Spyderco high end knives?

M

Mrbladedude

Joined
Aug 2, 2010
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What are some of Spyderco's high end knife options?

When I bought my Sage 1 almost 4 years ago, people said it was at the higher end of the Spyderco lineup.

4 years later, does Spyderco have any new high end knives available? Or previous ones I might have missed/overlooked?

Talking about folders here.

Thanks
 
Gayle Bradley, southard, domino, dice, to name a few
 
exmaxima said:
All made in Taiwan. But the Native 5 Fluted Titanium is higher end and made in Golden CO.
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All made in Taiwan, and all premium knives in the lineup. A Gayle Bradley is going to be a higher end knife in many folks' eyes than the Native 5 Ti, come on now.
 
Quiet said:
All made in Taiwan, and all premium knives in the lineup. A Gayle Bradley is going to be a higher end knife in many folks' eyes than the Native 5 Ti, come on now.
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Seriously? Most would see TAIWAN on a knife and assume it is a low-cost import, while the jewelry like finish and "USA" on the Native would spell luxury high-end. It takes awhile for even a knife aficionado to accept the high prices for Taiwanese goods. I've been collecting for over 40 years and have owned about a dozen different Spydies, and still have not made the leap to the Taiwanese stuff. I have no problem with the higher end Seki knives (love my Stretch CF). I guess I need to buy a GB and check it out.....while I wait for my ZT0562 on backorder :)
 
exmaxima said:
Seriously? Most would see TAIWAN on a knife and assume it is a low-cost import, while the jewelry like finish and "USA" on the Native would spell luxury high-end. It takes awhile for even a knife aficionado to accept the high prices for Taiwanese goods. I've been collecting for over 40 years and have owned about a dozen different Spydies, and still have not made the leap to the Taiwanese stuff. I have no problem with the higher end Seki knives (love my Stretch CF). I guess I need to buy a GB and check it out.....while I wait for my ZT0562 on backorder :)
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Usually, I'm with you on the Taiwan thing, but Spyderco's Taichung blades are in another class entirely. If you are a knife guy, you owe it to yourself to check out one or two of their Taichung offerings. Every serious Spydie fan I know will tell you that in some ways, Spyderco's Taichung knives surpass their Golden, CO knives in fit and finish. Is what it is.
 
exmaxima said:
Seriously? Most would see TAIWAN on a knife and assume it is a low-cost import, while the jewelry like finish and "USA" on the Native would spell luxury high-end. It takes awhile for even a knife aficionado to accept the high prices for Taiwanese goods. I've been collecting for over 40 years and have owned about a dozen different Spydies, and still have not made the leap to the Taiwanese stuff. I have no problem with the higher end Seki knives (love my Stretch CF). I guess I need to buy a GB and check it out.....while I wait for my ZT0562 on backorder :)
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Dude, u know this is what a kit of people's experience tells them but spydercos Taiwan knives are up there with the best. It comes down to quality control and company ethics. If the makers are trained well and really care about a product it doesn't matter where its made. All the Taiwan spydies I've seen have been top notch quality. I've even hears some argue they are the best if all spydercos products. I think spyderco knows how to do quality control whether golden, seki or Taichung.
 
exmaxima said:
Seriously? Most would see TAIWAN on a knife and assume it is a low-cost import, while the jewelry like finish and "USA" on the Native would spell luxury high-end. It takes awhile for even a knife aficionado to accept the high prices for Taiwanese goods. I've been collecting for over 40 years and have owned about a dozen different Spydies, and still have not made the leap to the Taiwanese stuff.
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If you haven't actually tried any of their Taiwanese products, how are you coming to any sort of judgement?

Quiet said:
I know will tell you that in some ways, Spyderco's Taichung knives surpass their Golden, CO knives in fit and finish.
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In nearly all ways, TBH.

BenchCo Spydermade said:
It comes down to quality control and company ethics.
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Right - Taiwan is not China.
 
exmaxima said:
Seriously? Most would see TAIWAN on a knife and assume it is a low-cost import, while the jewelry like finish and "USA" on the Native would spell luxury high-end. It takes awhile for even a knife aficionado to accept the high prices for Taiwanese goods. I've been collecting for over 40 years and have owned about a dozen different Spydies, and still have not made the leap to the Taiwanese stuff. I have no problem with the higher end Seki knives (love my Stretch CF). I guess I need to buy a GB and check it out.....while I wait for my ZT0562 on backorder :)
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Spyderco knives made in Taiwan are widely acknowledged to be some of the best made Spyderco knives regarding fit & finish etc. Spyderco are not a company that produces cheap knives in Taiwan in order to make a quick profit back at home. The Taiwan plants offer Spyderco high quality production with high quality materials at a very reasonable price to the end user. Knives such as the Spyderco Techno and Sage 2 are often compared to a small Sebenza but at a much lower cost.

