Kershaw's 2011 Chinese products, Spyderco's Taiwan products?

J

J.Davey

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Feb 10, 2004
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Okay, let me start off by saying I love Kershaw and Spyderco knives. But, am I the only one who noticed that most of Kershaw's new knives are made in China, and even some of Spyderco's new higher-end stuff is being made in Taiwan? No point I'm trying to get at. Just sayin'.
 
I wish Spyderco would drop all their manufacturers except the one in Taiwan and also Golden. Their Japanese models aren't even close when it comes to fit and finish, or price....not that they're bad, just that the Taiwan manufacturer is putting out great work.

Actually, I'd be happy if all production companies switched to that Taichung, Taiwan manufacturer for overseas manufacturing.

The fact that higher end models are being sent through Taiwan should tell you something about the quality of the manufacturer there, not put you off them.

The only thing I don't like about Kershaw making so many models in China is that they're always using 8cr13mov steel. Going through the Kershaw catalog, I saw a lot of models I would have bought, but they come in 8cr13mov. That's part of the reason I like Spyderco's Taichung models--that they still use better steels like S30V and M4. That's also why I don't buy Byrd models, though. (I'm not saying 8cr13mov is horrible; I just have enough knives in better steels that I know one with 8cr13mov will sit in the drawer.)
 
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I agree about Kershaw's steel on the Chinese stuff. It isn't bad, but I do really like the 14C28N.
 
To be perfectly honest, I think that Taichung is home to some of the best manufacturers on the planet. They should be proud of their work. I'm certainly proud to own my Spyderco Sage.
 
J.Davey said:
Okay, let me start off by saying I love Kershaw and Spyderco knives. But, am I the only one who noticed that most of Kershaw's new knives are made in China, and even some of Spyderco's new higher-end stuff is being made in Taiwan? No point I'm trying to get at. Just sayin'.
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Most of Kershaw's new knives aren't made in China. Where are you getting this info? :confused:
 
I think he said new knives as in newer, more recent designs.

I've had Kershaws and Byrds (Vapor II and FRN Cara-Cara) made in China that had great construction - especially for their pricepoint. I have a few Spydercos from Taiwan that are paragons of fit and finish.

Don't see why the RoC is getting lumped in with the PRoC.
 
I must say I agree with the comment on the Spyderco product form Japan, simply unimpressive. The finish of the tenacious far exceeds that of any Delica or Endura that I own..
 
J.Davey said:
Okay, let me start off by saying I love Kershaw and Spyderco knives. But, am I the only one who noticed that most of Kershaw's new knives are made in China, and even some of Spyderco's new higher-end stuff is being made in Taiwan? No point I'm trying to get at. Just sayin'.
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You have to be trying to say something, otherwise you would not have started a thread. The irony in your post is interesting. Let me ask, do you have any of the Taiwan made Spyderco knives or the China made Kershaw knives? I'm not trying to flame you, it's a legitimate question.

I got a 75mm Spyderco Persian ysterday and the overall fit & finish is impressive. The grind is perfect, blade is centered, the bevels are even, tolerances on the liners, spacer, and lockbar are clean.
We've all gotten knvies that are less than stellar, but one thing I've noticed is that the place you buy from makes all the difference in the world. I don't buy anything from shady dealers.

If I am not mistaken, Kershaw/ZT is owned by a Japanese company. They makes many knives in Oregon though, including the ZT line :thumbup:. Spyderco had their knives made in Japan back when they first started (C01 Worker).
 
I'm not one to only buy American, but I am conscious of my purchases in the sense that if I can help it, I will. I think soon though, this won't be an option. But we only have ourselves to blame. In our demand for the absolute lowest price possible, what choice do manufacturers have? It's either stay competitive or go do something else because the average consumer cares not what flag waves out front!

Just my two cents, worth exactly what you paid for it. ;)
 
I'd prefer to buy American, too. I hope that manufacturing for knives isn't all going over to China, and I don't think it really is. The knives that Kershaw has lined up for 2011 that have gotten a lot of attention are American. The Chinese ones are just the cheaper ones, and they all have Chinese steel. As for the Taiwanese Spyderco's, I'm happy to make an exception and buy a foreign product if the knife is better. And the build of the Taichung Spyderco's is almost unmatched in production folders, which is why the Taichung people wanted to stamp their city name on the blade instead of just "Taiwan."
 
As long as I get a well designed and well constructed knife made with the materials I want or need, I don't care where it's made. That said, I am a global consumer but I don't condone outsourcing that causes Americans to lose a potential job or even worse, someone in America is laid off in favor of a foreigner performing the same job for pennies.
Unfortunately, that probably makes me a hypocrite to some extent since I have no idea what the "real" reasons are behind some knife MFG's moving production off shore nor am I 100% aware of the working conditions the Chinese and Taiwanese workers endure.

