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Steel Tarrifs!
- Thread starter masse
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 19, 1999
- Messages
- 3,560
The range of products affected cover many varieties of carbon steel products such as hot rolled bar, EP sheet, cold rolled sheet and such,
mainly domestic products not higher grade steel products used in knife making, most of that was hit on the last round of tarrif increases.
mainly domestic products not higher grade steel products used in knife making, most of that was hit on the last round of tarrif increases.
- Joined
- May 9, 2000
- Messages
- 29,205
It is nice to see that these Tariffs should not increase the price of knife steels. I would pay more if I had to, but would prefer not having to.
- Joined
- Sep 23, 1999
- Messages
- 3,831
I would hope that knife makers use the best steel they can get, given constraints (e.g. money, availability, etc.) If that steel is made in the US, great. If it is made in the Congo, great. I would rathe rhave a knife made of good Congonese steel than crappy American steel, you know?
As far as Canadian steel, well, we only make skidoos, winter boots and maple syrup.
As far as Canadian steel, well, we only make skidoos, winter boots and maple syrup.
Considering the quantity of steel used in a single knife and, the actual intrinsic value of that weight of steel, knife prices should be relatively unaffected.
In a custom knife, what are paying for? Labor and artistry or, a small piece of steel?
In a production knife, you are dealing with steels that are comparatively cheap relative to things seen in higher end customs. Good old generic carbon steel may be hit with the tarriff but, it is also relatively cheap compared to newer super steels. What you may see to a lesser effect, is a trend to move from an inferior imported steel to a more expensive but, better steel made in America. No, you're not going to see a switch from 1084 to S30V but, a company using imported ATS-34 maybe able to upgrade to BG-42 at no imcreased cost or a neglible cost increase.
Knifemakers or knife companies that raise prices to match the tariff, may get accused of price gouging if nothing else changes.
All that being said, the steels I prefer, especially in custom knives, are made here in the USA. The few commercial holdouts using ATS-34 may finally switch to CM154 but, most have already done that.
In a custom knife, what are paying for? Labor and artistry or, a small piece of steel?
In a production knife, you are dealing with steels that are comparatively cheap relative to things seen in higher end customs. Good old generic carbon steel may be hit with the tarriff but, it is also relatively cheap compared to newer super steels. What you may see to a lesser effect, is a trend to move from an inferior imported steel to a more expensive but, better steel made in America. No, you're not going to see a switch from 1084 to S30V but, a company using imported ATS-34 maybe able to upgrade to BG-42 at no imcreased cost or a neglible cost increase.
Knifemakers or knife companies that raise prices to match the tariff, may get accused of price gouging if nothing else changes.
All that being said, the steels I prefer, especially in custom knives, are made here in the USA. The few commercial holdouts using ATS-34 may finally switch to CM154 but, most have already done that.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2002
- Messages
- 89
Just a minor point - the tariffs apply to stainless steels (like 420, maybe the AUS grades, etc) but there are no tariffs applied to tool steels. For chemical make-up reasons, the ATS 34 is classified as a tool steel, not a stainless, and is thus unaffected. (We still think you should buy your 154 CM from us instead 
!)
Tool steels like D2, the CPM grades, and other tool steels should be unaffected.
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
!)Tool steels like D2, the CPM grades, and other tool steels should be unaffected.
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
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