A Question To Those That Buy Cloned Knives

[@imchunkydory1765]

For me, honestly I don’t have as many moral qualms with it, I get why people do but to me I don’t thinks it’s harming manufacturers that much and it’s kinda the cost of doing business, like people who ask for a water cup at a restaurant and fill it with coke. But to spend $170 and not be able to have any pride in what you own is such a weird one to me, you always have the thought in the back of your mind that you’re a faker. There are so many fantastic non clones that you can buy for that price. Again I get that it’s certainly ethically wrong, but I feel like the bigger problem is you’re lying to yourself

[@edged_mindset]

This sums up exactly what took me almost 20 minutes to say in this video 😄

[@Obsidian-One]

Yea so true!

[@HeavyMetallHammer]

as time goes by clone knives are becoming soooooo good that in mist cases you get like 90% of the original design on a fraction of the price. i own several original and clone knives and to me are just tools. is gives the average consumer the opportunity to feel how the original one feels and is someone is a true knife collector would not even bother to get a clone so it does not affect the actual consumer market of the originals.

[@AnEDCFriend]

I own several fakes, and will say that you're on point. I am not interested in joining a group of people who are into knife culture online. I like knives, but I don't have to talk about them all the time. All of mine are Microtech clones, and it's not because they look like a Microtech, but they're just fun knives to handle. I will say that I do not like the fact that they seem to go to Great lengths to make their knives look like originals. I would be happier if they just made knives that looked like microtech, but didn't have all the boxes and markings and other things to make an unsuspecting person think that they are real. I don't think this answered all your questions, but I just wanted to throw this up real fast.

[@edged_mindset]

Thank you for your perspective

[@Boosted68firebird]

Another great upload! Only overseas piece I’d ever consider is a Lightening. $30 is my limit on any knife that’s not US made. Marfione customs only fall within my budget when they are discounted below MSRP by dealers or private parties wanting to move them. If those scenarios didn’t exist, I’d simply purchase a signature series or base model before ever considering a clone/copy. Some folks opt to purchase Kias/Hyundais without a second thought even though they exhibit terrible build quality. I believe those who purchase cloned knives simply just see a low price on something seemingly cool and pull the trigger without thinking twice.

[@sunypancr]

It's simple really, people who buy clones just want to show that they have expensive items while people who buy the real stuff want the craftsmanship and high quality materials. I could never buy a clone because it's an inferior product so why would I waste my money on that when I can save up and just buy the real one???

[@Zlorff]

I've got a clone SnG DGG and it makes that snick snick sound when I flick it open and it feels so good in my hand... I would love a real one but I just hate the greed in the secondary market and the game of chasing the drop to get one at the OEM. Also I like beating the shit out of my knife and not caring about ruining my investment. Think of it like costume jewelry you get the fun and function without the price... I'm against selling a fake as the real deal or claiming you own real when you don't but caveat emptor...

[@shiddyangler]

I’m not demonizing companies that sell $200-800 knives. I totally understand that there’s a market for it in the collector world. That being said, I own a Micro clone that I bought just for fun and to learn more about the functionality. I wanted to understand the appeal of an OTF knife, since I had no experience before with one, and a $30 knife off Ali seemed like a good introduction for me - especially since Micro was the most common brand I always saw. I don’t flaunt it around and try to act like I’m in the club, in fact, I have modified mine a lot to cover up logos and change the appearance of the scales because it would be embarrassing to be caught with one in front of someone who knows the knife. You’re a complete tool if you’re trying to resell clones as the real deal or trying to convince people you have a real one. But if you’re just getting one to have for fun or just out of curiosity, there’s no harm in that. At the end of the day it’s not affecting the real companies’ profit margins because they know the quality is unmatched and their real customers aren’t going to pick a Chinese clone over them if they’re a serious buyer.

[@edged_mindset]

Very good points! Thank you for the comment

[@zade8586]

so some big context here is that most chinese clones are not made with the us in mind, theyre sold in part to US shippers like Aliexpress but they are made for Chinese consumers that largely do not have good access to brand like Microtech/Shirogorov/hinderer. Thats a big distinction. China also operates on a different wavelength than the US when it comes to intellectual property rights and copyright law. Now as for why buy? The simple answer is economics, people like designs but realistically cant afford them, simple as that. For me its different. I have knives from $1500 to 20 bucks and I buy clones to test designs. I owned a Greenthorn F3 before I owned a Shiro F3, but I own one now. that clone ironically made Shiro a purchase. Many designs are so expensive that if you go all in you may end up not even liking it. Clones allow someone like me to test the waters of a design before going into the deep end. Clones are also many times just an excellent value. Greenthorn Shirogorovs in several cases are all but 90% of a real shiro for 1/10th the price or less. I can say that owning the clone and the F3. People who say its a world of a difference between high end clones and the real thing are coping. Im not a fan of it either per say, and especially not counterfeit markings, but sadly clones today are some of the best bang for your buck in the knife world.

