Thoughts on buying Chinese knives

[3Guardsmen]

I ordered in a Vapor last month. I was very excited to receive it and couldn't wait to check out the AUS6 alloy blade! Then, to my horror, I seen "China" on the blade base when I first opened it!! I NEVER carried the knife as a result and now it is tossed in some box somewhere.

A good reason to do research before you buy something.

I was really shocked Kershaw would do that. Benchmade 154CM for me!!

Oh, and why is that? Almost all of the major knife manufacturers are now making models in China. Even Benchmade has at least one model (Vex) made in China.

 

[Knife Outlet]

It has been interesting reading this old thread. When I posted it, there weren't any mainland Chinese knives on our web site. If that were true today, we would be out of business. The move to Chinese knives has been rapid but it has not been a pleasant one for us. The average order size has been reduced by about 30% making every order worth less than it was when I posted this originally. I hope it is working for the manufacturers. I'm guessing we'll need to become "manufacturers" ourselves in order to make it work. I've avoided direct importation all these years. I guess I'll have to take a second look at that decision.

 

[Pointshoot777]

Its very tough not to buy China made products today. As you all know, the shelves are full of them. And many products, that on quick glance at the package, you thought were US made have also been made there. Packaging is often designed to confuse (such as those that display American flags or use American sounding names). - - To me, a knife is a very personal object which I carry often and may rely on. I will not buy a China made knife - and the reasons are political. At least in this one small product area, I can so choose in an informed matter. Recent events in Tibet only remind me of the reasons. - - - I buy knives from other contries sometimes (though USA is preferred by me personally). Those from Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Japan, Finland, & Germany come quickly to mind. - - -

P.S. - yeah, I know this is an 'old' thread. But it isnt an old topic. Tibet crackdown made me think of this more lately.

 

[superduty truck]

The cause of higher prices are blame for buying good from China. As we buy from China their economy is booming which puts stress on raw materials which in return drive the cost of goods up. Along with a weaker dollar due to manufacting is moving to cheaper countries to continue making product and soon services cheaper than in the states

 

[Absintheur]

I will not buy a China made knife - and the reasons are political. At least in this one small product area, I can so choose in an informed matter. Recent events in Tibet only remind me of the reasons. - - - I buy knives from other contries sometimes (though USA is preferred by me personally). Those from Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Japan, Finland, & Germany come quickly to mind. - - -

I find it curious you would buy from some of the countries listed but not from China. Personally if the quality is there for the price charged I will buy a knife from China...and have, of late I have bought several of the Rough Riders.

 

[CWL]

China isn't a friend of the USA, nor is it our enemy (yet). They are just trying to do business the way we do if we had the advantage. Their goal? -Reap as much profit, wealth, economic growth & development and keep their own people happy. The problems of our economy are not their problem.

It is no longer possible to live in an isolationist world, if you think it possible, then the first thing anyone should do is to throw away their computer, and probably all of your electronic gadgets including TVs, phones, cellulars, MP3/iPods, etc. since they are ALL made in China nowadays. Unfortunate but true.

Lastly, for every $1 you spend on a "Made in China" product, only about 1/3 of that amount is kept in China - the remaining 2/3 goes to the shippers, transporters, distributors, middlemen & retailers -which are all American. Funny how lots of people in the USA have jobs because they support China imports.

 

[udtjim]

I don't think we should import anything that can be made here. I know we are supposed to be globally friendly but it's gone to far and were are on the short end of the import export stick.

That said, there are some pretty good blades coming from china. Buck has a line if imported knives that seem pretty decent. I got a new leatherman knife yesterday that said Impoorted for sale in America. It didn't say where it was imported from but 99 percent chance thats its china.

 

[Kaizen1]

I'm going to design a tactical knife and have it manufactured in China. I'll call it either "The Tibetan Oppressor" or "The Tibetan Suppressor". Not sure which one is more catchy though...

 

[cdf]

I still try too avoid PRC stuff . Tiwan and Japan are not quite as bad . Generally speaking I buy European or north American .

Chris

 

[Sam Patch]

I have this Buck stockman in my pocket. It is a nice little knife. It is also made in China. Purchased it from Smokey Mountain knife works. At $22.00 it is twice as expensive as comparible Rough Riders, John Primble knives, also made in China.

Try to find an American brand name not made in China. Can you think of more names than you got fingers on your right hand?

 

[A. G. Russell]

I have this Buck stockman in my pocket. It is a nice little knife. It is also made in China. Purchased it from Smokey Mountain knife works. At $22.00 it is twice as expensive as comparible Rough Riders, John Primble knives, also made in China.

