The crappy Chinese knife that just won't quit

I honestly don't care where a knife is made--I just care if it's a good knife. I doubt there's a single country out there that's actually incapable of producing a quality knife--it's just a matter of whether or not they've bothered to do so, or to do so for export on a production scale. For instance, I absolutely guarantee you that Pakistani farmers carry something very different from those crummy little 110 knockoffs you always see.

These days it's not so much where it's made as much as by whom it is made.
 
I'm glad the OP got a good knife and it has and still is serving well. The Spyderco Byrd knives have a good reputation and are quite affordable. Kabar Dozier series knives seem to be pretty darn good for the money. Rough Rider traditional knives are good values for the money; at least many of them are. I have four and all are pretty good except the pearl bark stockman leaves something to be desired in the application of the scale material. The balance of the knife is pretty amazing for an $8 knife.

So, some of these knives are good values. No they are not as good as Sebenzas, but they don't cost like that either. Not everybody wants or needs a Sebenza. After all, it's not magic.

Ed
 
As someone else said, I think the consistency is the major issue. Some of the designs and materials are ok if they are executed well. And ok will do the job most of the time. But, you'll only find a few good ones among many, many that aren't. That's why I cherry pick everything I pick up at Harbor Fright, looking for the good one that'll do me.
 
TLARbb said:
...Kabar Dozier series knives seem to be pretty darn good for the money...
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They sure are. I got a $24 Ka-Bar Dozier Large Folding Hunter, and it sure is worth every penny. While the finish of this FRN lockback is not as immaculate as Spyderco's or Cold Steel's, the overal build gives those big names a run for their money. Several corners of the steel parts are slightly rounded due to the stamping process, but it doesn't affect performance. This 4mm (5/32) thick AUS-8 blade might not be fancy, but it makes for one tough beater that I actually don't mind beating the crap out of.
 
There are many good knives that perform well but they are not made in the USA,have the right brand name ,or cost an arm and a leg.A cheap knife has saved the day for many time after time. You have a great knife that just keeps on going.Maybe we need to have our heads check when we flop down $$$$ for knives time and again.I need a knife like yours.
 
Well, there is one thing that is wrong with it. The small screws that hold the scales and liners together are starting to strip out. I don't know if I will be able to find replacements.
 
one can't help but feel somewhat "cheated" when a cheap pos outperforms something which is held in high regard and cost lots more...
chances are, it won't fall apart so readily if there are less componets in an object.
hard to believe but a piece of steel, is still a piece of steel.
 
I've got a crappy photo of a crappy Taiwanese knife to add. One of the oldest one handers I still got from earlier years.

Gerber.jpg
 
100% no chance that knife has done all of that and doesnt have a scratch! If you work at a tire shop why wouldnt you just let the bead breaker bust the tires loose? Why would you possibly damage someones tires and wheels with your knife?
 
I have to agree with tundratrader's sentiments... looks questionable.
That being said, ......

I just purchased a MacBook Pro and when I went to track the shipping I saw that it was shipping from Shanghai, China. My first reaction was "f**k.... ". I had no idea they were manufactured in China. But that being said, I have owned Macs for over 20 years (this will be my 5th one, with all others still working fine except one) and I would not have anything else. I just figured for what Apple charges that they were made in USA. I am against cheap and/or slave labor and any time "made in China" pops up I am wary. I don't support it because of the hardships of the laborers or because of the cost cutting of the domestic corporations that farm out the labor.

On to knives... I have hundreds of knives. Lots of high end productions, customs and even POS beaters. The ones I use the most are the POS beaters because they are easily replaceable for not a lot of money. I have S&W knives that take a great edge and will hold it decently. I have Cold Steel knives made from 420 HC that I have chopped down 8" trees with and it still shaved...

I think a lot of it is justification of why people spend so much money on their knives. Hell, I have knives I have spent hundreds for, but that will not keep me from realizing the ability of a $20 beater. Some people just can't swallow the fact that they spent $400 for their knife and someone else's $20 beater does the same things. I have seen guys dump $150,000.00 into tricking out a street racer and then watch it get blown off the road by a stock Mustang. They don't ever take it too well....

I remember going into a local pawn shop to buy some CDs. The CDs were tagged at $2 a piece. I asked if there was some kind of guarantee and if they didn't play, could I return them. The lady said, "they're only 50 cents... they were marked wrong, all our CDs are only 50 cents"... I said, "Hell, I can gamble with 50 cents...". All the CDs played perfectly. I can also gamble with $20 on a good working knife that I can beat the piss out of. So far, I've come out ahead.
 
Exactly, Orion. When I handle high end knives I am completely dumb founded on the fit and finish in them. Living in Bellingham, I am not exposed to some of the amazing creations of Busse and the likes, but I have held some others.

I would really liken this S&W to a Toyota Carolla. As long as I take proper care of it, it will last me forever. But it's no Ferrari.
 
XSrcing said:
Exactly, Orion. When I handle high end knives I am completely dumb founded on the fit and finish in them. Living in Bellingham, I am not exposed to some of the amazing creations of Busse and the likes, but I have held some others.

I would really liken this S&W to a Toyota Corolla. As long as I take proper care of it, it will last me forever. But it's no Ferrari.
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More like a Volga. :p
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
These days it's not so much where it's made as much as by whom it is made.
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Sometimes it varies even more than that.

My Buck 110 has a fault in the wood, had a flaw in the grinding (that I ground out and polished myself), and is so massively offcenter that the blade rubs on the side of the handle when closed.

My Buck Vantage though (also American made like the 110) was perfect in every way.

The thing is, I've seen a few 110's and they all had one fault or another just like mine. And I've seen a few Vantages and they've all been perfect like the one I had.

Both American made, both by Buck.

I never really understood what the deal is with that! I don't get it!
 
Emanuel said:
Sometimes it varies even more than that.

My Buck 110 has a fault in the wood, had a flaw in the grinding (that I ground out and polished myself), and is so massively offcenter that the blade rubs on the side of the handle when closed.

My Buck Vantage though (also American made like the 110) was perfect in every way.

The thing is, I've seen a few 110's and they all had one fault or another just like mine. And I've seen a few Vantages and they've all been perfect like the one I had.

Both American made, both by Buck.

I never really understood what the deal is with that! I don't get it!
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It sounds like you got stuck with some Friday afternoon knives.
 
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