Where Are QSP Knives Made? A B2B Sourcing Breakdown

QSP knives are made in Yangjiang, Guangdong Province — known across China as the “Capital of Knives & Scissors”.

The brand launched in 2017 after gaining experience making knives for other companies. Its name stands for Quality, Service, Price.

However, country of origin alone is not enough to evaluate a production partner. This guide details QSP’s manufacturing background, OEM capacity and product specs to support your sourcing and private-label planning.

Key Takeaways

• Origin: QSP designs and manufactures knives in Yangjiang, Guangdong, China. It is not an American brand, nor is all its design work done locally.
• Name: QSP stands for Quality, Service, Price.
• Background: The factory started OEM manufacturing in 2009 and launched its own branded line in 2017.
• Steels: D2, 14C28N, 154CM, S35VN, Nitro-V, M390 and Damascus are available, varying by model.
• Price range: Entry models from ~$24, premium M390 models up to ~$260.

Who Is QSP Knives?

QSP is a Chinese knife brand that launched in Yangjiang in 2017. Its name stands for Quality, Service, Price. The range offers a choice between lower-cost everyday tools and models with more expensive materials.

The Penguin, Parrot, Pelican, Canary, and Osprey models follow the brand’s animal-naming theme. The Penguin family includes several sizes, blade steels, and locking systems, so compare versions rather than buying by name alone.

QSP describes its lineup as Budget Friendly and Premium series. These labels help you browse, but the product specifications show what each knife includes. Beyond pocket knives, you can also find fixed blades and Mulan kitchen knives, expanding your options from daily carry to food preparation.

Where Are QSP Knives Made?

QSP knives are manufactured in Yangjiang, Guangdong, China, not the United States. Its team develops QSP and OEM products. The manufacturing origin doesn’t determine where customer support operates.

Yangjiang is known as China’s “Capital of Knives & Scissors”, home to over 850 cutlery enterprises and a complete industrial chain from steel forging to surface finishing. Roughly 85% of China’s knife exports come from this cluster. QSP is a representative mid-tier player in Yangjiang: it grew out of OEM contract work and now operates both its own brand and third-party manufacturing services.

	Quick Facts
Name Meaning	Quality, Service, Price.
Timeline	OEM partnerships since 2009; branded products since 2017.
Location	Yangjiang, Guangdong, China.
Steels	D2, 14C28N, 154CM, S35VN, Nitro-V, M390, Damascus; model-dependent
Price Range	Parrot examples: $24–$32; M390 Legatus: $259.95
Warranty	Original-owner coverage for material and workmanship defects; exclusions apply.
Channels	Official store, Blade HQ, KnifeCenter, and other retailers.

Before buying, check your model’s specifications and service terms. QSP’s warranty page does not explicitly promise lifetime coverage or identify a US service center. Ask for clarification if either point affects your decision.

Who Does QSP Make Knives For? The OEM Connection

The most underreported fact about QSP is that it still manufactures knives for other brands. The Finch Stinger, from Kansas microbrand Finch Knife Co., is a QSP collaboration, and C. Risner Cutlery’s exclusive traditional models are QSP-made, as KTSM’s Rough Edge column reports.

This answers “who makes QSP knives” better than any address could: QSP is the factory American brands trust to carry their own names.

OEM work means building to a client’s design, tolerances, and inspection standards. It’s a factory that applies the same QC discipline to its house brand as it does to American microbrands.

QSP is often mentioned alongside CIVIVI and WE because they occupy similar price tiers, but they are separate companies, with different factories, different teams, and the same city.

For emerging knife brands, QSP’s OEM track record highlights three key benefits of working with a Yangjiang factory: proven production consistency, lower MOQ thresholds than premium factories, and the ability to scale from small test runs to full wholesale lines.

Are QSP Knives Good? Process, Drawbacks, and Warranty

QSP offers models worth comparing if you want an affordable everyday knife. Reviews of the Penguin praise its smooth opening, blade centering, and fit. However, those findings apply to tested versions, not every knife in the catalog.

How QSP Makes Its Knives

QSP’s BLADE Show profile names water-jet cutting, CNC machining and grinding, vacuum heat treatment, and inspection before shipping. These methods support consistent production but don’t guarantee identical results on every blade.

