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So what's the big deal not buying American-made knives?
What's your view? Here's the situation-
We know the big push lately to "Buy American" but it seems it really only became an issue when our firms here begin to struggle to compete. And now our firms got hit with the one/two punch of our severe rescission, it's almost like someone is Un-American if anyone buys foreign-made knives.
Shouldn't knife buyers have choices and be able to buy what they want? Yes, some of the oldest knife companies in America's future may be on the line here, but shouldn't they be forced to remain competitive instead of our gov protecting them or there being a stigma created if someone wants to buy less expensive knives?
So what say you?
We know the big push lately to "Buy American" but it seems it really only became an issue when our firms here begin to struggle to compete. And now our firms got hit with the one/two punch of our severe rescission, it's almost like someone is Un-American if anyone buys foreign-made knives.
Shouldn't knife buyers have choices and be able to buy what they want? Yes, some of the oldest knife companies in America's future may be on the line here, but shouldn't they be forced to remain competitive instead of our gov protecting them or there being a stigma created if someone wants to buy less expensive knives?
So what say you?
Tags: commerce, debate, knife-companies, patriotism, tariffs
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Trent Rock on -
I buy based on price and value
I prefer knives made in the USA
But, if the price is right, I'll buy a knife no matter where it is made
Maybe I am going fishing and I forgot my fishin' knife
I only have $18.50 in my pocket
I stop off at Wal-Mart
They have a Buck 385 Toothpick (Made in China) for 17 bucks
Isn't that 17 bucks going to BUCK KNIVES based in Post Falls, ID?
I think they main argument against buying foreign knives is the false perception that "cheap labor from overseas" is the main reason for the decline of the manufacturing sector in America
and some feel like the wages that a Chinese factory worker is "not enough" and they are being expolited by working for 2 bucks an hour.....
but shouldn't they be forced to remain competitive instead of our gov protecting them or there being a stigma created if someone wants to buy less expensive knives?
I think it does force them to remain competetive
I don't tell other people what they should and should not buy
I leave it for them to decide
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Permalink Reply by David Hawkins on -
All other things being mostly equal, I will take some pride in using the "buy American" argument as the tie-breaker in deciding between knives. I say mostly equal because I am willing to pay slightly more for the American made knife if the quality is there. The reason for that is mostly due to warranty and customer service concerns.
I also feel some disappointment when the knife should be made in the US but is not. Case in point, Kershaw's OD-1 and OD-2 models. The OD-1 is made here in the US. Its smaller brother the OD-2 is made in China. I have to admit I felt some disappointment in the OD-2 due to its origin. Both knives are just fine however quality-wise but I like the OD-1 a little better knowing it was made here.
So I have a preference for made in the US, but it doesn't stop me from spending my money on quality items made elsewhere and I don't have a habit of bullying others into buying anything.
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Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on -
Trent makes a valid point. Buy a imported BUCK, cost is still going to BUCK.
There are American companies that can be competative and then there are those that can't.
If we want to keep jobs in America, the government needs to reverse some of its restrictive and counter-productive regulations on American businesses.
Besides, if I was to loose a $75.00 CASE I'd feel a heck of a lot worse that if I'd lost a $15.00 import. (and that's happened to more folks than me, I'd wager.)
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Permalink Reply by Cam on -
not being American i find it weird that people think anything not made in America is cheap crap because it is just not the case. There are plenty of high quality knives produced out of the U.S such as Muela of Spain.
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Permalink Reply by Scott King on -
I am going to buy what I like. All things equal, like David said, I'll go American. But, we are already WAY down the way of a one world economy now. All companies better get lean and mean to survive (unfortunately for the labor force and unions that means automation)...the playing field is different today.
The world countries' economies are so intertwined now. Plus, when China, for example, is one of the biggest buyers of US debt, so you think our gov. is going to slap them with tariffs and import fees to protect the tiny knife industry here?
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Permalink Reply by David Hawkins on
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Cameron,
Your absolutely accurate point about quality begs the question. Is there pressure or preference in other countries to buy knives (or other goods) made in that country over others? Do knife buyers in Spain feel any pressure or preference to buy Muela over other brands?
As Scott said, it is more of a global economy now, and the US is not the only country to feel economic pains. This makes me also wonder if the shape of the global economy is influencing the purchase of foreign vs. domestic knives in all countries, not just in the US?
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Permalink Reply by Craig T. (max) McGruder on
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Why is it un American to buy foreign,Lots of People like Belgium Brownings or knives from Solingen or Italy . Automobiles from Germany ,England ,Italy etc. I think Foreign means China or some other up and coming countries.Buy what you like you only have to answer to you in the end!
I mainly collect knives made in the U.S.A. but I own knives that weren't made here,though I'm not sure I think my sneakers weren't made here either!
It amounts to bragging rights,Harley vs Honda,Chevy vs. Ford , One mans trash is another mans treasure!
Uncle Sam needs to keep his nose out of it ,cause he's a day late and a dollar short!
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Permalink Reply by wildjim on -
I am American I work for my money. I buy the best value wholesale I can for my money.
My current purchases are Buck, Gerber, Winchester, Rough Rider, Sanrenmu, CRKT, Cold Steel, Chinese Night Defender (CTD Rough Use Knife), Tramontina, Anza, Mora and several other Scandinavian knives and Wetterlings Axes.
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Permalink Reply by Trent Rock on
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Great responses!!
I always like hearing how others feel on the matter.
And you guys are civil and calm and collected!!!
On some other knife forums I am on they get all bent outta shape about non-American knives
To be honest, I never really knew the CAUSES for the decline of the manufacturing sector in America until I started researching the issue
I would always hear people claiming foreign competetion was THE reason why Schrade,Camillus, etc shut down their factories
I agree it IS a FACTOR
But not THE main factor
If you want to blame anything for the decline of the manufacturing sector===>
Blame the ROBOTS!!..lol
Productivity has increased the last 30 years in the manf. sector
Meanwhile, the number of jobs have decreased
How could that be you ask?
It means that the one job/task at the John Deere factory that used to employ 5 workers===>
Is now done by ONE robot (or some other technological innovation)
Do a Google search on "decline of the U.S. manufacturing sector" if you want to learn more
The info is out there............................
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I probably won't be liked to much after this but I think Unions are responsible for it also .They condone and protect the lazy who won't pull their weight ,bunch of dead weight is all it becomes and the hard workers end up doing there jobs and wont speak up against their union brothers. So the job goes overseas. Everybody wants to get paid nobody wants to work !
one robot don't get high or drink on the job or have excuses why they're late.I don't care you were out all night ,have a hangover,your ol lady left you .you're getting paid to clean a toilet it should be the Best lookin toilet anyone has ever seen when you're done.PERIOD.In my job people are VERY PICKIE I'd like to see them on their job so I can be as pickie.
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Permalink Reply by wildjim on
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Unions are in business to make money from the worker in return they provide bargining for higher wages and safety. Our government should do this but they have so many policy loop holes its useless.
A common basic personnel statistic is that 20% of the workers do 80% of the work. There are people who take pride in their work or not in every workplace I've known. A wise manager knows this and can use everyone in an effective manner to create a quality product.
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Permalink Reply by Rob Burris on -
An American company putting their brand name on a chinese knife......Well I don't like it.....I just don't like it.
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