On the quality of mechs

[retrox]

Sure i can go spend $30 on a Gerber knife that'll last a year or so but I spent over $100 on my Benchmade and it's been my daily carry for over 15 years and there's not a single nick in the blade edge.

Oh wow, I was a semi-dedicated collector of balisongs throughout my twenties, and this analogy never even occurred to me! I've got everything from a BM 72 that I paid $180 for to a cheap korean butterfly that I picked up for a twenty spot at the flea market. The differences in workmanship and quality are immediately apparent. Also, the korean bali will literally fly into pieces if you flip it for more than a couple of minutes without tightening the pin back down. The BM has performed flawlessly for years with only minor maintenance.

I recall much consternation on the Spyderco forums concerning Spyder and BM knives being so expensive compared to all the impostors on the market. I found my 72 at a local gun and knife show; and once I had held it, the price became irrelevant. The next thing I found myself holding was my wallet. There are a lot of striking similarities between the enthusiast knife market and the enthusiast mod market now that I think about it!

I'm satisfied with my clones, but it's a damn good thing I don't live in Greece or the Philippines, because I'd probably be completely broke by now.

 

[jrs99]

After spending 20 minutes or so with the hcigar nemmi I think it's junk. The button is crunchy when it's pushed, sometimes it doesn't fire and sometimes it just sticks in the firing position. Threads aren't buttery smooth and it sure ain't 316L stainless. I'm not even sure the "brass" is real brass or just gold colored metal. $50 wasted that should have went for an authentic Nemmi.
Yes, I'm a perfectionist and this was and will be the only clone I will ever buy.
Blah, off to mess with this thing to see if it can be worked out and start looking for a new mod.

 

[RogerWilco357]

This reminds me of the why buy a Rolex or Patek Philippe they just tell time like my timex why pay so much for the name or the workmanship? Either way i can also relate to the engineer in me as the op says its just a tube with a button and battery..or is it?lol

 

[emus]

After spending 20 minutes or so with the HCigar nemmi I think it's junk. The button is crunchy when it's pushed, sometimes it doesn't fire and sometimes it just sticks in the firing position. Threads aren't buttery smooth and it sure ain't 316L stainless. I'm not even sure the "brass" is real brass or just gold colored metal. $50 wasted that should have went for an authentic Nemmi.
Yes, I'm a perfectionist and this was and will be the only clone I will ever buy.
Blah, off to mess with this thing to see if it can be worked out and start looking for a new mod.

Apparently a decent Chemesis button is luck of the draw. I have 3 and the switches are different degrees of precise. Sure they work but how hard is it to make a smooth tight switch. I'm not even sure if a real nemesis button is click free. I'd trade my 3 Chemys and a couple other mods, make that all my mods, for one smart looking mod w/ a wobble free smooth low voltage drop switch. Reviewers don't always dwell on switch functionality so I'm not sure which mods have a proper switch.

 

[Land0Calrissian]

I've been thinking the same thing to be honest. Especially with mechanical mods I feel the thing that is more important is how you build your RDA or RBA. However I have seen people that have clones experience misfires. But on the flipside the "originals" are supposed to be better because they put more into the actual manufacturing process. Not going to lie I really want an original turtleship (first mech I held and used) but thats completely outside my budget for the moment so I have been thinking about buying a clone for 40 bucks. I have no idea how "1:1" the clone really is though...

 

[jrs99]

Apparently a decent Chemesis button is luck of the draw. I have 3 and the switches are different degrees of precise. Sure they work but how hard is it to make a smooth tight switch. I'm not even sure if a real nemesis button is click free. I'd trade my 3 Chemys and a couple other mods, make that all my mods, for one smart looking mod w/ a wobble free smooth low voltage drop switch. Reviewers don't always dwell on switch functionality so I'm not sure which mods have a proper switch.

I took the switch apart and aside from a really weak and crappy spring there was another small piece of copper wire that definitely doesn't look like it belongs there. Removed that and it seems a little bit better. It's at least not sticking anymore and seems to be usable now. I'll have to see about getting the magnet upgrade but screw it, I just ordered a Mixed Greek Nemesis from VapeRev.
Bottom line is I've learned my lesson and won't touch a clone again. I don't mind paying for craftsmanship and quality.
I'm picky as hell but show me true quality and I be all like "Shut up and take my money!!11"

Now about them watches... I love watches! Rolex is a true tool watch and a great entry level high end watch. No, they aren't cheap but they are made to perfection and are something that your kids will pass down to their kids. I really like the Patek's but will probably never be able to afford one, I will however have a Rolex one day. No, I would never dream of buying a "clone" just because I couldn't afford the real thing. I don't care if it's the best fake in the world, I would know what it was and feel shame every time I looked at it.

 

[kamil99]

A Toyota and a Lexus both go A to B. One feels different no?

sent by my mind.

 

[WattWick]

Apparently a decent Chemesis button is luck of the draw. I have 3 and the switches are different degrees of precise. Sure they work but how hard is it to make a smooth tight switch. I'm not even sure if a real nemesis button is click free. I'd trade my 3 Chemys and a couple other mods, make that all my mods, for one smart looking mod w/ a wobble free smooth low voltage drop switch. Reviewers don't always dwell on switch functionality so I'm not sure which mods have a proper switch.

I think you're looking for a GP Paps

 

[RogerWilco357]

Nice to see you got the reference on the Watch comparison lol..

I took the switch apart and aside from a really weak and crappy spring there was another small piece of copper wire that definitely doesn't look like it belongs there. Removed that and it seems a little bit better. It's at least not sticking anymore and seems to be usable now. I'll have to see about getting the magnet upgrade but screw it, I just ordered a Mixed Greek Nemesis from VapeRev.
Bottom line is I've learned my lesson and won't touch a clone again. I don't mind paying for craftsmanship and quality.
I'm picky as hell but show me true quality and I be all like "Shut up and take my money!!11"

Now about them watches... I love watches! Rolex is a true tool watch and a great entry level high end watch. No, they aren't cheap but they are made to perfection and are something that your kids will pass down to their kids. I really like the Patek's but will probably never be able to afford one, I will however have a Rolex one day. No, I would never dream of buying a "clone" just because I couldn't afford the real thing. I don't care if it's the best fake in the world, I would know what it was and feel shame every time I looked at it.

 

[ARCHMAN]

I recently chose to buy a Mech (Zenesis 2 CT) because they are made with quality materials. There's little to nothing to guess at & not much to go wrong or break. I also prefer to support an in-house made small batch product.

That said, not foreseeing big business/govt. intervention, we're surely still in the very young days of these things. There are engineers & machinests/shops out there making far more complicated gizmos at similar prices who, if interested, could make high quality, affordable, in-house (not outsourced) vape products. A couple of companies, for example could be Microtech Knives, SureFire Flashlights, Wilson Combat, PSDproducts and really practically endless others. Otherwise, any halfway intelligent & mostly interested individual is just an associates degree, business plan & not that significant bank loan away from making these. Sure, there are innovations but there's not that much to these things. Prices may or may not go down but you can be sure availability will go up.

 

[retired1]

Moved to APV Discussion