Sal Glesser
Moderator
- Joined
- Dec 27, 1998
- Messages
- 11,676
Just for the record.
When we did our investigation on what constitutes made in USA, our investigation indicated that for knives, 95% of the knife had to made from materials made in the USA and 95% of the cost of the labor had to likewise be made in the USA.
Stamping or laser cut, heat treat, surface grinding, bevel grinding, finish polish or tumble, hole reaming, machining (tang ramp), sharpening, spine polish, all must be done in the USA, and that's just the blade.
When we worked with Wal-Mart, the same inforrmation was given to us from Wal-Mart. They wanted to make sure that our Natve was in fact ALL made in the USA. We made the clip for the Native in Japan and they wanted to know that.
For Automobiles considered made in the USA, the percentage was lower, about 75%. That's why so many automobiles are made in "North America".
I can tell you that we cannot possibly make knives in the USA at the prices that I see some companies selling their knives for and claiming that they are 95% - 100% made in the USA.
USA made steel can only come from a few companies. Likewise, USA made G-10 is only made by a few companies. Good G-10 cannot be stamped, which means it must be machined. A reasonably skilled machinist will make $15 - $25 / hour with shop time for that same person being about $40-$50 hour. $50 per hour shop time is $.83 / minute.
Using foreign steel and foreign G-10 processed outside the USA may be made in USA to some, but.....
While I cannot speak for other companies, I can tell you that when Spyderrco makes a knife in the USA, it is made in the USA, parts and labor. If we import parts (like the Spyderfly) it will not say USA made.
Sorry for the rant.
sal
When we did our investigation on what constitutes made in USA, our investigation indicated that for knives, 95% of the knife had to made from materials made in the USA and 95% of the cost of the labor had to likewise be made in the USA.
Stamping or laser cut, heat treat, surface grinding, bevel grinding, finish polish or tumble, hole reaming, machining (tang ramp), sharpening, spine polish, all must be done in the USA, and that's just the blade.
When we worked with Wal-Mart, the same inforrmation was given to us from Wal-Mart. They wanted to make sure that our Natve was in fact ALL made in the USA. We made the clip for the Native in Japan and they wanted to know that.
For Automobiles considered made in the USA, the percentage was lower, about 75%. That's why so many automobiles are made in "North America".
I can tell you that we cannot possibly make knives in the USA at the prices that I see some companies selling their knives for and claiming that they are 95% - 100% made in the USA.
USA made steel can only come from a few companies. Likewise, USA made G-10 is only made by a few companies. Good G-10 cannot be stamped, which means it must be machined. A reasonably skilled machinist will make $15 - $25 / hour with shop time for that same person being about $40-$50 hour. $50 per hour shop time is $.83 / minute.
Using foreign steel and foreign G-10 processed outside the USA may be made in USA to some, but.....
While I cannot speak for other companies, I can tell you that when Spyderrco makes a knife in the USA, it is made in the USA, parts and labor. If we import parts (like the Spyderfly) it will not say USA made.
Sorry for the rant.
sal
:thumbup:
