-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
What country makes the best blades?
- Thread starter bfbisa
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2003
- Messages
- 1,592
I'd say it's a tossup between the USA and Japan. Companies like Moki and Mcusta manufacture a superior product with a high quality fit and finish that's as good as the finest American production knives.
Who is the most beautiful woman? It all depends. I mean, look at all the effort that goes into a traditional Katana I've never heard of any other blade makers spending that much time on a single blade. On the flipside, I really like a simple Kukri from a leafspring too. The simplicity. Is that better? How do we test what is better and what do we take into account? Is a Katana better because it has been made by 25 people for 24/7 for over 6 months, or is it worse because it is cost inefficient compared to a simple leaf-spring blade which ultimately will do the same job as the more expensive Katana? So what is best? It all depends. Clarify your question and you shall have better answers.
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2006
- Messages
- 3,724
Then again, I haven't really tried much else
Very candid, and illustrates why answers on "best" thread oughta be taken with a grain of salt.:thumbup:
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2010
- Messages
- 221
In my opinion it goes like this
Japan
All others, and maybe the U.S. being first in "All others"
Seriously I do believe Japanese cutlers have the edge on how to treat a knife and not just the technology.
Someone said "How do we test what is better and what do we take into account?"
That is why it is called an opinion. Now if asked which blades are treated with the newest tecnology and more advanced this way,--- my number one answer would be " United States, bar none " I do not like that most so called advanced knives are called "Tactical". I mean how many of you have been attacked and needed a so called Tactical knife. Mearly a sales tatctical/tactic if you ask me. I am a believer that a knife is a tool that is made to cut with, prepare the kill with, slice tomatoes and potatoes with etc etc. The least need for a knife in an urban surrounding is certainly not for Tactical reasons. I expand the question. How many of you have had any friend "non military" that you know of that could have used a knife for Tactical reasons. I would say not many. I have been in the Military and now a civillian and I have not known one person to ever need a "Tactical" knife.
Honest replies only please. I am curious, maybe I just live in safe places. But I have lived in Houston Texas and their were murders every day anounced in the news there. I never once felt the need of a Tactical knife.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2010
- Messages
- 221
Some of the knives I have out of Tiawan are some of the best knives I own. Some of the Japanese knives are some of the best I own. I feel just like the economy one should not compare country to country but knife to knife.
Daniel
This is a very subjective question to answer, but hey this is a forum and the op wanted to start some discussion. (few months ago). There was an older thread over at the spyderco sub forum that talked about the taiwan factories, and Sal Glesser pointed out something that really made sense to me and puts things in perspective. He talked about looking at knives like music, we dont really take into account country of origin with music. If the musician is good at making music, it doesnt really matter where he/she came from if we like it. The same thing with knifemakers- either custom or production since they both kind of start at the same place- an idea in someone's head. Obviously, I would take into account music in a different language since I cannot understand it. But there are some artists that are popular in the states that are actually from Europe and lots of people dont even know it as they are bouncing down the road with the radio on.
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2009
- Messages
- 248
1. United States for both production and custom knives. Chris Reeve, Ken Onion, Mick Strider, Benchmade, RAT cutlery, Microtech, ect. ect. ect.
2. Japan for production and custom knives usually outsourced by American companies like Spyderco, Al Mar, Shun Cutlery,
3. Europe mostly for Boker and Fallkniven knives.
2. Japan for production and custom knives usually outsourced by American companies like Spyderco, Al Mar, Shun Cutlery,
3. Europe mostly for Boker and Fallkniven knives.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,955
No. I'm not sure they even use China. None of mine are marked anything but Taiwan. I have some older ones USA made.
As to the original question.
I'd say
Japan first overall
USA second although we were well on our way to number one I think but when Crucible went under I feel we lost a lot of momentum personally.
Swiss and German steel third
STR
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2002
- Messages
- 21,094
Nope.
The oldest ones were made in Japan and here in the US.
Currently they are made in either Japan or Taiwan, the higher end ones are made in Japan as in the SAN MAI III bladed knives.
They did have some made in China not too long ago, but it was changed for some reason.
So Now it's Japan And Taiwan.
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2007
- Messages
- 14,463
USA makes the best.
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2003
- Messages
- 5,283
As much as I dislike china on principle I tip my hat to their Japanese styled blades being produced for companies like Bugei trading co...its insane to see the sort of detail they are producing in bulk which rival actual japanese product.
For the most part though nothing, i repeat nothing on earth is better then a well made carbon steel bowie from the USA!!!
For the most part though nothing, i repeat nothing on earth is better then a well made carbon steel bowie from the USA!!!
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2008
- Messages
- 660
Exactly what I was thinking! :thumbup:
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2003
- Messages
- 1,592
Excellent post - :thumbup:
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2010
- Messages
- 10,844
What about my fellow mall ninjas? where would we be without "tacticool" knives? and our cousins the armchair commandoes, what then would they use in their covert deanimation operations? :foot:
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2009
- Messages
- 2,907
if I'd buy woodwork /bushcraft knife, I'd take puukko. From production line: Helle. Custom: I'd take from reknown puuko maker, like Veijo Käpylä, Mauno Keränen, Pentti Kaartinen who all make excellent Tommi Puukko's.
From Kitchen Cutlery and swords I'd go for Japan.
For Chopper's and Big utility knives: I'd go for the states.
Slipjoints: Sweitzerland or USA
Folder's: USA
IMHO: Some countires exceel other's in certain blades. You choose blade's usually by the work you make. Right tool for right job. However there are excellent makers all around world who makes excellent blades. This is just how I'd choose.
From Kitchen Cutlery and swords I'd go for Japan.
For Chopper's and Big utility knives: I'd go for the states.
Slipjoints: Sweitzerland or USA
Folder's: USA
IMHO: Some countires exceel other's in certain blades. You choose blade's usually by the work you make. Right tool for right job. However there are excellent makers all around world who makes excellent blades. This is just how I'd choose.