Knife Terminology: The differences between Fake, Clone, Replica and Homage Knives

Hey guys, Atech here and welcome into a post in which we will take a look into the differences between all of the terms that are used to describe knives that resemble other knives and break them into categories.

I want to make it clear from the start that the terminology I’ll be suggesting is based on the one used in the watch community and is just my suggestion to simplify the discussions about and around this subject. If you disagree about something said in this video – you are more than welcome to discuss it in the comment section below.
I also don’t want to get into the whole topic of: “Are clones good or bad?” there will be a separate post on this matter.
Let’s start:
The first category would be this: the fakes/counterfeits/knock-offs.
So these are knives that look exactly like the genuine knives, including the LOGO, which is an important issue. Putting someone else’s trademarked logo and brand name on a product that looks just like the original product is of course 100% illegal.
These knives are made in purpose to deceive uninformed buyers into thinking they are buying a genuine product or in other words scam them.
The quality in many cases (mostly on the cheaper knives) would be sub-par (that includes lock problems, soft screws, bad coating and other fit and finishing details), plus the steel wouldn’t be the same as advertised on the blade (because they copy everything, including the steel name), but a much softer, low grade steel.
But there are also much higher quality counterfeits out there, which include Zero Tolerance, Microtech and Shirogorov fakes and these are much more difficult to distinguish from the genuine knives, because they copy the materials as well as the original markings and are in general very similar to the originals they are copying.
If you have doubt about one of these knives – I’d suggest you take advice from a knife group or forum, but only from people who really know what they are talking about.
I’ll gladly help you out (like I have been doing , just contact me via one of the platforms listed in the description.
BTW – as I’ve mentioned in another video – there will be no feature of fake knives on this channel other than educational - to show the differences from a genuine knife or comparison between them.
Other knives that also are in this category are the ones that don’t copy the design, but do copy the logo of the makers, such as these:
I don’t know exactly the reason for why are they doing this, for me it is the stupidest thing ever but I suspect is because the people who produce these have no clue about knives and think it will help to sell the knife.

Now let’s continue to the next category which is the clone knives or unbranded replicas.
So these are knives that look exactly like other ones and use their design features, but don’t have the maker’s logo on them.
In fact – they don’t have any logos on them, thus these couldn’t be used to scam and deceive other people into thinking these are the originals.
They are usually made by OEM brands such as Kevin John, Green Thorn, Bear Claw and Wild Boar, some of which also produce knives and parts for other knife companies, even Western ones.
The clones usually emulate higher end and expensive knives, are made from high end materials such as genuine titanium, carbon fiber, ceramic bearings and have very good level of quality, fit and finish. Plus they will use decent steels and list the correct steel type on the knife.
Sometimes they even try to change or improve the design, such as the milling on the inside of this Green Thorn F95T.

Replica is a wider term and includes both fakes and clones, so branded replicas would be the fakes and unbranded replicas would be the clones.

Our next category would be the Homages:
These are knives that take some design features from other brands but put their own logo on them, so producing and branding them as their own product.
These include knives from Ganzo, Sanrenmu, Brother and others, which are made in the same OEM factories that produce knives for other companies, like Ganzo who allegedly are made in the same factory as Gerber and Sanrenmu, which are allegedly made in the same one as Spyderco, Kershaw, Boker+ Chinese series, Ruike, Real Steel and others.
These also of course couldn’t be used for scamming and the quality differs from one brand to another, but usually are good quality budget tools.

And last category is of course the genuine or original knives.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this post, and it will be useful in future discussions.

For more reviews and info please visit my knife blog: http://www.bestchineseknives.com/

Cheers!