"Chinese manufacturing" often carries a stigma among many knife enthusiasts, synonymous with cheap, low-quality knockoff knives. But is it time to reconsider prejudices against "Made in China" knives? Indeed, many knives manufactured in China are counterfeit products of inferior quality. Concerns about material authenticity, labor conditions, and ethical issues also deter knife users from including knives labeled with this notorious tag in their collections.
However, times are changing, and so is China's manufacturing industry. While knockoffs and low-quality fraudulent products will always exist, don't let these overshadow your perception of China's high-quality, high-performance knife industry. With improved ethical standards, advances in precision manufacturing processes, and the use of legitimate materials (including steels imported from the United States such as CPM S35VN, CPM 20CV, etc.), knives produced there have reached or even exceeded the standards of many American knife manufacturers. For brands like WE Knife Co., Reate Knives, Kizer Cutlery, "Made in China" has become a symbol of pride.
WE Knife Company (WE) was initially established in 2000, providing OEM services. The WE brand and its first product line were launched in 2016 with a mission to offer the highest quality knives and continuously introduce novel, innovative designs. To fulfill this vision, WE collaborates with many iconic designers in the knife industry, producing knives named after designers such as Ostap Hel, Ben Petersen, Ferrum Forge Knife Works, and more! Their company slogan is "Make Better," and their knives live up to it. Starting with models like the Eschaton designed by Practic and Elijah Isham, and continuing to bestsellers like Ben Peterson's Banter, WE has consistently delivered excellence. In 2018, to meet market demands, they established a new company named CIVIVI.
WE Knife Company and CIVIVI
The name CIVIVI catches the eye and may seem a bit perplexing at first, but don't worry! There's meaning behind it. In Chinese, "CI" and "VI" respectively represent "happiness" and "joy." So, CIVIVI signifies "happiness, joy, delight." Since its inception, CIVIVI's goal has been to offer you innovative, value-for-money products that bring a smile to your face every time you use them. The highly successful CIVIVI Elementum flipper knife and Baby Banter are prime examples of this. However, to stay ahead, you must improve your products; to improve your products, you must invest more; to invest more, you must manufacture more; to manufacture more, you must raise prices. As CIVIVI ascended to the higher end of the budget knife price range, they launched a new brand, SENCUT, to produce knives with the highest possible value for money.
These three brands offer different products within specific price ranges. But they all share a common trait: a focus on detail, outstanding craftsmanship, and excellent quality control. While some brands may use cheaper materials, their care for these materials is just as meticulous as it is for more expensive ones. Whether it's WE, CIVIVI, or SENCUT, you can trust that you're purchasing a durable, high-quality tool.
Kizer Knives
Established in 2013, Kizer is one of China's earliest prominent knife manufacturers. Challenging American quality standards, they've made their mark by producing pocket knives and fixed blades with unique designs and top-tier materials; many of which have been imported from the USA or Japan in the past and present. These knives stand in stark contrast to the ones associated with the "Made in China" label. Like WE Knife Company, Kizer collaborates with global knife designers to keep their products fresh. If you find their high-end products exceeding your budget range, Kizer Vanguard offers a more affordable line with some incredible options. For those seeking high-quality, distinctive knives from a company that's been doing it right for over a decade, Kizer is the right choice. Some models that helped shape Kizer into what it is today include the Begleiter, Feist, and various sizes of the Sheepdog.
Reate Knives
Reate Knives is a company that prioritizes quality and customer satisfaction above all else. Without a doubt, any knife manufactured by Reate is among the best, featuring the tightest tolerances in the industry, the finest materials, and unparalleled quality control. Reate manufactures knives under its own name, such as the Reate EXO, but also specializes in turning your designs into reality. Big brands like Chaves Ultramar, Pena X-Series, and The James Brand utilize their services, along with renowned designers like Jared Oeser. It's hard to find pocket knives better than those produced by Reate.
