Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions

Spotting Fake Knives

more_vert
Hey guys!
New to knives here and I just wanted to pass this question along, apologies if this has already been posted. But for the more seasoned folks on here, what are some red flags, easy spots for fake knives? I'm looking for more advanced tips beyond the obvious ones, like price, legitimacy of the listing, etc. What are some visual things you look for, both online and in person?
Let's use this listing for example: https://www.dhgate.com/product/boker-plus-burnley-kwaiken-damascus-steel/400862686.html
Just based on the price alone, it's gotta be a fake. But otherwise, I compared it to pictures from Massdrop and the Boker site, and it looks pretty close to me. The only things I can spot is the lack of a serial and the difference in damascus pattern. What else can some of the pros spot?
Vote
5
remove_red_eye
478

search
close
waders69
34
Jan 8, 2018
Anything and everything that is sold on DHgate is a knockoff lol. I will say that a lot of US top end knife makers have started using Chinese companies to make their lower end field grade knives. This obviously allows them to have those knives mass produced at a much lower price while still maintaining a high quality product that they then sell worldwide. I can't say that I am crazy about this for several reasons but I will admit that I am guilty as charged for purchasing a handful of them. I wish that I could afford to purchase those high end knives from my favorite makers like Tod Begg but for now his field grade mini Bodega that he has made in China will have to do, personally I think that my Mini Bodega is impressive and I have received many compliments on it.
Bknguyen
693
Dec 12, 2017
I thought that the recent kwaiken drop here had wooden scales? It's tough to know all the exclusives too, like for example, I remember seeing a copper scaled kwaiken on Burnley's official Instagram but not anywhere else. Thanks for your input though, definitely wanna order off reputable sites, but low prices always get a guy curious (even though this fake isn't even that cheap)!
Dreadnought
2
Dec 12, 2017
BknguyenThe massdrop one was made of VG-10, not D2 or damasteel. I think the copper was a boker exclusive too lol. I mean, if you want to support people who make knockoffs, go ahead. Your life, your money. It doesn't make sense for someone to sell an exclusive knife like that well under the market price. So either they really fucked it up, or it's a knockoff.
Bknguyen
693
Dec 12, 2017
DreadnoughtAgreed. Thanks for your input!
Dreadnought
2
Dec 11, 2017
The biggest giveaway for me is the scales. AFAIK Burnley never made wooden scales for the kwaikens-- only G10, Ti, CF, or Micarta. Second, the steel. All of the kwaikens I've seen are made of either VG-10 or AUS-8. The one you listed is made in D2. And you're right, the Damascus is different on the one you listed and the advertised ones online but I'm not 100% on how different each knife would come out when made of damasteel. You want my advice? Get them off of reputable sites like BladeHq or something. Items for sale on DHgate are knockoffs. Hell, I can get a "Sebenza 21" for ~$10. The steel advertised is supposedly 5cr15, but Chris Reeve makes his in S35VN and for the price (and keeping the site in mind) you can safely assume it's a knockoff lmao.
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in More Community Picks