I received a Spyderco Dice last week (my first Taiwan model) and I am very impressed with it. The fit & finish is excellent, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Spyderco made in Taiwan.

If I were you I might hold off on the Gayle Bradley as there will be a new version (more refined) coming out. There are still plenty of knives to consider, just depends on your taste. I probably missed some out but I think you'd be pleased with any of these Taiwan models, happy hunting :D

Brad Southard, Domino/Dice, Bushcraft, Chaparral, Des Horn, Dog Tag Folder, Farid K2, Gayle Bradley/Gayle Bradley Bowie, Slysz Bowie, Burch Chubby, Rubicon, Sage Series, Southfork, Szabo Folder, Techno, Tusk, Vallotton,
 
Humint said:
Maybe not high end but certainly my favorite Spyderco...The Military
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Agreed, Chad! My older fluted blue titanium Military is one my absolute favorites...right along with my blue, & orange sprint run Millie's! My biggest knife selling regret: selling my DLC Millie with the most amazing, Philip Dobson CF Scales. I want it back, Seth! ;)
 
exmaxima said:
Seriously? Most would see TAIWAN on a knife and assume it is a low-cost import, while the jewelry like finish and "USA" on the Native would spell luxury high-end. It takes awhile for even a knife aficionado to accept the high prices for Taiwanese goods. I've been collecting for over 40 years and have owned about a dozen different Spydies, and still have not made the leap to the Taiwanese stuff. I have no problem with the higher end Seki knives (love my Stretch CF). I guess I need to buy a GB and check it out.....while I wait for my ZT0562 on backorder :)
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Your assumptions about Spyderco's Taiwan made knives couldn't be further from the truth. Anyone who owns one would agree with me that they are as good or better quality than any of their Golden, CO knives. Buy one and I'm sure you'll change your mind.
 
BenchCo Spydermade said:
Dude, u know this is what a kit of people's experience tells them but spydercos Taiwan knives are up there with the best. It comes down to quality control and company ethics. If the makers are trained well and really care about a product it doesn't matter where its made. All the Taiwan spydies I've seen have been top notch quality. I've even hears some argue they are the best if all spydercos products. I think spyderco knows how to do quality control whether golden, seki or Taichung.
Click to expand...

+1

Approximately 3 years ago (about the same time that I came down with this knife obsession sickness), I purchased a LE blue Persistence off of Ebay. It wasn't disclosed by the seller, that this particular model was: "MADE IN CHINA." At first, I was pretty bummed, & thought maybe it was a counterfeit, so I called Spyderco. I was assured that this Persistence was authentic, & part of their more affordable, economy line.

The bottom line: even though this knife was, made in China, the quality was superb- perfectly centered, solid lockup, extremely sharp, & an awesome inexpensive knife to use as an edc.
 
KELAMA said:
+1

Approximately 3 years ago (about the same time that I came down with this knife obsession sickness), I purchased a LE blue Persistence off of Ebay. It wasn't disclosed by the seller, that this particular model was: "MADE IN CHINA." At first, I was pretty bummed, & thought maybe it was a counterfeit, so I called Spyderco. I was assured that this Persistence was authentic, & part of their more affordable, economy line.

The bottom line: even though this knife was, made in China, the quality was superb- perfectly centered, solid lockup, extremely sharp, & an awesome inexpensive knife to use as an edc.
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Great point, forgot about those. I have a Byrd Robyn g10 and its fit n finish are as good as my nishijin dragonfly, just not the premium materials.
 
exmaxima said:
Seriously? Most would see TAIWAN on a knife and assume it is a low-cost import, while the jewelry like finish and "USA" on the Native would spell luxury high-end. It takes awhile for even a knife aficionado to accept the high prices for Taiwanese goods. I've been collecting for over 40 years and have owned about a dozen different Spydies, and still have not made the leap to the Taiwanese stuff. I have no problem with the higher end Seki knives (love my Stretch CF). I guess I need to buy a GB and check it out.....while I wait for my ZT0562 on backorder :)
Click to expand...
Make the leap. The Southard and the Gayle Bradley are both excellent knives.
 
Quiet said:
All made in Taiwan, and all premium knives in the lineup. A Gayle Bradley is going to be a higher end knife in many folks' eyes than the Native 5 Ti, come on now.
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How do you figure? Usa made with 3d machined titanium over Taiwan made liner lock with 'carbon fiber laminate' scales. That's a no brainer for the Native in my mind. I like the Gayle Bradley but it doesn't come across as a high end premium knife to me. Its more of a workhorse knife.
 
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