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Who makes the knives you buy?

Often we spend our hard earned money on
Knives that are made in other country's
Even though these knives may equal the value you
Expect , what is the greater good it delivers?
I struggle with American vs china made all the time.
Many buyers want a china price , many buyers are
Happy to pay more for USA made. My uncle Richard
Died fighting for our country as did many others some your
Family or friends .
Many members here today defended our country
And I thank you for that!
I try to sell American made goods , it's hard to compete
With import prices.
Thank you American knife makers,
Just thoughts that are often on my mind

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Comment by Howard P Reynolds on February 21, 2014 at 11:41: Another 90%+ U.S.A. guy here, Terry. That's the what. The who is all over the lot. I collect mostly W.R. Case; some Queen and GEC. My "work" or "woods" knives are all fixed blades made here, except for one, and each from a different manufacturer in different steels. Sure, I have some German kitchen cutlery, because Wustof was rated pretty high back in 1972. Well, I do have some Frost Cutlery Chinese knives for utility comparison to the U.S. fixed blades. After comparison tests, I tend to use the Frost knives as "toolbox" or abuse knives - the kind of stuff I would use an old sharpened file on, if I had a sharpened file. I shouldn't generalize, but I will anyway - I believe that for most of us knife users, an old throw-away sharpened file would be the best EDC knife we could carry. It costs nothing, except for the labor of grinding it down, if you have a bench grinder. It is relatively easily replaced, handles made from whatever scrap wood you have around, and you don't care how you abuse it. Relatively "soft" steel makes a file easy to sharpen.

Comment by David Selph on January 20, 2014 at 16:58: I served in the US Navy during the Vietnam era and wish everything that we want or need could be made right here in the USA and at a price all could afford. Unfortunately corporate greed has made that impossible. I tend to buy the knives I like and want. What I like happens to be made in the USA by those craftsman that are trying to make knives the way they once were. I also tend to not have as many knives as other collectors because knives that I like all seem to cost quite a bit and I do have some other interests that compete for my disposable income. So I have no problem with anyone buying a knife regardless of origin if it fits into their own personal collecting scheme. Buy what you want and don't worry about what others might think.

Comment by Randall Vaughn on January 8, 2014 at 20:45: Case is 95 percent of my knives and USA is99 percent I have a few that are Germany and china most of them were gifts I BUY USA all I can

Comment by Steve wells on January 6, 2014 at 12:05: I am a USA Knife collector---have 2 German knifes that were gifts---and Case is the main knife I collect.

My Family all the way back to my Grandfather has used and collected Case Knives and ALL the men has served in the Military-----USA ALL THE WAY

Comment by Ken Spielvogel on January 6, 2014 at 6:55: I think we have all struggled with those thoughts Terry, China is putting out some very nice and competitive knives, esp. Rough Rider. For a long while I didn't want a China knife in my collection, but I have changed a bit, and now have what catches my eye and what I like, and that includes some China knives.

Comment by Alexander Noot on January 6, 2014 at 3:32: If It's quality and I trust the company/person that makes it I don't care about where it's made. In my book it's all about WHO makes/made/has it made/sells it, not WHERE is it made.

Comment by Mike Bryant on January 5, 2014 at 19:02: Just my personal opinion on this Topic. I will purchase a Knife made in China, or other countries, IF I like the Pattern! I will not pay very much for the China knives. Usually Less than $20.00 each including Shipping. The Higher Grade knives from others countries Normally those in Stag, I will pay more the $20.00 but not as much as I do for American Cutlery. I do not pay the typical prices I see them advertised for on Ebay. I normally am only able to purchase through Ebay Auctions and can seldom afford Dealers prices. I only have a few non American made knives.

My father Fought the Germans in WWII but I will still purchase German knives.

I know from experience that being a Dealer is not easy Task. Most people are like Me they want to BUY CHEAP and SELL HIGH, Hats off to those that can make it selling.

In Memoriam Comment by Robert Burris on January 5, 2014 at 18:38: What about other countries? Germany, France, Italy the Netherlands and a whole lot more. I buy what I like and try to buy quality knives.

Comment by Graeme on January 5, 2014 at 18:24: This is always an interesting discussion for me, since I am Canadian. My personal philosophy is that I will buy the knives I like, but it will depend on the company that makes them. Spyderco for example, the knives that they have "made in" Taiwan. Well the parts/materials are very often American made and then assembled in Taiwan. I find that the Taiwanese knives are some of the best ever Spyderco knives so I will keep buying them without hesitation. I love GEC knives which are all USA produced, but I have been known to buy a few cheapo Kershaws etc now and again if I want something cheap and fun to play with. The Kershaw Chill is a pretty nice little knife by the way...just as an example.
Now, if there was a really good Canadian company making knives I would likely support them as long as they were making a product that I liked.

Featured Comment by Jeremy B. Buchanan on January 5, 2014 at 17:55: I try to buy American made knives myself. I won't tell you that I have never bought knives made in other countries. I am sure I will buy more, but for the most part, I will buy American made knives much more often.