Colorado vs Japan/Taiwan/China

JW Knives

JW Knives

Joined
Feb 22, 2011
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I purchased a Manix 2 (Sabre Grind) yesterday from my local shop. I am very happy that he had more than one in stock. The first one I looked at had such uneven grinds that even the shop owner was surprised.

I pointed it out and asked to see another one. The one he handed me was much more symmetrical and I bought it.

At one point while discussing the uneven grinds he made the comment "that's what you get for made in America" (the Manix 2 is made in Colorado) He then went on to tell me that in all his years selling Spyderco blades he has come to the conclusion that the Spyderco blades coming from overseas are typically of a much higher quality.

This was new to me because being a Canadian I have always supported buying Canadian or buying US products.

What are your guys feelings on this. Trust me I am all for a patriotism but I also think it's true that the workers overseas possibly take more pride in their work and thus make a better product.
 
I believe the best Spyderco makes comes out of Golden. Comparing my Taiwan made to my USA made, the USA has higher quality G-10, came sharper, etc. But, that is what I think.
 
I only own two Spyderco knives, a Manix 2 from Golden and an Endura4 from Seki City Japan. They both came equally sharp and they both had the same amazing level of fit and finish I have come to expect from Spyderco. As long as I see the Spyderco name stamped on my knife, I'm not worried. There will always be those knives that slip through the cracks of quality control and may have some minor issues, it just happens.
 
Lately, my preference has been Taiwan first, Golden second, and Japan third (I don't have any of the Chinese made models). This preference is based on quality and the model of knives. But they are all top quality and I'm happy with them regardless of origin. My only miff is with the Japan-made knives and their stubbornness in only using Japanese steel, which limits their offerings a bit.
 
I would tend to trust the Colorado factory the most from my personal experience.

I got an Endura wave with really off grinds. It was so bad that my sharpmaker would only touch one side when I tried to sharpen it. Tool a lot of time to reprofile it.

My Caly 3 cf/Zdp had grit in the blade pivot that I had to clean out.

My para2 came pretty good from the factory. It just needed a slight pivot/play adjustment and some graphite on a sticky lock.

That's 3 different factories with my worst issue coming from a Japanese one. Go figure.
 
Cisco Kid said:
Lately, my preference has been Taiwan first, Golden second, and Japan third (I don't have any of the Chinese made models). This preference is based on quality and the model of knives. But they are all top quality and I'm happy with them regardless of origin. My only miff is with the Japan-made knives and their stubbornness in only using Japanese steel, which limits their offerings a bit.
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Golden, Japan, and Taiwan have all turned out some excellent knives. They've all turned out some less than excellent ones as well. Best I can say for the ones from China is that they're a good value for their price. In terms of fit and finish, I'd say the ones from Spyderco's maker in Taichung, Taiwan are the most consistently excellent.
 
Vanguard41xx said:
I believe the best Spyderco makes comes out of Golden. Comparing my Taiwan made to my USA made, the USA has higher quality G-10, came sharper, etc. But, that is what I think.
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Vanguard I tend to agree with you and I put my vote for the Golden Colorado made Spyders first in line. Being a citizen of the United States really isn't the main reason I make that vote as much as QUALITY being a main proponent. My Japanese made Spyders do come in at a very close second and I also put the blade steels in that order as well.

When I was in the tree business all of my chain saws were STIHL which were all made in Germany except for 2 models that were made in Virginia Beach, Virginia USA. Again quality is my main reason for the decisions that lead me in the direction I go.

Now I'm not going to lie and say that USA made items are not sort of sentimental favorites because I do try my best to purchase USA made products of all types. And I've always tended to buy USA made knives since I was in my early teens with Buck, Kabar & Schrade being the ones I cut my teeth on. I am very patriotic as far as trying to keep jobs here in the USA where I live and make my living. But if the item is of super quality I will follow the leader.

In a sense I try to follow Spyderco's example of following quality where ever that may lead me. Today all 3 of the folders I'm carrying are all Seki City Japan models. In one sense that to me is the main reason I find Spyderco such an intriguing company because they tend to go where quality leads them too. But the Golden CO USA Earth models will for those aforementioned reasons be my favorites.
 
I have had really good luck with Spyderco: very one that I have bought has been excellent. That said I really prefer the ones made in Golden because of the designs and the sprints with different steels.
 
I personally have yet to own any of their blades from Taiwan. I love the feel and "heft" of the manix. It is my first "high end" Spyderco. I'm really happy with it. Although I must say that I would not be good at buying knives online, without being able to handle the specific blade I plan on purchasing first.
 
I didn't know my sage was made in Taiwan until I took it out of it's little bag, and I'll admit I had some pangs of hesitation at first.
I don't know why really, it wasn't some form of nationalism or holier than thouism, just the stigma in general of MADE IN TAIWAN.
That foolishness quickly subsided the first time I carried it, I love the knife.
 
In my personal experience, it goes like this: Taiwan > Japan > USA > Seki City and no experience with the Chinese models, so I can't comment. I remember reading somewhere that the Spydies stamped just Japan are made by Moki. But on the other hand, I own have owned more Golden made Spydies than others. They're all great knives +1
 
I only have a Chicago from Taiwan and have no qualms about it at all. That said, I think anything mass produced is going to have a "dud" now and then no matter where it's made.
 
I don't really have any Taiwan made Spydies yet. What are some nice models that are made there that might be worth picking up?

I know from experience with my Asus computer that Taiwan has excellent manufacturing and can't be compared to China at all in that sense.
 
Jet B said:
I don't really have any Taiwan made Spydies yet. What are some nice models that are made there that might be worth picking up?

I know from experience with my Asus computer that Taiwan has excellent manufacturing and can't be compared to China at all in that sense.
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Pretty much any model by the maker in Taichung, Taiwan, and there are a bunch of them to choose from. Any of the Sage series, but particularly the Sage I as well as the Bob Terzuola SlipIt, Chokwe, Gayle Bradley Folder, Perrin PPT, Jens Anso Zulu, Vallotton Sub-Hilt Folder, and Chaparral.
 
I've had exceptional quality folders from all three places and duds from all three. But overall, I think the level of F&F is more consistent from Taiwan.
 
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The Japanese blades have always been better made than the USA versions.

I stopped buying the USA made knives because they had too many problems.

I don't own a Spyderco made in Taiwan, so I can't comment.
 
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