I completely agree w/ the love for these better quality Chinese knives.
There are three schools of thought about them.
1) Thieving, lying, fishturds...
2) Who cares. They're not made in America.
3) Love em.
Every classic knife pattern was copied from someone else. Just a fact but an accepted fact. Modern knives are going to be no different in 50 years. People see an idea, and modify it to suit the markets demand, and that is the bottom line.
Now China made knives come in all grades just like American made knives. You can buy "gas station" knives, ebay knives, or mail order knives. It all comes down to how educated the consumer is, and what they expect, need, and accept.
I bought those gas station knives for most of my life. A few months ago I got a Gerber FAST draw, and that started my search for better knives. Ebay... I bought all the wrong things, AliBaba... I found Ganzo, and Sarenmu. I couldn't wait to shout it from the trees, and then I found all the hate... The reasons for hate sound real but it's not really a solid argument in most cases. It is based more on feelings than the reality of business, and global economy.
So I figure I would avoid the hate, and see what the nay sayers had to offer... 3-4-5-6-7-8-9 hundred dollars for a KNIFE???
3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 grand for a KNIFE??? WHAT???
I have found my niche in vintage knifes. Mint condition is great but I will accept less.
For new knives I buy the better Chinese brands like Rough Rider, Ganzo, and Sarenmu.
I bought a couple new Imperials thinking they were US made... Gerber... Spyderco... Camillus, all made in China, and not as well as the REAL Chinese brands.
I sure don't get everything but I get value for the dollar, and I understand selling something to someone for a fair price to see them happy.
A decent knife for 20 bucks? Yep! Is a $700.00 knife any better? I'll never know.
Ken Mc.
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!