[TheForge] Tool Steel--This should be OT I think , back OT again

[Andrew Vida]

Craig Schaefer wrote:
> Interesting thought, but I was always under the impression that the 
> Chinese were motivated by copying what is working rather than 
> innovating.  Can't see them risking moving into a 'new' expensive 
> manufacturing process.

	You may be right, but I'd not underestimate the Chinese.  I agree that 
east Asians tend to be pathologically incapable of original inventive 
thought in the way westerners excel, but they are absolutely tops in 
refining existing ideas.  The lack of originality may change, too. 
Necessity may drive them to it in the so-called global marketplace. 
OTOH, there is much to be said for sitting back and letting the other 
guys take all the risk of discovery and then having your pick of which 
winners to go into with all your might.  Many companies do this as a 
matter of basic business strategy.  Some call it parasitic.  I call it 
smart.