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Made in China!

I've read many discussions about your favorite USA made knives. I thought I'd take a shot at Favorite made in China knives.

Here is my top 10.

1) Rough Rider. For price and selection you just can't beat them. The 440 Razor sharp is pretty good for an EDC

2) Raging Bull. About the only place you can get them is from Garry Yokum, the guy who owns the TM. He has an eBAy store. You can find them by searching ZIX on ebay. Lots of pretty swirly plastic and built in the same factory as Rough Riders. Same 440 Stainless

3) Colt. Pretty good and a little better finish that a Rough Rider but it is the same steel for a higher price.

4) Boker Magnum. These are really some of the best I've come across. Limited variety however. Most often 440 or Titanium coated 440

5) Cattleman's Cutlery. I've really been surprised by the quality even if the steel is 3CR13

6) Marbles. Again similar in quality to Rough Riders seeing it is a an SMKW brand but the price is slightly higher. But they offer some unique patterns not made by others.

7) Ocoee River. Yep. It is Jim Frost TM but it is better than the FROST branded knives. Also uses 440 and they have some really nice shields Also 440 Steel. A little higher priced than Rough Riders

8) Steel Warrior. Other than those stupid Rockwell tested stickers, these knives are pretty decent. But a little over priced compared to Rough Riders.

9) U.S. Classic. The brand is now defunct and they got a bad rap because of their Salt Creek, Kentucky tang stamp but these are surprisingly good knives similar to the quality of a Rough Rider. Also uses 440 SS.

10) Schrade (Taylor Brands) I wish they were more upfront with the type of steel. 400 Series is a little sketchy if you ask me.

Brands I'd be hard pressed to recommend based on personal experience:

Sarge

Pride USA

SuperKnife

Frost (the actual ones marked Frost not any knife in Jim Frost family of brands)

Double Warrior (not the Frost Steel Warriors just the Frost "Double Warriors")

Any one else have a a few favorite made in China Brands or Made in Chinas you avoid like the plague. (China made knife haters need not reply unless they actually have a China made knife they would recommend to use or collect!)

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on June 28, 2014 at 13:47

That could be and that is too bad really. I mean check out that knife, twin shields, ringed bolsters, blade etch and titanium coating.

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Permalink Reply by Alexander Noot on June 30, 2014 at 3:09

I like a lot of knives that were made in china.

A lot of the Böker + line are China made and they're excellent pieces.

But my personal favourites are (offcourse) A.G. Russell's China made knives.

Some examples:

My Texas Ranger knives:

My Cowboy folder

My K12 Titanium and bone one hand knife in VG10 steel

A.G.'s knives have shown me that location is not what I should look for. Quality assurance is what makes or breaks a great knife.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on June 30, 2014 at 6:21

Alexander said:

"A.G.'s knives have shown me that location is not what I should look for. Quality assurance is what makes or breaks a great knife."

I agree 100%,.

I do, however, understand if a person refuses to buy for a strongly held belief. Just make it clear that this is the reason you refuse to buy instead of bashing the quality of the product based on politics. And also understand that many American livelihoods rely on products made in China. At the end of the day there are few generations of proud American who relied solely on products made entirely in America from American raw materials.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Terry Ray on June 30, 2014 at 8:49

Hmmmm yes good list Tobias

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Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on June 30, 2014 at 16:07

Its hard to beat a Rough Rider brand knife.

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Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on June 30, 2014 at 21:51

I actually have a couple of Benchmade's that were made in China. They are discontinued lines. it was the Ally folder and the Pika II

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Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on June 30, 2014 at 21:54

Here was the Ally folder with the HK brand, still a Benchmade. But this was made in Taiwan. And here was an HK Pika II with a Tanto blade.They are really good knives.

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Permalink Reply by Alexander Noot on July 1, 2014 at 2:37

I'll tell you what bothers me about the whole thing. though. People complaining about not wanting to support Chinese companies because then they'll be supporting the Chinese government.

It's just not true. There's good and even great people in China who're just trying to make their lives a little better through the manufacture of knives. The government doesn't really care about them. As long as they pay their taxes.

It's like saying "I won't buy american because then I'll be supporting Barack Obama" it's ignorant nonsense.

Tobias Gibson said:

Alexander said:

"A.G.'s knives have shown me that location is not what I should look for. Quality assurance is what makes or breaks a great knife."

I agree 100%,.

I do, however, understand if a person refuses to buy for a strongly held belief. Just make it clear that this is the reason you refuse to buy instead of bashing the quality of the product based on politics. And also understand that many American livelihoods rely on products made in China. At the end of the day there are few generations of proud American who relied solely on products made entirely in America from American raw materials.

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Permalink Reply by Alexander Noot on July 1, 2014 at 2:59

Nothing wrong with China made:

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on July 1, 2014 at 15:06

I bought this Gerber 22-01052 Stag Lockback a while back at a pawnshop new in box- Made in China but has excellent fit and finish- Been carrying it awhile as an EDC and not ashamed to pull it out in public LOL !!- I have zero qualms with this knife so far-Razor sharp and genuine stag handles-

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Permalink Reply by Michael D. on July 1, 2014 at 20:43

I think China made knives are pretty! My Kissing Crane - the handles fell off. Magnum - part of the cutting edge snapped off cutting rope. KaBar Dozier Pig-a-nator (or whatever it's called) - literally fell apart. Buck Bantam (USA made but parts made all over) - won't close properly anymore (too lazy to take it apart; threw it in the drawer). Oh, they're all dull as door knobs and won't take an edge.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on July 1, 2014 at 21:43

Wow Michael! You've had some pretty bad luck. What were you doing with the knives when they failed!

Michael D. said:

I think China made knives are pretty! My Kissing Crane - the handles fell off. Magnum - part of the cutting edge snapped off cutting rope. KaBar Dozier Pig-a-nator (or whatever it's called) - literally fell apart. Buck Bantam (USA made but parts made all over) - won't close properly anymore (too lazy to take it apart; threw it in the drawer). Oh, they're all dull as door knobs and won't take an edge.