USA made better than Asian made?

C

Cornelis Böhms

Joined
Jul 12, 2006
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224
Do you think that the USA made knives of a company, say Spyderco, are
of better quality ( fit and finish ) than their overseas (Japanese) made knives?
And if you think so, what is the reason why?
 
Generally it's probably safe to say that by most peoples experience USA made is better. But it's hard to make a direct comparison because higher end knives are generally made in the US, while lower end is generally made in china. This would tend to skew the comparison.

Utlimately it doesn't matter, a knife meets or doesn't meet certain objective quality assements regardless of where it's made.
 
In general, I think that American made knives are among the
best in the world.

I've seen lots and lots of knives, and have yet to see (or hear of)
a Taiwanese made knife or a Chinese made knife that's as good
in all respects as a top American made knife.

P.S. Knives made in Japan are generally superb.
 
The best knives in the world are made in the US imo. That doesn't mean there aren't great knives made elsewhere in the world though, like Japanese made Spyderco's for example.

Edit: I think the reason for this is that knives made in countries like China and Pakistan are made to be as cheap as possible (that's the reason companies make them there in the first place). When keeping the price down is your main (or only) concern then you're going to end up producing crap. I'm sure they could make great knives as well, if they weren't forced to keep the cost down to the absolute minimum.
 
So far all my US and Japanese knives except my Al Mar SERE have been great. Even the AL Mar is well made and sturdy it was just poorly ground on the top. I don't have any Chinese knives to compare them with and I wont. But I do have a couple CRKT's Made in Taiwan and they seem to be fine knives both lock up tight and keep a decent edge. I do favor my US made knives over the others though. :)
 
For the most part knives made in the USA are the highest quality but Moki knives from Japan can stand beside just about anything made here in America. (The William-Henry K22 Wharncliffe knife is actually made by Moki)


MK22F1.jpg
 
U.S.A. would be the general answer. An exception might be japanese made knives like Mcusta. They are using very high tech pruduction methods and there final assembley is very tight. Id say in the coming years you may see japanese knives that offer U.S.A. made quality at slightly better prices. I'd still lean towards U.S. made just to support the hard working men and women of my country. As it stands the japanese ones aernt much different in price than U.S. equivalants.
 
I would have to go with USA and other over Japanese. Although another good question might stem from whether or not you are referring to production quality or that of individual knife makers. Historically it might have to go to the Japanese. However, I will always side with the good 'ol US of A.
 
Cornelis Böhms;4146847 said:
Do you think that the USA made knives of a company, say Spyderco, are
of better quality ( fit and finish ) than their overseas (Japanese) made knives?
And if you think so, what is the reason why?
Click to expand...

I will say yes only because I live in the USA, and prefer to buy american.
BUT I have owned and used Buck Knives that were made in taiwan and china,
IF they were not stamped USA, taiwan, or china I would not have known the difference. They were all of equal quality, it seemed, and neither dulled before the other (if the same steel), opened just as smooth and never had any rust or lock failures at all. I used the imported knives at work because I generally am hard on them and they performed flawlessly. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
It's hard to say because the quality varies so much, both among Asian and American knives. But I'd say the average modern Japanese knives are better than the average American knives. The average German knife is pretty good, the average Tawainese knife is fair, and the average Chinese knife is a POS.

Comparing knives of the same brand, I would say that Japanese-made Spydercos are similar quality to the American-made ones. The Japanese Gerbers are superior to the American. And the American OldTimers are far superior to the Chinese productions.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
I would think that where a knife made, is not as important as how it is made. is the steel of good quality? will it take, and hold an edge? Is it going to give you a life time of good service, or is it going to break? I have chinese made knives that are crap, and some that I'm happy with. However, I must say the only US made knives I've owned were Buck, and Imperal. Both are very fine knives, But I like my (Made in Japan) Sabre folders too.
 
remember that japanese sword makers perfected hardening techniques and temper lines (hamons) in their swords. custom makers around the world make quality blades.

when it comes to production, i try to only buy american. but crk was originally in south africa, so do they count as american made?
 
Bob W said:
It's hard to say because the quality varies so much, both among Asian and American knives. But I'd say the average modern Japanese knives are better than the average American knives. The average German knife is pretty good, the average Tawainese knife is fair, and the average Chinese knife is a POS.

Comparing knives of the same brand, I would say that Japanese-made Spydercos are similar quality to the American-made ones. The Japanese Gerbers are superior to the American. And the American OldTimers are far superior to the Chinese productions.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
Click to expand...
Thank you Bob, for a clear answer. That's what I was asking in my thread. Comparing the quality of knives from the same brand, made in different countrys. I know some people have sentiments,but that was not my question and is an other story.
All the best,
Cor
 
Japan is but one country in all of Asia. All I can say is that there are probably unheard of knife concerns which equal or surpass American quality. And with all this progress in manufacturing technology along with the huge monetary investment into any such venture, it wouldn't be wrong to say that everything commercially produced may just end up the same no matter where it's manufactured. Well. except for its design and steel type or material that it's made of. Welcome to a global economy.
 
Bob W said:
It's hard to say because the quality varies so much, both among Asian and American knives. But I'd say the average modern Japanese knives are better than the average American knives. The average German knife is pretty good, the average Tawainese knife is fair, and the average Chinese knife is a POS.

Comparing knives of the same brand, I would say that Japanese-made Spydercos are similar quality to the American-made ones. The Japanese Gerbers are superior to the American. And the American OldTimers are far superior to the Chinese productions.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
Click to expand...

Good post.

Slightly OT, but which Gerbers are being made in Japan today?

Thanks,
 
I think US made knives are better than Asian made knives with one exception:
Japan.

But I also expect that Taiwan and China will continue to close the gap within the next twenty years until they rival or even surpass USA and Japan.
 
I think an exception to quality american made knives would be BEAR MGC. Most of the stuff they make I have seen is not too nice.
 
My personal experience runs as follows : Top end Japanese quality is second to none ( Outfits like Moki etc , you dont see too many fit and finish issues with a William Henry ) . Some Tiwanese stuff is ok , depends on how / who specs it . Stuff from the PRC is cheap CaCa .

Chris
 
In my experience US and Japan made Spydercos are the same quality.
My son has Gerber X-Frame made in Taiwan and this knife has good fit and finish, it is very nice knife, too bad that blade is 440A, but it has nothing to do with Taiwan.
I saw some really poorly made knives made in People's Republic of China, but I am positive they can make top quality. There are a lot of more complicated stuff made there like cars, machines, jets, subs, and spaceships.
We do not own any knives made in People's Republic of China.
 
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