Some stock updates for my webstore, and noting some minor changes in the knives in question. Acid Etched Knives, Modification Services, High-Value Knives, EDC and Outdoor Gear www.lazylizardgear.com
the black 06 7010 has holes in the scales for the stop pin and ball detent, is this an improvement? my black 04 7010 looks like the silver 05 shown here without them.
I've noticed that SanRenMu have stopped marking the steel type on their blades, bad move I reckon, especially with 12C27 coming into their line-up. People are slow to trust the Chinese knife makers and vendors (not you obviously but the China based ones) as it is so less information is not good.
There was a time when I ran the Asia Region supply chain for a large multi-national (Fortune 100, consumer packaged goods sector). I had a small team of managers combing the region for Asian based suppliers, to compliment our stable of incumbents (i.e.: mostly European and US based). We needed to bring fresh competition into the mix, to expand choice and improve competitive dynamics. As well, to take advantage of shorter lead-times, where practical, in order to meet working capital targets and enhance speed to market. IMO, there are plenty of Chinese based suppliers that are sub-par in their performance, quality, etc. This is not a China only issue. It's everywhere. Fact is, among the plethora of suppliers I had the opportunity to visit, and in certain cases qualify and approve for business, there were some Chinese businesses that truly surprised me with their capability and capacity to produce the highest quality to our most complex specifications. Compared to many European and US based suppliers, many of which had enjoyed profitable business for many years without adequately re-investing profits to ensure the latest and greatest in manufacturing capability (i.e.: milking the cow), these younger and hungry Asian suppliers, with their newer infrastructure and eagerness to gain an opportunity, were a breath of fresh air. You may not think this is very patriotic. However, the truth is that in a Multi-national environment, where the executive team is as diverse as the markets the company serves, this is never part of the objectives. Over the last 30+ years, the Chinese supply base has taken advantage of its business dealings with many multi-nationals. Learning from stringent quality requirements and demanding specifications. They have upped their game and in doing so, have required everyone to up their game. IOW, competition helps drive innovation.
