1. Incorrect markings.Also, can someone tell me how I could identify this as real or fake? The markings on the ricasso and the slight gap? The sheath? The box?
It won't be via dhgate or similar platform, trust me.
It is tremendously popular among fakers. Tons of models were and are being faked. I have also noticed that, after GSM purchased Cold Steel, many more models became available at chinese platforms, even those that never been countereited before, like Broken Skull. Seems like GSM moved production to cheaper chinese factories, who immediately leaked everything they could get their hands on to the fakers. Sad but true.
They probably didn't "leak" the info, it maybe the "4th shift." The Chinese have zero honor when it comes to industry. The factory contracted to make your product will make your product and run counterfeit production lines right along side the legitimate one. It could be the exact same product, or a copy using inferior materials with lesser quality control. Everything China manufacturers was stolen from someone else and, because of this specialization, they have truly become experts in reverse engineering and can make extraordinary products if made to.
The Broken Skull was being counterfeited in China before the move to GSM, and the real ones have always been made in Taiwan. I can’t think of any Cold Steel models that have switched from Taiwan to China manufacturing since the move to GSM.
Yeah, right... I personally feel that this story is at least a rare case, but more of a complete disinformation initially made up by fake makers/sellers. Never seen a fake as good as original. Also, if you look for them on chinese platforms mentioned above, you'll see that same people make dozens of different brands. And yeah, if you ask them, they'll tell you anything they think might be appropriate to tell, appropriate profit-wise of course. I've been told by some of them that they are the original manufacturers of, for example, Extrema Ratio. When I pointed that ER are made in Italy, answer was "yes". Then I said "how can you be the manufacturer then, if you are in China?". They replied with "yes, we are manufacturers". You can get such nonsense from any of them.
I have never seen them before the said events, and I am monitoring such things for many years now.
Yes, that didn't happen, yet. But I bet that China line is now being made by different factory. It is a fact - many old CS models suddenly appeared there after the GSM purchase.
Out of curiosity, were these fake CS Tantos from a Seller in Japan? Or just the shipping proxy service?
These fake ones are listed in Japan on populair auction sites.
After the 2008 Akihabara knife incident, in a bit of a kneejerk reaction, the laws were amended to prohibit the sale and possession of daggers (double edged) and Tantos.
www.tokyoweekender.com
Yes it is far more complicated. Unfortunately the link you quoted is incorrect on many points. Rather common on English sites purporting to explain Knife Laws in Japan. The blade length of 15cm applies to Nihonto (Japanese swords). Traditional Tantos fall under this category of Nihonto They can be sold and posessed provided that an ownership permit is obtained, which must be carried with the sword/knife at all times.I think it's a bit more complicated than that. I see traditional tantos for sale everywhere. I can't imagine they all have a permit.
Cutting To The Chase – How Do Knife Laws Work In Japan? | Tokyo Weekender
With Japan updating its knife law recently, we take a look at the history of regulations of everything from katanas to pocket knives.
Where are you located?
I'm in The Netherlands. There are plenty of CS collectors here, and sometimes they sell them on our version of Craig's List so it is mostly a matter of patience. For example right now there is an old logo Spartan for €100.
I see. I can only wish you the best of luck, that they will ship your knife to you, and that it's authentic of course.