Thoughts on buying Chinese knives

well, I'm Chinese, and I support China even though i live in the U.S. I mean you gotta support your own kind right? First of all, everyone country is whack! Even the almight U.S. ! I mean there is a reason that most other countries don't like us. I mean countries work with us cause of a "fear factor" not cause they really want to. I personally think the U.S is very hypocritical and always butting into other peoples business. Sure made in china products aren't of the highest quality but hey if you don't have money you gotta get what you can afford. Also although the U.S. doesn't like China as a country they are our FAVORITE trading country! I'm not mad of anything cause everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and my opinion is that I buy what is GOOD no matter who makes it :P
 
Originally posted by Manji
I'm not mad of anything cause everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and my opinion is that I buy what is GOOD no matter who makes it :P
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I agree. I buy what I want and so should you. I won't complain about what you buy......BTW, the Vapor is one fantastuic knife. Excellent fit and finish.
 
What we have here is a very volatile situation. When you have undercover Americans in this country supporting the Chinese government, it is very sickening. As far as Mr. Onion's statements go, they represent a conflict of interest, and they are to me the least viable of any statement that has made to this topic.

It's Fred's deal, and if he does not want to sell chinese made knives because of his beliefs, then go buy them some where else. Big D1
 
I think we are basically dealing with two issues here. Politics and Business.

Personally, my opinon of the Chinese Government is very low. In fact, there is nothing that I like about the Chinese Government.

As far as the Chinese people, I believe that people should be taken on an individual basis. However, brainwashing does go a long way, and if the Chinese government brainwashes its people to denounce the United States, then that is just wrong. If that is being done, then yes, I have something against the Chinese people. But I don't know if that is being done.

What I do know is that the Chinese government did supply the North Koreans, and they do supply the NVA and the VC. Otherwise, wear did their weapons come from? And we all know that these countries di kill Americans.

However, what I'd like to know is if any money generated my the manufacturing of the knives by Kershaw in China, actually ends up in the Chinese government's hands. Business is business and the bottom line is that a business has to make a profit (unless it is nonprofit) and is always striving to make more profits. So if moving manufacturing facilities to a foreign country generates greater profits and decreases production costs, then so be it. However, it was the decision of Kershaw, not the Chinese government, to have the goods manufactured there. If you want to boycott the Vapor, then maybe you should boycatt all of Kershaw's knives because they decided to go there. They weren't forced to go there.

At the same time, let's boycott Chinese restaurants. No more Chinese food unless it is of Taiwanese cuisine; Sam Woo and Peking Duck is out. And no more Vietnamese food for me either. The Japanese were our enemies during WWII. They were the official "AXIS of EVIL." I guess I shouldn't drive my Acura anymore. We shouldn't sell Volkswagons in the United States anymore either.

Posted by Manji: "well, I'm Chinese, and I support China even though i live in the U.S. I mean you gotta support your own kind right? First of all, everyone country is whack! Even the almight U.S. ! I mean there is a reason that most other countries don't like us. I mean countries work with us cause of a "fear factor" not cause they really want to. I personally think the U.S is very hypocritical and always butting into other peoples business."

Where do you get off making these kind of comments? You want to support your "kind?" Then why are you living in the United States? Are you using the United States like so many other countries do? Are you here to untilize our educational system so you can go back later on? If you want to really support China, then you should live there. How dare you come to this country and call the U.S. "hypocritical?" You want to know why? Because you are given freedom of speech. Could you do that in China? Can you openly critisize your damn commi government without retribution? Why don't you go back to your motherland China. I know so many Chinese that come to the United States, live in their communities, and behind our backs, critisize the United States, the country that has opened its borders to them so that they may experience a better life. If things are so good in the motherland, then why aren't they there?

If you don't want to sell the knife then don't If you don't want to buy the knife, don't.
 
In response to DrSpine's reply. When i say i support the chinese government i don't mean i advocate communism or the way they do things in china. I just think that admidst all this politically correct laws and regulations we have in the U.S. things being said aren't being done therefore being hypocritical. I know that in the general sense the U.S. is one of the greatest countries in the world if not the greatest. It's just that there are some things that I don't like about the U.S. The main one being the fact that the U.S. tries to be the world's police. I mean who died and made us king? How come we have to butt into everybodies business? I mean when the situation affects the whole world (i.e. WWI, WWII) then of course we should step in and help but.... Anyways I don't see why you have to get so upset I was merely stating a comment and i think you read too much into it. And for you information I ain't going BACK anywhere cause i was born HERE in the U.S of A. i was born and raised as an american and i truly appreciate the freedom that was given to me by this great country and i can't ever imagine living anywhere else. maybe what i wrote before came across too strong. but my basic point is that no matter where you live you can never forget who you are, your culture, your heritage. I'm proud to be an American but i'm also proud to be Chinese. If any of you are racist or just plain hate chinese people because china is communist or you hate germans because of the world war of you hate vietnamese people because of the vietnam war then i am truly SORRY for your misguided beliefs.
 
