All About Pocket Knives

Baykeeper wrote:It is far more complicated than just us sending money to China. Most of those brand names are owned by US investors who employ US citizens to then sell the knives. Some of the money pays for manufacturing in China yes, but a good portion of the end money comes back to the US brand owners. Never forget that the move to offshore manufacturing was precipitated in the first place by US industrialists looking to increase their bottom line. China didn't steal those manufacturing jobs from us, we, (US industrialists), simply handed it to them on a silver platter, job security for fellow US citizens be damned. Leave it to the big wigs to screw the US worker to increase their profit margin.
I occasionally buy a Chinese knife when I need a sacrificial lamb that I can use and abuse, or to give as a gift to someone who could care less whether it's a good knife, but ALL my personal EDC's are US-made.

melek wrote:My limited experience with Chinese-made knives is that the quality varies from knife to knife, leading me to believe that the primary problem is a lack of worker pride.

Think about it. If you buy a knife made in the U.S., Germany or Italy, the folks who made them take pride in their work. Or that's the feeling that I get from inspecting those knifes.

The fit and finish generally is much higher. In China, it seems that the goal is to meet the production quota and not to produce the highest quality product possible.

That might work well for DVD players and Canon cameras, but if you want high quality workmanship, you generally aren't going to get it from an assembly line in China. At least, not yet.

melek wrote:My limited experience with Chinese-made knives is that the quality varies from knife to knife, leading me to believe that the primary problem is a lack of worker pride.

Think about it. If you buy a knife made in the U.S., Germany or Italy, the folks who made them take pride in their work. Or that's the feeling that I get from inspecting those knifes.

The fit and finish generally is much higher. In China, it seems that the goal is to meet the production quota and not to produce the highest quality product possible.

That might work well for DVD players and Canon cameras, but if you want high quality workmanship, you generally aren't going to get it from an assembly line in China. At least, not yet.

TazmanTom18 wrote:IMO the general issue would be quality of blade steel and more importantly, heat treat. No matter what the steel is,or where it's made, if it's not tempered right...

Captain O wrote:I bought another Ganzo M707 as a gift for a friend of mine. She carries it as a "get off me" knife and isn't afraid to use it to free herself from an aggressor. If she uses it and it is locked up in a police evidence room, we'll get her another. She's happy with it. If she can quickly stab/slice her way out of a confrontation. it will have served its purpose.

It is cheap "life insurance".

FRJ wrote:Better yet, if the lady is convinced there are other options such as running from an attacker or avoiding potential
miscreants altogether she could enjoy dinner at home that night and sleep in her comfortable surroundings.

cudgee wrote:Good morning, hope everyone has a good week. Regarding RR knives, we have a very limited supply and access to traditional pocket knives over here in Australia, that is why i am so envious of you guys, when i look at some of the American websites and your retail outlets, i would be a kid in a toy shop over there.I was looking at RR knives for a while and reading about them on this forum, so bit the bullet and purchased 2. I must say i was very surprised at there Finish and Quality, both excellent. How long they hold up for only time will tell, but if they are used not for really heavy work i think they will last a long time. Like your car, if you service it and don't thrash the hell out it and generally look after it, they will serve you well. I also have a Buck canoe made in China, an excellent knife, and an A.G.Russell rancher made in China, a really well made knife that holds it's edge. I am waiting for a Marbles ram horn stockman just to see what it's quality is like. So in my limited experience Chinese made knives are of excellent quality and finish. As i said we have very limited access to pocket knives over here, and buying American or English made knives is prohibitive when it comes to cost, because of postage and then the conversion rate of the Australian dollar. I recently bought a case which cost me $120 Aus., compared to an RR, $30Aus. I also purchased an Idahone V ceramic sharpener, which is $40US, but cost me $95Aus. So i will purchase any knife that i like and have reviewed online if the cost is okay.

cudgee wrote:Thanks for that mate. You don't have to rub it in. Only joking. Buying knives over here can be difficult, we just do not have the retailers or the selection, especially in the state where i live.