More junk being peddled

[hso]

These are prime examples of knife like objects from Pakistan all over the market from cheap to chump prices. Those of us that see them over and over can spot them from across a gunshow floor (or on the internet).



Weatherham Estate Treasures seems to be selling nothing but this junk.

 

[Spats McGee]

So, for my own education, if I saw these at a gun show, how would I know they're junk?

 

[hso]

how would I know they're junk?

Your first sign would be the low prices and the large number of similar knives. Pattern welded steel, "damasccus", used for quality knives isn't cheap and isn't that common. Any blade that looks like it may be "damascus" that is anywhere below or near $100 is "too good to be true".

Second, you'll find the same "damascus" knives on ebay and etsy and various internet sellers. You won't see them on reputable large seller sites like BHQ, KnifeCenter, etc. If these weren't junk these reputable sellers would be competing for your dollars. Instead, they have reputations to protect.

They have a very obvious "look". At least to me. Those that aren't telling to the eye can simply be tested on a fingernail, a wooden pencil, or a bit of paper.

 

[JShirley]

Junk pattern welded knives also tend to be very vague about their steel. A good, quality knife maker will proudly tell you that his pattern is from 15N20 and 1080, for instance. If he hasn't made the pattern weld himself, a good maker will tell you what reputable source it's come from.

 

[RA40]

I recall when I first came across their steel bars and they were very cheap, a 1095/Ni in 3/16"x1"x12" was $25. One of the knife supply dealers at the Las Vegas Classic was selling them. I used this damascus for bolsters.

These current finished knives look nice in pictures but in hand the fit is fairly sloppy, gaps, uneven, coarse sanding marks, etc. The way they etch the damascus it is spotty making me think they had some heat or contamination issues during the forging process. That aside if they did take the time to fit them well, they could be presentable. Performance wise...

I had a knock off of a Buck 110 from India...it was horrible. "Surgical stainless", enough said there.

 

[dh1633pm]

The cheap knives you see at gun shows are just that and will hurt you. RA40 has it covered quite well on how to tell. Jshirley also has excellent advice.

 

[OneFreeTexan]

Well, they are pretty knives, if. You don’t intend to cut anything,

 

[hso]

they are pretty knives, if

You don't see them in person.


I see them set out at local gun shows just a couple of rows from my table. Cheap junk tarted up for the unwitting.

 

[OneFreeTexan]

Cheap junk tarted up for the unwittin

.

Isn’t that. What life is about?

 

[hso]

.

Isn’t that. What life is about?

I hope not.

 

[DT Guy]

"When do you use a cheap knife? When you're wearing your cheap fingers."


Larry

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Your first sign would be the low prices and the large number of similar knives. Pattern welded steel, "damasccus", used for quality knives isn't cheap and isn't that common. Any blade that looks like it may be "damascus" that is anywhere below or near $100 is "too good to be true".

Second, you'll find the same "damascus" knives on ebay and etsy and various internet sellers. You won't see them on reputable large seller sites like BHQ, KnifeCenter, etc. If these weren't junk these reputable sellers would be competing for your dollars. Instead, they have reputations to protect.

They have a very obvious "look". At least to me. Those that aren't telling to the eye can simply be tested on a fingernail, a wooden pencil, or a bit of paper.

I’ve watched that first video before. Pretty funny.

My brother gave me several pos knives made of Pakistani pot metal. They got thrown in my tool box to be used for dirty jobs and thrown away afterwards.

 

[Speedo66]

"When do you use a cheap knife? When you're wearing your cheap fingers."


Larry

That reminds me of when I first started riding motorcycles almost 60 years ago. I asked an experienced friend about cheap motorcycle helmets.

His response was "you got a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet".

 

[FL-NC]

Those junky knives have their uses. When you keep one in the drawer of the coffee table to open your mail or a can of Copenhagen while sitting on the couch, or on the tool cart in the garage to do things that you would never use a good knife for.

 

[RA40]

Reminds me: One of the knife dealers from the 90's had taken in a well used RW Loveless Lawndale hunter on a upgrade-trade. The tip had been broken off and re-profiled by Bob, the handle looked like it had been dragged across the pavement as well, it was pretty beat.

The dealer told me that knife was owned by a doctor who was pretty active outdoors. He used all the knives he bought so I was taken back when he told me who's knives were bought. Imagine using a Michael Walker zipper blade liner lock with Patricia's engraving, Bill Moran, Ernest Emerson early liner locks, etc. This user mainly bought Loveless though. He didn't believe in eye candy so they would get used. The other crazy things was a doctor that would risk hand injury with such activities like wrenching his own cars along with hunting-shooting. Glad he was enjoying his toys.