The Companies We Should Support

[udtjim]

IF I see something That I like and it's in my price range, I buy it, I couldn't care less where it was made.

 

[GeeScott4369]

My wife says the Chinese are trying to kill us,,,,i.e. gas emiting drywall corroding wires, lead in toys, melomine in everything...what evil lurks in that imported blade??? On the other hand, lots of items are or should be billed as "point of assembly" as a lot of the parts come from various countries. Quality is Quality, regardless of point of origin or country of manufacturer. Many technological advances come from somewhere other that the US. I'll buy US where possible and practical. But only at 30-35% off MSRP....But I do occasionally slip up and pay retail,,

 

[effer]

Manufacturer needs to prove that he is better than the rest, otherwise we will be consumers of inferior overpriced goods.

If you want to help your country, then you need to start thinking how you can be better than that Chinese dude who took your job. Probably manual labor is not a solution. Use your head. Keep learning new things and ways to improve your life. If there will be more people like Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Walt Disney, Carnegie, Ray Kroc, Rockefeller etc, then America will prosper.
Thinking that you can sit on your ass and expect your county to provide will get you no where.

 

[ColonelX]

dont really care where its made as long as its good quality

 

[GeeScott4369]

I do look for bargains....but there are a few things---like things your life depends on--- that I do not skimp.....I will not and have never bought the cheapest set of tires or brake pads for any of my cars....guess guns and knives are the same....would you rather have a $50 Loricin or a Colt Mustang??? Somewhere in between is probably the right answer...

 

[jerrinfla]

My wife says the Chinese are trying to kill us,,,,i.e. gas emiting drywall corroding wires, lead in toys, melomine in everything...what evil lurks in that imported blade??? On the other hand, lots of items are or should be billed as "point of assembly" as a lot of the parts come from various countries. Quality is Quality, regardless of point of origin or country of manufacturer. Many technological advances come from somewhere other that the US. I'll buy US where possible and practical. But only at 30-35% off MSRP....But I do occasionally slip up and pay retail,,

Trying to kill us? I'll t6ell you what I think myself. I think that are making crap but they are making it to the specs of the American companies that are importing their stuff.
It seems more like big business is interesting in making 3 cents more per part than importing stuff that isn't bad for you.
Heck, IBM was sued for dumping horrendous chemicals in upstate New York not far from Vestal. Now they aren't allowed to dump heir toxins there, so do they take care of properly disposing of the toxins? Heck no, they just outsource to China or some other country that doesn't regulate polluting the environment the workers live in. Paying lower wages is only half the story.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/248345
We aren't allowed to manufacture childrens toys with lead paint here nowadays. But what the heck - big business can give specs to a Chinese factory that apparently consists of nothing more than a price point. Does big business here do any quality control do ensure your children's toys don't contain lead? LOL not if they can make another penny or two per piece.
You can think that China is the big enemy if you want to, but for my own opinion I think it's far more our own big businesses that are the enemy. You know, the ones everyone wants to give big tax breaks too so they can create more 8 dollar an hour jobs here. Phrases I saw when minimum wage was pushed to nearly 8 bucks an hour - "Oh great! Now even LESS Americans will have jobs!".
My own nephew whining about the automotive line working making "$50/hr"while he makes less as a paramedic. Does he realize that the $50/hr is computed from salary, benefits, vacation etc etc? No. Does he realize that screwing lug nuts on wheels might not be quite as easy as it seems after 8 hours go by? No. Does he complain about the insane salary the CEO is making even if he is not capably doing his own job? No.
I don't have to shave my chin nowadays. As much time as I spend with my jaw dropping to the floor now hair doesn't get a chance to grow there any more.
I just re-read Animal Farm - last time I read it In was in high school back in the mid 60's. I keep looking over my shoulder now because I expect that any minute, Squealer is going to run over to me and read me statistics on how much better things are nowadays then when Jones was in charge.
I'm really getting to the point where I don't even care who's in charge of our country any more. Democrats? Republicans? Chinese communists? Russians? Muslims? Somalians? British? Would it really matter for the most of us? Oh yeah, I forgot. We're "free". Whoopie!

