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Many knife companies have ceased to manufacture their own "low end" knives domestically. These "less expensive introduction to the line" knives are now being made in other countries where labor and material is less. This trend appears to be worldwide. Does this signify a short term trend, in response to a down turned world economy, or will this be the future for all brand production knives?
Tags: Production, economy, end
Perhaps Buck felt their customers would respond better if they moved production back to the US and perhaps they thought most of their customers were from US. But to be honest, I'm not sure I buy either of those arguments I'm sure Buck customers are worldwide.
And they certainly could have had their own factory and their own quality control. But if I had to take a guess, the expense was simply not worth the return. Its not cheap to set all that up. It is cheap if you subcontract. Now the question is can they still provide "low end knives" for their good customers and to lure new, young customers while maintaining manufacturing at one US based plant. In fact will they continue to provide low end knives at all?
I would like to collect only and only USA manufactured knives, but! If I want to buy for example a Case Seahorse, ok in USA the cheapest cost ~90$. I can buy this knife, but! To get this knife to my country, I must pay for shipping + tax 22% for products which ordered from third countries (outside of European Union) and which costs more than 10EUR. That’s why I can buy only cheap china made knives in price till 30$, ok some cheapest Case or Hen & Rooster, Bulldog and some other manufacturer cheapest not in china made knives. I don’t know what must happen to change something. Maybe all collectors must be a members of special collectors club, which have special shipping company, who ship for free only for club members?
I dont know. Something must changes!
http://www.bearandsoncutlery.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Abou... it doesn't get more American this.
I've a few Bear .. from the damascus made for CASE back in their roots, to older "BEAR MGC ..USA..", to their current stamping.
!!! .. I am pleased, happy with, and proud of every one of them .. !!!
Reply by JW Smith & Sons Custom Knives: http://www.bearandsoncutlery.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Abou... it doesn't get more American this.
What's up w/ the collaboration between Case & Frost ????
My observations & conjectures ..
Frost owns the “rights” to Corelon ..
Frost mkts .. @ std pricing levels .. some select CASE models .. scaled w/ Corelon matl.
Frost mkts .. 8~10 $ range .. a twin to Case’s mini-copperlock .. critical dimensions = same.
I believe Case uses Corelon as scale matl.
??? .. Any Comments .. ???
US knife manufacturers china low ends offers in EU. Only the price isnt in $, but in EUR.
If I search a US knives in EU than US prices converts in EUR
90$ --> 90 EUR + shipping (cheaper than from USA).
I saw Buck china stockmans in UK e-store. Of course Rough Rider, Marbles, and other manufacturer low end knives.
If we talk about European knives (produces by EU company's) than there is a low end china, Pakistan, Indonesia, and other countrys manufactured knives.
Boker have two brands.
- Magnum by Boker
- Boker Plus
Both brand knives manufactured in China, Pakistan and other countries. Good example is my Trapper (Boker Plus new series) and Magnum Bonsai Sherie Stockman. Both knives are low end. Trapper is a little bit more expensive than Magnum, because Boker plus is more expensive brand. Magnum is cheapest brand. Many Laguiole knife manufacturers made knives in Pakistan and china (low end). We have a problems with US traditional knives. I serch now a cheapest ways to order my favorite knives here in EU. But I see only a low end for normal prices. Too bad :(
11 of 25 on this pattern red bone. Couldn't get the picture of the laser etch on the blade says "Bear Trap".
Brings up a good point though could this be an opportunity for custom makers to fill?
JW Smith & Sons Custom Knives said:
http://www.bearandsoncutlery.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Abou... it doesn't get more American this.
Chopper, I can recommend Bear &Sons knives if you go through the earlier posts here I posted a fair(not great) picture of one that I bought a few years ago. Some of the file work design was done by Josh Basham and it was meant to simulate a bear trap. Pretty clever design and they have since I understand come out with more colors. But I can report sharp blades and good snap and actually a nice little knife. Thanks for the input on Emerson I did not know that. I'll have to see if I can find the date they brought knife operations back to US. I wonder about the reason for doing it and also wonder if the decision by Buck(see Trent's earlier post) influenced them.
hopper said:
Emerson vame out with some lower end models a few years back that were not USA Made but he has stoped doing that and those same knives are made here now, Emerson is 100% USA Made. Not all American made knives are expensive, look at Bear And Sons, i've been meaning to pick one up, i hear there pretty good for the money.
That are a lot of reasons younger people are not going towards traditional knives.
1. Knives in general are not a needed tool as they once were. Disposable cutlery, EZ-open packaging, tougher laws, etc. In reality you could go for days, or more, today without "requiring" a knife. Most kids I meet have never heard of mumblety peg or chicken and knives are banned at most schools and their functions.
2. Collectors and lack of interest by general consumers are driving the companies to higher end boutique, i.e. expensive offerings. When I bought my first knife it was a Schrade cost $5.00 and was available at the hardware store. Where are kids now going to pick up their first knife, especially a traditional. $90 GEC...nah.
3. Collectors, manufacturers, clubs and pubs etc of traditional knives do not seem to have any interest in trying to capture the youth market at all. Kids don't want to here about the value and scarcity. They want the history and cool things you can do with it. Why not have whittling demos and contests for youths at show, hands on sharpening lessons, etc. The tactical market is winning big here, when has Case ever done spots on Spike TV like Cold Steel. Where is the product placement in TV and movies like tacticals on NCIS etc.
4. My nephew was reading the forums on my account one night with me. He said "They keep lecturing new guys. That's boring, not everyone is an idiot". I see his point. For kids it can be alienating and lose the fun factor, when the focus of the knife is the collect-ability and not the cool useful stuff you can do with it.
By the way Chris I meant to comment before but I think you are spot on. The low end knives when you could not afford something more expensive suited you. Gradually you became educated about what knives you liked and your interests in a sense matured. What causes me concern and the reason I posted this is because what if knife companies eliminated the "low end" and instead offered more expensive varieties. Where do the first time customers come from?
BTW I am old and feel like it everyday! lol
Chris Hillier said:
I am neither young nor old, although there are mornings that i certainly feel one way or the other. I only seriously started amassing knives, more expensive ones that is now that i am more financially settled. People may laugh that I dont have a particular brand i collect, i buy what appeals to me. When i started it was the cheaper versions that allowed me to own enough knives, that were cheap enough to use, that allowed me to formulate what works for me and what is hog wash (excuse the reference Hog). You get what you pay for, in most cases. I'm glad that the knife industry is such that it allowed me to make up MY mind. Now i can focus my money where my hand is, not buying flashy ad queens!
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