Please read this:
You guys, this debate will go on for eternity. I personally don't know where I stand, I own more authentics than clones, and have experienced firsthand the difference in quality between the two. That doesn't mean I don't like to save money here and there, but I'm a jeweler by trade and thus pay extensive attention to fine detail. For me, especially in my trade, quality always comes first.
Now beyond that, even if China can come up to par quality-wise with the originals, let me just tell you something that really really sucks about this whole clone situation. I personally engraved and created the LA and Punisher logo Kayfun chimneys for a shop in SoCal. My engraving machine was 60k, and is the best on the market. It took 3 8-hour work shifts to finish 100 pieces, at $5 bucks a pop cost.
Next thing you know, Joe posted that they had copied the idea (seriously couldn't come up with their own picture to engrave? Literally stole the exact images!)
Now I have a stack of engraved kayfuns that we'll never get my money back on, because FT sells them for 2 bucks, a price that I cannot beat.
Tell me why you guys think this is fair? The same thing is happening to the creator of the Chuff Enuff, us small time guys aren't outsourcing to China like that, were doing it in our own backyard. Now FT sells the Chuff Enuff drip top cap for $2. All of that persons goods and time invested are now completely worthless.
You guys need to understand that 50% of people involved in doing this are not huge booming companies with pockets as deep as the Pacific. it's every day guys like you and me, who come on these boards and want to give the community what they want. But in the end, we all need to make a living.