(SEE DESCRIPTION) What If It COULD Be Made In The USA? - TKG 181

*UPDATE 12/19/22* I have not confirmed all M3 knives to be made in the USA. This video is based on information that was provided back when I recorded this video. I will update this post when more info is provided.

It turns out we might have a few options...

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[engineeringgoat]

I think this would be perfect for Hogue to do. They have shown incredible manufacturing capabilities and their value is insane.

[GLOCKshter]

100% agree. I am very selective on which Chinese made knives I will buy anymore and pass on a ton of really cool designs. If a few of those designers would start using a USA OEM I would happily pay the few hundred more for the knife.

[EastCoastMan]

I 100% appreciate you showcasing US made knives. Especially from new designers. Thank you.

[joshsmith]

Great ramble- I just recently took a private tour of the TRM/ Halpern titanium facility. As is public knowledge they are a U.S. OEM. But for makers that would surprise you. There were areas I couldn’t view due to being private label. I will say wether you have an Atom, Neutron or Shadow or not. I guarantee that you have a TRM (Halpern) made product in your pockets regularly. The factory was impressive and clean. Attention to detail is paramount and they do more work behind the scenes in the knife world than their own line. From available production stuff to the very high end.

[ScottWalton]

I spoke with the folks at River's Edge Cutlery and they have plans to do some in house manufacturing at some point. You may know they recently moved to a very large facility, much larger than needed for their retail knife and custom shop business. I guessed they might be planning to use that space for some manufacturing and asked them about it at Bladeshow and they confirmed. So, there's another place in the US to maybe get something built at some point. BTW, since you're a car guy, you might get a kick out of the fact that the facility they purchased was the old headquarters for the Bobby Rahal racing operation in Hilliard, Ohio.

[LeftyEDC]

Funny that you released this today haha. I just showed off prototypes from a US OEM. M3 Tactical is doing a premium version of our Growler design. It came out better than I hoped. Really excited about it. Pre order will be roughly $375 for micarta inlays and $425 for camo carbon inlays. Titanium bolster lock with m390.

[CKshouta]

In another hobby of mine that involves precision machining (yoyos), there is only one company left that is doing volume production in the USA, while the rest have moved to China or contract US machine shops for limited runs. The reason that US company (One Drop) stayed afloat despite fierce competition is that they optimized production to lower cost while not compromise on quality, and they can still compete with China on pricing.

We are seeing the same with Hogue and Protech.

PS: Benchmade also knows how to optimize production but their pricing are drunk. On one hand you have CF elite Presidios and on the other you have Taggedout.

[georgelabonte]

I would prefer knives not made in PRC. However, I have bought knives from EMPEDC and Winter BladeCo, simply because they are unique. Hopefully, we see more US OEMs. As long as the prices are relatively competitive, which to me would be under $500.

[DSjockey]

I agree with you 100% and thank you for saying it. Made in the USA really makes a difference to me whether it's budget or high end. I've been watching your channel here and there for a bit now and you just got me to subscribe, have a great day MC

[Cyanoblades]

Lefty has some protos with M3, they look good.

[darryljuice]

Can’t tell you how much I appreciate the neutrality and professionalism on your channel. You have the ability to entertain with wit and sarcasm, without fostering division. Thanks for keeping your standards high.

[jimmycricket]

I wish more companies would take the time to mill out and contour the titanium scales the way hinderer and TRM does. Just look at the finish work on those shadow scales there really good looking, they remind me of the beautifully done sunburst native 5 titanium handles.

[lcurtsinger]

Those are the best words I've heard you speak, all of it but especially we have to start somewhere

[aerosaaber]

I was lucky enough to get a tour of the TRM shop, they are absolutely working their butts off to make more knives. And they have done a great job, I remember a drop being gone in 90 seconds, now they'll have knives on the site for an hour or two. They also have done OEM work in the past (RJ Martin Machine, Terzoula bt1000 etc) but I know they're focusing more on TRM blades. Not sure who they're making knives for (if they are at this point I don't know for sure.)

[michaelsawyer]

I think LeftyEdc is having them make a USA made Growler. You've got a great point here assuming it's possible. Let's hope it's a parallel to Reate where their in house designs might be questionable but they are highly capable. If there's a USA option that offers reate or even WE quality with similar QC I'd be happy to pay up to a 25% premium

[daveunknown]

I prefer US made stuff because i live here. That being said there is tons of countries overseas that make some quality stuff that i do prefer over US made. That and i feel alot of US companies leverage this and overprice thier products because it has the USA slapped on it.

[scrick]

Metal Complex, in my opinion your right. Thx again for your content. Entertaining and informative.

[j.smithakagenericguy]

What is the blue scaled flipper you have in your right hand at the 10:19 mark? I'd like to check it out more.

[landscapingspecialist]

If M3 does offer the OEM service, YOU BETTER have them make an MC knife.

[JohnsonBuck]

You are correct, and more USA made knives would indeed incline me to make a purchase more frequently. On the other hand, the way things currently are saves me a lot of money!

I don't buy Chinese knives and I am left handed. It's cool, more money in the bank. And project car parts.