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some questions about the Tuff.

A

adams-usmc

Joined
Aug 30, 2011
Messages
112
I'm a big Spyderco fan, and I love the looks of the Tuff, as well as the specs. CPM-3V, Titanium, G-10, big pivot...etc.

Here's the thing. I only own Spyderco models that are from Golden. I have a thing about buying American Made knives, and the Tuff being made in Taiwan turns me off of it. I guess what I'm wondering is if it is lower quality, or if it has a lower customer service quality. I have also seen things that say the Tuff is very stiff, and doesn't free up much. So, is the Tuff a good buy? Or should I invest in more American made models?

Thanks guys.
 
The Taiwan models have excellent quality. Most would agree that these are the best factories that Spyderco uses as far as food and finish. Also the remember regardless of the country of manufacture you're still supporting Spyderco, an American company.
 
Taichung Spydies have the best fit and finish and are the most consistent in quality. My Tuff is quite stiff and has not loosened up that much. The short lock bar makes it more difficult to break in. Still a great knife and I don't regret buying it.
 
Spyderco's Taiwan produced knifes are at the very least on par with the quality of their US made blades. If you ignore them based on country of origin you are missing out on some great knives.
 
I've gotta say, I own the Gayle Bradley which is Taichung made, and it's by far one of the best production knives I've handled to date. Overall, it's executed better than the 3 manix I own (which are US made). However that's not to say that the manix aren't well made, I pretty much carry a cruwear manix exclusively.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Taichung factory so I couldn't see the tuff being anything less than excellence. Taichung isn't some 3rd world city, it's very industrialized. And even though you're buying a Taiwanese knife, you're still supporting an American based company.
 
Fear not, as ye walk through the valley...

The Taichung products are some of Spyderco's finest and they hold the same warranty\CS as any Spyder. As far as Ti frame locks go, the Tuff would be one of the baddest mthr fkrs in the shadows or under the sun.





Semper fi
 
Yes, Taiwan Spydies are outstanding. I have had ten different models (perhaps twenty-five knives) of these Taiwan folders and they are all excellent. I've had two TUFFs. The designer, Schempp, actually said, IIRC, that he made it to be a "folding fixed blade" and was intended to be opened with two hands.
My first TUFF was stiff which was just fine with me. My latest TUFF, also NIB, is also rock-solid but can be operated easily with one hand. It's a 4-inch blade of magnificent CPM-3V steel which is about as "tough" as you'll find. I would consider this model to about as "woods-capable" as any that I've owned.
I cannot say enough good things about this model, or any of the Taichung Spydercos.
 
Spyderco knives made at the Taichung plant are amongst the highest quality in the world. Spyderco is a U.S. company and a lot of the material including the Crucible 3V steel are made in the U.S. Tuff is a beast and mine is still stiff to open and close. Also, the Spydie hole is kind of sharp so be careful.
 
Thank you all very much. You have given me peace of mind, and the Tuff will be my next Spyderco. I have been kind of spoiled with the utter smoothness of my Yojimbo 2, so I guess I can live with a stiffer knife in my rotation. My SMF was very tight at first, and is now quite smooth, so I am sure I'll grow to love the Tuff as well!

Thank you for the information!
 
The newer Tuffs were changed as I recall. Mines can flick open easy, can close with one hand, and like all my other Taiwan Spydercos has great fit and finish. My current fav.
 
My experience with Taiwan Spyderco knives are much like everyone else who's posted in this thread. My Gayle Bradley folder, Sage 1 and Chaparral 1 just seem to be on a level of their own. They are hands down the finest knives I own in terms of perceived quality. I still love my US and Seki Spydercos (and plan on adding many more to my collection), but I would not hesitate to buy another Taiwan one.
 
I love Spyderco and have a pile of their knives, but I don't see how there can be any question about Taichung versus Golden quality.

Taichung Spydies > Golden Spydies, everyday of the week and eleven more times on Sunday. It's not even close . . .
 
My Tuff is an earlier stiffer one...I can open it and close it with one hand, but the lockbar is VERY stiff and as such the detent is hard to overcome also, so no thumb flicking. It's one of my top 5 favourite folding knives, and I had Eric (ShepardCC) make a new display scale and geared backspacer for mine. I like the ergonomics a little more with the slightly thicker and more rounded scale, and the lack of traction isn't even remotely an issue with the handle ergonomics how they are.



 
IMHO Taiwan Spydies surpass US made knives esp in smoothness, fit and finish.
All my top Spydies are ALL TAIWAN made.
 
I wasn't trying to sound like I was for sure that they were lower quality, but in the US, things that are made in China, Taiwan, or a similar country are generally synonymous with low quality.

I do not own any Spyderco knives made in Taiwan, or Japan, so I have quite literally zero experience with them. I was not trying to offend anyone by asking, I simply didn't know. Having a knife that says "USA" on the blade gives me a good feeling inside, and I just wanted to make sure I was getting the same old Spyderco with something made overseas.

Again, I didn't mean to sound like I thought Taichung Spydercos were low quality. I just wanted to be sure because I don't own any of those models. Come to think of it, I don't believe I own a single knife made outside of the United States. I am however looking forward to my first TAIWAN made Spyderco after the words of encouragement from you all.
 
So far all my Taichung Spydies came absolutely flawless (Sage 2, Gayle Bradley, Tuff, Southfork, S110V Mule). Very impressive value for money for great quality production knives...

My Tuff has loosened up a bit, but its still not a flicker. Nevertheless, it is impressive.

 
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