made in this country also, or a similar variation. In some cases, the imports copied what was already produced here.
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Messages
- 1,375
Perhaps you don't know it, but together with the steel tax, special taxes on pasta were approved. This to favor local (unfortunately low quality, I have to say) producers over pasta imported from Italy. instead of pushing american makers to make better pasta, he just shuts off competitors, allowing free market only to crappy products.
Seems uncle Bush is going to try everything to get reelected.
A pity he doesn't understand that the only thing protectionism actually favors is decadence in quality.
If a firm can't stand free market, better for the consumer it ceases production!
Hope the american consumer isn't anymore linked to the patriotic, yes, but ultimately self destructive "buy american only", 'cause this is against his own interests. In Europe we have learned the lesson that competition fosters better products. America should be the paladin of free market. Closing the market has never solved any crisis, and if it may seem appealing on short term, it just show how short sighted are certain politicians. In the long run it can't bring anything but problems.
Seems uncle Bush is going to try everything to get reelected.
A pity he doesn't understand that the only thing protectionism actually favors is decadence in quality.
If a firm can't stand free market, better for the consumer it ceases production!
Hope the american consumer isn't anymore linked to the patriotic, yes, but ultimately self destructive "buy american only", 'cause this is against his own interests. In Europe we have learned the lesson that competition fosters better products. America should be the paladin of free market. Closing the market has never solved any crisis, and if it may seem appealing on short term, it just show how short sighted are certain politicians. In the long run it can't bring anything but problems.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2000
- Messages
- 5,548
Look for the price of American metal products to jump up accordingly.
The same thing happened in 1977-1978, to vehicles imported from Japan. A tarrif was places on imports, almost doubling their price. Within months, American car manufacturers doubled their prices.
But it's for the people, dont ya know.
The same thing happened in 1977-1978, to vehicles imported from Japan. A tarrif was places on imports, almost doubling their price. Within months, American car manufacturers doubled their prices.
But it's for the people, dont ya know.
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Messages
- 1,375
Originally posted by MJHKNIVES
Look for the price of American metal products to jump up accordingly.
The same thing happened in 1977-1978, to vehicles imported from Japan. A tarrif was places on imports, almost doubling their price. Within months, American car manufacturers doubled their prices.
But it's for the people, dont ya know.
You bet.
Moreover, count on craftsmanship to drop as well.
No competition, no need to get good enough to stand the market.
Suckers...
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2000
- Messages
- 265
Europe has long held import quotas or makes importation of products impossible, where they compete with in-country manufactured products.
Yes, you are correct, closing markets has never solved the problem!
Yes, you are correct, closing markets has never solved the problem!
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Messages
- 1,375
Here in Europe we have many taxes that are seen as protetionist devices overseas, but that actually are the byproduct of centuries of history and a way of making policy that is so deeply rooted that we can't, simply, change it, even if our politicians wanted to.
You want an example? Here in Italy for any imported good I have to pay even 40% import tax. After paying that tax, the government applies on the original value + tax paid price a VAT of 20%... (so that I literally pay 20% of that import tax TWICE). It's not to favor Italian products over foreign products. If you think so it's just because you have never lived here for any significant period of your life. Actually the government does nothing to favor internal industry. Our new government, maybe. These taxes are just to have some extra income. It's as simple as that.
Yes, we have some import quotas, but, as you said (and I say myself), they solve nothing.
In fact quotas on import of japanese cars never did anything to improve european cars quality. When the quotas were about to be lifetd, every automotive industry had to run for dear life to put up better quality, better production systems, better everything.
Meanwhile the customers of many firms bought for years sub-standard cars at an overblown price.
And, NOTICE WELL: Europe till very recently was an ensemble of various markets each one competing against the other!
If protectionism did such a bad thing to US, here, which had anyway some form of competition, think what it could do THERE, in the U.S., where there is ONE market.
I'm not saying this out of a Europe against US debate. Figure out how much do I care about such polithics.
What I'm concerned for, is the fact that the US have been pacesetters in knifemaking for the last 50 years, and if the knifemaking community suffers for this crappy law, every knife entusiast in the world will equally suffer.
In this sense, you see, mine interests are the same of those of the average american citizen. I could very well be american for what matters.
You want an example? Here in Italy for any imported good I have to pay even 40% import tax. After paying that tax, the government applies on the original value + tax paid price a VAT of 20%... (so that I literally pay 20% of that import tax TWICE). It's not to favor Italian products over foreign products. If you think so it's just because you have never lived here for any significant period of your life. Actually the government does nothing to favor internal industry. Our new government, maybe. These taxes are just to have some extra income. It's as simple as that.
Yes, we have some import quotas, but, as you said (and I say myself), they solve nothing.
