Question about blade stamping on the Sage 1

B

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Sep 18, 2009
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I have a question about the country of origin stamping on the Sage 1 blade.

While looking at one at our local knife shop the other day, we noticed that the blade was simply stamped Taiwan. When looking at my Sage which we picked up at the SFO, it is stamped TAICHUNG over TAIWAN. When approximately did the stamping change? Just kinda curious.

Also on a positive note, my wife who is the proud owner of a Stainless Cricket is starting to EDC it - even at work! Ladies and Gentlemen, we may have converted a NKP to the Spydie fold :)

Bill
 
Bill, can you take a picture of your Sage with the Taichung stamp? I've never seen that before.
 
Must be a new thing.


I know that they had problems with one of the Taiwan makers and had to discontinue some lines. Maybe they want buyers to know which Taiwan maker they are buying, since the quality is subject to change between makers.
 
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Here are the pics

sage1.jpg


sage2.jpg
 
you guys sure ask some "interesting" questions.

For years, knives that were made in Japan were simply marked "Japan" to show country of origin. Al Mar was working with a particular maker that was very good (most Seki-City makers are very good). Al and the maker wanted to distinguish themselves from other makers in Japan, so they began to stamp "Seki-City, Japan" or Seki-Japan" on their knives.

Spyderco followed Al Mar's lead and have marked knives made by that maker with the Seki designation.

We have one maker in Taiwan that is exceptional and they wanted to distinguish themselves from the other makers in Taiwan, so they asked if they could use their city, "Taichung" as part of the stamping. We felt that their request was understandable, so they began to add the city to the country of origin.

Hope that helps.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
you guys sure ask some "interesting" questions.

For years, knives that were made in Japan were simply marked "Japan" to show country of origin. Al Mar was working with a particular maker that was very good (most Seki-City makers are very good). Al and the maker wanted to distinguish themselves from other makers in Japan, so they began to stamp "Seki-City, Japan" or Seki-Japan" on their knives.

Spyderco followed Al Mar's lead and have marked knives made by that maker with the Seki designation.

We have one maker in Taiwan that is exceptional and they wanted to distinguish themselves from the other makers in Taiwan, so they asked if they could use their city, "Taichung" as part of the stamping. We felt that their request was understandable, so they began to add the city to the country of origin.

Hope that helps.

sal
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The Taichung maker has certainly earned the exceptional reputation IMO. :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the info Sal .. Greatly appreciated!
The knife is beautiful and I am proud to have it as part of my growing collection.

Bill
 
Sal Glesser said:
you guys sure ask some "interesting" questions.

For years, knives that were made in Japan were simply marked "Japan" to show country of origin. Al Mar was working with a particular maker that was very good (most Seki-City makers are very good). Al and the maker wanted to distinguish themselves from other makers in Japan, so they began to stamp "Seki-City, Japan" or Seki-Japan" on their knives.

Spyderco followed Al Mar's lead and have marked knives made by that maker with the Seki designation.

We have one maker in Taiwan that is exceptional and they wanted to distinguish themselves from the other makers in Taiwan, so they asked if they could use their city, "Taichung" as part of the stamping. We felt that their request was understandable, so they began to add the city to the country of origin.

Hope that helps.

sal
Click to expand...


Yes we do have some interesting questions, but us true knife nuts will want to know every aspect of the knives, and industry, no matter how trvial.
And you Sir answer our questions like no other manufacture does, and we really thank you for that:thumbup:


With the great work Taichung is doing, I can see why they want to distinguish themselves from the others there.

Thanks for the info:thumbup:
 
Does anyone know if the Seki-City, Japan maker Sal mentioned, originally being used by Al Mar, is the same one that Spyderco uses? Additionally I have a few SOG bowie knives with the Seki or Seki City designation. Does anyone know if Al Mar, Spyderco, and SOG (previously) all use/used the same Seki-City based maker? Very curious.
 
Subterfuge7 said:
Does anyone know if the Seki-City, Japan maker Sal mentioned, originally being used by Al Mar, is the same one that Spyderco uses? Additionally I have a few SOG bowie knives with the Seki or Seki City designation. Does anyone know if Al Mar, Spyderco, and SOG (previously) all use/used the same Seki-City based maker? Very curious.
Click to expand...
I know Spyderco uses multiple Japanese makers, most, if not all, of whom are in Seki City. I'm sure one or more of them also makes or has made knives for Al Mar. I know G Sakai makes knives for Spyderco and suspect they make or have made them for Al Mar and SOG as well, since they sell all three brands.

Paul
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Good job Taichung!

It's interesting that Bradley's and Sage's are sitting on dealer shelves, while I can't seem to find a Ti Military or Paramilitary 2 at any dealer period.:o
 
Hi Rob,

There is certainly resistance to Taiwan made made knives. Many don't know the difference between Taiwan and China. There are also many that still avoid Japan. Many just by US only. I will admit that Gail and I certainly by USA made first, especially in food.

Our USA made knives are certainly in high demand to be sure, and we're growing the US factory as fast as we can.

sal
 
Thanks for the reply Sal,

I've been searching all over for a Ti Mil RiL and I'm coming up empty. I even called SFO. This is a production model right?
There certainly is a high demand for US made Spyders, and I'm glad you have taken notice.

Sal Glesser said:
Our USA made knives are certainly in high demand to be sure, and we're growing the US factory as fast as we can.

sal
Click to expand...

My apologies if I came across as brash, but it is frustrating as a consumer to see manufacturers spending funds overseas on new products, when they can't meet the demand at home.

:)
 
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