SEKI-CITY, Japan vs. Golden, CO USA Earth?

M

MCSwiney

Joined
Jun 17, 1999
Messages
85

Hello fellow "SpydieNuts,"

Well, this last week I've pestered the likes of poor Sal Glesser enough, hence someone else might wish to try this one "on for size."

I just recently had to replace a Spyderco Harpy (G10 handle version), since a "oh, so dear" in-law of mine snatched mine for his tackle box, yet now I've noticed something interesting about said replacement.

It too is a Harpy, G10 handle, yet on the blade it says "SEKI-CITY, Japan" on one side and on the other "SPYDERCO ATS-55."

I neither had my other Harpy long enough nor did I use it often enough in order to tell if it said the same thing, yet I always had assumed all spydies said, GOLDEN, COLORADO, USA, EARTH."

The otherwise, to the best of my knowledge, only notable exception being the BLADEFORUMS on the BF Natives.

I'd appreciate to hear some feedback on the matter.

My thanks in advance,

Michael Cedric Swiney

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"You learn something new every day!"

 
Lessee...

Natives (except the short-lived steel models) are made in Golden.

Militaries are made in Golden.

Starmates are made in Golden.

I though everything else was Seki City. Spyderco's primary production has always been in Japan and the U.S.-made models are a fairly recent trend that we'd do well to encourage. That's the only way we will see the long-stagnant stateside cutlery industry get to the quality levels of Germany and Japan. Right now, well, I'd say it's "getting there..." Just a matter of experience and tradition.

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-Drew Gleason
Little Bear Knives
 
Corduroy,

Well, as is ever the case, my thanks for responding!

So, that having been said, thank you for the Seki City, vs. Golden, CO, input.

I, whats more, agree with you, from an American consumer standpoint, that it would indeed be nice to see more quality work done here in the "good ole U.S. of A." (ergo develop a reputation a la Solingen, Germany)

That statement of mine, however, by no means is to be interpreted as a criticism of Spyderco's management (I'm sure they've "crunched the numbers" & come to the right conclusions).

Another Spyderco "satisfied customer,"

Michael Cedric Swiney

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"You learn something new every day!"

 
In addition to Corduroy's info:

Renegades were made in Golden (now discontinued), and I think the shorter version, the Blackhawk, was also.

Centofantes are made in Golden.

Are there any more we're missing?



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savsport@aeroinc.net

AKTI Member #A000094

Honey, I swear that's the last knife I'm going to buy...


 
The C35 "Q"'s were made in Golden, as were the C15 and C19 Bob Terzoulas....
Danelle
 
Contrary to popular belief, knives made in Seki are of excellent quality. They have a long tradition of knife making and the quality of their product is quite obvious. Al Mar knives are all made in Seki and they are top of the line production knives bordering on custom.

Cold Steel and Spyderco has the bulk of their lines produced in Seki and they are top of the line production knives. Does anyone disagree?
 
RR,
You are correct sir. Seki makes some of the best knives in the world. I've got a friend living in Japan right now and he has been sending me Japanese knife magazines. I can't read a thing but I can admire the great photography. Moki and G.Sakai produce wonderful products under their own names as well as many Spyderco products. The C27 Jess Horn model from Spyderco was produced by Moki and is still available in Japan under the Moki name. I would also guess from the construction that Moki produced the Calypso family and the Goddard family. I would like to see more American made Spydercos though. Just my .02.
 
I for one wouldn't mind paying a little more for a knife made here in the U.S.A. Regardless of whether it's Seki City or here, I know Spyderco will insist the quality remain high.

Thanks to Sal and the crew at Spyderco for their quality products and service!
 
IMO, the best stuff coming out of Seki has Soligen beat hands down. I must admit that I am a lot more familiar with Seki products than with Soligen but I think that is due to the fact that the Seki stuff is just so much more impressive that I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Seki product from an ad or picture sight unseen but I would never buy anything from Soligen unless I'd handled it first. I know this post is probably going to generate alot of flack from Solingen devotees so let me make clear that I am talking about current or at least fairly recent production and not the old prewar stuff that I am not really familiar with.

phantom4

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who dares, wins


 
phantom4,

I'd like to think, Solingen devotees or not, that you would not receive any sort of flack from anyone on this forum.

You were, after all, merely stating your own opinion (and, as we should all know by now, opinions, as is the case with taste, vary from person to person).

I, as I'm sure is the case with must of us, am very glad for you if you have had nothing but good experiences with Seki City, Japan (indeed I'd never trade my Spydercos from there).

I can, however, based on personal experience tell you that I have always had great dealings with Solingen, Germany products (as has also always been the case with anything coming from Golden, Co, USA, Earth).

My reasons for starting this thread, for that matter, was by no means intended to deliberate on the quality of knives in general, or Spydercos in particular, rather I was curious at the time to see just how broad/extensive the range of Spyderco subcontractors (?) was.

Thank you for all the responses thus far,

Michael C. Swiney

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"You learn something new every day!"



[This message has been edited by MCSwiney (edited 27 July 1999).]
 
I wasn't trying to insult the quality of the Seki-produced Spydies - just the opposite. From what I've seen, they have U.S. production beaten hands down in the fit-and-finish department, and are easily on par with anything out of Solingen. Rather, I was trying to say that I'd like to see more knives made in this country so that U.S. craftsman could build up the experience and standards that make Japanese cutlery as fine as it is!

I'm not trying to criticize "our boys" any more than I'd criticize a five-year-old for not being able to ride a trike like a professional cyclist handles his ten-speed (exaggeration, of course). It's simply a matter of excellence that an industry that can only build up after decades of making better and better products. Right now, U.S. knife production has loads of drive and enthusiasm but is a little light on the experience. Even as harsh a critic as I sometimes am of Benchmade's QC, the U.S.-made Spydercos I've handled have had many of the same problems. When I talk about "Spyderco quality," it's Seki-made knives that I'm thinking of. But I'm sure that with their attitude the folks in Golden are catching up fast to their more experienced peers overseas, and clearly bringing loads of fresh thinking to boot.

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-Drew Gleason
Little Bear Knives
 
My Jess Horn Spyderco (the C27 that I mentioned above, the one with the jigged bone handles) has better fit and finish than many of the custom knives I've owned or handled. The same model with the Moki name on it sells for about $211 (converted from Yen) MSRP over there. This price is high for a factory knife but much cheaper than handmades of the same caliber. I believe that Moki is responsible for much of the Al Mar stuff also. From looking at the Japanese mags, Seki City also produces some cheap junk too. I'm trying to get my friend in Osaka to get some knives for me but he says they are difficult to find over there. There seems to be specialty cutlery shops but the sporting goods and department stores don't carry that much cutlery.
 
This is an interesting thread. I've been in the cutlery biz eight years, and the main reason for overseas construction is always cost. If I had to choose, I'd say the Seki made Spydercos are a little better polished, but quality as of now seems very consistent between the two. Check out Kershaw's new stuff made in Oregon-almost impossible to tell it apart from the Japanese ones. Gerber's Riverlock (Rivermaster? I'm drawing a blank on the name) is made in Italy now, but looks exactly like the American made one of old. Solingen has always been spotty on quality. The only manufacturer I trust is Boker. Since fewer and fewer new people are going into the cutlery industry in Japan, I think the trend of American made products from American companies will continue. Then it's up to us to support the best of them by buying them (support your local full-line dealer) and letting them know what's good and what's bad. That way, they never take their customers for granted, and will keep making the good stuff.

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A flute with no holes is not a flute, but a donut with no holes, is a danish.
 
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