Absolutely Unacceptable

[Bevo84]

I just bought some Chinese food that was made in America! Take that Jinping!

 

[Brownie0486]

Can't see why anyone would buy a cheap chinese made S&W knife......I wouldn't.

Most people look at steels as all the same. They're not interested in quality as much as price point. The channel that sells knives late at night on the tube is for the most part basically junk [ imo ] and yet they sell tens of thousands of those knives yearly to the general public.

Ask what steel their knife is made of, you get blank stares from 99% of them. They don't know, they don't care. What they're more concerned with is what they paid for it.

I no longer carry any of my custom made folders but instead carry a Spydie Enduro commercially made folder. Why? It has a superior steel component, it's a lock back [ no more liner locks as they can be problematic over time due to the angle of the lock to tang wearing ], its made with a handle material nearly impervious to solvents etc. That's the cheapest folder I own presently and it's still a little over $100.00.

There's lots of people who think a 100.00 folder is way over priced. However they aren't into knives, per se, and just want something clipped to their pocket that's cheap. And they get what they pay for, sometimes.

 

[RMFnLA]

FWIW, S&W knives are manufactured by Taylor Cutlery.

I wonder S&W sources the steel for their firearms.

 

[Bald1]

I’m afraid you will have to accept it. It is just the way it is… and it will never go back to the way it was.
If you wanted to buy American every time, that means all the mining would have to be done here all the manufacturing everything.
The reason we can post on this forum from our cell phones is because of the global economy… which involves everything that we do.
The market controls everything and we are generally way better off than we would be if we just didn’t follow the trends.
You could just buy American, but you would have way less because everything would be more expensive.
We are living better lifestyles today than we ever did, and that is purely because of technology and the global market.

I like the old stuff, but that is just me. My sentiment is with the OP, but that is just emotion.
Someday I see myself with a 1956 Chevy, and 1956, Gretsch 6120 and a 1956 five screw pre 29..

They do not make any of those things like they used to… but in fact, as a guitar player, I can tell you that the Gretsch is of today is way better built and more accurate than it was back in the 50s. The tolerance is, the quality control back, then was not what it is today at all..

Smith & Wesson seems to be the opposite by all accounts, but I wouldn’t know because I only get the old stuff.

You’re wrong…… we can post here because Al Gore invented the internet

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

FWIW, S&W knives are manufactured by Taylor Cutlery.

I wonder S&W sources the steel for their firearms.

Search Taylor cutlery........Most chinese.

 

[mreed911]

View attachment 900546So we're shopping the other day when this catches my eye. An American flag covered Smith & Wesson knife honoring America's Heroes. I grad one immediately. I flip the package over, as I always do, and am shocked to find a tiny little MADE IN CHINA under the bar code. Now, i'm new to the Forum, but not to Smith & Wesson. I have 20+ Smith revolvers and im proud to own them. This might be it though. Let's celebrate American heroes by sending our money to China. It was around $30. I put it back. If it was $50 and made in America, I would have bought 4 to hand out to people I consider American heroes. Absolutely unacceptable.

Welcome to the global economy.

 

[Arik]

Can't see why anyone would buy a cheap chinese made S&W knife......I wouldn't.

Most people look at steels as all the same. They're not interested in quality as much as price point. The channel that sells knives late at night on the tube is for the most part basically junk [ imo ] and yet they sell tens of thousands of those knives yearly to the general public.

Ask what steel their knife is made of, you get blank stares from 99% of them. They don't know, they don't care. What they're more concerned with is what they paid for it.

I no longer carry any of my custom made folders but instead carry a Spydie Enduro commercially made folder. Why? It has a superior steel component, it's a lock back [ no more liner locks as they can be problematic over time due to the angle of the lock to tang wearing ], its made with a handle material nearly impervious to solvents etc. That's the cheapest folder I own presently and it's still a little over $100.00.

There's lots of people who think a 100.00 folder is way over priced. However they aren't into knives, per se, and just want something clipped to their pocket that's cheap. And they get what they pay for, sometimes.

The intended use. Just like any other tool you buy. I carry a Gerber folding knife with a phillips and flathead screwdrivers. I used to need the screw drivers constantly and it was always a PITA to track one down the moment it was needed. And I occasionally needed the use of a sharp pointy thing. I happened to stumble across this Gerber and for about $30 it fit exactly what i need it for. I didnt look at where it was made and had no interest in the metal its made from. Its not used in such a way where that would matter. Now that I dont need those screw drivers daily the knife comes out every few moths when I remember to blow pocket lint off of it. For me, $50 or more to collect pocket lint, would be a waste of money. But, If I had needed the knife for a profession I would have bought something more purposeful.

