I Was Wrong About WE Knives

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Jason Wolf

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Happy weekend, all!

For the longest time, I always got annoyed when people talked about WE Knives. I mean, who would spend over a hundred bucks on a Chinese product? I saw a sale over at BHQ and pulled the trigger (with the encouragement of some alcohol to be totally honest) on a WE 617.

I feel like this knife is the highest quality knife I own, and definitely not the most expensive. I love the contoured G10 handles and titanium hardware. Disclaimer for south paws- this knife is tip up only, right hand only carry so I can see where that would be an issue for some. If you're a tip down carrier, you may not be right in the head but that's my opinion! Other than that, talk about a smooth action, those ceramic ball bearings are like butter.

My only real cons is that I don't love the blade shape, that "harpoon" shape is a bit tacticool/mall ninja for me personally and the liner lock is a bit thin for such a meaty knife so I wouldn't call this hard use.

Politics aside, I love this knife and wish there were Stateside manufacturers making this quality in this price range- any suggestions that I'm not aware of are welcome because I'd rather keep my cash close to home!

That's all
Jason

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There isnt that price range in usa because we dont use slave labor. So products cost more here so that workers here can get paid decently with worker protections and not be forced to jump out windows.

im not against buying imported stuff dont get me wrong..im just saying that it you won't find things as cheap here for a reason.
 
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To echo Jason Wolf, WE (and Reate for that matter) employees are paid a fair wage and work in decent conditions.

They have way more machines and can produce in much higher volumes (at a faster rate) than most USA manufacturers, which is what I suspect allows them to reach that competitive price point. From what I've learned listening to machinists, cost of materials (and WE uses imported steel) isn't as big a factor as time - the longer it takes to produce a run of knives, the more expensive they will be.
 
I’ll admit that I went through a purchasing conundrum my first time buying a WE knife but I have now purchased three knives (synergy 2, 704, and MRF).
WE obviously has an price advantage over the US but I think there is more to WE than the lower cost. EVERY knife came to me perfect, and wrapped up in a padded pouch with all the little stickers and cleaning cloth. They seem to do that on every knife despite the cost.

More importantly, every knife came perfect. No blade play at all, smooth function, nice and sharp.

I used to be in the same place a lot of people here are when they look at the source, but let’s be real: most of us have iPhones and there are plenty of products around the house made there. Why should I pretend like a $230 knife is where I make a stand?
 
They are a communist country in a global trade war with many western countries for having the audacity to ask for an inquiry into the Covid19 global disaster.
I have bought products made in China in the past, never again.
They plagiarize whatever they can, do not recognize patents or royalties and steal whatever they want.
The Chinese Government is our enemy.
 
Danno4017 said:
They are a communist country in a global trade war with many western countries for having the audacity to ask for an inquiry into the Covid19 global disaster.
I have bought products made in China in the past, never again.
The Government there are the enemy.
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I’m sorry, but wouldn’t this be like Iran not buying knives from Benchmade because of what the US government does? How does WE have anything to do with Chinese governance?
 
I do not care what Iran does.
I care about what I do and I feel ok about not buying Chinese products that kills off the industry and manufacturing in my Country and shuts down our industry to become reliant on China.
Now if you are happy with the state of play and all of the products that China sells at Walmart and others to the detriment to the USA's economy and employment that is fine.
 
Danno4017 said:
I do not care what Iran does.
I care about what I do and I feel ok about not buying Chinese products that kills off the industry and manufacturing in my Country and shuts down our industry to become reliant on China.
Now if you are happy with the state of play and all of the products that China sells at Walmart and others to the detriment to the USA's economy and employment that is fine.
Click to expand...

I don’t get political about knives. WE makes great knives with excellent fit and finish. There are a lot of things about WE knives that American companies should take note of... like never letting a knife leave the factory with blade play and lock stick.
 
If you are happy with your new knife, then I am happy for you.

As a consumer, spend your money however you like.

I have heard a lot of good things about WE, Reate, Kizer, and even the budget brands CIVIVI, Bestech, Artisan, etc. I don't own any of those brands myself and I have no plans to buy them.

For those that want to avoid Chinese products, that is your right as well.
 
Jason Wolf said:
You're very confused about the company if you believe that. WE knives is an ethically run company, paying experienced craftsmen fair wages. Most other Chinese made knives are made in abysmal conditions, but WE is different from that majority.
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And precisely how do you know this to be true?
Have you actually talked or written to any of WE's craftsmen and/or other workers?
Have you flown to China and actually met the workers at WE?
Are these wages "fair" when compared to the wages of US craftsmen, or are they "fair" when compared to the wages of Chinese craftsmen?

I'm not saying you're wrong....but how do you know?
 
Lance Leon said:
To echo Jason Wolf, WE (and Reate for that matter) employees are paid a fair wage and work in decent conditions.

They have way more machines and can produce in much higher volumes (at a faster rate) than most USA manufacturers, which is what I suspect allows them to reach that competitive price point. From what I've learned listening to machinists, cost of materials (and WE uses imported steel) isn't as big a factor as time - the longer it takes to produce a run of knives, the more expensive they will be.
Click to expand...
Again, how exactly do you know this to be true?
Have you flown to China and toured their factory?

I'm not saying that you're wrong...but how do you know?
 
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