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Imported vs. Global

I know iKC is international so I'm thinking this is the best place to try and get advice on this. As some of you know I have a website called A Pocket Guide to Knives. Within that is a Lexicon of knife terms. The site is geared toward the novice collector who may be intimidated to ask questions within some of the knife groups. (I think we've all been there!)

For me there is a difference between a globally produced knives and an imported knife. I've come up with two definitions and would like input.

Here are the definitions:

Imported:

I use the term imported to refer to a knife made in another country by a company owned and operated in that country and then sold in other countries. For Instance Victorinox is a Swiss owned knife company that makes knives in Switzerland and sells them world-wide. In the United States, if you buy a Victorinox knife at a store in the United States, you have bought an imported Swiss made knife. Using the same philosophy, if a person were to buy a Case knife sold in a store in Geneva Switzerland, they would be buying an imported American made knife. This is not the same as buying a "global" knife.

Global (Globals):

Normally global knives refers to knives distributed by American or European owned companies that have production taking place in China or Pakistan regardless of where the knife is being sold. Global production is primarily a political/ethical concern within the United States as many American knife companies moved production off shore to cut costs Examples are USA companies such as Taylor Brands, Frost, and SMKW which produce knives in China or Pakistan. See imported for a comparison.

Question that come to mind:

1. Is Global production an issue outside the USA?

2. Do people in the USA (other than me) see the difference between say a Finish company making a knife in Finland and American company producing a knife in China?

3. Are definitions and examples clear to the reader?

4. Is the definition for Global overtly biased? Do other countries such as Germany have issues with German knife companies out-sourcing production to Pakistan or China?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alexander Noot on October 27, 2012 at 12:46

Sorry Tobias for the confusion. No that wasn't aimed at you.

I know it's somewhat irrational but by now I've spent enough time reading dialogs on the internet that when someone types in all capslock letters it actually feels like they're yelling to me.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on October 27, 2012 at 15:07

LOL Alexander. I always think so also but many people just leave their caps lock on all the time. I work with some folks like that

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 28, 2012 at 15:02

Please let's focus on the topic and not "ALL CAPS." Regardless of it is patriotic/political passion or typing preference, All views should be welcome with the exception of personal attacks. America is in the midst of a very heated political season now and occasionally the passion of politics overflows into the passion of knife collecting. We need to remain civil and remember that even if the language of iKC is English, the stage is international.

My goal is to find the words to define a knife's manufacturing origin and to see if it is as important internationally asit is to some people in America. For some this is a vital aspect of the collecting hobby. For others it is a minor issue. For me it is just one more factoid in the knife i own or are looking to buy.

PS Don't forget there may have never been a Swiss Army Knife, if it wasn't for the patriotism of Karl Elsener! There is nothing wrong with being proud of your homeland.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on October 29, 2012 at 19:43

Tobias,

I agree

My point with the definitions is admittedly "American Centric". I was trying make it clear that not all imports should be labeled global. There are many quality knives being made in countries around the world and many of them surpass American made knives in quality and durability. Furthermore this isn't new.

Remember, until we had a viable knife industry here all were imported. Some of those older "imported" are highly collectible today. This has been a great conversation. I hope we hear from more of our international folks. I always suspected we put more weight on this than our peers in other countries.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 30, 2012 at 10:06

Jan I'm reminded of a book I was reading about the American knife industry in the 19th Century (1800s) and how it really was a knife importing business with a scant number of cutlers in the North East and few other scattered about. Most of our knives however were imported from Sheffield, England. Even during the War of 1812, Americans were still relying on English Made knives, often bought through other nations. During the American Civil War, Sheffield knife makers were busily turning out fighting knives for both the North and South. One day, they'd engrave knives with pro-Union slogans, and the next day, pro-Confederacy slogans.

It wasn't until Andrew Carnegie introduced Bessemer Steel production on large scale before America really had the ability to have a viable knife industry that could compete on a global scale.

Jan Carter said:

Tobias,

I agree

My point with the definitions is admittedly "American Centric". I was trying make it clear that not all imports should be labeled global. There are many quality knives being made in countries around the world and many of them surpass American made knives in quality and durability. Furthermore this isn't new.

Remember, until we had a viable knife industry here all were imported. Some of those older "imported" are highly collectible today. This has been a great conversation. I hope we hear from more of our international folks. I always suspected we put more weight on this than our peers in other countries.