Try to find an American brand name not made in China. Can you think of more names than you got fingers on your right hand?

Case is not, Queen is not, I think that leatherman is not Canal Street is not Bear and Son is not. Almost everyone else is importing some of their knives from China and/or Taiwan.

We are still making and having made knives in this country, in Japan, Germany, Italy, and will be having knives made in both Taiwan and China as well. I am buying quality where ever we can find it.

 

[sketchbag]

I've got a knock off buck 110 that was made in china, and it's pretty damn good. The only problem I've found with it is there's a tiny gap where one of the scales is lifting, other than that the fit and finish is excellent, the grinds are all very even, it locks up solid with no play, and it holds an edge well.

 

[coop1957]

I've got one, the Benchmade VEX. It is a very good knife except for the softness of the blade steel. That said, I will never again buy a china knife. Taiwan maybe, China no. China is a war that is 10-15 years down the road. Try to stop it now. Buy American.

 

[coop1957]

I've got one, the Benchmade VEX. It is a very good knife except for the softness of the blade steel. That said, I will never again buy a china knife. Taiwan maybe, China no. China is a war that is 10-15 years down the road. Try to stop it now. Buy American.

 

[knarfeng]

I have this Buck stockman in my pocket. It is a nice little knife. It is also made in China. Purchased it from Smokey Mountain knife works. At $22.00 it is twice as expensive as comparible Rough Riders, John Primble knives, also made in China.

Try to find an American brand name not made in China. Can you think of more names than you got fingers on your right hand?

Buck makes some knives in the US. The 30x series is still made here, including the famous 301. The Buck web site tells where they are made.

That being said, I often carry a little Chinese Buck framelock. I didn't buy it because it was inexpensive, although it was only about $12. I bought it because I liked the design. I found the fit and finish to be very good, the steel to hold a decent edge, the grinds to be even, the lockup solid.

 

[enderwiggin]

I'm going to design a tactical knife and have it manufactured in China. I'll call it either "The Tibetan Oppressor" or "The Tibetan Suppressor". Not sure which one is more catchy though...

No kidding. It just goes to show how much more important money is in politics than people are.

Actually, that might make a great series of knives.

Maybe they can make a special edition Beijing Olympics '08 commemorative knife. It could come boxed with a certificate of authenticity, and a leaflet that explains how to use the knife against unarmed Chinese civilians suspected of speaking out about China's lack of human rights.

 

[runeman]

I went into the Bass Pro shop just to price some 38spl. range ammo for my wifes new S & W 642 and of course I had to look at the knives. I looked at a Byrd meadowlark not a bad little knife for $35.00 good fit and finish, but for some reason when I saw it was made in china I put it back. I don't really know why because I shop a walmart which is full of chinese made products.
Im not a rich guy and have a family so walmart is the most economic place to shop for everyday needs. Though for some reason I will only buy American made knive and guns except for my Sig Sauer.

 

[coop1957]

I have one knife made in china. BM Vex and it is ok. I will never buy another knife from china. Quality is not the issue. They will soon be on par with the best of US. Look at the Fenix flashlights -new models every 90 days or so. Very high quality.
I ten, twenty maybe thirty years we will be in another proxy war with china. Problem is they use a proxy nation to fight while our boys fight and die. Remember Korea and Viet Nam? We Americans have short memories.

 

[shecky]

No kidding. It just goes to show how much more important money is in politics than people are.

C'mon. When was the last time you filled up your car with gasoline? Criticizing trade with China is ridiculously hypocritical when we all have an insatiable appetite for putting money in the hands of folks like the Saudis, who not only take a dim view of civil rights, but have no problem funding Islamic fundamentalists around the world.

I have one knife made in china. BM Vex and it is ok. I will never buy another knife from china. ...

I ten, twenty maybe thirty years we will be in another proxy war with china. Problem is they use a proxy nation to fight while our boys fight and die. Remember Korea and Viet Nam? We Americans have short memories.

Trade is the best way to avoid war.

Not only that, trade has raised the living standards of all Chinese, and produced a government that in some ways is more capitalist than the US. Even better, the increased prosperity is producing people who are increasingly capitalist in attitude.

What is the alternative? I suppose the US could have put an embargo on China. And had all the success the US has with Cuba, where after a half century later, poverty is worse than ever, and the leadership has been unaffected.

 

[superc]

Just use your money to buy the best made product. If someone wants that to be a product made in whichever country you live in, then that highest quality product will be made there. If however someone else makes a better product, in a different country, then buy that one. Let quality decide.