Quality difference in US/Taiwan/Japan?

J

Jason Puckett

Joined
Feb 14, 2019
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204
I bought my first Spyderco recently, a Native 5. I actually got it from the Blade Exchange forum here! I'm not quite an addict yet, but I do have to admit I'm impressed with the quality and fit and finish on it. It seems that a lot of the models that appeal to me aesthetically are the ones that are made in Taiwan or Japan. Are the quality on those knives as good as the US made ones? I know a lot of them have "lesser" steels, but I'm more interested in the lock up, if there's any blade play, etc.
 
If Spyderco puts their name on it, it's a quality product. But I will admit the Taichung Taiwan knives have the best fit and finish of any of the ones I've handled.
 
No problem. Also, if FRN is what you are looking for, the ones from Japan feel a lot better to me. Something about the texture.
 
onionfan said:
If Spyderco puts their name on it, it's a quality product. But I will admit the Taichung Taiwan knives have the best fit and finish of any of the ones I've handled.
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This has been my experience, too. Not that the output from Golden or Seki is low quality, they make good knives, too. But Taichung raises the bar.
 
I’ve been wholly impressed by my Taichung Spyderco’s and my Golden’s, Taichung taking the lead in fit and finish. Not quite so with Seki, but I’ve only had two of them so far. One of my Japan Spyderco’s had had a little up and down play, but from what I read that’s not uncommon with backlocks in general. I’d certainly buy another Seki model with no hesitation.
 
Jason Puckett said:
wow, that's good to know. Thanks!
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Buy any Spyderco product with confidence.

Quality is the name of their game. It can vary knife to knife but typically quality ranks Taiwan, US and Japan. All great quality each one better than the next.

One thing Spyderco does very well is build good knives that work.
 
I can only speak to a new g10 handled Dragonfly and a new Lil’ Native. I have found the build quality of both models to be superb! I cannot speak about a Taiwanese Spyderco because I do not own one as of yet.
 
My experience has led me to believe the Spydercos produced in Japan are tried and true that basically built the company to what it is. The Colorado facility is making very good knives and I really appreciate and hope the expand the production here in the states. Taiwan seems to be producing the company’s most high end and advanced knives.
I have only bought 1 Spyderco of Chinese origin that was a gift for my brother. My initial thoughts were limited steels and limited finish but reflexive of the price point and comparable with other Chinese knives in the same range.
 
I have or had 7 Taichung Spydercos. In terms of fit and finish, centering, lock up, over all quality feel, they are the best made Spyderco folders. Steels are S30V, M4, XHP, not 'lesser' than Golden made.

Seki I've had 5, all excellent quality. Spyderco does VG10 very well.

Buy whichever appeals to you OP, with confidence :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys. It's funny, I asked this here instead of at the official Spyderco forums because I figured over there I would get a resounding "All Spydercos are good", and I got the same answer here. I guess that means that Spyderco really is as good as everybody says. I just wish I hadn't waited so long to check one out.
 
The Taichung models that I own are extremely well made knives. The only criticism that I have is the Taichung models (that I’ve owned) have softer detents than I like.
 
I've heard of issues like centering, uneven grinds and warped blades. Occasionally something worse. But often not the norm.

The Taiwan factory is great but they don't bevel the spyder hole. So it's really sharp. It's really annoying, but a spyderco ceramic rod can knock that down in a sec.
 
Jason Puckett said:
Thanks for the feedback, guys. It's funny, I asked this here instead of at the official Spyderco forums because I figured over there I would get a resounding "All Spydercos are good", and I got the same answer here. I guess that means that Spyderco really is as good as everybody says. I just wish I hadn't waited so long to check one out.
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I own over 80 Spydercos made from the 80's until now that were made in a variety of locations, including Japan, China, Taiwan, Italy and the USA, and I have no complaints about the quality of construction of any of them.

Then again, I'm not as "fussy" or "anal" as apparently some people are in assessing the quality of their knives.

I don't go over my knives w/a fine tooth comb assessing every screw and bevel. And, I don't care all that much about the quality of the steel or what scale/liner or frame material is used. All I care about is how the knife looks and feels in my hand, how easy it is to open/close and how easy it is to insert/withdraw from and keep in my pocket.

No Spyderco that I have ever purchased has ever failed to pass these simple tests.
 
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My spydercos are mainly USA made ones. Had a Mamba which I believe is Taiwan made. The fit and finish is excellent - I honestly do not think how better it could be. However, the detent of that knife is on the weak side, making it a sub-par flipper.

My Golden made spydercos have as good as or even better quality than those in similar price ranges made by manufacturers like ZT. Yes - if you inspect very closely you might find slightly uneven bevels or slightly off centering of blades on some of these knives, but that is nothing abnormal for production knives in the $120-$240 ranges.
 
Lapedog said:
Buy any Spyderco product with confidence.

Quality is the name of their game. It can vary knife to knife but typically quality ranks Taiwan, US and Japan. All great quality each one better than the next.

One thing Spyderco does very well is build good knives that work.
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That’s interesting. My guess would have been the exact opposite order. But then, I’m only just getting into this hobby.
 
All manufacturing locations are very good fit and finish, none better or worse than the other, iMHO.
 
In my opinion Taiwan does the best job . They do most of the TI work and do a lot of new to the market knives in Carbon Fiber and do a lot more machining work . Denver stuff is mostly the G10 and some FRN . Not sure if Spyderco own the Taiwan factory but they are great at what they do . Japan stuff is ok but when you get to G10 material they are expensive for what you get .
 
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