When it's not exactly Made in the USA - Hoback

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Since the news broke 3 weeks ago, it's been interesting to see how the market has reacted to the new " not made in the USA ' paradigm. It seems the bottom has yet to be seen. One distributor has some Hoback products at up to $125.00 under MAP, and they still don't seem to be able to move them out. How low do they have to go to find buyers?
 
johnny99 said:
Since the news broke 3 weeks ago, it's been interesting to see how the market has reacted to the new " not made in the USA ' paradigm. It seems the bottom has yet to be seen. One distributor has some Hoback products at up to $125.00 under MAP, and they still don't seem to be able to move them out. How low do they have to go to find buyers?
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Honestly, it's the Internet. It's a common mistake to believe that what WE know, everyone knows. There are probably buyers still out there for Hoback's knives who either have zero idea of this whole situation, who are saving up to buy themselves a new Husky or Sumo or whatever, and of course, there are a ton of people who simply don't care where their knives are made (Reddit is huge on that, incidentally), and are just waiting for these dealer sites to discount them a bit further before pulling the trigger. I'm 100% certain these China Jake specials are just like everything else We/Reate* make, in that functionally they're perfect, machine made knives. So, there are certainly still customers out there for them.




* Or one of the other big producing Chinese manufacturers
 
Since the news broke 3 weeks ago, it's been interesting to see how the market has reacted to the new " not made in the USA ' paradigm. It seems the bottom has yet to be seen. One distributor has some Hoback products at up to $125.00 under MAP, and they still don't seem to be able to move them out. How low do they have to go to find buyers?
Quiet said:
Honestly, it's the Internet. It's a common mistake to believe that what WE know, everyone knows. There are probably buyers still out there for Hoback's knives who either have zero idea of this whole situation, who are saving up to buy themselves a new Husky or Sumo or whatever, and of course, there are a ton of people who simply don't care where their knives are made (Reddit is huge on that, incidentally), and are just waiting for these dealer sites to discount them a bit further before pulling the trigger. I'm 100% certain these China Jake specials are just like everything else We/Reate* make, in that functionally they're perfect, machine made knives. So, there are certainly still customers out there for them.




* Or one of the other big producing Chinese manufacturers
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I'm sure Hoback knives still have a price where some will be happy to purchase one. Where the problem may lie is in the margins. Mr. Hoback charged a premium for his "USA" made knives. That makes me think the margins he offered his dealers was a bit slim. Slim margins are fine for a premium product in high demand, but are problem for a dealer stuck with a tainted brand that cannot be discounted enough to move without losing money.
 
Also, I should probably mention that my personal theory is that nothing will really come of this, and Hoback will just go on making knives, and will quietly phase out all the God and MURKA!!! insinuational marketing, and just be like "Yep, I'm Jake Hoback, and most of our knives are made by our trust partners in China" and life will go on. The guy probably won't even lower his prices. I mean, have you seen the latest James Brand Barnes knives? THOSE people are on some serious weapons grade drugs, asking $650 ($680!!!!!!!!! at BHQ! Whaaaaat!!) for a Chinese made flipper framelock with M390 blade. That's just an example. Plenty of other knives are running at or near Blowback money for knives made in China, so the precedent is set, unfortunately.

That said, I really hope somebody roasts China Jake at BLADE, that will be greatly entertaining.
 
You may be right, and Jake will continue to do what he does, but one can hope that his name will always carry a bit of infamy, His dealers will never forget, I hope their loses are minimal, and they seek renumeration through whatever channels available to them.
 
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Quiet said:
Honestly, it's the Internet. It's a common mistake to believe that what WE know, everyone knows. There are probably buyers still out there for Hoback's knives who either have zero idea of this whole situation, who are saving up to buy themselves a new Husky or Sumo or whatever, and of course, there are a ton of people who simply don't care where their knives are made (Reddit is huge on that, incidentally), and are just waiting for these dealer sites to discount them a bit further before pulling the trigger. I'm 100% certain these China Jake specials are just like everything else We/Reate* make, in that functionally they're perfect, machine made knives. So, there are certainly still customers out there for them.




