Ahhh, those crafty Chinese cutlers...

[The Tourist]

I found the following on my BRK opening page. Think of this as "the steal of the week." This is no joke--they are offering a five blade knife for 8.99 yankee. No joke, I saw the picture, I just cannot copy it for posting here.

Not all at once guys...

Rough Rider Mini Trapper.
Brand: Rough Rider


Item Number: RR1102
MSRP: $17.96
Your Price: $8.99

Rough Rider Mini Trapper. 3 1/2" closed five blade. 440 stainless blades. Amber jigged bone handles with nickel silver bolsters and inlay shield.

Weight: 0.35lbs
Country of Origin: China
Status: In Stock

[Iron Hoarder]

I believe they are attempting to use the old tactic of selling at less than cost to drive competition out of business at which point they will jack their prices up. Of course it's hard to compete against skilled workers that will work for $12.00 a month instead of starving to death.

[troyl2]

exactly iron hoarder

[troyl2]

heres a thought ,we have seen the chinese be caught selling jewelery to kids all over the world full of lead,when they were caught they changed to the next cheapest harmful metal cadmium,just as bad or worse but did it because they were trying to save a buck,tires without a gumwall,toothpaste full of ethylene glycol(antifreeze),fur hooded coats made from dogs baby formula that was killing there own, the list goes on and on what would you think if you found out in the future that the bone handles in your chinese knife were to costly to them so they found a more avalable cheaper source of bone say maybe human bone,just a thought any one think it couldnt happen

[Iron Hoarder]

"Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it". I don't know who to attribute that quote to but as has been proven many times in the past humans are capable of anything when it comes to power or money. Our power to create is matched only by the monstrosity of our nature which leads us to destroy. Take a look at the toxic lake of sludge in China from the manufacture of rare earth magnets so the rest of the world can have green energy from wind turbines. So the short answer is yes. Anything to save a buck and achieve world dominance.

[Knife Nut]

I think I'll pass........don't own, nor will I ever own a chinese made knife.

Paul

[The Tourist]

Oh, I agree with much of what you have said.

However, I did get an e-mail about two years ago from my inside sales gal at BRK stating that prices on certain knives were going to go up dramatically. Her view has been correct.

China bought up every stick of Japanese steel they could--as much as +30% if not more. This wasn't Pakistani pot metal, but modern alloys. Think Hitachi.

The knife I mentioned is obviously at the lower end of the gene pool. In fact, I intend to polish a few of the blades, hawk it at a auction for another charity idea I have. Many times a client wants a "second knife" to clean fish. The money will go to a good use.

Sometimes it's good to test cheap knives, too.

[tongueriver]

I think I'll pass........don't own, nor will I ever own a chinese made knife.

Paul

A couple of years ago I got so worked up about the great American giveaway to the Chinese, that my posting got a little "flam"boyant. The mod deleted a couple. I went off in a huff and then, after thinking about it awhile, in an ultimate ironic act, bought a whole box of RR's just to see what the deal was. Some were really nice and some weren't. I ended up sharpening the gunstock jacks and have them around the place for string, boxes, garden sticks and whatnot. The rest I put in a bowl, and if a guest starts coonfingering one I give it to him. When they are gone there will be no more; my curiosity is satisfied. It is not the quality that is the issue. It is the politics. I MUST buy Chinese if I am to have many everyday items, but I do not have to buy knives, and I won't, not anymore, not ever.