Chinese Knives

We’ve watched Chinese knives change enormously over the years. What was once a part of the knife market dominated by budget options now produces some seriously good knives, and quite a few have earned permanent places in our own collections.

That change is easy to see in the brands we stock. Kizer, Civivi and Real Steel have built loyal followings by producing well-designed knives with excellent machining, interesting materials and a level of fit and finish that would have surprised plenty of knife enthusiasts not too long ago.

If you still dismiss a knife simply because it was made in China, you’re probably missing out.

Chinese Pocket Knives Have Come a Long Way

Modern Chinese pocket knives cover a lot of ground. There are affordable working folders that offer a ridiculous amount of knife for the money, but there are also premium Chinese folding knives aimed squarely at enthusiasts and collectors.

The materials tell part of the story.

You'll come across D2 and 14C28N regularly, alongside premium steels such as CPM S35VN and S90V on higher-end models. CNC machining, increasingly sophisticated locking mechanisms and much better consistency have also allowed Chinese manufacturers to produce designs that can comfortably sit alongside knives from more established manufacturing regions.

Price is still part of the appeal, of course. We're not going to pretend it isn't. Some Chinese makers are exceptionally good at giving you more interesting materials and finishing for your budget.

But value alone wouldn't keep these knives on Heinnie.

Chinese Knife Brands Worth Knowing

Kizer is a good place to look if you enjoy modern folders, interesting designers and plenty of choice in materials. The brand has become a favourite with knife enthusiasts for good reason, with models ranging from accessible everyday knives to considerably more premium pieces.

Civivi has also become particularly difficult to overlook. There's a lot of variety in the range and the combination of design, materials and pricing makes plenty of its knives very easy for us to recommend.

Then there's Real Steel, another name we've known for years, with practical folders and fixed blades that tend to concentrate on usability rather than unnecessary fuss.

Those aren't the only Chinese makers worth your attention either. Have a proper look through the collection below. There are some very good knives hiding in here.

You can explore more through our Everyday Carry collection or use our Blade Steel Guide if you want to compare some of the steels you're seeing. Head back to Knives by Country to compare Chinese knives with makers from elsewhere.

And if an unfamiliar Chinese knife has caught your eye but you're wondering whether it's actually any good, send it to Kit Assist. We'll tell you what we think.