[@douglasbrmn2]

Most people in our real day to day life have no idea there is a high end knife world. If I were to show any of my family something like a CT they’d have no idea the cost. If I showed them a cloned CT and said this is the knife from John Wick movies they be like, “that’s awesome”. So I think people who buy clones do it to show it off to friends and family and I also think many of them are young and aren’t in a place to buy the real deal at the time 🤷🏽‍♂️ Ill also say, we can’t really show off our knives anywhere anymore online that matters. I buy things for performance so I tend to frown on the knockoffs but I’ll buy a Kunwu, Reate or CRK, Shiro anytime and they’re all made in China but are built to perform were knockoffs are built as eye candy. In short I don’t like them, don’t buy them but I understand the appeal. I have several 1911’s that don’t say Colt and many Glocks that don’t say Glock so maybe I’m a pos after all 🤷🏽‍♂️ lol

[@edged_mindset]

Very good points

[@nebulaM16]

@@douglasbrmn2 If Shiro means Shirogorov then you are wrong, they are Russian not Chinese and they also cost to much. You buy originals for performance?Ok How many of them you really use? Or are they just “safe queens”? You have a misconception about clones, there are pice of shit ones and there are high quality ones. Believe it or not, The HQ clones are 1:1 in materials, design and craftsmanship to their original counterparts, Vespa and Hifinder for otf’s and Green Thorn for Shirogorov or other expensive frame look knives. I have a Shirogorov Lee Williams/Green Thorn Lee and it is on par with the original. I also have couple of Vespa and Hifinder HQ otf’s and they are…. There is no sense to explain, try it and you’ll see.. Even the warranty, from my experience is way better than “MicroFake”. It takes some time but they always come up with a solution, they explain how to fix it, they send you the parts, mostly free of charge and if you have to pay it’s always cheap, if you can’t fix it you send it back and they will fix it for you or replace it with new one (if you didn’t miss use the knife). They shouldn’t steal the Logos this I agree and I always look for sterile ones if they are available but other than that, I would would be broke by now or I would have 3-5 knives in my collection if I was going just for the originals.

[@michaelelliott330]

If clones didn't exist, some of us wouldn't have invested in the real deal....for me, I didn't want to invest in a real one, only to be disappointed, so I bought a blatant clone Ultratech. After carrying it for a year, and watching reviews like yours, or The Xring, I went all in and bought 6 different, legitimate Microtech otfs. And now that clone belongs to one of my kids to teach them about otf knives eg carry, care, maintenance etc. All that to say, there is a place for clones....but if done correctly, it is a gateway for high end otfs

[@edged_mindset]

Totally get that. I really struggle with copying the logos and markings. Unnecessary.

[@michaelelliott330]

@ in that, I agree.

[@dragonback6075]

I can sorta understand if you want a specific piece in your collection, especially if the genuine knife is seriously out of your price range. But!! That's for display only. As part of your EDC something that you use everyday, that potentially your life could depend on one day.. No way though. I'd never trust a clone knife

[@jk-mm5to]

Clones make the real thing more valuable.

[@bradleyswaney6100]

I do not agree with clones at all. Logo's, etc. They could at least drop the logo. I buy 99% USA made. I do like some of Maxace knives. Great video!

[@JustinOrnellas]

Only fooling your self when buying clones. Other collectors know its fake and none knife collectors don't care what you have. so whats the point?

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

The original companies should buy them in bulk and sell them as their budget line. Since the clones will always exist, they might as well make some money on them.

[@edged_mindset]

I like the way you think!!!

[@anthonyberardi8904]

Maybe sell them as-is to not overload the warranty department with broken shit !

[@juanjuarez9360]

I just buy what I can afford I currently have a large sebenza 31 a small sebenza 21 and a strider SMF I would like to buy a 2-3k knife but it’s not feasible for me I’m happy with the 3 I own 😊

[@justinwriter244]

I wonder if the folks okay with this are also okay with plagiarism?

[@edged_mindset]

Probably

[@forgiveme8104]

I am just curious if the counterfeit came with a signed COA and some other stuff.

[@edged_mindset]

Do Clone Knives Come With a Box? #microtech #customknofe #edcknife #edgedmindset

[@Obsidian-One]

I hate clones and have never bought one. Microtechs are awesome to collect! But I'm not going to use a $2000 knife that won't hold a edge as long as a $50 knife!? So yea they are great to collect but not use!

[@edged_mindset]

I know MT has come in a little soft on theor m390 in the past, but even soft m390 will outperform a 50 dollar knife

[@David_DY]

Sandshark design was bought legally by an American...Even though the internals are different they have proved themselves!!! IMO Totally different!!! I would never purchase a downright clone With that said Love my Sandshark and it's the only OTF besides the deadlock that I've never had a failure on I know you got a bad one in the beginning so maybe hit or miss!!

