To We or not to WE

[Reswob]

Taiwan on the left, China on the right. I would put these in build quality up against 90% of the USA knife makers. I once felt the same but have been happy to have a change of mind.

Most people's objection has nothing to do with build quality, but with who you're supporting with your money. There is a huge difference in that regard between ROC and PRC.
Either way, there's no excuse to outsource except to hit a price point. I don't mind buying a $35 made-in-ROC Boker (especially with the quality you get for your money), but for multiple hundreds of dollars, it better be made here. The proliferation of $300+ folders made in countries known for low cost manufacturing makes me cringe.

 

[Hammer67]

What about American makers like Pena who use Chinese OEMs? Are those still to be avoided by the USA only crowd? Can’t make the profit argument on those.

Enrique Pena
Monterey Bay
Ferrum Forge
Giant Mouse
UrbanEDC
Quiet Carry

That’s a lot of good knives just off the top of my head.

Don't care. Plenty of equally good, or better, knives I can buy elsewhere. I have no 'need' to buy any of those knives.

 

[Frosted flakes]

It took me long enough to get comfortable with Taiwan on a blade, I don’t think I’ll ever be ok with “China” glaring at me when I use a knife.
I tried, it felt yucky.

WE doesn't put China on their knives. They hardly put anything at all on the entire knife. I'm not taking up for them, I have a few, but I have a few of a lot of brands. I like to check them out and if they don't do it for me, I move them along.

 

[Knives&Lint]

If your AD20.5 had been made in China instead of Taiwan, would it be less cool (excluding, as you say, political considerations)?

To me personally, yes; and honestly it would have been cooler to me if it were made in Japan. Country of origin does contribute to the cool factor for me personally, much like Swiss watches or German engineered cars or American made boots, etc.

 

[EricT64]

Enrique Pena
Monterey Bay
Ferrum Forge
Giant Mouse
UrbanEDC
Quiet Carry

That’s a lot of good knives just off the top of my head.

Liong Mah
Null Knives
Mark Varga
Sharper By Design
Kirby Lambert
Many more.

 

[mak1277]

To me personally, yes; and honestly it would have been cooler to me if it were made in Japan. Country of origin does contribute to the cool factor for me personally, much like Swiss watches or German engineered cars or American made boots, etc.

Is that based on a perception of quality or something else? I used that knife specifically because I think its main appeal is the (American) design. Assuming quality manufacturing, I fail to see how it matters if that knife was made in Taiwan, China, or on the moon.

 

[Sibyrnes]

I fail to see how it matters if that knife was made in Taiwan, China, or on the moon.

We’ll at least you admit your failure.

 

[conan11]

I must admit I have bought lots of knives from many different countries including China, but after the comments made by their leader recently I have decided I won't be buying anything else made in China if I can help it. As far as the quality, I'm sure they are great, but I personally dont want my money going back to fund a government that seeks to harm my country, and is developing weapons with the intention of using them against us and our allies. Everyone has to decide for themselves how they want to spend their money, but that is how I feel. No point in getting rid of what I already have, because what's done is done, but I'm personally not planning on anymore.

Please forgive! But we have military bases on their borders. We have bases next to their territories and region. They have no bases next to us. We are the aggressors, not them. They see us going after Russia. They know they are next if Russia falls. We have Russia and China hemmed in with bases. They do not have any bases next to our territory. Please forgive!

 

[J. Doyle]

There's an old joke about poor quality: “Made in Oosa” (USA).

I have a $50 (sale price) Civivi that beats the crap out of a William Henry and then pisses on its grave.

Would you mind elaborating on "beats the crap out of a William Henry....."?

I've owned a few William Henry's and have a friend with four different civivi's that I handle frequently.

I'll grant that the civivi's are decently built for the money, but IMO there is ZERO comparison to any William Henry I've seen.....in any aspect.

 

[mak1277]

We’ll at least you admit your failure.

Ok, so explain it to me then (ignoring political factors).

 

[Sibyrnes]

If you honestly fail to see why it matters to many here where a knife is made then you have not been paying attention.

 

[mak1277]

If you honestly fail to see why it matters to many here where a knife is made then you have not been paying attention.

If you say it’s for political reasons I’m totally fine with that and understand completely. It’s any other reason that I can’t understand

 

[Oak1970]

Good quality knives are good quality knives. I tend to prefer knives made in America, but America does not have a monopoly on quality.
That said, any well built knife is going to be pricey wherever it is made. No free lunches there. I own several We/Drop/Ferrum Forge knives that are nice and several probably Chinese origin knives that are nice for the price. My Spyderco knives are nice and fidget friendly.

 

[Blues]

I guess we're going to have to start handing out warnings to those of you who can't seem to remember that politics is not welcome in the General Knife Discussion forum.

This has nothing to do with the beliefs of the staff or owner of the site, and everything to do with following the rules which have been in place for...forever.

Forewarned is forearmed.