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Anybody read this?  If so, do me a favor and say something totally random in the comments.

Thanks.

Nice gun, but do the Navy Seals use it?

In every industry there are Michael Jordans who by endorsing a product or brand can increase sales significantly. In the firearm industry we see Chris Costa, Larry Vickers, Travis Haley, and Elite groups of the military like Navy Seals and Army Special Forces.
These guys can sell product because they carry credibility as they’ve been there and done that so to speak. Or maybe they are just the hot thing at the moment like Hansel in Zoolander. No disrespect meant to anyone with that comment. I simply mean some spokespeople are very popular for a short time and then fade away eventually.
People buy products they endorse for the same reason kids would buy Nike Air Jordans and Reebok Pumps when I was a kid.
“It will make me a better player/shooter/knitter if I’m using the same tools the pros use.”
Its like if you don’t have a cool well known military spokesperson, you can’t be taken seriously as a firearm or firearm related company. You need some sort of ex-SF guy to say you have good kit. Having these endorsements makes civilians feel like they are getting a piece of what the military actually uses and in turn a superior product to what civilians normally have access to. This is the mindset.

Take an AR-15 for example. You could get a Del-Ton, Rock River, BCM, or LaRue. Everyone of these has something on their website citing military or law enforcement. You could get the RRA Govt which is the “civilian version of the renowned RRA DEA Carbine!”
At the end of the day, I value the information that Andrew at Vuurwapenblog shares because it’s not tainted by endorsement money. I realize product endorsement is going to happen and I’m not against it. My point is it’s good to have some resources like this blog to find mostly objective research and information. I say “mostly” simply because Andrew occasionally shares his opinion which I also enjoy.

Speaking of 1911s...here is a great resource to have for takedown and maintenance. Hilton Yam knows his stuff...

1911 American Icon

The 1911.  An iconic piece of American history.  It has been praised for it's strength, robustness, crisp trigger and slim frame.  For some it is a carry piece, for others a range or competition gun, and for more than might admit, it is a safe queen, brought out only to fondle and photograph. It is timeless, exudes class, and like the AR15 comes in a wide variety of flavors.  Available with aluminum and steel frames, tactical rails, and a plethora of sight options.  If someone from Hollywood in1945 were trying to create a futuristic prop gun for a movie, it might look something like the 1911 race guns of today. The John Browning pistol is constantly being compared to the modern polymer pistols in current production such as the Glock.  The bottom line is they are two pistols from two very different periods of time where different technologies were available. I'm going to go out on a limb and say if these guns were vehicles, then the first Gen Glock would be a 1988 Nissan Sentra, and the 1911 a 1950 Chevy pickup.
The 88 Sentra had little to no character but it was cheap, fuel effecient and boring reliable.  I owned one and can't think of anything spectacular about it other than it worked and always worked.  It's a small car, I'm 5'9" but for a lot of taller people this would be an uncomfortable ride. The vinyl seats would stick to your legs and make you sweat in the summer.  Even though it was ugly and uncomfortable, mine was going strong even when only firing on 3 cylinders.  This was after my dad had used it to commute to work and back for several years.
An old fully restored antique pickup is a beautiful thing.  They are not gas sippers and they are lacking in modern features. Still, they are sure to turn heads and serve as a reminder of an older time where everything was made of steel and made to last.  People like the way they look and appreciate the history they carry.  Usually reserved for around town and parades, these classics are not ordinarily designated for everyday commuter use.  Making an old truck with new technology is the same thing as manufacturing modern day 1911s.  I mean car companies are going retro anyways with some of their newest models.  Kind of like Hollywood, they are running out of new ideas so they look at remaking originals.  Look at the newer Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Avenger for example.  The PT Cruiser, Chevy HHR, and SSR are eyesores but they are designed to look like older model cars and look at who is generally driving them.
They haven't quite captured the timelessness embodied in the pickups of old with these recent re-makes. On the other hand, I think the firearm industry has nailed it with the 1911.  They've kept the body of the 1911 and just given it a new set of clothes.  Modern sights, beavertail safeties, and ramped barrels are just a few improvements made while keeping the frame of the pistol intact.
My point is that while I'm a huge fan of the 1911 with it's timeless design and huge role in American history, it would not be my number one "go to" pistol.  Is my Les Baer 1911 with 1.5 inch guarantee at 50 yards the nicest gun I own?  Most definitely.  I value it more than any other firearm.  For one, it cost 4 times what a new Glock, SD, or M&P runs for.  It's my parade pistol.  I enjoy shooting it the most and I shoot it more accurately than any other.  Short and Crisp 4 lb trigger, 5 inch barrel, and over-sized parts that are all fitted by hand.  Yeah, it better be a sweet shooter.  What do I carry though and expect to function 100%?  Glock 19 or HK USP Compact.

So what do you guys think our grandkids will say about our Glocks in 50 years?

US Made Spyderco Tenacious

I may be a minority but I personally am very selective about what I carry in my pocket.  I'm somewhat of a minimalist and if it's riding close, I want it to be of high quality and carry it's weight in value.  What you carry in your pocket says a lot about you. Just like the clothes you wear and the car you drive. When it comes to a good folding knife, I refuse to carry one made in China.  Am I altogether against everything made in China?  No. How can anyone boycott all Chinese products?  You'd be naked and tech-less.  A lot of it depends on the quality control and the item being made.  Anyone familiar with some of the stuff that China has tried to pass onto us?   Or how about to their own people?

Do I believe certain things should be made in the USA?  Yes.  I prefer specific items like knives, watches, and guns to be held to a higher standard and produced in countries that have a long-standing history of manufacturing quality goods.  I love to buy domestic whenever possible for that extra amount of national pride it gives me.  Don't you agree?

Let's take a look at the super popular Spyderco Tenacious.  Great looking knife with a good grip and blade shape.  I know, I've held one.  What's not to like?  Made in China.  You may get a good one, but I've also heard of several getting  lemons.  Poor heat treat, steel rusts too quickly, female threads being stripped.  But it's only $34!!  Great, buy 20 of them.  In my book, some things shouldn't be cheap.  Or look at CRKT.  Cool looking knives for sure.  I still haven't pulled the trigger on one yet though.  Made in Taiwan.  I'd expect that if I were buying it from the gumball dispenser at the grocery store.  Not when I'm putting down serious money for an important tool. 

I'm fine if they want to cater to the cheap at all costs including quality and national pride audience, but I would prefer that they give me the option to buy the same knife made in either Seki City, Japan or Boulder, Colorado.

I'll pay double or even triple the current cost to know that my knife was held to a higher standard. It is after all riding in my front pocket and I will expect it to perform 100%.  I like seeing where it was made every time it comes out of my pocket.  I like owning things that I know I'll be able to pass onto my kids and possibly grandkids.  I doubt anyone will celebrate receiving grandpa's $30 Chinese knife he got because it was so inexpensive.  So how about it Spyderco and CRKT?