Thread: Chinese Badger knots and sweatshops

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

I dont know about TGN knots coming from sweatshops but unfortunately they are many in China and India, so its not unreasonable to think that they could come from unethical sources.

The quality in TGN knots dropped the last years
I have bough from this store many knot all kinds but their black-pure-finest badgers are not as few wears back.
I hesitate to order again for this reason [plus the international shipping rate raised].

Tcridshd, you kind of proved my point. There are other options for badger hair besides China, but they cost more. Yes, I grew up not that far from some of the biggest Foster Farms chicken plants in CA. My main objection is that they do not dispatch the animals before skinning them, so I am choosing not buy products from them. It isn't just fur, or leather products. My truck needed brake pads, and rotors all around. I chose to spend another $120 and got parts that were made over here. I simply do not trust Chinese brake parts to stop my truck when it is a combined weight with a trailer exceeding 20,000#. Being a machinist by trade, I have also seen enough poor quality Chinese made metal items to decide not to use them. All of the other contaminated consumer items that have been sent over here is another reason to buy over here.

We as the consumer hold the power to change the products sold to us through our purchases. As long as we continue to put our cost savings above their working conditions, it will not change. There are businesses in Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada that I will not patronize due to their company policies. I vote with my wallet.

How many knots do you go through a year, and how much more would they be if you supported a local trapper? Would it be worth it to you to spend the extra to help a fellow citizen stay employed? For some people, no. For me, I try to buy as much made in USA as I possibly can.