WE Knife opinions

[jceckrosh]

Their price is my biggest problem with them. I'm not paying 1st world prices for anything made there. Someone is getting fat of that price and it isn't the worker.

So, same as in the US? Someone is always getting "fat" and it is generally not the worker bees.

 

[marrenmiller]

I've had 4 knives from WE so far and been very impressed. The production quality of the 620 and 608 I've owned was every bit as nice as the CRK Umnumzaan I had. I can't speak authoritatively on the heat treat, but I've seen some cut tests with knives from prominent Chinese makers which suggests that they know how to heat treat a blade properly.

I like buying US made stuff like the next guy but I'm not going to pretend that WE doesn't dominate the vast majority of US makers in terms of value for high end pieces.

The only thing that WE doesn't do very well is design refinement, in my opinion. For every solid design they come up with, they launch a dozen knives that look hideous and impractical.

 

[augustus88]

I've had six USA made knives costing a total of $2795.00 from highly respected manufacturers pass through my hands over the last three years (NOT from Benchmade, ZT or Spyderco). Only one of those knives (Olamic 247) was perfect and didn't have to go back to the manufacturer for major issues. Some of the issues like severe lock stick developed almost immediately (three of the knives). One had a detent ball issue that took a few weeks. One had a way off center blade right out of the box (not a Benchmade).

In contrast, I've purchased 13 WE manufactured knives over the same time period (604D, 605, 617, 705, 821 Pleroma, 720 Zeta, 819 Drakon, Massdrop Ferrum Forge Gent, TWO Massdrop Laconico Keens, Ferrum Forge Buc, Civivi Baklash, Civivi Wyvern). ALL of those knives have had absolutely perfect fit, finish and action with the exception of the Massdrop Ferrum Forge Gent. It has a very slightly off centered blade when closed, but is otherwise perfect. The machining on all of the knives has been absolutely outstanding. Only one of the USA made knives mentioned above was as precisely made, but it developed extreme lock stick.

Other USA made knives (Buck Marksman, Benchmade Crooked River, ZT 0456 etc.) purchased over the same time period have developed no issues and came with perfectly centered blades.

 

[Mo2]

I have some we knives. I think they are better than Kizer. But I'm not interested in buying any more from them. I'd rather have knives made by Reate. Just so much better.

The we knives I own all have at least one or more issues. Besides my boose blades smoke which is good to go.

 

[slyraven]

Not trying to be overly pungent but you seriously need to consider the things you post. You're dangerously close to sounding a certain type of way.

You sound a certain way as well but I won't be harrassing you about it and I will respect your opinion. I do not need to consider what I post just because you don't like my opinion, that's assinine. Lets just enjoy the knife discussion either way I say.

 

[jceckrosh]

My only issue with WE (and several other of the top tier Chinese knife companies), and why I own only one, is that the all-Ti/anodized Ti/Cf and Ti design aesthetic is not what I prefer, generally. But I have handled a WE that I was considering as a gift for a friend, and it was very nice.

 

[slyraven]

The only thing I've taken issue with is the practice of disregarding a company solely due to its origin IN SPITE OF a proven track record.

I would never argue that much of the caution when it comes to buying "made in China" isn't warranted. Most obviously it is. Furthermore the lack of safety infrastructure is disgusting. Agreed.

But that isn't the case here. We're talking about a company with a solid history and good standing in the community. With that in mind how can statements like "Chinese companies trying to be something they're not" like another poster stated be justified? What does that even mean?

Furthermore, where do we draw the line? Made in the USA, what does that really mean and how many companies really achieve the requirements?

I'm just unsure of what goes on there to pay them more then 50 dollars for a knife. I know in the tech industry Chinese companies will claim to be a legitimate manufacturer and create more expensive products but what really happened was they just white label their crap. This is what I mean by claiming they are a legitimate knife maker but in actuality who knows what goes on in their factory? Here in th USA we have ways to know that, there, we do not. This is my reservation to spend a higher amount on ANY chinese brand. Im not picking on WE, only this thread is about WE. This is my own reservation.

 

[slyraven]

Before you go bashing WE handle one of their knives! I have a $62 WE (Civivi) in my pocket right now that has better fit and finish than MANY U.S. made knives that cost triple that! I don’t see WE or Reate or Kizer using low grade screws like some well known US companies!!!

$62 is not a bad price actually.

 

[akadave2]

Thats a great chart! lots of info. Sadly on one WE and it fell short.