 

[4W4K3]

I prefer imported cars, imported beers (sometimes), and I usually prefer imported blades. With that said, one of my favorite knife brands happens to be Buck. I EDC a blade made in Taiwan, another made in Japan, and one made in the USA. I own a Bark River knife made in the states, and a few other cheaper knives made here. They are all great knives. I don't think I'm biased in general, I certainly don't have a blanket opinion about it. As long as it's within my price range and up to my expectations I usually don't even look at where it's been made.

 

[James Y]

I find it interesting that people tout Kershaw as "made in USA" while completely glossing over the fact that it's a Japanese company using mostly Swedish steel.


That bums me out. There products are awesome so I will still buy them.

Why is that a negative if Kai USA manufactures many of its Kershaw knives in the USA, employing American workers to do so? In fact, they seem to be trying to manufacture as many Kershaws as possible in the US. Not to mention, many of said knives are high quality at a competitive price point? It would seem that would make their US operation basically an American company. Or does "American" company necessarily mean run by someone of European extraction?
Jim

 

[YayILikePie]

I feel W.R. Case and Sons needs our support as they have started laying off workers. A classic American cutlery company that's been around for over a century and it's struggling to survive. I've been searching for a new pocket knife with CV blades, but it's been a tough decision not to mention a place that actually has a decent selection that isn't made of the Tru-Sharp stuff.

 

[lalilulelo]

I concur. This has been my experience as well.

Several people on the Internet proclaim that Americans want to buy 100% American products, while overlooking the fact that the biggest company on Earth is Wal-Mart, whose business is selling the absolute cheapest mass produced goods. They're the biggest in USA because in most cases they are the cheapest, and in turn Americans buy their stuff by the truckload. They're the cheapest because their suppliers use the cheapest labor in the world, wherever that is at the moment. In many cases China is not the cheapest anymore, so you start seeing products from Vietnam, Honduras, Bangladesh, etc.

People vote with their wallets, and the winner by far is whoever brought them the cheapest products.

+1

The success of Walmart pretty much nailed it, the fact is that the US is one of the lagrest, if not the largest consumer for Chinese manufactured products, thus when the US economy went south, the Chinese export and GDP went along with it.

Look around your house, and you might be hard pressed to find something that is not Made in China, especially electronic products, and that is the reason why LCD TVs and computer parts are so affordable now days.

Making dirt cheap ripoffs with child labor wouldn't place China in the position of the world's third largest economy.

It's easy to generalize a population of 1.3 billion into an evil entity that is bend to destory the free world, but I would suggest paying China visit one day, it may prove to be an interesting if not eye-opening trip.

As for knives, I always buy US made, simply because most of the high end knives are manufactured there and you get lots of custom makers to choose from as well.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Support companies that do business in a way that you agree with. That make high quality products, back them with an excellent warranty, customer service and value their customers.

If you want to purchase American made, then do so. If you want to get the best quality no matter where it is made, then do so.

 

[effer]

I feel W.R. Case and Sons needs our support as they have started laying off workers. A classic American cutlery company that's been around for over a century and it's struggling to survive. I've been searching for a new pocket knife with CV blades, but it's been a tough decision not to mention a place that actually has a decent selection that isn't made of the Tru-Sharp stuff.

That’s the logic of some politicians. Let’s throw money at them and see if they can survive. The thing is that Case makes mostly slip joints. If you look at what people buy these days, it would be modern one hand openers with locks, new designs, etc. It is just a sort of knife evolution. Case knives are an American classic, but new knives came and brought something that Case didn’t offer. If Case will not supply what most people want nowadays, then they will either seize being, will be bought by other company or shrink to the appropriate size. If Case will not choose to evolve and step up to the modern demand, then all the money that you will spend trying to support them isn’t going to help, maybe only will postpone the inevitable.

 

[Sep]

Why is that a negative if Kai USA manufactures many of its Kershaw knives in the USA, employing American workers to do so? In fact, they seem to be trying to manufacture as many Kershaws as possible in the US. Not to mention, many of said knives are high quality at a competitive price point? It would seem that would make their US operation basically an American company. Or does "American" company necessarily mean run by someone of European extraction?
Jim

It's not a negative to me because I don't care where the product was made, but it is to some people. What bugs me is that Kershaw got the nod as "Made in America" while Toyota is always classified as "foreign". Both companies are Japanese and headquartered in Japan. Both companies manufacture their products here, at least the product lines they sold here.

