No way can China compete with U.S.A. Cutlery. China knives are made with recycled steel. U.S.A. knives are made from newsteel.
Most commonly you see 440 Stainless Steel. 440C was the first generally accepted knife makers' stainless and remains quite popular, particularly since the sub-zero process was developed to add toughness. 440C produces an excellent, serviceable and durable knife, even for the new knife maker. Anneals at very low temperature. Please note that 440A and 440B are similar alloys, often confused with 440C, but not worth a damn for knife making use and wont hold an edge through one slice of bread. Commercial knife companies often mark blades 440 when they're one of the less desirable versions giving the real stuff a bad name.
420HC Surgical Stainless, Other High Carbon Steel or Tool Steel is whats wanted in America. These steels have the hardness for a Great America. Many American companies have gone to China for GARBAGE KNIVES. The dealers won't even include in their auctions MADE IN CHINA Why? Because it's JUNK , GARBAGE , TRASH. If you see a listing and the seller says ( manufactured off shore ) that means China cut and run.
Buck Knives still has almost all it's Cutlery US made (Don't buy the Buck folding pocket knives with wood scales or red jigged bone, they are all Made In China). Case, Queen, Moore Maker and Colonial is 100% USA. Other companies have closed their doors, SHRADE, OLD TIMER, UNCLE HENRY, CAMILUS , SMITH & WESSON , all made in China.
Shipment of scrap steel from New York's collapsed World Trade Center went to Shanghai according to media reports. The steel was bought by Shanghai Baosteel Group Corp., and several other domestic mills, which are always eager to buy scrap metal. Scrap metal contains different steels and other metals and impurities. Scrap has to be processed in different ways to make the desirable steels.
Baosteel Group, the nation's largest steel firm, has purchased 50,000 tons of the scrap steel from "Ground Zero," the ruins of the September 11 terrorist attack, at no more than US$120 each ton, according to Beijing Youth Daily.
China, the world's largest steel maker in terms of output, relies heavily on imports of scrap for its steel production. Example, China imported 5.1 million tons of scrap in 2000.