[@edged_mindset]

100% Just featured the Sandshark as reference

[@Boosted68firebird]

Your Deadlock experienced a failure??

[@paulbosley6448]

​@@Boosted68firebird No he said the two otf that he has that have never failed were the sandshark and deadlock. I've been daily carrying a model c for just over two years, only had it fail once and it locked open and wouldn't close. Took it apart and cleaned it, the locking mechanism had gummed up, never had any other issues. Use it for just about everything....

[@Boosted68firebird]

@@paulbosley6448 Big respect for actually using your Hawk knife. In the event you weren’t able to perform that cleaning, I’ve heard Hawks customer care is exceptional. If only Microtech held such practices.

[@SMS2884]

Clones and counterfeits are 2 different things. THAT is a counterfeit. Counterfeits are wrong. Clones are perfectly fine.

[@edged_mindset]

Then what would a cline be? Do you have any example?

[@SMS2884]

@edged_mindset If you get an exact copy of a knife, ESPECIALLY with logos. It's a counterfeit. Especially if it's trying to list as a the real thing and even the packaging is close. But if it's just a knife that looks similar with no logos and doesn't try to pretend to be a brand and model. It's a clone. Cloning of customs is much more of a thing. Counterfeit brand knives is a common practice as well.

[@SMS2884]

@edged_mindset A counterfeit would be a knife that is copying the logo and packaging especially, very close. Even being sold as that brand. Some of those are really hard to tell unless you can compare to a real one. Clones are more knockoffs but don't have any logos and have subtle differences from the real thing. They are clones. Blade shape will be the same but typically hardware may be slightly different. I personally love clones because you can actually use a clone of a really expensive safe queen that you may have.

[@edged_mindset]

@SMS2884 What is an example of a clone? Specifically.bInhave inly ever seen them with logos and all.

[@SMS2884]

@@edged_mindset I think Temu sells a bunch of different clones. I used to have a website saved but I lost it for some reason. A few people on KZbin compare clones to the real thing. Some don't have any markings.

[@SteelAddicted]

I love knives but I love feeling like a got a good deal more and I hate feeling like I’m getting ripped off. Y can some American makers give us great cnc midtech production knife at around $400 trm, American blade works, and others want $700+ ? Some will say more goes into this $800 knives but there full ti good steal with a good heat treat made on a cnc so u know that point only holds up if the knife has inlays which American blade works do camo carbon at that for under $400 or dlc which almost none of the American made midtech production knives have or use. So idk that argument dosent hold up in my eyes. But let me know what u think.

[@edged_mindset]

Its not always that simple. every item you sell will have a margin set on it (how much you make) over the manufacure cost. The biggest thing that sets that margin is how many units you can move, the more you can sell the smaller the margin. If you are making a niche product that doesn't appeal to a large audience (like Strider) your margins on each unit will need to be higher in order for the business to be viable.

[@SteelAddicted]

@ u think American blade works is selling more than let’s say the oz Rosie?

[@SteelAddicted]

@ I think it’s a fair assessment to say that the majority of knives r overpriced when u get above the $500-600 price point unless u r using exotic materials or techniques that arnt common I’d say steels to but u have kunwu doing better than American makers in that department. I’m not saying I blame companies or people for charging what they charge people r paying the prices and they r even in a lot of cases creating false demand a technique Rolex pioneered. At the end of the day if someone wants to make something to fill a gap in the market I’m all for it any one of these companies that have clones made of them could offer a slimmed down version of that model at a fair price but because they r so overpriced to begin with they can’t even offer that. I mean what would they do offer a Rosie in g10 liner lock with 154cm for let’s say $350?? That’s insane and they know no one will pay it. At some point I think u have to admit what’s going on as far as what these cnc made knives r really worth as far as raw materials and time invested.

[@SteelAddicted]

​@edged_mindset I guess u were done discussing this topic.

[@edged_mindset]

@@SteelAddicted Sorry, yes. You are correct. Some knives could objectively be call overpriced. That is a thing. Sounds like you are doing a good job aviloiding buying those, keep it up!

