MKC makes its knives in the U.S., but must rely on imported steel. Smith would prefer to buy American-made steel, but New York–based Crucible Industries — the country’s last major steelmaker — declared bankruptcy in December. It was later bought for $17.3 million by French company Erasteel.

“Every other material we use is sourced in the U.S.,” The brand’s founder, Josh Smith, told GearJunkie. “Unfortunately, our steel manufacturer went bankrupt last November, and it was purchased by a European company. The supply of the highest quality knife steel is no longer produced in America.”

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