American Made Blades
- Thread starter B1gGr33n
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Folks,
We'll have to post the entire roster of the American Bladesmith Society and the Knifemaker's Guild if we include custom knives. That's not where the OP was going. He's looking at mass-market factory knives.
BTW, most custom makers are using steel from outside the U.S. (ATS-34) on some of their knives so you'd exclude them as well if the major materials have to be American.
We'll have to post the entire roster of the American Bladesmith Society and the Knifemaker's Guild if we include custom knives. That's not where the OP was going. He's looking at mass-market factory knives.
BTW, most custom makers are using steel from outside the U.S. (ATS-34) on some of their knives so you'd exclude them as well if the major materials have to be American.
Deltaboy1984
Member
Boo hiss he is not taking orders.
OP
OP
B1gGr33n
Member
hso: Thank you for helping clear that up.
It's too bad that 100% American blades are a rarity. I can understand the desire for unique items and materials that just aren't available in the US, like exotic woods or some bone handles, though.
At least there's already a larger list than I'd expected to have. Kind of hard to get an idea for what's available when all that's available is at the local Wally or fleet supply stores.
It's too bad that 100% American blades are a rarity. I can understand the desire for unique items and materials that just aren't available in the US, like exotic woods or some bone handles, though.
At least there's already a larger list than I'd expected to have. Kind of hard to get an idea for what's available when all that's available is at the local Wally or fleet supply stores.
OP
OP
B1gGr33n
Member
The nearest Cabela's is 114 miles. Bass Pro isn't even in the state. Sportsman's Warehouse used to be about 1 1/2 hours, but that one closed last year. Now there's not even one in the state.
There's a couple small pawn shops that have neat items once in awhile, and there's a small hardware store that stocks a small collection of Buck and Ka-Bar. They'll order other stuff, but no cheaper than I can buy it myself online. A small gun dealer about 1/2 hour away used to have a decent selection of SOG, Microtech, and Benchmade. He's dropping those though and just focusing on firearms. Those are my options for dealers, to the best of my knowledge.
There's a couple small pawn shops that have neat items once in awhile, and there's a small hardware store that stocks a small collection of Buck and Ka-Bar. They'll order other stuff, but no cheaper than I can buy it myself online. A small gun dealer about 1/2 hour away used to have a decent selection of SOG, Microtech, and Benchmade. He's dropping those though and just focusing on firearms. Those are my options for dealers, to the best of my knowledge.
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mgregg85
Member
Did anyone mention Becker Knives yet? They are made by KA-BAR but its important to note that not all ka-bar knives are made in the USA but all the Becker knives are made in the states. It does get confusing though because they include a free "Remora" knife along with some of the bigger knives like the BK-9 and the "Remora" is made overseas but it isn't stamped with the Becker name.
They are great knives, high carbon steel and tough as hell.
They are great knives, high carbon steel and tough as hell.
Sounds like you're living in a quality knife desert.
Strykervet
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Nobody mentioned Randall? They make some of THE BEST knives in the USA! If I could only own one, it'd be a Randall for sure. Plus, those guys will custom make the knife how you want it... How cool is that?
They can have a wait time... But all quality makers that hand make stuff will.
They can have a wait time... But all quality makers that hand make stuff will.
OP
OP
B1gGr33n
Member
What about Al Mar? I see their office is in Tualatin, OR, but can't find any info on country of origin/manufacture.
JTW Jr.
Member
Judging by what the description says on their knives on their dealers websites: Made in Japan
Rail Driver
Member
He's not a "mainstream" knifemaker, but I just bought a Kiridashi from a forum member here, BRad704 and it's great. He also makes some nice looking folders.
Some Al Mar knives are done in the U.S., but most are made in Seki Japan.
ricebasher302
Member
TOPS knives. Also Grayman and Fehrman (not so mainstream). All three pride themselves heavily on their USA-made guarantee.
messerist
Member
My knives are "Made in America.".....actually, in my garage which is in America.
Which one EXCLUSIVELY make and use American blades?
Geber now has a bunch of China won't hold an edge knives, along with some other well known companies.
Cold Steel uses some blades made in other countries, but of good quality. imo
So it seems it is to the point that you can't go by the company name anymore, but you have to examine the stampings on the blade or specifically ask where the blade is from and the knife made.
I did not read the entire thread or replies but after reading a few wonder if any companies only make "made in America" knives?
Geber now has a bunch of China won't hold an edge knives, along with some other well known companies.
Cold Steel uses some blades made in other countries, but of good quality. imo
So it seems it is to the point that you can't go by the company name anymore, but you have to examine the stampings on the blade or specifically ask where the blade is from and the knife made.
I did not read the entire thread or replies but after reading a few wonder if any companies only make "made in America" knives?
JTW Jr.
Member
Everything Cold Steel is outside of the US and has been for many years.
Sam Cade
Member
Since 2007 anyway.
JTW Jr.
Member
Even those were made by Camillus which went of of Business in Feb 2007. Cold Steel never actually MADE knives , they are a marketing company.
Yep, not too many U.S. knife manufacturing companies around.
RKK in NC is U.S. only and makes knives for other companies. Ontario makes some for others. MT just makes all their own (I can't believe I forgot them).
It isn't fair to list custom makers since the discussion is of mass market manufacturers. As I said before, you'd have to list the entire membership of the The Knifemaker's Guild, American Bladesmith Society, the Professional Knifemaker's Association as well as scores of knifemakers/bladesmiths that aren't members of any national organization.
RKK in NC is U.S. only and makes knives for other companies. Ontario makes some for others. MT just makes all their own (I can't believe I forgot them).
It isn't fair to list custom makers since the discussion is of mass market manufacturers. As I said before, you'd have to list the entire membership of the The Knifemaker's Guild, American Bladesmith Society, the Professional Knifemaker's Association as well as scores of knifemakers/bladesmiths that aren't members of any national organization.
bubba in ca
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I try to buy American, but if something good comes up from another democratic country I don`t have any problems. All of my machetes are from Salvador, my Swiss army knife is from guess where, my favorite watermelon knife is from Soligen, my tools box knives are Ontario, etc.
We`ve really blown it by buying so much stuff from China.
We`ve really blown it by buying so much stuff from China.
Sam Cade
Member
You know that is Ontario, New York right? Still made in New York state mostly.
Does Ontario use American made blades? I know the knives are made/assembled in the US, but are all their blades American made?
If you look at their line of fixed blade knives, they have knives from $40 to well over $100.
I'm going to go to Ontario and Ka Bar's web sites and see what kind of blade info they list.
If you look at their line of fixed blade knives, they have knives from $40 to well over $100.
I'm going to go to Ontario and Ka Bar's web sites and see what kind of blade info they list.
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