My ERT-1 is made in China and it's a fine tool...what I would expect from Benchmade.

Even the American Icon that is Harley Davidson is made from imported parts and only assembled in the US.

Ditto for the CRKT knives. IMO they're M-16 series is a good production quality knives at a decent price.

well put. brothers, let me hear you say AMEN!


bsmith

I like Ron's idea ...use the knock-off as your loaner...hadn't considered that before now. As well as the "cheap knives only fall in the boat ...the expensive ones fall in the lake !"
That cracked me up ...and it is so true !!!
Gotta admit there are a couple knock-offs around the house ... and they suffice for some tasks ...but its clear to me my LM Wave handles all tasks better and is more durable ....so guess the secret it to know the limits of your knock-off ...my wife has a cheap multi-tool she carries sometimes ....its good for some tasks. I would use the screwdriver for anything tough, but the pliers work OK for most things and you can't shave with the knofe, but hey...most everyday times you need a knife its to open some package or letter.
I've gotten a new respect for the possible usefulness of knock-off from this thread ... especially that whole loaner thing ...nothing sucks more than loaning out your $70 tool and getting it abused or lost. I wouldn't feel so bad if it had only cost me $10.

"The first time you take a Leatherman fishing, it will fall in the lake. $5 multitools only fall inside the boat."

I lost my first Leatherman this way (original PST), it got tangled in a gill net and "ploop" it was gone.

I have replaced with 5 more versions of Leatherman!

I recieved a new TTi last week and I am liking it, although it is still a little stiff.

Mike

Lanyards are your friends!

My dad fishes with a 150 lb pull magnet he can attach to his anchor rope...sometimes he fishes for fish...sometimes he fishes for his tools...sometimes he tries to see what other people lost.

Hey Hacksaw,

If your Dad is ever in Northwestern Ontario he is more than welcome to look for my lost Leatherman:

Location: Alford Lake, off a point on the west end about 51*9"14"N / 94*1'7" W

Good Luck,

MIke

LOL.

I'll let him know. He hasn't found any Leathermans yet but he has a growing collection of rusty needle nose fishing pliers!

A friend of mine started his son off with a cheaper brand of multitool to see if he would take care of it. If he doesn't lose it or let one of his buddies lose it he would be given a better brand.

Tim

It is common practice to place backup tools around where they will most likely be needed.

On a sailboat you might see an inexpensive knife lashed firmly to the binding that holds the bitter end of the anchor rode. And another one lashed to the bindings that hold down