Chinese knife quality

[mikekoz]

I know this subject has come up before, but I have a few questions. I purchased a new Buck knife a week ago and just noticed that it was made in China. The knife seems to be very high quality as far as its feel, but is it as good as an American made knife if it is made with the same materials? Schrade seems to be a different story. The actual Schrade company folded a few years ago and another company is making them in China using the Schrade name. To me, that is NOT a Schrade knife! At least Buck is still in business, but is just making the knives overseas. Any opinions??

[muskrat man]

Just my .02 here. Buck is an American company, if they cannot afford to have thier knives made in the U.S.A, then they should not make them! It's pretty bad when an american company starts selling americans a knife made in china! I'm just glad they haven't moved 110 and 112 production over there, or have they!?

and as far as taylor schrade goes, they are the lowest of the low!

Rant off

[Hukk]

I believe those are still in Idaho, but don't quote me on that. If those go to China, I don't think I'll buy a buck again. I do have some customs that were made by Buck. I try to stay open minded but I have seen more and more Chinese knives that are being sold with German names. Some knives I've seen have Solingen Germany on them when they are COMPLETELY made in China and they just claim the blades were made in Germany and assembled in China, not so. Many have 440 on them but they are a low grade 440 A or B, or whatever, NOT 440C. DECEPTION is the name of the game and why not, China leads the world in software piracy, CD and DVD piracy, it's a multi BILLION dollar industry and the Chinese communist government does virtually nothing to stop it. So, why not counterfeit knives also. Have American companies build products in China, why not they have made it obvious that they want to be the world's economic power. Because of the capitalist powers that be, it's OK to lay off American workers and make huge profits using Chinese workers.
OH-OH, I got started again, excuse the RANT.

At first glance many Chinese knives look OK, they feel different to me. Tear them apart, use them in the field and they do not have a long lifespan. They tend to fall apart when used heavily. I see the Steel Warrior as a better made knife than most Chinese knives--BUT, I have not used them as I prefer to carry quality knives. Chinese knives are made for practicing file work and other custom work so you do not feel bad about screwing up a real knife. If it comes out OK you still have a Chinese knife, if not, I can throw it in the garbage and not feel bad.

[mikekoz]

I believe those are still in Idaho, but don't quote me on that. If those go to China, I don't think I'll buy a buck again. I do have some customs that were made by Buck. I try to stay open minded but I have seen more and more Chinese knives that are being sold with German names. Some knives I've seen have Solingen Germany on them when they are COMPLETELY made in China and they just claim the blades were made in Germany and assembled in China, not so. Many have 440 on them but they are a low grade 440 A or B, or whatever, NOT 440C. DECEPTION is the name of the game and why not, China leads the world in software piracy, CD and DVD piracy, it's a multi BILLION dollar industry and the Chinese communist government does virtually nothing to stop it. So, why not counterfeit knives also. Have American companies build products in China, why not they have made it obvious that they want to be the world's economic power. Because of the capitalist powers that be, it's OK to lay off American workers and make huge profits using Chinese workers.
OH-OH, I got started again, excuse the RANT.

At first glance many Chinese knives look OK, they feel different to me. Tear them apart, use them in the field and they do not have a long lifespan. They tend to fall apart when used heavily. I see the Steel Warrior as a better made knife than most Chinese knives--BUT, I have not used them as I prefer to carry quality knives. Chinese knives are made for practicing file work and other custom work so you do not feel bad about screwing up a real knife. If it comes out OK you still have a Chinese knife, if not, I can throw it in the garbage and not feel bad.

Thank you for your reply. I have another question for you, and for all readers. I came across another post where somebody said that the new knives made by Case were not as good as the old ones. Is this just because the old ones have sentimental value, or are the new knives really inferior? I am looking at buying two Case knives and was wondering if I should scan Ebay for some vintage ones. They are all not cheap so I expect a good quality knife either way! Thank all of you for your time!

[muskrat man]

well I might as well give my .02 about case while I'm at it.

In the past, case was a company that made a knife for the working man, a knife that was built to last, a knife that would take and hold an edge. They were built to be used-period.