* Or one of the other big producing Chinese manufacturers
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They may appreciate knives made from all over but even *they* should have a general thrust of the pricing situation. They might be willing to pay $300 (and that should be the high end) for a chinese mass produced Sumo or Summit but should hopefully balk at paying an outrageous $550 and $625.

One can only hope anyway :rolleyes:
 
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Quiet said:
Also, I should probably mention that my personal theory is that nothing will really come of this, and Hoback will just go on making knives, and will quietly phase out all the God and MURKA!!! insinuational marketing, and just be like "Yep, I'm Jake Hoback, and most of our knives are made by our trust partners in China" and life will go on. The guy probably won't even lower his prices. I mean, have you seen the latest James Brand Barnes knives? THOSE people are on some serious weapons grade drugs, asking $650 ($680!!!!!!!!! at BHQ! Whaaaaat!!) for a Chinese made flipper framelock with M390 blade. That's just an example. Plenty of other knives are running at or near Blowback money for knives made in China, so the precedent is set, unfortunately.

That said, I really hope somebody roasts China Jake at BLADE, that will be greatly entertaining.
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I'm willing to bet he STILL adorns his stuff with Biblical references as the guy is apparently completely shameless.

We know this from the bizarre and telling two-step dance he did when the truth finally came out. Should tell everybody all they need to know about this character.

I read that The James Brand deliberately overprices their products as they want to known as a "luxury" item and intend to market to a whole different crowd. One obviously unaware of competing values. They'll advertise in watch magazines,etc and hope to get that silly "SUPREME" -like aura happening.

You definitely don't want to whip one of those out among fellow enthusiasts... you'll be thinking "do I hear snickering going on"? ;-)
 
Studio_One said:
They may appreciate knives made from all over but even *they* should have a general thrust of the pricing situation. They might be willing to pay $300 (and that should be the high end) for a chinese mass produced Sumo or Summit but should hopefully balk at paying an outrageous $500 and $625 respectfully.

One can only hope anyway :rolleyes:
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My thoughts exactly as a duped Sumo owner.
 
Studio_One said:
I'm willing to bet he STILL adorns his stuff with Biblical references as the guy is apparently completely shameless.

We know this from the bizarre and telling two-step dance he did when the truth finally came out. Should tell everybody all they need to know about this character.

I read that The James Brand deliberately overprices their products as they want to known as a "luxury" item and intend to market to a whole different crowd. One obviously unaware of competing values. They'll advertise in watch magazines,etc and hope to get that silly "SUPREME" -like aura happening.

You definitely don't want to whip one of those out among fellow enthusiasts... you'll be thinking "do I hear snickering going on"? ;-)
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Look up the term Veblen goods. Things that are desirable because they are expensive and for no other reason.
 
Quiet said:
THOSE people are on some serious weapons grade drugs, asking $650 ($680!!!!!!!!! at BHQ! Whaaaaat!!) for a Chinese made flipper framelock with M390 blade.
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I agree! I understand it’s integral, but it is priced as if they brought watch makers from Switzerland to make it in China. Also, it’s a brand that sells $60 knives. It’s not like a specialized high end “luxury” or custom knife maker.
 
Dimashkieh said:
I agree! I understand it’s integral, but it is priced as if they brought watch makers from Switzerland to make it in China. Also, it’s a brand that sells $60 knives. It’s not like a specialized high end “luxury” or custom knife maker.
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I think I just saw one of these in the Exchange. Looked like a neat knife, then I saw the $700+ price. No. That’s a hard no. People lost their minds with Benchmade’s Anthem that was an integral Ti frame made in the US for $450.

To tie this back to Hoback, I love my Sumo. I really like the design and it’s well made. I just don’t like the price I paid given the country of origin. But maybe that’s the direction this stuff is going. If it is I won’t be a buyer. I don’t care if it was made with metal mined on an asteroid and blade steel quenched in unicorn tears. I’m not knowingly forking out CRK, Hinderer, etc. money for stuff made in China.
 
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