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Thread: Chinese Badger knots and sweatshops

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    Senior Member UKRob's Avatar
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    Default Chinese Badger knots and sweatshops

    In an unrelated GD razor thread that got sidetracked, RobinK made a statement that many cheap Chinese badger knots were made in sweatshops - this concerns me because he also implied that one of our major retailers TGN is a guilty party - and I happen to own quite a few knots supplied by them.

    Hopefully Robin will come along and explain what is behind the statement but in the meantime is anyone else aware that there is any truth behind the claim?
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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    A good friend of mine just spent 2 years of his life, commuting to China every 2 weeks to get a project manufactured.

    He says the problem is, everybody is looking to make a buck, or even a few pennies and employees would quit and go across the street to work for a penny more. His biggest problem was quality control, as soon as he left the contractor would sub out the work to another contractor and quality went out the window.

    I doubt in this day, there are Dickenson Sweatshops where workers are held prisoner, forced to make products, especially un-skilled products like knots. Just because they don’t have air conditioning, doesn’t make it a sweat shop.

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    Who's that guy think he is... JoeSomebody's Avatar
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    This should turn out to be entertaining gentlemen. I am also curious, from what I understand, most badger hair comes from China. If there is another source it would be great.
    Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity. ~Lucius Annaeus Seneca

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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Quote Originally Posted by Euclid440 View Post
    I doubt in this day, there are Dickenson Sweatshops where workers are held prisoner, forced to make products, especially un-skilled products like knots. Just because they don’t have air conditioning, doesn’t make it a sweat shop.
    I believe it is worse than that Inside a Chinese Sweatshop: "A Life of Fines and Beating" .

    Bob
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Leatherstockiings's Avatar
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    Conditions in Apple factories have been in the news this past year.

    Apple 'failing to protect Chinese factory workers' - BBC News

    I would like to hear what types of badger hair was used for brushes historically. Is European and N. American badger fur suitable?
    Phrank, engine46 and MikeT like this.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    So, first, that article is 15 years old… and comp aired to subsistence sun up to sun down farming…

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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    I thought those NPR, Apple sweatshop reports were proved fake?

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Leatherstockiings's Avatar
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    It looks like one news report concerning Apple factories, this American Life 2012, was fabricated. But there were several stories from late 2014 and even one from last month saying workers are being forced to work under poor conditions like long stretches with no time off.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth markbignosekelly's Avatar
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    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.
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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Yes, working conditions may have improved over the years but I'll bet they are still nowhere near what would be considered acceptable by western standards. Mind you western working conditions are not what they once were either.

    Bob
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

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