[@maka99]

Considering my folders are mainly used to cut tape when breaking down carboard boxes(no need to cut the cardboard since boxes fold nicely by design) and I get the same feel for a fraction of the cost I really quite enjoy them. It allows me to purchase and handle more knife designs. My favorite clone, I do plan to buy a real version of. We have gotten so spoiled by these insane steels. I dont mind sharpening my knives and find it quite therapeutic, so I am fine sharpening the knives a bit more but honestly even a completely blunt knife will cut tape so they work for my use case just fine when being realistic.. human flesh is soft so they'll work fine for defense as well. I don't cut wood with my folders. I use fixed blades for that and honestly I've split tons of wood with a clone of an esee 4 during a winter of living in a yurt and never sharpened the clone that supposedly has the same steel as the real one and held an edge doing so.. so if you have the money to buy the real ones, I say go for it but if you don't and you feel like you're missing out on these high end knive de$ign$ that you would never get to own I say go for it. One of the big knife makers is fine with them as it puts his design in more people's hands. For rescue knives such as the spyderco autonomy(US Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Issued) I do own the real ones and have no regrets. My other knives like my real microtech cypher I and II I do sorta regret spending the chunk of change I did. Especially when my cypher I doesn't always open fully. It does 90% of the time but i also have a clone cypher that has never misfired.. Makes me feel less guilty about my knife addiction knowing I didn't spend so much. Things have gotten expensive. I also don't stress carrying them or when I lose them. Lost a real ultratech after about a week of carrying and I was so bummed..

[@sprinkleddonuts6094]

You are part of the Problem that Drives up the cost for those of us who purchase Authentic. Been buying knives since ‘89 - ‘90 And I have NEVER seen the price like it is now until this whole “EDC” trend.

[@spirona]

What about personal ethics? You are rewarding the IP (intellectual property) thieves and hurting American companies - and most, importantly - their employees. You are also fooling yourself. A clone, no matter how close to the original, will never give you a true feel for the original. Why? Well… it’s NOT the original! Buying clones is a selfish act that hurts the knife community you are apart of and should be supporting. All the excuses (originals cost too much, companies are ripping us off, I buy originals too, this lets me know if I want the OG, et al) is BS.

[@markn.8621]

Overall against clones. That said, of them all least bothered by Microtech clones. They have been known to...ummm borrow some design ideas themselves and oh yeah the whole unlicensed Star Wars themed knives. Hard to feel bad about their IP being stolen when they have no problem using someone else's ip. It can be spun however someone wants to spin it but in the case of Microtech bit hypocritical being upset about IP theft. People are ok when one company does it and outraged when another does it.

[@edged_mindset]

🤫😄

[@Boosted68firebird]

Great point! Unlicensed starwars, Disney and others! Plus years ago Microtech famously stole a folder design from Kershaw. I love their products but can also admit they are far from a Saint of a company. Wonder why all the immediate family members jumped ship.

[@edged_mindset]

@LsBirdman Cough cough. Mikov. Cough

[@markn.8621]

@edged_mindset I know you go way back with knives especially microtech. Do you remember the defense that was used for the mikov copy...I mean the Cobra? It was not a copy because it used better materials. Lol wild

[@edged_mindset]

@markn.8621 Yup 😀

[@thenextarcher]

Technically speaking are all production knives just clones of a prototype? Maybe that is justification for only buying one off customs. haha.

[@edged_mindset]

🤣

[@mistrzkoxu]

i own ad20.5 clone, good knife with good design, couldnt justify aus10 version at the time but wanted to try shark lock, and for now its my most used knife, i can trash it without worries, and im using it much more than my legit spyderco . As for microtech i can see apeal, in eu stock black version of ct gen III is something like 800USD or more, avalibility is also problem, maxace comes with neptune, really good value but before that good microtech clone from aliexpress with like d2 steel was nice way to get into otfs in eu. Ive seen somewhere that maxace is using same OEM as Vespa and Hifinder with are just 2 brands that spitting out microtech clones at different pricepoints, yours i belive is vespas clone.

[@nebulaM16]

How much did you fork out for this Marfione piece? I can already say… Only In AMERICA!!! Who else in the world would burn grand’s on automatic knife? When will you learn that there is no way to justify a price tag for couple of grand’s for a otf.

[@edged_mindset]

Maybe one day you will be able to afford it. Hand in there.

[@nebulaM16]

@ I can afford it, I don’t want to, I don’t want to help someone build another swimming pool or buy a boat.

[@edged_mindset]

@nebulaM16 That's commerce my guy. The people putting in that pool could be your neighbors. Your kids could be friends with their kids. That's how this system works. Or are you saying you are the only ones that deserves to put in a pool?

[@douglasbrmn2]

@@nebulaM16Anyone who has a hobby will at some point buy a high quality product in that hobby no matter what it is. You picked it as a hobby for a reason and that reason will push you to level up when you can. No avid fisherman ever stopped at their Walmart fishing rod & reel and used that type of gear forever. People who love being on the water don’t buy a paddle boat and stop there. People who love firearms don’t buy a Taurus and stay with that brand etc.

[@nebulaM16]

@@edged_mindset I have an above ground pool for 600$, a real concrete pool costs around 10 grand and that’s the kind of pool I think you are paying for but for others. You can call a price tag of couple of grand for an otf commerce I cal it plain ripoff.