Here's the way I see it.
Japan is the only country Spyderco has used, so far, to produce the type of knives I like best, so I'm a bit biased toward them. Both Moki and G Sakai have always done an excellent job on bolster and scale midlocks where the bolsters are not disfigured by visible screws. I will admit though, that the fit and finish on other models from Japan, and especially from G Sakai, has varied quite a bit.
Taichung knives combine excellent fit and finish with technical complexity but, whether it's their choice or Spyderco's, they've "screwed up" every bolstered model they've produced. Still, a CF Chaparral and a Vallotton Sub-Hilt (with Butch's DA conversion) do get pocket time. Spyderco's other Taiwan maker rates somewhat lower on my scales. However, in fairness, I think Spyderco uses them for knives where meeting a price point, rather than creating pocket jewelry, is the object of the game.
Golden makes great tractors. There's absolutely nothing wrong with tractors, and some folks want or need a tractor, but I'm not big on tractors.
Italy, so far has turned out stuff that simply does not appeal to me. Knives with wrong handed locks, or no lock at all.
China makes a line of budget knives that provide good value for the money, but are at the low end of the "Spyderco quality" scale in both materials and workmanship.