In fact quotas on import of japanese cars never did anything to improve european cars quality. When the quotas were about to be lifetd, every automotive industry had to run for dear life to put up better quality, better production systems, better everything.
Meanwhile the customers of many firms bought for years sub-standard cars at an overblown price.
And, NOTICE WELL: Europe till very recently was an ensemble of various markets each one competing against the other!
If protectionism did such a bad thing to US, here, which had anyway some form of competition, think what it could do THERE, in the U.S., where there is ONE market.
I'm not saying this out of a Europe against US debate. Figure out how much do I care about such polithics.
What I'm concerned for, is the fact that the US have been pacesetters in knifemaking for the last 50 years, and if the knifemaking community suffers for this crappy law, every knife entusiast in the world will equally suffer.
In this sense, you see, mine interests are the same of those of the average american citizen. I could very well be american for what matters. 
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2000
- Messages
- 265
Whit, I would ask your supplier first. If they don't know, tell them you won't buy until they can give you a country of origin.
Crucible Steel and Latrobe are two manufacturers that do operate US Plants. Fry Steel might be another, 800-423-6651, I know Fry offers a huge amount of stock. Maybe a web search for steel manufacturers would turn up more? Not every steel producer makes tool/cutlery steels.
Crucible was very pleased and quick, to respond to my origin question, with the City and State of Manufacture. I found their prices LESS than I had been paying from two other sources if I meet minimum qty (which is not much) avoiding cutting charges, they also have a bargin bin. I found the quality of Crucible steel better for my needs since it has much less surface scale and pits to grind off/thru. Call Bruce DeVita 800-365-1168
Crucible makes 154cm, which the Asians borrowed with slight variation calling it ATS34. Some say the ATS is better due to vacuum melt, I don't know. I do know the ATS34 I've bought is full of pits, although the supplier said its normal. I won't go back for more.
Crucible is also making several NEW steels primarily designed for cutlery.
Crucible Steel and Latrobe are two manufacturers that do operate US Plants. Fry Steel might be another, 800-423-6651, I know Fry offers a huge amount of stock. Maybe a web search for steel manufacturers would turn up more? Not every steel producer makes tool/cutlery steels.
Crucible was very pleased and quick, to respond to my origin question, with the City and State of Manufacture. I found their prices LESS than I had been paying from two other sources if I meet minimum qty (which is not much) avoiding cutting charges, they also have a bargin bin. I found the quality of Crucible steel better for my needs since it has much less surface scale and pits to grind off/thru. Call Bruce DeVita 800-365-1168
Crucible makes 154cm, which the Asians borrowed with slight variation calling it ATS34. Some say the ATS is better due to vacuum melt, I don't know. I do know the ATS34 I've bought is full of pits, although the supplier said its normal. I won't go back for more.
Crucible is also making several NEW steels primarily designed for cutlery.
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Messages
- 1,375
I don't see anything bad in supporting local products 
It's just that buying a local product when it is blatantly inferior to foreign ones (and I don't know how is american steels quality, mind well, I'm speaking teoretically) does nothing to foster quality improvement.
It's just that buying a local product when it is blatantly inferior to foreign ones (and I don't know how is american steels quality, mind well, I'm speaking teoretically) does nothing to foster quality improvement.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2002
- Messages
- 89
Just a minor technicality - while Uncle Georgie (who does indeed seem to have made his decisions based more on electoral considerations than international business considerations) has indeed approved tariffs on stainless steels, which should affect the price of imported steels like 420, AUS grades, and similar, there were NO tariffs applied to tool steels. Because of quirks of chemical make-up, ATS 34 is classified as a tool steel, not a stainless, and thus should probably not be affected (but we encourage you to buy the 154 CM from us anyway of course!)
Anyway the gist is the prices for tool steels should be unaffected by tariffs.
Sorry all, I was a little off. I just checked the tariff designations from teh US ITC, and it seems that ATS 34 and 154 CM are in fact considered stainless steels by their definition:
"Stainless steel
Alloy steels containing, by weight 1.2 percent or less of carbon and 10.5 percent or more of chromium, with or without other
elements."
and thus may be affected by the tariffs. That's what I get for engaging mouth before putting brain in gear.
Sorry for the misinfo
Anyway the gist is the prices for tool steels should be unaffected by tariffs.
Sorry all, I was a little off. I just checked the tariff designations from teh US ITC, and it seems that ATS 34 and 154 CM are in fact considered stainless steels by their definition:
"Stainless steel
Alloy steels containing, by weight 1.2 percent or less of carbon and 10.5 percent or more of chromium, with or without other
elements."
and thus may be affected by the tariffs. That's what I get for engaging mouth before putting brain in gear.
Sorry for the misinfo