I’ve been lucky to have a lot of opportunity to handle a wide variety of knives, from many makers, and to see how they are in use. WE is exceptional in terms of fitment, and in terms of consistency with regard to build quality. This is true of their $150ish collaborations (like my two Keens), on up. There have been multiple models that I’ve been sufficiently impressed by during reviews that I’ve arranged to get other copies through afterward to see if the first ones were anomalies, or if they were typical of the brand. In every case, the later samples have equaled the first.

Regarding heat treatment...

Here’s a chart of independent hrc test results.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OepNr_D4lqbdTFqdqWl1rmAd4bOzPzJe6J0iEWrdJGU/htmlview#

Credit for the chart goes to Kurt for testing, Blade Banter for data entry, and many for sending samples for testing.

 

[slyraven]

I've had 4 knives from WE so far and been very impressed. The production quality of the 620 and 608 I've owned was every bit as nice as the CRK Umnumzaan I had. I can't speak authoritatively on the heat treat, but I've seen some cut tests with knives from prominent Chinese makers which suggests that they know how to heat treat a blade properly.

I like buying US made stuff like the next guy but I'm not going to pretend that WE doesn't dominate the vast majority of US makers in terms of value for high end pieces.

The only thing that WE doesn't do very well is design refinement, in my opinion. For every solid design they come up with, they launch a dozen knives that look hideous and impractical.

Unfortunate it is that Chinese companies can always dominate with price, since they have very few costs involved in production. But that is what it is, its just not fair at all to compare them to other countries when value is concerned.

 

[akadave2]

The craftsmen and women in Benchmade are likely making more than a living wage. Same with Spyderco etc. You have no evidence to the contrary. Stuff costs more in the US because workers are paid more....for skilled labor.

So, same as in the US? Someone is always getting "fat" and it is generally not the worker bees.

 

[jceckrosh]

The craftsmen and women in Benchmade are likely making more than a living wage. Same with Spyderco etc. You have no evidence to the contrary. Stuff costs more in the US because workers are paid more....for skilled labor.

You are responding to something I didn't even say, or reference, or claim knowledge of. I said that just like wherever, US companies are for profit, and the people getting rich are not the ones putting screws in scales.

 

[Workingsloth777]

The craftsmen and women in Benchmade are likely making more than a living wage. Same with Spyderco etc. You have no evidence to the contrary. Stuff costs more in the US because workers are paid more....for skilled labor.

That's why it makes me made when I get an expensive US made knife with lock stick, blade play, etc. I had to pick through maybe 5 buck 110 slim pros at cabelas before I found one without substantial blade play and bad centering. I have to do the same with Benchmade. Spyderco I find to be pretty reliable though.

 

[Banter 247]

Thats a great chart! lots of info. Sadly on one WE and it fell short.

Indeed. We’re getting more WE through for testing. Based on how their S35VN has been doing in performance testing, I expect it to be consistently in the 59-60 range.

 

[akadave2]

I have been lucky. I have literally purchased over 100 knives in the last 5 years and have not gotten a lemon. Even the few Chinese knives I have purchased. I will say my expectations were scaled to the purchase price of the knife and origin.

That's why it makes me made when I get an expensive US made knife with lock stick, blade play, etc. I had to pick through maybe 5 buck 110 slim pros at cabelas before I found one without substantial blade play and bad centering. I have to do the same with Benchmade. Spyderco I find to be pretty reliable though.

 

[akadave2]

I cant think of a US maker that works that way. Knife manufacture is hands on and requires skill and nobody that is a professional in the cutler business is going to allow themselves to be exploited and likewise any company in the black knows they cant screw over their craftspeople. This whole misguided notion that people working in "X" industry are compensated slaves and the owner of "X" is exploiting them is a bit of ignorance. And there is no comparison to China which actually does exploit their workers, makes them work in shitty conditions, treats them as expendable tools and actively disregards international law. Profit is the law of free enterprise in the US but it doesnt mean free abuse.

You are responding to something I didn't even say, or reference, or claim knowledge of. I said that just like wherever, US companies are for profit, and the people getting rich are not the ones putting screws in scales.

 

[falar]

I’ve been lucky to have a lot of opportunity to handle a wide variety of knives, from many makers, and to see how they are in use. WE is exceptional in terms of fitment, and in terms of consistency with regard to build quality. This is true of their $150ish collaborations (like my two Keens), on up. There have been multiple models that I’ve been sufficiently impressed by during reviews that I’ve arranged to get other copies through afterward to see if the first ones were anomalies, or if they were typical of the brand. In every case, the later samples have equaled the first.

Regarding heat treatment...

Here’s a chart of independent hrc test results.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OepNr_D4lqbdTFqdqWl1rmAd4bOzPzJe6J0iEWrdJGU/htmlview#

Credit for the chart goes to Kurt for testing, Blade Banter for data entry, and many for sending samples for testing.