 

[Omega-Man]

Not here to tell folks anything, just to say what we do at our house.

Some years ago, probably 10-15, read an article an economist wrote about trade deficits. His postion was that if every American houselhold (not individual) diverted $60.00 per month to American made goods from Chinese, the trade deficit would all but disappear. Obviously that number would have to be adjusted to today. He made his case well, and elaborated on how it would also affect our domestic economy.

So, when shopping, we always search for American made, failing that, goods produced in the Western Hemisphere. My logic there is that if folks in Honduras, Canada, Mexico.....fill in the blank, are working, they will stay home and not create us a whole new set of problems. Is it a cure - no, is it part of a solution - hope so. Regardless, trying to avoid being part of the problem as best we can.

The global economy is a reality, no question about that, we can only do what we can do.

 

[22hipower]

Non firearms S&W swag is not made in the USA. Hard to complete with pennies on the dollar wages and sometimes child labor. Our "representatives" did this to us.

Not to make an issue of it, but we largely did it to ourselves by demanding the lowest possible price from wherever it came. That's what made Wal-Mart and put thousands of small town stores out of business. But, we got lower prices. We should be careful what we ask for as sometimes we get it.

 

[Brownie0486]

The intended use. Just like any other tool you buy. I carry a Gerber folding knife with a phillips and flathead screwdrivers. I used to need the screw drivers constantly and it was always a PITA to track one down the moment it was needed. And I occasionally needed the use of a sharp pointy thing. I happened to stumble across this Gerber and for about $30 it fit exactly what i need it for. I didnt look at where it was made and had no interest in the metal its made from. Its not used in such a way where that would matter. Now that I dont need those screw drivers daily the knife comes out every few moths when I remember to blow pocket lint off of it. For me, $50 or more to collect pocket lint, would be a waste of money. But, If I had needed the knife for a profession I would have bought something more purposeful.

Gerber makes knife products in both Oregon USA and China. You may not care or even know what steel is used in that knife let alone the bits, but it will become apparent whether the steel used is of quality or junk as just like allen wrenches, the cheaply made ones get stripped when trying to remove a screw that's stubborn.

“Most premium Gerber products are made in the USA”, at their zero-waste facility in Oregon. “Entry-level and mid-range models are made in contract factories” located primarily in China. Gerber is owned by the Fiskar's group, a Finnish outdoors products company.

 

[oldmanmontgomery]

I also object to the U. S. flag being used as a marketing gimmick by a Chinese maker.

Chinese stuff in general seems okay, but this was over the line.

 

[Sarge9]

Feedback from friends who go to China for their products are asked for price point.
They visit the same factory that can provide : Good, Better, or Best.
I would never trust China made knife stated steel. IMO

other friends who have setup US factories over there say its hard to find any US made tools there
Add: funny my buddy sent like 25 pressure gauges over with the machine, they painted over everyone with thick black paint
also he got caught up in a bird flu quarantine on his 2nd or 3rd trip back, for like 2 wks ?

 

[thefresh2o]

I try very hard not to buy Chicom but sometimes it’s impossible to avoid as many American companies buy and resell made in China products and go to lengths to avoid advertising that fact.
I agree with the OP that it is best to purchase American made products whenever possible and avoid Chicom products at all costs.

"Chicom" Lol, China's a long way from communism these days. I think it's now more accurately described as party-state capitalism...

 

[Arik]

Gerber makes knife products in both Oregon USA and China. You may not care or even know what steel is used in that knife let alone the bits, but it will become apparent whether the steel used is of quality or junk as just like allen wrenches, the cheaply made ones get stripped when trying to remove a screw that's stubborn.

“Most premium Gerber products are made in the USA”, at their zero-waste facility in Oregon. “Entry-level and mid-range models are made in contract factories” located primarily in China. Gerber is owned by the Fiskar's group, a Finnish outdoors products company.

Yes I agree but thats my point. Its not used enough or in such a way as to be relevant. When I bought it I worked at a dealership. Always needed screwdrivers for license plates on/off and sometimes for quick random stuff like plastic clips. The knife came in handy to cut off the stupid ribbons and balloons dealers and auctions would tie on. Sometimes to remove a window sticker you needed something thin and sharp to start a corner. I have not worked there in a long time. I have used it 3 times in the last 5 years or so. Twice was to tighten a screw on my holster and once at a bbq to cut up some hotdogs. I cant even say I open cardboard boxes with it because I dont have an Amazon or any other online retail accounts. Now if I was working in a trade where that knife was used daily or even just constantly than I would buy accordingly.

