All About Pocket Knives

My collection objective has been to focus on knives Made in the USA. For me, it is nice to know a US company and likely Americans made the knife I am holding.

A lot of nifty looking knives come to my attention, yet I avoid them when they are made in China, the PRC. There are a lot of reasons for this stance, mainly being quality issues from many years ago, but also design theft and political issues of today. I also exclude any knife associated with the Nazis from being in my collection or even in my house no matter where it was made.

I noticed that some knives are made in Taiwan, the ROC. It seems the US has great relations with Taiwan, and Taiwan has been known for having quality manufacturing capabilities. Accordingly, a few knives made in Taiwan have made it into my collection.

I like to hear from others on their preferred origin of knives going into their collections, and whether there are any No Go knife origins.

What say you?

I’ll bite.

The only country of origin I avoid is Pakistan because I have yet to see anything but junk come out of there as far as knives are concerned. Nothing political. They just don’t make good knives.

Aside from that, if I like it and can afford it, it’s mine.

I prefer made in the USA, made in Italy, or made in Switzerland but I don’t limit my knife purchases to that.

Railsplitter wrote: ↑Sat Feb 28, 2026 5:43 pm
The only country of origin I avoid is Pakistan because I have yet to see anything but junk come out of there as far as knives are concerned. Nothing political. They just don’t make good knives.

I've found that Pakistani knives are like Chinese knives used to be. Most are "junk", but they do produce some nice looking, well-made knives. Probably more "show" than "go" and it's just a crap shoot buying them. If I know, or think, a knife I want is from Pakistan I won't buy it if it is not returnable.

Knives made in Pakistan had never even crossed my mind!

I suppose that knives of some sort are probably made in about every country on earth. A collection of knives based on country of origin would be interesting to see if sufficiently complete.

Jeepergeo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 2:17 am
I suppose that knives of some sort are probably made in about every country on earth. A collection of knives based on country of origin would be interesting to see if sufficiently complete.

I have put together a collection of folding knives from about 60 different countries around the world, though as geopolitical boundaries change, some of them are from a place that's a different country than the original marking, if that makes sense. I think there may be some from a few more countries out there, but I haven't found them yet.

beresman wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 11:44 pm

Jeepergeo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 2:17 am
I suppose that knives of some sort are probably made in about every country on earth. A collection of knives based on country of origin would be interesting to see if sufficiently complete.

I have put together a collection of folding knives from about 60 different countries around the world, though as geopolitical boundaries change, some of them are from a place that's a different country than the original marking, if that makes sense. I think there may be some from a few more countries out there, but I haven't found them yet.

Your collection would make an interesting post, seeing them identified by country and maker.
Treefarmer
.

My only Pakistan knife, a Colt .45 commemorative from SMKW. Why they chose Pakistan over China? I still draw the line on Chinese made knives at $100 and do not have many. I do have a few Taiwanese knives, fixed blades, and mostly Kabar or S.O.G.

I like to think that China stole US knife designs. But the sad truth is we gave them the designs. Parker, Frost, SMKW all willingly had US knife designs copied and recreated in China. SMKW even owns a factory there where a lot is manufactured.

Rookie wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 8:49 pm [...] SMKW even owns a factory there where a lot is manufactured.

Can you document SMKW ownership of a factory in China? I thought most factories in China are owned by the communist government and American businessmen contract product manufacture to them. SMKW does own the brand name Rough Ryder and owns or pays to use other brand names.

Writing on the original topic, offhand I don't recall any knives made in Taiwan. Perhaps that's because I have so little interest in modern one hand opening knives. I buy specific Chinese made knife lines but not the least expensive lines or Chinese made brands I'm not familiar with. Most but not all Rough Ryder fixed blades are made in Pakistan. I'll buy Rough Ryder fixed blades that were made in China but not ones made in Pakistan. I've seen too many junk made in Pakistan knives over the decades to want to risk my money ordering one. Seeing made in Taiwan on a tool or knife is preferable over made in China and a notch above made in India and perhaps on par with made in Italy or Spain. I prefer to see made in Germany. While made in USA is the best thing to see, Bear & Sons and older US Imperial knives are not as well made as Chinese made Rosecraft slip joint knives or the original Rough Ryder Reserve knife line. Country of origin does not guarantee either good or bad quality.

treefarmer wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 12:00 am

Your collection would make an interesting post, seeing them identified by country and maker.
Treefarmer
.

I just posted these knives in a separate post, if you want to check them out.

Here's two Taiwanese folders that were easy to put a finger on.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2026 1:17 am Here's two Taiwanese folders that were easy to put a finger on.

Decent looking knives, John.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2026 1:41 am

1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2026 1:17 am Here's two Taiwanese folders that were easy to put a finger on.

Decent looking knives, John.

Thanks, Ike. They're cheapies but the D2 blade holds a nice edge.

The only China made knives I own are Rough Ryder, and, overall I’m pleased with the quality. Never seen a knife made in Taiwan.

Modern Slip Joints wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 11:47 pm

Rookie wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 8:49 pm [...] SMKW even owns a factory there where a lot is manufactured.

Can you document SMKW ownership of a factory in China? I thought most factories in China are owned by the communist government and American businessmen contract product manufacture to them. SMKW does own the brand name Rough Ryder and owns or pays to use other brand names.

No, I don't have any direct knowledge of this. Just what I have heard various people and dealers in the knife community say at knife shows. Maybe it's just a rumor.