I’ve been trying to be more deliberate about buying American-made products when able. Diving into “why” would be quite the rabbit hole, so, for now, I’ll just share a little about how it’s going.
Strategies:
On Amazon, I search the reviews and comments for “made,” “manufactured,” and “China.” This is marginally effective, as it often does not return any info. Going directly to a company’s website is often similarly vague. I glance over their “About Us” section, and if they don’t mention that they do their manufacturing in the US, it’s usually a red flag that they don’t (when they do manufacture in the US, they call attention to it). Watch out for the phrases “American-based” or patriotic founding stories, those tend to be red herrings for companies that manufacture overseas. Again, if they actually do their manufacturing in the US, they will make it big and bold.
Camping, Fishing, and Outdoor Products
Trekology
https://trekology.com/
Their website has the blurb that “Trekology is an innovative startup company started in Portland, Oregon.” A promising start, it got me hopeful that they actually make their products here. A little more, digging, though, and alas: made in China.
To their credit, the fact that their manufacturing is done in China is clearly stated on their website and in each product description. Also, their Amazon postings don’t imply that their products are American-made; in fact, they acknowledge that they are made in China. Thank you for the transparency, Trekology.
Grand Trunk
https://www.grandtrunk.com/
Much more misleading than Trekology, Grand Trunk puts it big and bold on their website and in their Amazon listings that “our home will always be right here in Chicago, IL.” They even bold it! A search of their website for “China” returns zero results.
If you are ordering online, you don’t find out until the product arrives that it was made in China.
Heddon
There are many websites dedicated to Heddon fishing lures, as they are a collector’s item; these sites celebrate Heddon’s long history in Dowagiac, Michigan. This gave me some hope that their lures are still made in the US. For example:
In the late 1890s James Heddon launched a hand-made lure into a Dowagiac, Mich., pond and the ripples are still expanding. It marked the beginning of a new era – the artificial-lure fishing era – for all anglers. Established in 1898, Heddon Lures is the oldest lure company still producing quality fishing products. Heddon is the manufacturer of legendary lures, including the Spook, Torpedo, Lucky 13 and many more, and these lures follow the same innovative vision James Heddon captured more than 100 years ago.
Currently, Heddon is owned by EBSCO Industries. As far as I can tell, their primary website seems to be https://www.lurenet.com/brands/heddon. Their description:
Heddon is the world’s oldest fishing lure manufacturer in continuous production, and that kind of history doesn’t happen by accident. Since 1894 – more than 100 years – Heddon’s been on the leading edge of fishing lure technology. Heddon makes the lures you know and trust, such as the Zara Spook, Tiny Torpedo and the Spit’n Image, as well as classic lures like the Lucky 13 and Bayou Boogie. In fresh or saltwater, you can depend on Heddon’s 100 years of experience to put fish in the boat.
You wouldn’t know it from digging around online, but, unfortunately, Heddon has moved their manufacturing to China. Their Amazon listings celebrate their Dowagiac heritage without a mention of China.
Eagle Claw and Shappell
It’s surreal to read the Eagle Claw website as I sit here with their Chinese-made products in hand. Their website says:
Founded in Denver, Colorado in 1925, the Wright & McGill Co. is solely owned by Lee McGill. We continue to manufacture all of our world famous fishhooks in Denver, Colorado and are extremely proud to be the only brand of fishhooks "Made In The USA!" We are proud stewards of an 90+ year American legacy and the most recognizable brand name in all of fishing.
On a slow fishing day in the 1920’s, Drew McGill encountered a bird of prey that caused him to rethink the shape of the common fishhook. Now over 90 years later, Eagle Claw continues to carry on a legacy of integrity, honesty, and American heritage. As the last hook in the world to be manufactured in the United States, Eagle Claw offers an extremely price competitive product without compromising quality or attention to detail.
Quite ironic that they mention their honesty and integrity. A search of their website for “China” yields zero results.
Under the same umbrella as Eagle Claw is Shappell. They claim:
Developed over 35 years ago, the Shappell brand is a an American-based company that aligns with our values and mission to provide affordable, quality fishing equipment to anglers of every level.
That typo is theirs (“is a an”). I’ve learned that when a company describes themselves as “American-based,” it means they do their manufacturing elsewhere.
As a consumer, this has been quite the frustrating experience. I can’t imagine how it feels for the families and towns that used to be supported by these businesses, only to have their jobs exported.