What is OEM and Why Are Some Knives Sold Under Different Brand Names?

When looking to buy a knife, you may notice that some are sold under different brand names but are essentially the same product. This can be confusing, especially when the same knife is advertised at wildly different prices. This is because many knives are made by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), meaning that the same item is sold in many different shops with the only difference being the logo and price tag on the knife.

An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is a company that manufactures an original product that is sold under another company’s brand name. In the case of knives, an OEM might manufacture a knife and sell it to several different companies who then simply add their price margin and sell the knife under their own brand name. This is a common practice in many industries, including the knife industry.

One of the main reasons knives are sold under different brand names but made by the same manufacturer is branding. A well-known brand name can increase the perceived value of a product, making it more desirable to consumers. In the case of knives, even the most trending knife brands have some of their items made by other (OEM) manufacturers.

This doesn’t mean that these knives are of bad quality. Sometimes OEM knives are even better than the in-house manufactured big brand knives. Regardless of the brand, a well-made knife with high-quality materials and precise manufacturing is still a premium quality product.

Companies that want to offer knives under their own brand name but don’t have the resources or expertise to manufacture them in-house will turn exclusively to OEMs to produce the knives for them.

Another reason is cost savings. By outsourcing production to an OEM, a company can save on manufacturing costs such as labor and equipment, which can result in a lower cost for the consumer.

If you’re looking for OEM knives, be aware of companies that sell the same knife at a much higher price than other retailers, as this could indicate an attempt to take advantage of consumers who are not aware of the OEM practice. Instead, look for retailers that partner with OEM manufacturers and offer fair pricing.

In our store we offer some of the popular 100% original knives you can find advertised online under different brand names, but at the original lowest margin price. We thoroughly test all the knives we sell and offer only the highest-quality products (unless explicitly stated), so you don’t have to worry about getting a bad deal.