Countries known for a specific knife brand

[Syph007]

As I become more aware of different knives and tools, it got me thinking about what other countries might have offerings. 

We all know the Swiss produce some quality product.  I have some good Scandinavian style Swedish knives. I picked up some Opinels since they are a pretty famous France offering.  Are there other countries that I don't know of that have famous or popular knives or tools? 

Obviously I have the US and Canada covered, just wondering about other European countries, or maybe Japanese, south american?  Heck Aussies must have some domestic brands too?

Id like to build up a knives from around the world collection but focused on maybe what is the best from each country.

[magentus]

Aitor from Spain do some reasonable SAK-a-likes;

[jzmtl]

Germany - Boker tree brand
Japan - Higonokami (guild of makers, so there are a few of them), Moki, Mcusta.
South Africa - Okapi
Israel - Dustar (only one I know, probably not representative)
Russia - Kizlyar (same as above)

[Steinar]

Norway has two major manufacturers, Helle and Brusletto. Both produce OK sheath knives, though with an element of hit and miss in QA. No major difference in bang for buck, IMHO. Helle uses laminated steel for the most part (Bonpertuis T7Mo cutting edge with protective sidings of 18/8), Brusletto almost exlusively 12C27. There are currently no Norwegian factory produced multi-tools or folders. Helle has been planning a folder for ages, but haven't been able to get it to market, Brusletto buys some bug ugly folders from Taiwan(?). (Brusletto is ruining their brand there.)

[Syph007]

Hey thanks guys, this is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

[dks]

Off the top of my head:

Portugal has ICEL

Finland has Marttini

There are several brands being made in Germany.

Hungary has some traditional knives to, like the ones made by Szankovitz

Svord in New Zealand.

Various Laquiole style makers in France

The UK must have a few decent ones in Shefield too

[Suveges]

Mikov is big in Czech Rep.  I actually have a couple of those Szankovitz Hungarian knives.

[Sazabi]

Sweden has Frost Mora of Sweden.

Also, Douk Douks are representatives of France and their former colonies.

[ducttapetech]

  Trying to think of one for China.............

[jzmtl]

Trying to think of one for China.............

Benchmade, spyderco, kershaw, SOG, CRKT, Kabar, cold steel, boker, rough rider, s&w...

[algernonramone]

Trying to think of one for China.............

Benchmade, spyderco, kershaw, SOG, CRKT, Kabar, cold steel, boker, rough rider, s&w...

Samrenmu

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

[ducttapetech]

Trying to think of one for China.............

Benchmade, spyderco, kershaw, SOG, CRKT, Kabar, cold steel, boker, rough rider, s&w...

I thought CRKT was in Taiwan. They got some good stuff, or at least there M-16 are pretty sweet.  I didn't know about sog. Everything I have from SOG is USA made.

[MultiMat]

Sadly only custom knife makers doing their thing in Oz  .

Last century we did have a few though;
Barker Bros
East Bros
Gregory Steel Products
Whittingslowe Engineering

I think Australia's geographic isolation & low population makes successful manufacturing very tricky 

[jekostas]

Trying to think of one for China.............

CAS Hanwei

Germany - Mercator

[Santos]

Brazil - Tramotina
El Savador - Condor

[Kart]

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

http://kartograf.mylivepage.ru/blog/26/76

[Kart]

Japan - Higonokami (guild of makers, so there are a few of them), Moki, Mcusta.

 

[Woz]

Well, it depends. Not only the country is important, but the region.

In Germany there are many knifemakers, most of them located in or near Solingen. But Germany is big, and while hunting knives, fixed or folding, with bone handles are very common in the south, in northern Germany there are other common knives like Otter with the classic Ankermesser. That is a simple, slipjoint folding knife made for sailors. Boker is best known, but don´t forget Otter, Zwilling, Hubertus...

In France the region of Laguiole is famous for the knives made there, but there are other companies like Opinel DoukDouk or Nontron, that are typical for their region.

In Italy makers like Fox or Lionsteel are well known in the region of Maniago, but there are other classic knives like the Sicilian Vendetta knives.

In Austria, there are is only one "company" left, producing the "Trattenbacher Taschenfeitel", a simple knife that was used by peasants for ages. But there is a tradition of knifemaking, Steirereisen is a smaller custom forgery that does designs for large companies like Benchmade (the Monochrome) or Boker. We also have the Boehler steelplants that make N690 and other quite popular bladesteels. Oh, and Glock, making not only guns but a sturdy fixed blade.

In Spain Muela is quite famous, but other companies like Baladeo are well known too. There are several "classic" designs in all Spanish regions.

Even the USA have some quite unique designs, but for there are many high quality makers who produce modern knives they are not so well known outside the USA. The Stockman, Congressman, Elephant Toenail or Bowie are very "American". Companies like Case or Buck are much more "American" than companies like Spyderco or Benchmade imho.

Canada has Grohman, making some very well known knives.

Japan has many makers, but the only classic design I know of is the Higonokami.

[Syph007]

Japan - Higonokami (guild of makers, so there are a few of them), Moki, Mcusta.

 

(Image removed from quote.)

OH wow, I very much like those.  I wonder if my wallet can afford it...

[dks]

  Higonokami knives are quite cheap..

No excuse not to buy one!   

[Syph007]

Ok I've got a 120mm HIGONOKAMI on the way... they look cool and I have nothing like it.  Now what's next... hmmm

[microbe]

Reviving this thread with some more Spanish brands, most make a wide range of knives, from classic navaja to modern tactical knives. Spain has a very rich knife history, originating in the region of Andalucia. They actually invented the backspring and one of the first locking mechanisms for folding knives, which made the Spanish folding navajas into known and feared fighting knives. Various of its knives were - and are issued to Spanish and foreign public protection services.  Known brands are Nieto, Muela, Joker, Aitor, Crossnar, Cudeman, Alpino. Some of these brands were taken over by one of the bigger players, Gruppo Pielcu, but are still sold under their own name. I have a couple of the classic knives, and a few of the more modern folders and fixed blades. I recommend them highly.

[AlephZero]

Finland - Roselli

[enki_ck]

So the "keyring" lock was the first? I've seen it on some old Navahas.

[microbe]

I believe they are called clasp locks. Sometimes they feature a ring yes.
One of the most famous clasp locks was used on the Navaja knife which incorporated a series of posts which ratcheted through the clasp and make a clicking sound as each passed. This sound became famous as the Navaja "Carraca" sound and if heard in the darkness, you'd better start to run.

[shark_za]

Interesting thread.

South Africa is definitely the new home of the Okapi, its synonymous with knife out here.
One way I measure this is if one of the big knife makers use the pattern. Also measured by how many you see in the common man on the streets hands.  Okapi really fits the last definition, others the former.
But two other styles have gained worldwide acceptance from custom maker roots to become accepted standards; the Sebenza and Exkelibur.

The Sebenza is still made by Chris Reeve but copied the world over.
Boker have released an economy version of the Exkelibur so you dont need to fork out $390 to get one anymore.
Mine is one of the original pattern, one of the first Damascus ones, maybe 20 years old.

Okapi and Cold Steel Kudu


Exkelibur small Damascus - excuse the ivory thumb stud fell out and was lost.

[cbl51]

To me, France means Opinel!

[Gareth]

Scotland have to be best linked with the Sgian Dubh, though the thistle shapes and cut stones you see all the time are a very silly and modern convention.