FOUND IT. https://www.bladehq.com/item--Gerber-Obsidian-Folding-Clip-Knife--16708

A friend of mine is an airplane mechanic. He has his own shop and his tools are crazy expensive and there is a reason for it. I on the other hand have $2 Walmart screwdriver because once a decade I may remove a screw from something.

 

[Mister Heavyhand]

View attachment 900546So we're shopping the other day when this catches my eye. An American flag covered Smith & Wesson knife honoring America's Heroes. I grad one immediately. I flip the package over, as I always do, and am shocked to find a tiny little MADE IN CHINA under the bar code. Now, i'm new to the Forum, but not to Smith & Wesson. I have 20+ Smith revolvers and im proud to own them. This might be it though. Let's celebrate American heroes by sending our money to China. It was around $30. I put it back. If it was $50 and made in America, I would have bought 4 to hand out to people I consider American heroes. Absolutely unacceptable.

What no egg rolls and fried rice?

 

[roundels]

I don't even want to speculate on what our grandkids will be enduring in 20 years . . . . .

Neither did Richard Nixon half a century ago when he put the United States of America in bed with one of our two great enemies. No one remembers this today. As the saying goes, to rewrite history it must first be erased.

 

[biku324]

Iran certainly is enjoying our "...I trust him..." Chinese buddy President Xi:

"July 29 (Reuters) - Iran is expected to receive within weeks a first shipment out of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defence missile launchers, three sources familiar with the deal told Reuters, as it rebuilds its defences amid war with the United States.

The purchase, valued at $60-70 million, is one of Tehran's largest-known efforts to strengthen its short-range air ‌defences since the outbreak of its war with the U.S. and Israel, which exposed gaps in Iran's ability to protect military sites and strategic infrastructure." https://www.reuters.com/world/china...missile-systems-weeks-sources-say-2026-07-29/

 

[Brownie0486]

Not that one has to spend a great deal of money on a blade to have a superior steel in that knife. This is but one example of a superior steel blade being priced below it's punching capabilities.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SROLRDK

14.90 usd. Made of German carbon steel C100S. Tough as nails. Here's a demo of how strong and the edge retention capabilities of the Mora blade. One sits in the tank bag on the motorcycle, the other in a bug out bag

It's not about the price of a blade, it's about the steel used and proper heat treating of that carbon tool steel that makes a superior blade. But then, there's few people, relatively speaking, who know much about steels and heat treating to make a superior product.

 

[Arik]

Not that one has to spend a great deal of money on a blade to have a superior steel in that knife. This is but one example of a superior steel blade being priced below it's punching capabilities.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SROLRDK

14.90 usd. Made of German carbon steel C100S. Tough as nails. Here's a demo of how strong and the edge retention capabilities of the Mora blade. One sits in the tank bag on the motorcycle, the other in a bug out bag

It's not about the price of a blade, it's about the steel used and proper heat treating of that carbon tool steel that makes a superior blade. But then, there's few people, relatively speaking, who know much about steels and heat treating to make a superior product.

Got 2 of them

 

[Brownie0486]

Got 2 of them

Good to hear, they're stout rugged blades for a small price point. I don't mind spending less as long as the steel is right and heat treatment is optimal for that steel. For me, it's all about the steel and how it's heat treated. I won't buy 440 s/s in any of it's flavors [ 440a; 440b; 440c ] in any blade I purchase.

Very nice sir.

 

[Jakerin]

I have well over a dozen S&W knives. They're a great knife for the money. It doesn't matter where they were made, because Smith & Wesson receives the profit from the sale. They're an American company.

If you're that worried about it, take a look under the hood of your "American" car. You'll be hard pressed to find anything that was made, and / or assembled in this country.


View attachment 900834
View attachment 900835

Have you got one of these odd looking knives? I can shave with it.

 

[seasoldier85]

Iran certainly is enjoying our "...I trust him..." Chinese buddy President Xi:

That's almost as bad as palettes of cash...

 

[Brownie0486]

FWIW, S&W knives are manufactured by Taylor Cutlery.

I wonder S&W sources the steel for their firearms.

Normally from US steel suppliers for their bar stock

Forging Operations: Raw metal bars and stock are drop-forged or press-forged utilizing heavy industrial equipment like drop hammers (ranging from 1,600 to 5,000 pounds) directly at their Massachusetts facilities

S&W utilizes standard high-strength ordnance and stainless steel specifications, including 4140 chrome-moly steel and 410/416-series stainless steels for barrels, slides, and frames.

