The BEST Ganzo/Enlan/ Sanrenmu??

Monofletch

Monofletch

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
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I have had a few Enlan and Sanrenmu small folders that were great little knives. I am reading now about the Ganzo G704 and the Enlan EL01A being incedible knives. What others am I missing out on?

Enlan EL01A
8Cr18mov
BLADE LENGTH 3.74 in
CLOSE LENGTH 4.57 in
OPEN LENGTH 8.31 in
PRODUCT WEIGHT 5.22 oz

EnlanEL01.jpg


Ganzo 704G
440C
BLADE LENGTH 3.35 in
CLOSE LENGTH 4.49 in
PRODUCT WEIGHT 5.29 oz

Ganzo704G.jpg
 
A good Sanrenmu branded knife is the 913p.

It is basically a re-bladed Benchmade Vex. Available with Satin plain edge, or black coated w/ partial serrations.

913P-2.jpg


49jmh2h.jpg


Many of the Sanrenmu Enlan & Ganzo knives are really good.
 
I've been trying to figure out if all of Ganzo's Benchmade-"inspired" designs are actually based on discontinued knives rather than current production models. I have a 716 that I really like, and I believe it's based on the discontinued Rukus. I've seen similar comments about some of their other models as well.

Not sure if I really believe that they're using 440C.
 
I own the 913P and G704 which I got in a trade to help a friend. I wouldn't purchase either of them, but I trust them more than some of my big brand knives.

The Ganzos supposedly use 9CR labeled as 440C. I believe it but the crooked grind on my G704 took awhile to diagnose and correct. The 913P has better quality control, but skimps on materials a bit.

I've been meaning to try one of the all black Enlans, but every time I got to I buy something else from a more reputable or well known brand. I also can't stand the idea of an unadjustable pivot.



 
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The 704G looks exactly like the HK Snody...

Benchmade should never have disco'd that model stupid move. Guess it's fair game now to be copied. They should just refer to it as a "homage" piece like all those in the watch world who wear Rolex Explorer look-alikes.
 
I bought several Ganzo's, Enlan's, Navy's and a Sanrenmu awhile ago, and the majority came with good/great fit and finish. Centered blades, relatively smooth action, etc. One of the Navy's has an off-center blade, and one of the Enlan's has a blade that is awkward to open. As you open the blade, it resists more and more
 
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http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv3V3ikMm-o
I wouldn't normally advocate buying clones.
Especially if the clones are still existing in the product line of the patent holder.
Now and then, I would wrestle with excuses for doing otherwise,
And find exceptions
For clones that are distinctly physically different enough
From the originals
And bare the trademark of the clone's manufacturer.
Yes, I have to admit that ganzo makes some nice homage pieces.
And they aren't too bad for its price.
However, I would be wary of expecting too much from them.
But they do fit the bill as quality disposables.
 
Knives from China no problem. Knives from anywhere making cheap knockoffs? Never.
So you can spend pennies to help a company rip off another, great. I have never been a huge buy 100% USA guy but this is something different.
Genuine still has value. These are not genuine they are "rip offs". I own Chinese made Emerson/Kershaws, a dozen Rough Riders and some others from China but no rip off copies of other companies.
 
Some of these "rip-off/homage/clone" knives are closer in design to existing knives than others are. There is at least some grey area here.

Sanrenmu does make a "fruit knife" which I like. It resembles nothing but a scalpel. The edge is a brick and needs reprofiling which is easy since it's pretty straight.


Engraving mine.

Comes in 2/3 sizes. I like the next size up from that one best.

I've heard bits and pieces about Sanrenmu manufacturing mostly for the Chinese market now and discontinuing some stuff and making non-locking knives mostly. They have some quirky ball and detente non-locking folders now. What's up wit dat?
 
davek14 said:
I've heard bits and pieces about Sanrenmu manufacturing mostly for the Chinese market now and discontinuing some stuff and making non-locking knives mostly. They have some quirky ball and detente non-locking folders now. What's up wit dat?
Click to expand...

IMHO, The authorities there have taken note
of the rise of high profile domestic knife attacks
and have probably acted accordingly.
Which might be easier said than done,
considering that the PRC is perhaps the global capital
And centre for mass knife production.
Of which as we all know too well
The futility of an outright ban on Locking folders
will not see the total end of their problems...

But coming back to the topic,
I do hope these manufacturers
would be able to continue their ventures in the locking knife business.
As it would not be impossible to see more adventurous youths in china
Take up knife collecting in a far bigger way than imagined.
 
I like the Sanrenmu 710 and the Ganzo G704. Former is a sleek little thing, and the latter is rather beastly for a chinese knife (and obviously a BM copy).

In my last order I also ordered a Sanrenmu 730. Didn't read much about that yet, so I'll see how that holds up.
 
davek14 said:
I've heard bits and pieces about Sanrenmu manufacturing mostly for the Chinese market now and discontinuing some stuff and making non-locking knives mostly. They have some quirky ball and detente non-locking folders now. What's up wit dat?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I believe I read that too somewhere. I think it also said that they were going to keep producing existing designs, but any new designs would be non-locking folders, because they want to focus on making knives for the Chinese market.
 
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