send ATR to Taiwan?

L

lreed

Joined
Dec 7, 2001
Messages
538
I currently have a Ti-Salsa and this knife is awsome. ATR is currently made in america and its price has been a topic over the forum. Sal, do you have plans to move the manufacture of ATR to Taiwan or Malasya or even mainland China to lower the cost? Also, I am wondering whether a Ti-lil'Temperance is possible, since I heard the hand finished G10 handle is one major "price point" of that knife.
 
The technology of the manufacture of this knife requires US production. Even the knife makers of Seki thought it too difficult to manufacture. The fit-and-finish of this knife is a whole level above the Ti Salsa - and the Ti Salsa is pretty well made.
 
Originally posted by Carlos
The technology of the manufacture of this knife requires US production. Even the knife makers of Seki thought it too difficult to manufacture.
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What sort of manufacturing technology is used for the ATR that would require it to be US made?

I know that it's tough to machine Ti, but it is done sucessfully throughout the world.
 
I believe there may be some part can't be done outside of US, but I am just very satisfied with Ti-salsa's lock, finish, blade, basically everything.
 
What sort of manufacturing technology is used for the ATR that would require it to be US made?
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I'll leave that one to Sal (if it is not a trade secret). I know what they were thinking of using, but not what they are actually doing right now.


but I am just very satisfied with Ti-salsa's lock, finish, blade, basically everything.
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It is not my intent to denigrate the Ti Salsa. I have owned both knives, and I agree that the fit and finish of the Ti Salsa is excellent. But to me the finish of the ATR has been taken to another level of refinement. When you handle one you may or may not agree.
 
The fit and finish of the ATR has been difficult. The larger size also creates problems with a MBC lock rating requirement. Using CPM-S30V means shipping the USA made steel abroad and hoping they can properly heat treat, which is also difficult.

This is not to say that our Maker in Taiwan could not do it, he's very good. We've just not gone in that direction (he's working on a number of new projects now and capacity is limited). As we work with him, we'll learn his limitations and capacities. The Ti Salsa uses a ball detent to keep the model closed, the ATR requires the detent pocket in the tang.

These are just some of the current "reasons". We are considering a stainless handled version (more holes for weight reduction) as a lower cost alternative.

sal
 
I would never buy a knife marked China or Korea and don't like the ieda of Tiwain.
 
Originally posted by u812
I would never buy a knife marked China or Korea and don't like the ieda of Tiwain.
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Why's that?

Although these countries (China in particular) may have a reputation for making generally low quality products, they are entirely capable of manufacturing quality which rivals the very best of American and Japanese competition. Generally this is done at a very reasonable price as well.

Taiwan and Korea in particular have a very strong modern manufacturing industry. If you are working with a competent manufacturer who knows his stuff and committed to doing things right and not compromising on quality then there is absolutely no reason why a product made in mainland Asia can't be every bit as good as one produced inside the US.

Spyderco has a good track record with manufacturing quality. If they say that a supplier (whereever he is located) is good enough to meet their standards then I'm willing to take their word on it until given a reason to believe differently.
 
blade the same as well as the lock and use less expensive handle material on the ATR- FRN - etc?

By the way, is the lock on the Aluminum and Ti Salsas' different?
 
I have heard that these counties use prision and child labor to the point that they are slaves.I talked to a dealer at a gun show a few years ago and he said he spent alot of time in Tiwain and it was a common pratice there that if a child working in a factory was badly hurt that they would kill him and dump him in a river.What brought this disscussion on was that he had a sign on his table that said something to the affect of"I sell no China or Tiwain products"I guess with a labor force like this you could charge much less to produce something.
I have no dought they can produce high quality products,just look at the Frost line.If they were made from slightly better stuff they would hard to beat.I have seen some of these little 5.00 knock offs with fit and finish that would compare to any Spydie.
I have never been over there and all this may be bull and if so I am sorry.
 
Originally posted by u812
I have heard that these counties use prision and child labor to the point that they are slaves.I talked to a dealer at a gun show a few years ago and he said he spent alot of time in Tiwain and it was a common pratice there that if a child working in a factory was badly hurt that they would kill him and dump him in a river.
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As I spent the last 20 years in China, I can tell you what you heard is totally wrong. The guy who told you those is either lying or lied by some other people for some political reasons.

The problem with current US people is that we are not willing to know anything about other parts of the world unless the media wants us to. Chinese/Korean medias only say good things about their country, yet American medias are only interested in bad things happening there. That's why I know a lot of people here still think China as it used to be 50 years ago and most people got shocked when they saw the modern cities in China.
 
OK, let's stop here.
After all, I just want to have more quality and affordable spydies!!! lol!
 
Forgive me Carlos, but this has hit a personal note. I'll only post once on this subjuect.

Ireed,

The problem with China, Taiwan, Mexico etc. is their are LLC (Low Labor Cost) countries. Now from their point of views it's a good thing. To american corporations and stockholders it's a great thing. But as someone who is about to lose his job of the last sixteen years because the company I work for wants to move out of the country for cheaper labor costs I think it ____________ (<- Insert colorful metaphors.)

~Jeff

United we stand, in the unemployment line.
 
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