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United cutlery
- Thread starter okie 46
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2004
- Messages
- 24,719
And fantasy knives, like Gil Hibben's stuff. Wall hangers. Made to look pretty and shiny, but not to be used. A lot of their stuff isn't even sharpened. And the stuff that is isn't worth using.
The average person is not as picky, or as knowledgeable about knives as the average bladeforum member. Most people do not know the difference between a high quality blade that is made to be used, and a low quality one that only looks good to the untrained eye.
That being said, some United knives can be used, I have a few Hibben throwing knives and other full exposed tang knives that work just fine for me, but they are very low end when it comes to the steel they use and over all quallity. They do not hold an edge anywhere near as well as higher quality steels, and though some of them can be durrable, I wouldn't trust my life to any of them.
Home decor isn't what it used to be I guess. Indeed, not everyone is a knife knut or a steel junkie, and there are more disinterested people in steel than there are interested. If you tried to sell the average person a Spyderco Military for $130-$140 they'd look at you like you were insane for paying that much. They don't have the sickness
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2005
- Messages
- 2,714
United cutlery is not made china but twain at least that is what I have been told. If they went to china too then this is the first that I have heard of it. Some of there stuff is nothing but junk. Some stuff is really good. Is it just as good as the high end brands?? Hell no.
Cougar Allen
Buccaneer (ret.)
- Joined
- Oct 9, 1998
- Messages
- 76,338
United Cutlery went out of business a couple years ago. Another company is using the brand now.
As far as I know all the current production bearing that brand is made in China.
As far as I know all the current production bearing that brand is made in China.
From what I remember, United went out of business a few years back and BudK Co. bought the name. Prior to their closing United had just moved some of their production to a new, state of the art US plant, but that too closed up. I have a few Colt and Remington branded knives that were made there and marked "made in the USA"
Now under Budk, the entire line is imported and like most imports some of the United branded stuff is ok and some isn't . One of their flagship brands in folders is the Tailwind line, but I'd rather buy an entry level knife from a well known brand like Kershaw then spend $20.00 on a United knife. Although not a knife.... one of their Hawks is pretty well regarded by some.
Now under Budk, the entire line is imported and like most imports some of the United branded stuff is ok and some isn't . One of their flagship brands in folders is the Tailwind line, but I'd rather buy an entry level knife from a well known brand like Kershaw then spend $20.00 on a United knife. Although not a knife.... one of their Hawks is pretty well regarded by some.
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2009
- Messages
- 13,240
I had/have a set of the Gil Hibben competition throwing knives that I bought from AG Russell a while back, I recently killed two of them but that's was after (conservatively) hundreds of bad throws. I might evem buy another set. I'd be hesitant to spend any kind of money on their other stuff though, most of what I've seen has been :barf:
Older United stuff wasn't that bad if you knew what to look for. Camillus, Boker, Klaas, and Fox of Italy all did contract work for them at one time. Many other good brands also, but if you haven't been around long enough to know who made what, then stick with brands that get consistantly good reviews here on the forums. United's bad was and is, really bad.
- Joined
- May 15, 2011
- Messages
- 3
United Cutlery makes knives that are supposed to look cool. That is the priority. There are other companies that make stuff that is only supposed to look cool, that is even XXXXXXXX than United Cutlery stuff. If you see one of their things and think it looks cool and want to use it as a decoration, I say go for it. It's better made as far as decorations go than most other stuff I've seen for the same price (which is very cheap - you get what you pay for).
I'm sure the stuff wouldn't hold up to regular practical use, but at the very least it doesn't rattle when you shake it, and the detail in the artwork can be really pretty, like for example the Kit Rae designs. I've used some of their stuff to cook with - mostly just because it's funny to slice up a meatloaf or head of lettuce with what looks like something the XXXXXXX predator would have. And it works for that. But it's just in an entirely different category from what somebody looking for a real knife would be interested in.
Personally, I'd be into a knife that had a lot of exotic artistic detail that was also made out of decent steel and well built. That doesn't seem to exist. Not that there aren't attractive practical knives. But I want something that The Predator would ACTUALLY have. I guess what I'm looking for is kind of ridiculous. But then, I am a rather ridiculous human being.
I'm sure the stuff wouldn't hold up to regular practical use, but at the very least it doesn't rattle when you shake it, and the detail in the artwork can be really pretty, like for example the Kit Rae designs. I've used some of their stuff to cook with - mostly just because it's funny to slice up a meatloaf or head of lettuce with what looks like something the XXXXXXX predator would have. And it works for that. But it's just in an entirely different category from what somebody looking for a real knife would be interested in.
Personally, I'd be into a knife that had a lot of exotic artistic detail that was also made out of decent steel and well built. That doesn't seem to exist. Not that there aren't attractive practical knives. But I want something that The Predator would ACTUALLY have. I guess what I'm looking for is kind of ridiculous. But then, I am a rather ridiculous human being.
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