I don't often buy a Chinese made knife from well known MFG's anyway because you are basically relgated to 8cr13mov blade steel and 8cr13mov doesn't move me much. I currently own one 8cr13mov knife and I don't have any plans to buy another.

The flip side is that Spyderco's Taichung, Taiwan MFG produces some of the best put together knives I have ever owned regardless of price and materials and I will continue to buy those when a model speaks to me.
 
J.Davey said:
But, am I the only one who noticed that most of Kershaw's new knives are made in China
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Nope.

kreole said:
Their Japanese models aren't even close when it comes to fit and finish, or price.
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Yep.

JW Knives said:
The finish of the tenacious far exceeds that of any Delica or Endura that I own..
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Well I have to disagree with that. Not that the F&F on the Tenacious is horrible. It just doesn't match my D4 or E4 (and not that theirs are that impressive, either.)
 
Reeek said:
I don't condone outsourcing that causes Americans to lose a potential job or even worse, someone in America is laid off in favor of a foreigner performing the same job for pennies.
Unfortunately, that probably makes me a hypocrite to some extent since I have no idea what the "real" reasons are behind some knife MFG's moving production off shore nor am I 100% aware of the working conditions the Chinese and Taiwanese workers endure.
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I'm in no way a spokesperson for any manufacturer, but I can't see that any cutlery company can produce the range of knives they do in any one factory while still achieving the required quality or price constraints.

In other words I don't think Spyderco making Byrd knives in China is putting anybody in the US out of a potential job because those knives only exist because they can be made at their low cost. Likewise, the maker in Taiwan is by all accounts a very low-volume manufacturer essentially producing a large run of 'custom' (in terms of quality) knives. I doubt the quality level they can achieve could be done in the US without costing silly money, and so those designs probably wouldn't be made either.
 
When you look at Kershaw's actual catalog I think it's staggering how many are made in the US. Their catalog is also clearly designed around those models because all of the imports are shoved to the back. You'll find that there are Based on that alone, I highly doubt they are going to make a move for more importation. Rather, I think that there are 13 USA manual folders you have to go through to get to the 5 import manuals and there are tons of USA assisted openers before you get to the tiny page with six import folders. I agree with you that their new stuff is mostly imported but I'm not worried in the least. I think it's just a common case of a company trying to appeal to the greater masses. Especially in a bad economical climate.

The best way for them to do something like that is with a cheaper steel like 8Cr and from personal experience, that steel is great. It's nothing like their Sandvik but if that's the performance you get from cheap I think it's a pretty good move.

Also I don't think that the Tenacious can compare to the Delica or Endura but I think that's a great example of price points and wider markets... when a great company comes out with a cheaper design people are happy that they paid so little for that great performance.

I'll just end by saying that it was a nightmare when Porsche came out with the Boxter for fans, but it made the company more accessible to the general public. And when everyone on the street is carrying an imported Kershaw with 8Cr steel, I'm happy to know I've chosen such a reliable company and that I've chosen to EDC my Zero Tolerance. Not everyone can be knifenuts like us ;)
 
kreole said:
Actually, I'd be happy if all production companies switched to that Taichung, Taiwan manufacturer for overseas manufacturing.
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I agree. :thumbup:

Although I'd like to have all my knives made by American workers, there's no denying the the Taichung manufacturer used by Spyderco is at the top of the game right now. All knife workers could learn a lot from them.

And you know what, I'm happy with giving my money to high-quality, hard workers. It doesn't matter what nationality, creed or race they may be. I want the best product I can get for my dollar.
 
I'm starting to think the more Spyderco throws complex builds at them, the more they excel. The Gayle Bradley could not have been an easy folder to crank out. But oh my God, I've owned a total of 4 and they were all identicle in quality, perfect bevels, everything. :thumbup:
 
I only buy USA made knives from Spyderco, Benchmade and Kershaw. Spyderco seems to keep a firm grip on their USA made products and are priced to go fast..
 
I agree and I believe Sal had made mention of the fact that they just can't keep up with demand without spreading the love while he still says they are growing their Colorado facility as much as money permits and all the time.

Guerrilla Sauce said:
I'm in no way a spokesperson for any manufacturer, but I can't see that any cutlery company can produce the range of knives they do in any one factory while still achieving the required quality or price constraints.

In other words I don't think Spyderco making Byrd knives in China is putting anybody in the US out of a potential job because those knives only exist because they can be made at their low cost. Likewise, the maker in Taiwan is by all accounts a very low-volume manufacturer essentially producing a large run of 'custom' (in terms of quality) knives. I doubt the quality level they can achieve could be done in the US without costing silly money, and so those designs probably wouldn't be made either.
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And speaking of Kershaw, their numerous US made products offerings for the price they sell for is a very impressive business model.
 
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