Manji,

I appoligize if I offend you with my comments. I, like you, am of Asian descent (Taiwanese), but I was born in America and I am an american, just like you. I didn't mean to get upset at you. I may have read into your comments a bit more, but when I read or hear people, especially citizens of the US critisizing the US, I feel that it is kind of belittling the US citizens who, over the years, have been overseas fighting for our country; sacrificing their lives, so that people like you and me can sit behind a keyboard (that was made in Thailand) and have these type of discussions. We are there for the benefit of not only them, but for us too. My opinion, but we are the greatest nation on the planet and it is our responsibility, if in our power, to uphold democracy in other countries and establish and maintain treatise. Yes, there are nations that don't want us there. The Taliban? Yes, you are probably right in pointing out that things may have not been finished, or we do act as a world police. Everyone has their own opinion, but I am an old man and I've been in the United States for a while and am proud to be an American. By the way, I don't want you to "go back." Hell, if you were born here, this is your homeland, not China. yes, you should remember your heritage; but how much of your heritage do you really know? I thought like you before, but to me my heritage is here in the United States. I, like you, could not imagine ever living in China. But hey, I did take Chinese studies in college, most of my friend are of Chinese descent, and I do speak three Chinese dialects. My culture is here, my heritage is here, and because I was born and raised here, I am more interested in learning about the history of George Washington than Mao Tze Dong. Sorry to get off topic. And I didn't mean to get upset at Manji.

Those comments about the Japanese, Germans, and the Vietnamese were made in gest. It would be ridiculous, in my opinion, to boycott things, I mean "things" because you don't like a people, or a nation, because it would be racist. My point is, there probably are some people that feel that way, but to me, it is kind of extreme.
 
First, nealry all major industry in China is owned or otherwise contolled byt the military. If you want to talk about a military industrial comlex, taht is it. As for hypocrisy, I would say that espousing the ideals of equality and "socialist prosperity" in a land where you can be executed for illegal possession of a Bible is a bit hypocritical. Jiang telling us that they support our actions against terrrorism while shipping ground to air missiles to the Taliban AFTER 9-11 strikes a bit or a sore nerve with me. Sponsoring illegal trafficking or drugs and weapons into the US (and buying their way in via contributions to Clinton) seems to be al ittle underhanded as well.

Sure, there is definitely American hypocrisy at work, perhaps the worst ow which is the blind capitalist greed (which the Communists claim to despise yet take advantage of at every turn) which drives American corporations into what amounts to a deal with the devil.

People fail to see that China is the only probable challenger to the US's role as the world's sole superpower. It is going to be a race between genuine advancements in human and political rights and the ascension of a new generation of hardline Communists. Only time will tell. Until then, I'll be prepping the A2 Abrams and the Apache Longbows.
 
well, life goes on. America is indeed a great country and I love living here, but when one talks about polictical and cultural issues people pretty much have tunnel vision. I mean sure we hate the taliban but then the people in the taliban are willing to die for their cause so... reality itself is perceived differently by each individual, you may hate hamburgers but i love them, sure we may think those poor misguided communists we should show them the light, but hey maybe they are perfectly happy the way they are (but then again probably not. LOL) anyways i am very proud of my heritage, i think it's important to always remember who you are. I mean i consider myself Asian-American, therefore I use chopsticks and eat hamburgers! one must always keep close one's heritage but also be open minded enough to adopt new customs. peace
 
I am an American of Chinese heritage. In fact I was born in China.

Manji's post just rubs me the wrong way. What the heck is that "support your own kind" crap! You are either an American or you are not. I made my decision at my oath swearing ceremony. I was a kid then, but I knew better.

I also take exception to Big D1's comment on "undercover Americans supporting the Chinese governement". It's the right and duty of every citizen to think critically on the policies of the nation. Citizens of Chinese heritage should not be punished for exercising that right.

As someone who has lived and travelled abroad frequently, I would say that much of America's paranoia with this and that "threat" is overblown. Anyone remember the 80's when we had those "coming war with Japan" debates? The truth is people the world over do not spend their day rubbing their hands together and scheme of ways to undermine the US.

There's a big difference between what's real and what you read about. I often found that Americans who been to China, like Mr. Onion, or Chinese who been to the US, tend to have a better grasp on reality.

I have no problem with trade that benefits better understanding between peoples. I personally do not buy Chinese knives because the quality isn't there, but your choice is yours to make.

For people who think they are foreign policy experts 'cause you read about it on your favorite news source - turn the computer off and get out more often. That goes for readers on both sides of the Pacific.

This is getting way too political.
 
tallwingedgoat, take it or leave it is the way I feel, and that goes for chinese knives too. You talk about getting out. I get out all over this country and Canada too. You want to know what I see. A freaking invasion due to our former, humble president, Mr. Billy Clinton. Big D1
 
Manji, you were born and raised in America but you say you're Chinese?

Why don't you say that you're an American not Chinese?
After all, are you a citizen of China or America?
My ancestors came from Scotland and Ireland but I don't say "I'm Scot-Irish so I'll support Scotland and Ireland". In fact, I could'nt care less about the Scots or the Irish, because I'm an American.