If you all stop buying Toyota on account of its foreign ownership, a whole bunch of American Toyota factory workers are gonna lose their jobs. Few people protest the bailout money poured at the big 3 car manufacturers while completely ignoring Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc. who also have factories here. I guess American workers of Japanese carmakers are lesser citizens than Detroit workers.

Everybody touts the virtue of capitalism and the free market, but when it comes to american made products suddenly some people turn socialists; insisting on subsidizing people/product who can't survive otherwise. That's interfering with the free market principle we hold dear.

 

[effer]

It's not a negative to me because I don't care where the product was made, but it is to some people. What bugs me is that Kershaw got the nod as "Made in America" while Toyota is always classified as "foreign". Both companies are Japanese and headquartered in Japan. Both companies manufacture their products here, at least the product lines they sold here.

If you all stop buying Toyota on account of its foreign ownership, a whole bunch of American Toyota factory workers are gonna lose their jobs. Few people protest the bailout money poured at the big 3 car manufacturers while completely ignoring Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc. who also have factories here. I guess American workers of Japanese carmakers are lesser citizens than Detroit workers.

Everybody touts the virtue of capitalism and the free market, but when it comes to american made products suddenly some people turn socialists; insisting on subsidizing people/product who can't survive otherwise. That's interfering with the free market principle we hold dear.

Well said :thumbup:

 

[338375]

That’s the logic of some politicians. Let’s throw money at them and see if they can survive. The thing is that Case makes mostly slip joints. If you look at what people buy these days, it would be modern one hand openers with locks, new designs, etc. It is just a sort of knife evolution. Case knives are an American classic, but new knives came and brought something that Case didn’t offer. If Case will not supply what most people want nowadays, then they will either seize being, will be bought by other company or shrink to the appropriate size. If Case will not choose to evolve and step up to the modern demand, then all the money that you will spend trying to support them isn’t going to help, maybe only will postpone the inevitable.

The knives that Case offers have more than stood the test of time, and an awful lot of people that burn out on modern styling (i.e black with thumbstuds or holes) seem to gravitate back to the simplicity and durability of traditional style knives...

They work, plain and simple. Plus they actually have eye appeal which is something the most of the modern style knives lack imo...

The market is already flooded with modern knives that look very similar and I think Case knows that it would be pointless to offer the same product that others already offer.

I think if more people were honest with themselves, they would find that a slipjoint knife will do 98% of the tasks that most people REALLY use a knife for. Not what they pretend they use it for on the computer...

I truly hope that Case survives because imo they are part of American history, which is something most knife companies cannot claim..

 

[effer]

The knives that Case offers have more than stood the test of time, and an awful lot of people that burn out on modern styling (i.e black with thumbstuds or holes) seem to gravitate back to the simplicity and durability of traditional style knives...

They work, plain and simple. Plus they actually have eye appeal which is something the most of the modern style knives lack imo...

The market is already flooded with modern knives that look very similar and I think Case knows that it would be pointless to offer the same product that others already offer.

I think if more people were honest with themselves, they would find that a slipjoint knife will do 98% of the tasks that most people REALLY use a knife for. Not what they pretend they use it for on the computer...

I truly hope that Case survives because imo they are part of American history, which is something most knife companies cannot claim..

I really doubt that many people will go from thumbstuds or holes to two hand opening slipjoints unless they have some nostalgic feelings attached to the older design. I think that 98% of people will find that it is easier to hold a box, envelope or something else in one hand, get the knife clipped to the pocket and open in it with a free hand, make a cut a be on their way. Rather than find a safe place to put don't a piece of mail, dig in your pocket to get the knife, open it using two hand, make a cut, put down piece of mail, so you can fold the knife. I'm now saying that it is impossible, I'm just saying that it is a lot easier and faster done with modern design. For many people knives are only tools, not an art or hobby or memory from the past.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so market will show what appeals to most people. I like quality slipjoints, but I appreciate the quality, not the usability. I respect what Case did for the history of knife making. But this is just a nostalgic argument and will do nothing for company survival.
I really hope that Case survives just like any other knife manufacturer, but it is up to them to win the crowd and their pockets.

 

[enderwiggin]

And which flashlight is better? I had a LED light made in China lasted me about a week before it just died. Then I bought a Surefire (American) and it has been the most well built flashlight I have ever owned, feels like it could take a bullet and I have seen articles were it actually did and still worked.

