Are spyderco knives overpriced?

[Stays Sharp]

It bothers me because spydercos aren't generic run of the mill knives. They have a reputation, and when someone unfamiliar with knives see "Taiwan" they immediately think it's cheap and crappy. No one thinks "hmm... Taiwan is not China and they have labor laws."

If I pay that kind of $$ I want it to go to people that live and work in my country.

So don't buy Taiwan knives. Just don't be surprised that the majority will disagree with some of your assertions.

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showt...555#post391555

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showt...light=Usa+made

Companies soley staying in America is now a becoming pipe dream and is not realistic in this day and age. Sad but true. Spyderco didn't pioneer foreign made goods. If anything they were pressured to keep up in a way. It's a small company trying to expand.

Go American as much as you can and even go out of the way and pay extra sometimes...That's about all we can do.

 

[Penetration]

Now it just sounds like you're crawfishing on your original post. You've been a member here for a week, and you've admitted in previous posts that you just started collecting knives an don't own a knife above $60 so maybe you just really don't know what quality knives are..eh?

Let's talk about pricing. The green CTS-204P Para 2 sprint MSRP was the EXACT same price as a standard satin Para 2. It's the dealer that has the option to sell that knife for $110 or $180 or anywhere over and in-between, and with the crazy demand for the Para 2, (if you ever use one you'll understand) I don't blame the dealers for upcharging. It's the secondary market that demands the insane prices for these. And speaking of the Para 2, there's a reason that a standard black/satin "sold and shipped" from Amazon, not a 3rd party, sells for $150 today...because even they understand the demand too.

So maybe it helps to understand what REALLY expensive knives cost (say >$300) and the quality you get, then take a step back and realize the materials, quality, and f/f you can get for no more than your average monthly smartphone bill these days.

This is true but if you haven't noticed even though I just started I've been more than capable of debating on a certain knife or knives with people that have owned knives for years I do my research I know what a good quality knife is and all though I just opened this account, I've been knowing and researching knives for 2 years and yet I know just as much as any knife collector/ user

 

[RedLynx]

Thank you for that honest answer, I appreciate it.

It bothers me because spydercos aren't generic run of the mill knives. They have a reputation, and when someone unfamiliar with knives see "Taiwan" they immediately think it's cheap and crappy. No one thinks "hmm... Taiwan is not China and they have labor laws."

If I pay that kind of $$ I want it to go to people that live and work in my country.

 

[uofaengr]

Yes, it's funny how some here have this special knives rule where they become super pro American yet their NorthFace jacket is made in Honduras, their Car assembled in Mexico, Jordans made in China, Laptop they are complaining on made in China...And take no real issue with it.

Go American as much as you can, but dont be a hypocrite.

Read these:

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?30951-quot-Tenacious-quot-model&p=391555#post391555

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?34379-USA-made&highlight=Usa+made

Nothing brings out the selective patriotism consumers like guns, knives, and cars.

**This message composed on a Microsoft wireless keyboard made in China connected to a Dell Inspiron made in China connected to an LG television assembled in Mexico while fondling a Sage 1**

 

[cpio]

For the designs available and the designers that Spyderco works with, their attention to detail and quality control, the variety of individual models available, the materials they use and Spyderco's willingness to constantly push the envelope with high-performance steels, you certainly get plenty of bang for your buck. Overpriced? Nah.

 

[9blades]

It bothers me because spydercos aren't generic run of the mill knives. They have a reputation, and when someone unfamiliar with knives see "Taiwan" they immediately think it's cheap and crappy. No one thinks "hmm... Taiwan is not China and they have labor laws."

If I pay that kind of $$ I want it to go to people that live and work in my country.

I didn't want to go there...but...what device are you currently viewing blade forums on? I'd wager it costs more than $200 and isn't made in in the US.

 

[RedLynx]

Provided their workers are paid well and treated fairly, I think if a Taiwanese, German or French person makes a good knife, I might as well give them some money for it.

I'm sure some folks will hate me for saying it but, there it is.

So don't buy Taiwan knives. Just don't be surprised that the majority will disagree with some of your assertions.

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showt...555#post391555

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showt...light=Usa+made

Companies soley staying in America is now a becoming pipe dream and is not realistic in this day and age. Sad but true. Spyderco didn't pioneer foreign made goods. If anything they were pressured to keep up in a way. It's a small company trying to expand.

Go American as much as you can and even go out of the way and pay extra sometimes...That's about all we can do.

 

[M.FREEZE]

It's not selective patriotism. I'm not against buying foreign made goods. My issue is that spyderco has a reputation of "Golden, Co. USA, Earth". Now it seems as though they are going the way of everything else. Am I the only one that would pay slightly higher prices for domestic made knives verses overseas made?

 

[M.FREEZE]

I didn't want to go there...but...what device are you currently viewing blade forums on? I'd wager it costs more than $200 and isn't made in in the US.

I'd wager that you are correct. I'm on an iPhone 5. Assembled on China. I'm not anti foreign goods. I'm just pro American goods.

 

[rajincagin]

Are they not expanding right now?

Of course they are, they took profits derided from the cheap labor and are now expanding in Golden, good for them. I have no problem with business making things overseas. It's a business decision that has led the way for a standard of living I deserve. Actually I prefer buying things made overseas, at least I know I'm not supporting people who voted for "the Muslim". I do enough of that with my taxes.


To the OP, are spydercos overpriced? It all depends on your point of view...

