MouSe-05
US Veteran
My Benchmade knife is a China blade, just FYI.
'Made in China"?
- Thread starter KyWstJoe
- Start date
My Benchmade knife is a China blade, just FYI.
TinyDee
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
just one, of many things to watch is the phrase "440 Stainless" never you might note will it say 440C, That is, in my opinion, the only 440 steel to have. Most of these places use 440B or A and not 440C.
I had a good look at my clothes and shoes. The only thing made in the USA is my shoes. They are SAS and made in Maine and San Antonio, Texas. They are expensive but I can't wear them out. Knives have been gifted to me by friends. Some are sorry and some are not. Buck knives (some models) are made in China. I don't buy them. Case is still made completely in the US I think. They sell for an arm and a leg as you may well know. I bought my grandson a Daisy BB gun. Made in the USA about three or four years ago. Now made in China. Radio Flyer wagons... made in China. Fellows, we have lost the trade war.
We need people in Congress to make it possible to compete with slave labor... it can't be done with out lowering wages etc. to the same standard as overseas. Justin cowboy boots... Made in China.
We need people in Congress to make it possible to compete with slave labor... it can't be done with out lowering wages etc. to the same standard as overseas. Justin cowboy boots... Made in China.
bk43
Member
Five years ago all S&W knives, the topic of this thread, were 440C. Many are to this day even though they use other steels, including 440A, 440B and AUS-6. I don't think anybody here would say S&W knives are high quality so there's clearly more to it than the type steel .
Here's the truth on the 440 family. The big difference is that as you go from 440A to 440C the carbon content goes up...that's it. It has nothing to do with quality. As carbon content goes up the max RC you can take the steel to and the edge holding ability goes up but rust resistance, ease of sharpening and toughness go down. BTW, toughness in a knife means resistant to chipping or cracking. Another way to look at it is the 440C is "brittle" compared to the others.
My personal preference for a forged blade is 440B like the Randall Made Knives shop uses. It's a nice balance between edge holding, sharpening, rust resistance and can be hardened to 58 - 59RC which is where I like 'em. Others will have different requirements and that's what makes the world go around. If the knife is made using the stock removal method I like ATS-34 and not the 440. BTW this is what the Randall shop uses for the stock removal knives it makes. In being honest about my preferences though, I have to admit that the skill of the maker has a lot more to do with the final quality of a knife than the steel used.
When a knife is mass produced, like the S&W knives we're discussing here, I frankly don't think it makes a damn bit of difference which steel they use. This applies to most production knives around today, some make a big deal out of the steel they use and it just doesn't mean squat.
Bob
Lefkiguy
Member
To hit price points, companies will switch to a cheaper labor market and make the products from cheaper materials. I started working for the Hoover company in 1980. I bought a Rolex GMT with my first paycheck for $800.00. The low price upright vacuum sold for $69.00. Today that same Rolex sells for $5400. Hoover upright vacuum still sells for $69.00. The vacuum in 1980 was made in North Canton Ohio, mainly aluminum and steel, current one is made mainly of plastic in China. That's how they can keep prices low
In 1990 Hoover started an assembly in Juarez, Mexico with a smaller plant in El Paso. They made all the parts in Ohio, shipped them to Juarez for assembly except for one part (the bag) shipped back over to El Paso where the bag was added (it was an "incomplete product" avoiding duties). I asked upper management why? "One worker costs us $15.00 an hour in Ohio, we pay $5.00 a day in Mexico, so 1 hour's work or 24 hour's work for the same $15.00."
In search of more money for their pockets, Hoover management agreed to be bought by a former Railroad, Chicago Pacific, which in turn was bought by Maytag. After 1 year, Maytag laid off 75% of the sales force. Maytag was in turn bought by Whirlpool, who started closing off the manufacturing buildings in North Canton and selling off the real estate while increasing manufacturing in China. The end result... in 2008 Whirlpool sold the Hoover name to a Chinese company.
I avoid buying China made products whenever I can, and that is certainly the more expensive way to go. I've only purchased 1 Chinese made weapon, a Norinco copy of the UZI, everything else is US or European manufacture. My knife, Wilson Tactical Model 2 in D2 steel.
In 1990 Hoover started an assembly in Juarez, Mexico with a smaller plant in El Paso. They made all the parts in Ohio, shipped them to Juarez for assembly except for one part (the bag) shipped back over to El Paso where the bag was added (it was an "incomplete product" avoiding duties). I asked upper management why? "One worker costs us $15.00 an hour in Ohio, we pay $5.00 a day in Mexico, so 1 hour's work or 24 hour's work for the same $15.00."
In search of more money for their pockets, Hoover management agreed to be bought by a former Railroad, Chicago Pacific, which in turn was bought by Maytag. After 1 year, Maytag laid off 75% of the sales force. Maytag was in turn bought by Whirlpool, who started closing off the manufacturing buildings in North Canton and selling off the real estate while increasing manufacturing in China. The end result... in 2008 Whirlpool sold the Hoover name to a Chinese company.
I avoid buying China made products whenever I can, and that is certainly the more expensive way to go. I've only purchased 1 Chinese made weapon, a Norinco copy of the UZI, everything else is US or European manufacture. My knife, Wilson Tactical Model 2 in D2 steel.
Model29Lover
US Veteran
I love CASE knives and Ford trucks. Ford is the last truly American made vehicle left in existence! Google Chevy vehicles and find out. Plus ever sense the government "buy-out" I want nothing to do with Chevy. Except 1967 Impala!!! When our money-market system got tied with the International community is when true capitalism failed. The competition for "like" goods can only be fair in the same country. How can we compete with someone who will make a shirt for a nickel? Their money is worth nothing compared to the American dollar!!
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