Process	What it does	What it means for you
Water-jet cutting	Uses a pressurized cutting stream to shape blade blanks	Avoids the heat-affected edge associated with thermal cutting
CNC machining and grinding	Uses programmed machines to shape parts and bevels	Supports repeatable dimensions; assembly still affects fit
Vacuum heat treatment	Hardens steel in a controlled, low-oxygen environment	Limits surface oxidation; temperature control and cooling still matter
Individual inspection	QSP says each knife is checked before shipping	Adds a final check, not proof that defects never escape

For context, our guide on how knives are made explains how shaping, heat treatment, assembly, and testing work together.

Known Drawbacks and Steel Choices

Some Penguin versions use small T6 screws for the handle scales, pocket clip, and lock bar. Don’t force them or assume disassembly is harmless: QSP excludes disassembled knives from warranty coverage.

Also, D2 needs corrosion care. Clean and dry your blade after use, and consider a protective oil suited to its intended tasks. Reviews mention model-specific issues, including clip pressure and sharp thumb studs. These are reasons to check handling, not dismiss the whole brand.

Read steel specifications by version. QSP offers D2, 14C28N, 154CM, S35VN, Nitro-V, and M390. These names do not create fixed quality tiers or prove where a particular steel batch was sourced.

Warranty and Independent Recognition

QSP covers defects in original-owned material and artistry, subject to exclusions. Its published policy does not explicitly promise lifetime coverage or identify a US service center. BLADE confirms QSP Penguin Glyde won the “Best Buy of the Year” title in 2025.

What QSP’s Model Means for Your Own Knife Brand

QSP’s history shows how manufacturing experience can support a brand launch. It began its OEM partnerships in 2009 and started offering its own products in 2017.

For your project, Kegani offers three routes from Yangjiang:

• OEM and custom knife production includes prototype review, a project manager, and stated protection for confidential drawings and specifications.
• Private label programs let you choose materials, logos, and packaging. You approve samples before production begins.
• Wholesale knife lines let you select existing products and discuss branding, quantities, and shipping.

Build Your Own Knife Brand with Kegani

If you have a knife design or wholesale requirement, Kegani can help you assess a production plan. Our manufacturing service includes drawings, prototypes, and a project manager who coordinates your requirements.

Request your free quote from Kegani to compare the proposal with your project needs.

Further reading in our Brand Origins series and the Best Chinese Knife Brands rundown.

FAQ

Is QSP American-made?

No. QSP manufactures knives in Yangjiang, Guangdong, China. It launched its own branded products in 2017, following OEM partnerships that began in 2009. For support, use QSP’s published contact details. Its warranty page does not identify a US service center or establish American production.

Are QSP Knives Worth It?

QSP can offer value when the model matches your tasks and budget. Start with features you will use, rather than treating its manufacturing country or business partnerships as proof of quality.

• If you want a first QSP, consider Penguin. Standard versions start around $33, while button-lock, slipjoint, and Glyde Lock versions offer different opening and closing methods.
• If you are skeptical of Chinese-made knives, read model-specific reviews and QSP’s warranty exclusions. OEM relationships cannot guarantee a flawless knife.
• If you are on a tight budget, Parrot V2 examples cost about $28–$32. Peregrine models are listed at $59.
• If you are building your own knife brand, QSP’s history offers a case study. Kegani supports custom production, but you still need to agree on sample, inspection, and delivery terms.

Always check grip comfort, blade care, and the seller’s return policy before deciding what’s worth it.

Does QSP make good knives?

Yes, QSP has models with positive independent reviews, particularly the Penguin. Reviewers praise smooth opening, useful blade geometry, and finish for the price. However, bearing systems and steel vary by version. Some models use small T6 screws, and D2 needs corrosion care. Check a detailed review of your chosen version instead of assuming the whole catalog performs identically.

Which QSP knife is the best?

No single QSP is best for everyone. The Penguin is a reasonable starting point, with several sizes and mechanisms. Consider the Vault for Glyde Lock operation or the Coyote for a button-operated liner lock. If you prefer a fixed blade, check the Canary version carefully: the name also covers folding knives. Match your choice to your tasks.

Who makes QSP knives?

QSP manufactures its knives in Yangjiang, China, and develops products through its design and engineering team. It also makes knives for other businesses, such as Finch Knife Co. of Kansas. C. Risner Cutlery sells documented QSP exclusives. However, distinguish the retailer’s exclusive materials or designs from the manufacturing company, and verify named OEM relationships.