CJRB Knives
Artisan Cutlery truly embodies the "artisan" in its product lineup. Originating in 2018 as a small American company, it directly collaborates with manufacturing factories in Yangjiang, China. Since then, Artisan has expanded beyond being just another knife company. As its name suggests, Artisan Cutlery positions itself as an artistic expression platform in knife manufacturing. Here's a snippet from the "About Us" page on the company's website, artisancutlery.net: "We don't just make knives; we make knives for those who love their knives." They employ modern manufacturing techniques to produce knives of the highest possible quality, designed to speak to you. To cater to budget-conscious knife enthusiasts, Artisan introduced the budget-friendly brand CJRB. These knives prioritize detail just like Artisan's high-end knives but utilize more economical materials while still promising excellent performance. Artisan Cutlery caught our attention at one year's SHOT Show with their incredible Kinetic Tools, a fantastic blend of butterfly knives, multi-tools, and automatic knives. Additionally, Artisan's Arroyo and Biome models have also achieved great success!
Kansept Knives
You might have already guessed that the name "Kansept" is a clever play on the word "Concept." This name is fitting because Kansept Knives strives to achieve the best knife concepts by fulfilling OEM and ODM (Original Equipment Manufacturing and Original Design Manufacturing) orders and producing their own in-house models. Some of these models include Kansept's classics like the Foosa, Main Little Main Street, and the fan-favorite Korvid. The company's logo, a stylized UFO, embodies its core philosophy: soaring into the future. Every Kansept knife is manufactured using cutting-edge technology and streamlined processes, reducing costs without sacrificing quality. Setting itself apart from most brands, Kansept incorporates printed graphics on some of its knife blades, giving them fun holiday and pop culture themes. Like many Chinese knife manufacturers, Kansept is located in Yangjiang, the "City of Knives" in China. Leveraging its natural advantages and employing a team of experienced workers, you can trust that any knife bearing the Kansept name is a good knife.
Bestech Knives
Bestech Knives is a team of professional machinists, artists, and designers from around the world, all dedicated to bringing you the best knives. They utilize modern high-tech machinery to enhance production efficiency, consistently crafting outstanding pocket knives and fixed blades. The Texel is one of Bestech's more popular models, helping them become who they are today. In addition to knife manufacturing, Bestech also offers premium OEM services. Bestech is rapidly growing, and with growth comes progress. You can't go wrong with a Bestech knife, and chances are, you can afford one too.
QSP Knives
Before becoming QSP, the brand was solely involved in OEM and ODM manufacturing. Launched in 2017, QSP aimed to bring excellent pocket knives and fixed blades to the market at highly competitive prices without compromising quality. This ethos is encapsulated in the company's name: QSP stands for "Quality, Service, Price." QSP offers both budget-friendly and premium series knives to meet market demands while continuing its OEM and ODM manufacturing, utilizing some of the best knife-making machinery in the modern world. If you're looking for a fresh, high-quality knife without breaking the bank, QSP Knives might be what you're searching for. We recommend the Penguin and Parrot models, which have helped QSP establish itself in the market.
Petrified Fish
Petrified Fish is a new player in the market, offering tremendous value to establish itself. They may have an odd name, but they craft knives with high-performance materials and cutting-edge technology, producing blades that are nearly flawless at a reasonable price. Petrified Fish offers a variety of designs and several color options, ensuring you can find a knife that suits you. Their best-selling folding knives, such as the Beluga and Forward, exemplify their quality. Meanwhile, knives like the Victor showcase their innovation (it features a finger choil designed specifically for Spydie-flicking!). With this brand, you can add a high-end knife crafted from economical materials to your collection without breaking the bank.
In conclusion, it can be said that "Made in China" knives are not necessarily something to be concerned about. As always, make sure to purchase knives through official channels, from authorized dealers and trusted platforms, as well as directly from the brands themselves. You'll find that knives produced by the aforementioned companies are unmatched in quality and value. Without a doubt, knives from WE, Kizer, Reate, Artisan, Kansept, Bestech, QSP, Petrified Fish, or Kunwu are tools you can proudly carry, use, and trust to meet your cutting needs. "Made in China" may represent the past, but "Chinese Quality Manufacturing" represents the future.
The above is a list of excellent Chinese brands, listed in no particular order.