I was leafing through the new Magnum Sring/Summer 2007 catalog and low and behold I saw the Magnum MB172. For those of you who don't know this is not just a copy of Tim Britton's "Linville"; but, most of the parts were made in the same factory (in China) where Tim contracted the parts for his knife to be produced. The only real difference is the blade steel and quality of assembly. (I have examples of each)
Just a few days ago at the Blade Show I talked to him about this "rip off." his comment was that it is impossible to control what happens in these Asia factories and that it is too expensive to go through the legal process. Also, he told me that an additional company (Fury) was marketing the same knife. You might remember Fury for its multiple version of Kershaw knives (and others).
When I first saw this copy I contacted Boker and was told that they had purchased the design without knowledge that it had been "lifted" from Britton. Apparently, they don't care; hence, they continue to market it. This is not the first time that this has happened and, I'm sure it won't be the last. I have a whole box of rip-offs and orginals.
There is one humorous thing about this, one of the knives that I have that I'm sure is a copy and a fake (it has the original manufacturers name on it) is actually a better knife than the original. Try to guess who. (Hint: It has the name of a firearm manufacturer) The only give-away is the quality of the screwheads. I bought both knives from seemingly reputable sources. What it boils down to is honesty, a quality that seems to be absent in much of the world today.
Have any of the other forum members seen this with other knives? Inquiring minds want to know.
Jim
Knives, Rip-offs, and Fakes
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jlkitch
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- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:40 pm
- Location: Winterville GA
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Hukk
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- Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:04 am
I've seen a lot of fakes coming from Pakistan, especially Buck 110's and Case casp knives (Ole Smoky) and from China you are likely to find anything. It seems as if they believe International Trade Law doesn't apply to them. Also there is a company there now in Pakistan that makes low grade Damascus. Also they claim to make a high grade Damascus with steels that are not compatable using a secret process that produces a Rockwell C scale of 61, RIGHT! 
Another company on eBay is selling cheap Damascus blades from India. 
Firearm manufacturer, well offhand, I can think of Browning, Smith and Wesson, Winchestor, and lately I've seen some Colts and I did not think they were in the cutlery business. There are probably others, as long as it's an American or German name, you'll find it there, eventually.
Another company on eBay is selling cheap Damascus blades from India. Firearm manufacturer, well offhand, I can think of Browning, Smith and Wesson, Winchestor, and lately I've seen some Colts and I did not think they were in the cutlery business. There are probably others, as long as it's an American or German name, you'll find it there, eventually.
Hukk