As time goes on case continues to be in the collectors market. They do not make a using mans knife anymore. They have went to stainless steels, and thier selection of handle materials out number the competitions. They do not grind the blades as thin to take a keen edge, instead they leave them thicker and chiselier (is that a word?). They don't care about how well the knife is going to work anymore, all they can think about is what new type of handle materials they are going to introduce this year. Don't get me wrong, I still like case, they are grea t collector knives, but if you want a good user from the start, buy a pre 80's knife. I own a couple new cases, one being a copperlock that I am very fond of, but I had to change the entire blade geometry and thin the blade on a belt sander to get it to take an edge, because the blade's edge was twice as thick as it should have been. I still like case knives, they just aren't what they used to be IMHO. I still support them becuase they are one of the last companies to not sell out to China, and they are one of the oldest knife companies still in buisness. Hope this post dosen't get taken the wrong way, it's just how I feel.

P.S. Just wanted to add that thier quality control hasn't really declined much if any, just thier choice of materials and the geometry of the knife, fit and finish are great though.
PPS, so if you want a good user, get an oldie, if you just want to collect a pattern that has a variety of handle materials, the new cases are the ones for you(the case seahorse whittler being #1 on that list I think)

PPPS this is just my personal opinion on the matter, it is not meant to offend, disrupt or discourage anyone or anything in any way. Just wanted to make that clear.

[justold52]

mikekoz ; (" They are all not cheap so I expect a good quality knife either way!")
Then IMO go for Case that was made in the 90's or earlyer. Even Case knives seem to let down their standards some. I fell the last 3 or 4 years Case just are not of the old quality they were.
You said a lot when you said they are not cheap. I fell you do not want a cheep knife in your collection. We all looking for a quality knife at a low price not a CHEAP knife.

[justold52]

This puts a NEW meaning to CHEAP KNIVES ???

E bay Item number: 320065824299

Well its new to me

[CarlM]

Heh MM,
I have several knives that have the chiselier blades you spoke of.
What grit # sanding belt do you use to work them down?

[mikekoz]

mikekoz ; (" They are all not cheap so I expect a good quality knife either way!")
Then IMO go for Case that was made in the 90's or earlyer. Even Case knives seem to let down their standards some. I fell the last 3 or 4 years Case just are not of the old quality they were.
You said a lot when you said they are not cheap. I fell you do not want a cheep knife in your collection. We all looking for a quality knife at a low price not a CHEAP knife.

I do not mind having some cheaper knives in my collection. I saw a Rough Rider at a local flea market that I liked and may buy it this weekend. It looks nice at least! I can also appreciate a well made knife, and if I was rich, that would be all I would buy! I prefer the US made models either way, but they are getting harder to find. I think it is funny that a lot of these knives advertise with American icons like Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Civil War, etc, but are made in China. My wife and I went to Gettysburgh a few years ago and all of the souveniers we looked at while we were there were Chinese made. Not all things made in China are junk, but I think that is pretty sorry!

[muskrat man]

Heh MM,
I have several knives that have the chiselier blades you spoke of.
What grit # sanding belt do you use to work them down?

I start out with 50 or 60 grit then go down to 220 or 320 grit, then hand polish from there, and/or go to a scotch brite belt to leave a brushed finish

[CarlM]

I have 80, 120, 400, 600, and 800 grit belts. I might give it a try.
I have never heard of Scotch Brite belts. Are they finer than 800 grit?

I start out with 50 or 60 grit then go down to 220 or 320 grit, then hand polish from there, and/or go to a scotch brite belt to leave a brushed finish[/quote]

[muskrat man]

you can get them in different grits. They clean old blades up real well if you don't mind a brushed finish. Jantz sells them.

[orvet]

I haven't seen the Scotch Brite belts, but Jantz Supply sells a Satin Brite belt in 1 X 42. It isn't finer than 800 though. I would guess it is roughly equivelent to 500 grit. Both the belts & wheels seem to work differently than sandpaper.

I believe Jantz has Scorch Brite 6 & 8 inch wheels. I have both the wheel & the Satin Bright belts. I use both, but probably use the belt more.

If you get wet-or-dry sandpaper and use some oil on it, you can get a blade pretty well polished. I have wet-or-dry all the way up to 2000 grit. That does a pretty good job if you don't have a belt sander or buffer.

Let us know how it works,
Dale