Sharp Phil is correct:
cheap steel is just that cheap steel..
poorly made, poorly hardened..crappy grinds..
it doesn't hold an edge, it breaks, it rusts..and its a rip off of the public..
you are correct Bad guys don't care and cheap can be as deadly as good ..or at least in that first hit before the blade breaks etc..
But if you are a regular user the knock off poses severe injury possibility due to its poor manufacture..and if it craps out when you need it to save your life or the life of a loved one..
well that;s big trouble..
plastic is not the same..metal isn't..Thats why we have standards and many imported screws may not be used ( for example) in US manufacture because they don't meet our production safety standards,,
well I guess one gets what one pays for..right?
buy crap get crap..
hmm sounds like a Saturday night special ..it shoots so its the same value as my Glock..
As for the intelectual property comment.. cheap handbags are also cheap hand bags..
who cares if it looks like the real thing..Oh use it once and throw it out?
name brand people have standards..of leather, metal, sewing etc that knock offs don't..
in any industry..its that way..
As a designer and maker If I spend the time to design and make something, I resent some cheap *** person making an inferior copy of my tools or designs..
For those not in the know..and there's a lot of general public in the world..if the knock off sucks..well there's no difference so the Original must suck as well...
Only the only thing that sucks is the knock off.
I have to pay real time and money to make and protect my designs etc..
Why should I let others make it for free or mis-make or improperly make my tool or design?
Personally I hold those that import / sell that junk as guilty as those that make it..
Want a custom strider? buy a Custom Strider..can't afford it? buy a production Strider...Can't afford it? find a collaboration Strider by a name brand manufacturer..
can't afford that? re evaluate your needs and the value of the tool you are buying..
nuff said..
Be safe
Bram
Yes.. I will defend my patents & trademarks for sure!