Face it China makes CRAP. I would never trust ANYTHING from them and try to buy as little as possible from them. The reason Americans started outsourcing is because it is cheap, and the more profit for that goes to the huge companies here in America. Same goes for all other places such as Taiwan, Vietnam, etc. Japan is the only one who can make a knife half decent.

With that being said, I also like a lot of German and Sweden knives, they care about their craftsmanship, and having very good steel doesn't hurt either.

The day China makes a knife as good as Busse Combat, or any other American company please shoot me a PM.

You're basing your conclusion that everything made in China is garbage on comparing a dollar-store flashlight you bought to a Surefire?

Fenix flashlights are based in China, make very high quality lights, and some argue that many of their lights are superior to Surefire for various reasons.

People who buy American without paying any attention to a better deal or a better product for the money are the reason the Big Three American auto makers are being bailed out with more of our money.

Because American companies--some, thankfully not all--have assumed that they can produce whatever kind of crap they want, and people will still buy it because it's made in America.

I'm all for buying American when possible, or when it's one of the better products out there--but let's face it. There are many areas where American manufacturers are hardly even competitive.

 

[Brutus013]

I really doubt that many people will go from thumbstuds or holes to two hand opening slipjoints unless they have some nostalgic feelings attached to the older design. I think that 98% of people will find that it is easier to hold a box, envelope or something else in one hand, get the knife clipped to the pocket and open in it with a free hand, make a cut a be on their way. Rather than find a safe place to put don't a piece of mail, dig in your pocket to get the knife, open it using two hand, make a cut, put down piece of mail, so you can fold the knife. I'm now saying that it is impossible, I'm just saying that it is a lot easier and faster done with modern design. For many people knives are only tools, not an art or hobby or memory from the past.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so market will show what appeals to most people. I like quality slipjoints, but I appreciate the quality, not the usability. I respect what Case did for the history of knife making. But this is just a nostalgic argument and will do nothing for company survival.
I really hope that Case survives just like any other knife manufacturer, but it is up to them to win the crowd and their pockets.

It's really not as difficult as you make it out to be. You take the knife out of your pocket, which should take about half a second if your pocket isn't two feet deep, you take two fingers off of the mail or box you're holding, you open the blade, you cut the object, and you close the knife on your leg. Then you put the knife in your pocket. REAL difficult.

Back on topic, I think you should support companies that have provided you with good products in the past. I don't care where a knife is made, nor where the company HQ is, as long as it's good quality, good price, and the company provides good support.

 

[Nikokurausu]

It's not a negative to me because I don't care where the product was made, but it is to some people. What bugs me is that Kershaw got the nod as "Made in America" while Toyota is always classified as "foreign". Both companies are Japanese and headquartered in Japan. Both companies manufacture their products here, at least the product lines they sold here.

If you all stop buying Toyota on account of its foreign ownership, a whole bunch of American Toyota factory workers are gonna lose their jobs. Few people protest the bailout money poured at the big 3 car manufacturers while completely ignoring Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc. who also have factories here. I guess American workers of Japanese carmakers are lesser citizens than Detroit workers.

Everybody touts the virtue of capitalism and the free market, but when it comes to american made products suddenly some people turn socialists; insisting on subsidizing people/product who can't survive otherwise. That's interfering with the free market principle we hold dear.

This is an outstanding post.

And as for how I buy knives and who I support, I support a product that does what I want it to for the role or roles I have chosen to use it for. I do not care where or by whom it is made.

 

[Dagon]

Why is that a negative if Kai USA manufactures many of its Kershaw knives in the USA, employing American workers to do so? In fact, they seem to be trying to manufacture as many Kershaws as possible in the US. Not to mention, many of said knives are high quality at a competitive price point? It would seem that would make their US operation basically an American company. Or does "American" company necessarily mean run by someone of European extraction?.

But, would you think of your beloved Kershaws (and possibly ZTs) as less desirable if they were simply imported?

Following the "buy national" reasoning, perhaps I and all other european knife buyers should simply STOP buying american knives, and focus fully on Euro-zone knife companies. There are definitely a number of very interesting local products out there. Fox. Roselli. Fontenille-Pataud. Maserin, not to mention my fellow Belgian custom makers, etc.