Following initial forging and rough machining, components undergo internal heat treatment to achieve the strict surface hardness and structural durability required for safe firearm operation in house

 

[biku324]

That's almost as bad as palettes of cash...

Pallets of cash don't drop F-15s.

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet shot down over southwestern Iran last month was probably struck by a Chinese-made shoulder-launched missile (MANPADS), a battlefield event that is rapidly evolving into a strategic indicator of how proliferating Chinese military technologies could increasingly challenge American airpower across multiple theaters of future conflict. https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/...shot-down-iran-air-warfare-china-us-airpower/

This while our Russian "...I trust him..." friend President Putin furnishes targeting info.

"Russia is providing Iran with information to target US forces in the Middle East, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing three officials familiar with the matter.

According to the report, Russia has been giving Iran the locations of US military assets since the outbreak of the war, including warships and aircraft." https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889095

 

[Model 15-4ever]

Looking at the state of the quality of some of the "parts" that get assembled into firearms in United States, by "American" manufacturers, I wondered how many are sourced from China.

Asking for a friend...

 

[seasoldier85]

Maybe not, but they sure do fund all sorts of naughty activity.

 

[Patriot Precision]

I have well over a dozen S&W knives. They're a great knife for the money. It doesn't matter where they were made, because Smith & Wesson receives the profit from the sale. They're an American company.

If you're that worried about it, take a look under the hood of your "American" car. You'll be hard pressed to find anything that was made, and / or assembled in this country.


View attachment 900834
View attachment 900835

If the knife sells retail for $30. The retailer is making $5. The distributor is making $3. The "American Company" makes $5 and $17 goes to China who has $0.67 in the whole thing. It absolutely matters. And, yes. There are a lot of foreign parts in everything, and its your mentality that make it that way. Stop buying Chinese garbage.

 

[Oldsalt66]

View attachment 900546So we're shopping the other day when this catches my eye. An American flag covered Smith & Wesson knife honoring America's Heroes. I grad one immediately. I flip the package over, as I always do, and am shocked to find a tiny little MADE IN CHINA under the bar code. Now, i'm new to the Forum, but not to Smith & Wesson. I have 20+ Smith revolvers and im proud to own them. This might be it though. Let's celebrate American heroes by sending our money to China. It was around $30. I put it back. If it was $50 and made in America, I would have bought 4 to hand out to people I consider American heroes. Absolutely unacceptable.

AMEN to that.

This Chinese made American Flag baloney is uneccessary as well as unacceptable; there's no reason for folks to fund the People's Liberation Army when buying an American Flag.

It's better not to fly a Flag at all.

 

[Dave Haynes]

Fearing China's Army is kind of silly. Their one child only deal wrecked that system and they are a bunch of spoiled brats. The Vietnamese defeated them twice in the 70s easily and the Indians made fools of them. China itself is apparently a showpiece wreck as poor construction of everything is turning into one disaster after another. When the Three Gorges Dam fails and it it will, China will be wrecked from one end to the other. I'd suggest watching "The China Show" on You Tube for a while. Two guys who lived there and tell the truth about that mess. China excels at making precision cranes and heavy machinery, guns when they want to, but most everything else is pretty much sub-par. Their sub-division houses start falling apart within 3 years and projects are built without flood control. They spell corruption with a capital C. Americans are now reading labels and this covers food and consumer products. Vietnam make high quality consumer products, they care, China doesn't. It is a classic example of a crime not seen never happened...

 

[biku324]

Fearing China's Army is kind of silly. Their one child only deal wrecked that system and they are a bunch of spoiled brats. The Vietnamese defeated them twice in the 70s easily and the Indians made fools of them. China itself is apparently a showpiece wreck as poor construction of everything is turning into one disaster after another. When the Three Gorges Dam fails and it it will, China will be wrecked from one end to the other. I'd suggest watching "The China Show" on You Tube for a while. Two guys who lived there and tell the truth about that mess. China excels at making precision cranes and heavy machinery, guns when they want to, but most everything else is pretty much sub-par. Their sub-division houses start falling apart within 3 years and projects are built without flood control. They spell corruption with a capital C. Americans are now reading labels and this covers food and consumer products. Vietnam make high quality consumer products, they care, China doesn't. It is a classic example of a crime not seen never happened...

Good luck with that.

GDP China 2025 - 19,498,039.39
GDP USA 2025 - 30,769,700.00

Next closest is Germany, at
5,050,922.93. Way down the list is Russia, at 2,561,310.17.

Economies are the real power behind militaries.


https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=CN&name_desc=false