If you went back to China today, would THEY think you were Chinese or American?

It seems that being just "American" is'nt good enough for folks now days. Now it's African-American, Cuban-American, Irish-American, Italian-American, German-American, Chinese-American, Arab-American, Latino-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, Native-American, ect...
 
all i have to say is that i'm impressed with how many extremely patriotic people there are on this board. and AllenC, whats wrong with me calling myself chinese? thats what i am and i'm proud of it. When i step out onto the street and a stranger sees me what do they see? a chinese man or an american? i'll place my bets on a chinese man... and why do we have distinguish between the both anyways? I though american was suppose to be a melting pot of cultures, a place were where your from doesn't matter? and I have a bad feeling that if i continue to try and argue my point it will lead to some ugly posts. so i just wanna say believe what you want to believe, think what you want to think because you are who you are and you shouldn't care what other people think about you as long as you do what you think is right. i'll leave it at that :P
 
I personally prefer to buy American made products in order to support American jobs and I'm willing to pay more to do so.
 
I don't think we need to give maji such a hard time. For many Americans, their ancestry is very important to them. It's all in how you communicate it. For example, I am an American, but I am an american by Taiwanese descent. Manji is an American of Chinese descent, just like allenc is an American of Scotch-Irish descent. I think Manji is just proud of his Chinese heritage; the history of the people, the family values, the ethnic distinctions. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

Tallwingedgoat, it is 100% political. It is why Jeff is boycotting the Vapor. It is interesting though, how a topic can progress (or digress).
 
Maybe I did come across too harsh.
Manji, I apologize, you have every right to be proud of your heritage.
But when you say you "support your kind", that makes me think you put China before America. WE are your kind, as Americans.

Allen.
 
If you guys want to boycott a company, stop buying Levis Jeans.

Not only did Levi-Strauss shut down several factories here in America, lay off a pile of Americans, and take their factories overseas, they also are a supporter of gun control. If I was Prez I'd slap a tariff on every pair of Levis that was so high you'd just as soon go out and buy a Volvo instead of a pair of denim blues.

Mike Turber, I gotta say...... Touche'. First time I ever saw the bottom of my keyboard too.

Anyways, I TRY to buy American stuff when I think about it, just because I live in this country and I don't like seeing the economy struggle along. It doesn't happen all the time, but dang I try. I don't specifically try to avoid Chinese stuff, I just try to support American jobs.

If you feel that you have to avoid Chinese products, well I won't criticize your decision. Many people have many beliefs, far be it from me to tell you what is right. That is a decision for you.
 
I thought it might be timely to see if any attitudes had changed from the last posting date in this thread to today.

Now it is not just some Kershaw Vapors produced in China, there are Benchmades and an entire Spyderco subsidiary produced there too.

So the trend to Chinese knife manufacturing is, if anything, accelerating. Then again, for some people, the bottom line is all that matters and any ancilliary concerns, like pride in ownership, patriotism, supporting foreign democracies, or even having a modicum of concerns for the workers producing Chinese blades, all take a back seat to their wallet.

Has anyone become more or less accepting of Chinese cutlery since 2002? I do notice that knifeoutlet.com carries Byrds.

I still don't own and won't own a red Chinese knife and still have no problems buying Taiwanese products. If China changes, I will too. Until then, my position seems a lot less popular than it was a few short years ago. Then again, being cheap has never gone out of style.:D
 
Knife Outlet said:
But I think I'm in a small minority of people who think China is at least a competitor if not an enemy of the U.S. and Americans shouldn't buy Chinese products. It appears most of the rest of the country feels fine about it. How do you feel?
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IMO China isn't a competitor of the US, nor an enemy, so much as it is a major supplier of consumer goods to the US. If not for inexpensive - and, I might add, reasonably high quality - Chinese made goods, many Americans wouldn't enjoy as good a lifestyle as they do.

Technology and textiles come to mind immediately, and I'm sure sales of these Chinese items to the US are vastly greater than cutlery. The economic, or even social and political impact of what you're doing seems like it will be unnoticeable.

But I'm not saying you're wrong to "vote your conscience" in the products you carry. Personally I would be very reluctant to own a Mercedes-Benz because of the company's ties back to the use of slave labor during WWII .... also wouldn't own a Ford because of the company's shameful history, first with labor abuses and then ignoring the safety of American consumers. So this cuts across mere political and nation distinctions.

I hold nothing against Kershaw for having knives made in China, anymore than I do Spyderco, Benchmade and others. I also don't fault dealers for carrying Chinese made products any more than I do dealers selling MB and Ford - the consumer should be allowed to vote his or her conscience by purchasing what they want. That's the way of democracy and capitalism.

The economist Bastiat noted "When goods do not cross borders, soldiers will." IMO the best way to turn your potential enemies into friends is to have free trade with them.
 
I have found that the Chinese knives made for the "name brands" are of good quality and offer a working grade knife at a price that is better on the wallet.

I don't necesarily like buying stuff that supports a Communist regime, but sometimes, its not so bad.
 
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