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A Pakistan suppliers point of view...didn't see that coming did you?

I was recently contacted by a supplier of Pakistan knives and steel. Now, Now...give this discussion a chance.

This supplier has been on iKC for a number of years. When he first contacted me it was with the hope that I would listen and have an open minded discussion with him. Because he is a member and has been very respectful not to overstep here at iKC with selling openly. I chose to listen. This was how the discussion started

The issue is that I want to directly market my knives in USA market, these have already been sold in large quantity but indirectly by my country men, both in retail and wholesale. But I am sick and tired by their behavior of exploiting the smooth running business contact by dishonesty in many ways.

Well, that intrigued me & I decided to be brutally honest. My reply was that you face 2 challenges. Poor steel reputation from the region and the working environment (as we know it). A few more emails passed regarding the environment of the workers. We came to understand that he himself is not a maker, but has many local makers producing for him. He interviews makers before he begins to accept their work and checks out their product. My next question? Do you employ kids? The answer, yes. It is a fact of the economic life in that region that children work within the family. Much the same as it was for us many, many moons ago. What did I find different enough to continue listening after that statement? He discusses with the family before hiring a young worker that he wants them them to get an education also.

So my next discussion with him focused solely on quality, not of the build but of the steel. I asked him to read a current discussion on here http://www.iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/does-anybody-want-this-.... I have been pretty brutally honest with my answers to him. I advised him to give a few of his knives to people that use them hard and have them reviewed. I also advised that he needed to be prepared for the response about the knives be that whatever it may be!

Lat me start by making this clear. I do not intend to sell Pakistan knives, nor will I allow soliciting on the site. As an international community I am curious.

So here is my question. If you knew a company stood behind their product, that you were dealing with the company owner. Would YOU be willing to buy a knife made in Pakistan?

Tags: Forum, Knife, Pakistan

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Comment by Jan Carter on July 20, 2014 at 19:50: some questions for Waqas

what is your website?

what steel do you use?

In Memoriam Comment by John McCain on July 20, 2014 at 19:47: Amen to that Jan- I was raised on a farm and started working at age 11-12- Taught me the value of a work ethic, inherited from my father who was the hardest working man I ever had the privilege to know-Disadvantages- None I can think of- Advantages-Knew more about farming and things that were sharp than people many years my senior- Knew how to drive a tractor or a truck at age 13- Drivers Ed was a breeze- Believe it or not, gave a lecture on cutworms ( a prevalant corn pest) to a group of farmers at age 15( based on experience and biology classes) -Imagine a smart, educated youth who has years of experience plus education entering the knifemaking field - The sky is the limit~~~~

Comment by J.J. Smith III on July 20, 2014 at 19:37: I'm reading this while we're up in the Amish country, Lancaster County, PA.
As we ride around the area we see children working with their families. I can stand behind Waqas' convictions that prescribe education.

Comment by Jan Carter on July 20, 2014 at 19:12: JJ,

That perception is the reason we are talking here. Some folks cant get past the country of origin, maybe they dont know there are good makers and perhaps they dont know about Waqas attitude about education for his countries children. A thought I would like to interject here.

What if one of those children is making knives and going to school. He grows up to be a metallurgist...and a knife maker...invents the next super steel. Just a thought

Comment by Jan Carter on July 20, 2014 at 18:59: Best info I know on that John is Tobias's list

http://apg2k.hegewisch.net/wow-6.html

Comment by J.J. Smith III on July 20, 2014 at 18:59: I believe that perception is also a problem. I don't get to too many knife shows. When I think of a Pakistani made knife, I automatically think on Jim Frost's "bowies". Not everyone likes a 15 inch bowie with exaggerated saw teeth on the spine.
Fing me a nice carving/whittling knife and it'll go home with me, regardless of where its made.

In Memoriam Comment by John McCain on July 20, 2014 at 18:43: Jan, true enough- But what is exactly a USA knife anymore??- Informed collectors may know, but there are few brands you can guarantee were not in part made overseas- Buck 110- USA- a Walmart Buck, nope- Schrade, Gerber, Winchester, and many, many others are now made or partially made overseas- You need a manual to decipher the world of USA knife manufacturers these days- I do a lot of knife research, and there is a ton of confusion, even among supposed informed collectors, as to dates and country of manufacture on USA knives- Do research on a Rigid knife and be prepared to have your head spin with all the conflicting information~~~

Comment by J.J. Smith III on July 20, 2014 at 18:42: I'd buy.
Like others have said, the quality and reputation of the maker/dealer weighs in heavily at this point.
That being said, in my younger accumulator days, I've bought a few marked Pakistan. Some have been bad, but some sharpened up nicely and held a good edge while carving my peach pits.

Comment by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on July 20, 2014 at 18:29: Just to clarify then...choosing to support your local economy isn't my issue in the least. I'm all for it! My issue is the folks who flat out think all foreign knives are substandard. :-) Sorry if there was any confusion...

Comment by Jan Carter on July 20, 2014 at 18:24: Manx,

I think part of the misconception is that some folks buy in the USA, not to say it is better, but to preserve jobs and an industry that had started to die. We lost MANY long, old companies and have been trying to support the industry here. With that said .......... so far what we have heard from most is

Good workmanship, good materials and solid business practices.