 

[M.FREEZE]

Provided their workers are paid well and treated fairly, I think if a Taiwanese, German or French person makes a good knife, I might as well give them some money for it.

I'm sure some folks will hate me for saying it but, there it is.

Absolutely, with out a doubt. (Not the hate part)

 

[zl1]

Spyderco knives are fairly priced at most dealers, assuming you aren't paying msrp.

 

[Penetration]

It's not selective patriotism. I'm not against buying foreign made goods. My issue is that spyderco has a reputation of "Golden, Co. USA, Earth". Now it seems as though they are going the way of everything else. Am I the only one that would pay slightly higher prices for domestic made knives verses overseas made?

To kinda attempt to end this even though I have had no part in this considering I don't really care where it's made If its a good knife it's a good knife but wether or not anybody agrees with you really doesn't matter it's your opinion and you have every right to want a USA made knife wether anyone stands by you or not

 

[9blades]

It's not selective patriotism. I'm not against buying foreign made goods. My issue is that spyderco has a reputation of "Golden, Co. USA, Earth". Now it seems as though they are going the way of everything else. Am I the only one that would pay slightly higher prices for domestic made knives verses overseas made?

I'm sure they do, but spyderco producing outside of the US isn't something new, the first spyderco ever produced, the C01 Worker, was produced in Seki-City Japan.

 

[RedLynx]

I'm certainly happy to buy goods and services made here, especially if they are of higher quality.

I guess my question is, provided quality is comparable AND workers are treated fairly in standards and practices, what's the incentive of paying those slightly higher prices? To get better quality I can understand. To make sure it goes to markets that do treat workers fairly vs. those they don't, I REALLY understand. But if you take those things away, then, to me, it becomes "just because." But perhaps I am not looking at the issue properly here.

It's not selective patriotism. I'm not against buying foreign made goods. My issue is that spyderco has a reputation of "Golden, Co. USA, Earth". Now it seems as though they are going the way of everything else. Am I the only one that would pay slightly higher prices for domestic made knives verses overseas made?

 

[Stays Sharp]

I'm not anti foreign goods. I'm just pro American goods.

In this day and age, this is my position by default.

 

[dishcore]

It bothers me because spydercos aren't generic run of the mill knives. They have a reputation, and when someone unfamiliar with knives see "Taiwan" they immediately think it's cheap and crappy. No one thinks "hmm... Taiwan is not China and they have labor laws."

If I pay that kind of $$ I want it to go to people that live and work in my country.

I actually tried to do this at the mall about two weeks ago. I was looking for running/gym shoes. I had a few Nike's I liked the look of, but upon inspection I found Honduras, Vietnam, and all sorts of other countries I would rather not have my money supporting.

So I found a bench in the middle of the mall, sat down, whipped out my "Designed in California, Assembled in China" Apple iPhone 5 which was housed in my Commuter Series Otterbox (Made in USA!). I searched online for USA Made running shoes. I found 1 company that makes them (New Balance), in my limited online search.

I haven't scoured any further since, but it goes to show how little of the things around you are actually built by people in this Country. Also, if they are, the prices are generally significantly higher. To me, it's worth it to support our country's economy as best you can, even a shoe at a time.

However, it doesn't mean that the items made in other countries are inferior, because we're typing on them right now. If the typing device you are currently using was stamped with a made in the USA somewhere on it, you'd likely still be paying for it.

 

[RedLynx]

Thanks for seeing my point. To sort of reiterate what I said below in another post, I think it's a very good idea to keep money in markets that treat workers and laborers fairly. I used to not care so much. Then I started educating myself about some of those bad markets and just how bad it can get. Now I try to steer my money away from those markets. But if I can research and find a foreign market that doesn't mistreat people, the fact that it is foreign becomes less of an issue for me (then of course there is quality to consider, but those are my two big things no matter which market I buy from).

Absolutely, with out a doubt. (Not the hate part)

 

[M.FREEZE]

I'm certainly happy to buy goods and services made here, especially if they are of higher quality.

I guess my question is, provided quality is comparable AND workers are treated fairly in standards and practices, what's the incentive of paying those slightly higher prices? To get better quality I can understand. To make sure it goes to markets that do treat workers fairly vs. those they don't, I REALLY understand. But if you take those things away, then, to me, it becomes "just because." But perhaps I am not looking at the issue properly here.

The incentive for me is just that..."just because"
All things equal, that's really the only reason I have. It just feels right.

 

[RedLynx]

A shout out to New Balance since you mentioned them. Fantastic shoes that are often made to help disabled persons like myself who need more/special types of support in their shoes. They're great.

I actually tried to do this at the mall about two weeks ago. I was looking for running/gym shoes. I had a few Nike's I liked the look of, but upon inspection I found Honduras, Vietnam, and all sorts of other countries I would rather not have my money supporting.

So I found a bench in the middle of the mall, sat down, whipped out my "Designed in California, Assembled in China" Apple iPhone 5 which was housed in my Commuter Series Otterbox (Made in USA!). I searched online for USA Made running shoes. I found 1 company that makes them (New Balance), in my limited online search.

I haven't scoured any further since, but it goes to show how little of the things around you are actually built by people in this Country. Also, if they are, the prices are generally significantly higher. To me, it's worth it to support our country's economy as best you can, even a shoe at a time.

However, it doesn't mean that the items made in other countries are inferior, because we're typing on them right now. If the typing device you are currently using was stamped with a made in the USA somewhere on it, you'd likely still be paying for it.