This is the kind of testing the knife industry needs!

This was my main concern with Chinese knives as well. I can examine fit and finish, but I'm not an experienced sharpener and will not test a knife until its failure point. I can be impressed visually with a knife and not know that they only heat treated their M390 to 59 or 60, negating the purpose of even using it over S35VN in the first place. Same goes if someone got overzealous with the belt sander at sharpening time and damaged the edge heat treat. Maybe some professional sharpeners can also chime in on this and tell us who does which steels right! Perhaps some destructive testing can be done on the handle slabs, lock inserts, and the like to make sure the materials are as-advertised as well.

I purchased a midtech I was impressed with. Turns out, he sourced his parts from WE. This expanded my mind and led me to Reate which also impressed me and now I have three (K-2, K-3, J.A.C.K.) and am looking at one more. In fact, they are now my 2nd favorite knifemaker (mass production) overall I'd say. It kind of hurts to write this as I had written off Chinese knives as cheap clones and imitations but at the end of the day knives are relatively low-tech and as long as people are honest and put in the time, a good product can be put out. I talked a lot of s*** and now have to eat crow, despite my continued suspicion of possible deception in materials used or quality of heat treating/sharpening. That said WE and Reate are the only Chinese makers I would buy from because I've seen people on these forums provide evidence of some of the other "quality" brands (like Rike) ripping off other people or producing clones uner another name. Also I think WE could provide a better edge from the factory. All the ones I've seen are crazy obtuse and even safe to handle. This is easily remedied with a sharpening but Reate blows them completely out of the water on this.

Now as far as blade edges go.....I'd like to see that kind of testing done industry wide. I'm sure more than a few domestic companies would also get caught slipping on at least one or two of the steels they offer. Remember the ZT/Elmax debacle? If I remember right they never copped to anything despite evidence to the contrary. I would love to know which companies consistently DON'T burn their edges and run the supersteels at hardnesses that make them perform like supersteels, vs S35VN at an increased price.

Funny how interests change....at one point I was a straight-ZT whore. But they haven't put out anything interesting to me in some time (seriously, get some more 4" or more blades going).

Now, the only US makers I watch with interest are Valence, Hoback, and Hinderer. Shirogorov and Reate are my top 2 overseas makers and I'm looking at maybe getting a Cheburkov soon.

 

[Eagle Scout]

I have some we knives. I think they are better than Kizer. But I'm not interested in buying any more from them. I'd rather have knives made by Reate. Just so much better.

Agreed. WE is doing great work but Reate is next level. The choices today under $300USD are amazing.

Unfortunate it is that Chinese companies can always dominate with price, since they have very few costs involved in production. But that is what it is, its just not fair at all to compare them to other countries when value is concerned.

Simply not true. Take a hard look at any currency exchange to compare the USD to the CNY. WE is buying M390 in quantity from Bohler in CNY. Their cost is more not less than a US domestic manufacturer. Production costs of CNC machining is heavy on the equipment side, not on inexpensive labor. Americans enjoy low price on the retail side due to our current USD purchasing power. 1 USD = 6.72CNY. So that $300 knife in USD is $2,016CNY. That's 1/10 of the average yearly income in China in yuan.

 

[jceckrosh]

I cant think of a US maker that works that way. Knife manufacture is hands on and requires skill and nobody that is a professional in the cutler business is going to allow themselves to be exploited and likewise any company in the black knows they cant screw over their craftspeople. This whole misguided notion that people working in "X" industry are compensated slaves and the owner of "X" is exploiting them is a bit of ignorance. And there is no comparison to China which actually does exploit their workers, makes them work in shitty conditions, treats them as expendable tools and actively disregards international law. Profit is the law of free enterprise in the US but it doesnt mean free abuse.

Again, you are conflating things.

I never said anyone was a slave or being exploited in the US, and never said they were not being exploited in China. But the standard assumption that everyone who works in China is being exploited is also incorrect. And if you don't think there are American companies that treat workers like expendable tools...

 

[marrenmiller]

Unfortunate it is that Chinese companies can always dominate with price, since they have very few costs involved in production. But that is what it is, its just not fair at all to compare them to other countries when value is concerned.

Why not? We as consumers get to choose between both options, and lately companies like ZT and Benchmade have been dropping the ball so hard that it makes the choice easier than ever.

US companies should be beating WE in terms of design and warranty support. I don't need my knives to be made incredibly well if they are well thought out, refined, tested, and supported by the maker. If they can't do that, then that's their fault.