Fake Spydercos?

C

candlelight001

Joined
Jun 3, 2008
Messages
764
Was down at a knife shop in downtown LA the other day and was pleased and surprised to see a Spyderco Urban w/ the leaf shaped blade. Surprised b/c they haven't been out that long and the store's stuff doesn't seem that up to date. Not casting aspersions on the store at all, but are there fake Spyderco's out there? How would one tell the difference?
 
They usually just don't look like Spydercos... They might have a diamond "hole," colors are off, no logo, or something. I've never seen one that actually tricked me. Or maybe I have been fooled and didn't know it, which means they win.
 
I just went into a local woodworking store and they had a Spyderco knockoff that looked (from a couple of feet away) like the real deal. Closer inspection revealed the following:

- only fair fit and finish
- no logo
- it was only $10

From just a couple of feet away it sure looked like a Ladybug.

Robert
 
Supmonkeyface said:
spyderco would also NEVER use "surgical 440" or "titanium 440 steel" like i have seen numerous times
Click to expand...

Anytime you see "Surgical Stainless" or the like I run in the opposite direction. :barf:

Best way to tell is ask to see the box. Spyderco has two types, one's gray with a web design, the other is red/black with Spyderco in white and a gold bug.

Anything other then that, and it's either a really old style knife or a knock off.
 
Best way to tell is ask to see the box. Spyderco has two types, one's gray with a web design, the other is red/black with Spyderco in white and a gold bug.
Click to expand...

They have also used a bright blue box. At least, a number of auctions I have seen on Ebay show one this color.
 
Bohica1998 said:
They have also used a bright blue box. At least, a number of auctions I have seen on Ebay show one this color.
Click to expand...

Those two are the most prevalent, especially for new models. What I was talking about with the boxes is if you go into a store, and they have similar looking models, with Spyderco holes and bugs and all, but they're cheap, and have little white boxes, that they're most likely fake. The packaging can tell you a lot about the product.

Here's a link to more information on the various boxes Spyderco uses/has used: http://spyderbug.com/reviews/collecting-faq/
 
I bought a C36GPSBK millie in the green box 6 months ago (I really wish the new ones had the same spine jimping.) If I also remember correctly, my first delica came in a white box with blue spyderco logo (many many years ago.)

I've only seen the red/black boxes recently except for the before mentioned. The same store still had jesters on display though (and I'm kicking myself for not buying a few.)
 
I got burned on a counterfeit that I bought at a gun show (typical, eh?).
Looked like the real deal with hole, text, logo and all. Price was reasonable so I thought I made a good find. Turned out to be fake when I got home to study the specs and details a little better. Some oriental knock-off apparently.

I was extremely mad at myself. There's no-one else to blame about it, I should have known all the details properly before believing it was real. Seller wasn't advertising it as a Spyderco, it just had a price sticker on it. No contact info for the seller so I couldn't return it either. That's what you get for being smug and thinking you made a great find.

Ok well, I kept the knife around for a couple of weeks to remind me of how stupid I was and to properly drive the lesson home. Finally this week I clamped the blade into a vise, broke it to several pieces, did my best to grind away the offending logo and text and took the bits to metal recycling. Felt quite good destroying that damned thing, actually.

I feel much better now and believe I have learned my lesson. And I no longer have to go to self-punching mode upon seeing that ripoff. :)
 
Frankki's story sounds inspiring. Perhaps we should start a "How did you destroy your FAKE Spyderco" thread. Sal, Kristi, perhaps prizes for the most innovative?
 
Bohica1998 said:
They have also used a bright blue box. At least, a number of auctions I have seen on Ebay show one this color.
Click to expand...

Vintage Spydercos came in a Blue Box!!!, some in white ones. Maybe this threads misinformation re: box color is why my trade for a genuine Spyderco CO1SATU Tuffram Worker is getting a lot of looks but no offers:D...Hope that's not the case.

ooops reread the thread and am currently trying to get my foot outta my mouth!
 
Last edited:
For peace of mind it's best to buy from well known dealers. New Graham, Knifeworks, OSKS are a few that come to mind. There are dozens. All will give you stellar service, including return consideration if you're not happy with a purchase.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top