Spyderco "made in Taiwan"

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but my knife buddies see made in Taiwan, it's instant junk. Any thoughts?

Tell them that Taiwan is the capital of Switzerland, where the world's finest chronometers, chocolates and hand-crafted folding knives are produced. Tell them that the east Asian country they are thinking of is spelled T'aiwan. Of course, none of this is true, but they won't know the difference.
 
The two knives I have made in Taichung (Southard and Gayle Bradley) are both perfect (no blade play and perfectly centered).
 
Call me a hypocrite and a jerk, but the "Taichung, Taiwan" stamp on my Gayle Bradley and Sage 1 is literally the ONLY thing wrong with either knife. It's not a matter of quality. In fact, the Taichung Spydercos have a superior fit and finish to the Golden Spydercos I own.

The problem is that I value supporting domestic jobs and manufacturing whenever possible and take pride in supporting economies that have strong labor practices. I would not mind paying $50 or more for a GB or Sage 1 manufactured in Golden, or a nation that has outstanding labor practices (Scandinavia comes to mind; Japan is not bad, either). I understand why Sal contracts MFCing out to Taichung, but manufacturers should still aspire to domestic knife production whenever possible. It stream lines the warranty process, strengthens the domestic economy, and brings pride to owners who know their money is going to support fair labor.
 
I apologize. I have had a sage1, sage2, navaja and probably another Taiwan spyderco or 2 that I currently can't remember. The sage 2 was off centered and kinda gritty but I think that was just my example and I'd like to get another sometime to see. The sage 1 and navaja could probably rival almost anything Iv had as far as fit and finish and materials

His question was about quality of knives made in Taiwan. This thread wasn't started to spark an ideological debate so let's not go down that road please. :)
 
Sure, my first thought is:
Don't listen to your "knife buddies".

Second:
The made in Taiwan Spyderco have excellent fit and finish along with excellent materials for a cheaper price.
The fit and finish and quality that comes out of Spyderco's Taiwan factory is amazing and just as good if not better than a lot of the USA made knives that cost twice as much.
The quality and materials for the price is mind-boggling.

I actually prefer the Taiwan Spyderco knives over most USA made knives.
I don't think they save money anymore by having them made in Taiwan. Right now you can get a ZT 0550 for around the same price as a Sage 2 on amazon. One's made in Taiwan, one's made in the US, both Ti frame locks. Of course that's a bit of an anomoly in pricing and the ZT is usually more expensive but it strikes me as a more expensive to make knife than the Sage 2. Compare the Southard to a 0560, nearly the same price, similar materials and one is made in Taiwan.
 
I don't think they save money anymore by having them made in Taiwan. Right now you can get a ZT 0550 for around the same price as a Sage 2 on amazon. One's made in Taiwan, one's made in the US, both Ti frame locks. Of course that's a bit of an anomoly in pricing and the ZT is usually more expensive but it strikes me as a more expensive to make knife than the Sage 2. Compare the Southard to a 0560, nearly the same price, similar materials and one is made in Taiwan.



I don't think they save money either. I mean the chokwe I was eyeing is $130, the pm2 was going for the same price. Doesn't that mean the chokwe is better? Just because it's made in Taiwan? If it was made in the USA would it have been $200 or what?
 
I LOVE Spyderco's Taiwanese stuff! I've never had one from Taichung that wasn't a thing of beauty, in my eyes, that can do very little wrong, if any.
 
Just wondering what your thoughts are about spyderco's made in Taiwan knives. I'm sure they are great, but my knife buddies see made in Taiwan, it's instant junk. Any thoughts?

Only one. Your knife buddies are fools.

Edit to add: Feel free to tell them I said that, too.
 
Thanks a lot guys. I've been eyeing the chokwe and the sage series for a while now. Just a little gunshy I guess. Thanks for all the great responses. Now I have something to say to my knife buddies!

FYI, the Chokwe is discontinued, so if you want one pick it up soon. I have recommended it to many people on here and will recommend it again. It is one awesome knife.
 
Just wondering what your thoughts are about spyderco's made in Taiwan knives. I'm sure they are great, but my knife buddies see made in Taiwan, it's instant junk. Any thoughts?

I have a Gayle Bradley and Sage 1 and both are as well-built as any knives I own, including two Sebenzas. The Taichung factory is, in a word, outstanding. Tell your buddies they don't know what they're talking about.
 
I do believe they save a little as far as not importing the materials to the USA.
As for the ZT and Sage 2, they're completely different knives, the fit and finish is better on the Sage 2, and they used more titanium rather than a liner and g-10 on one side.
On the other hand, the Chokwe is a Ti Frame Lock over the Para 2.

He asked about the quality, not USA vs. Taiwan made.

I think people truly limit their selves sometimes by sticking to USA only. I understand not wanting our jobs to go overseas, however, I think this is the least of our worries.

All in all, knives may have the same materials, the same prices, but one of them has better fit and finish and I bet it's the Spyderco.

By just assuming the USA does everything the best and that USA is the way to go, you kind of close yourself in a box.

Spyderco's Taichung Taiwan knives have excellent fit and finish, and are all around some of the best you can get. Like I said they are on par with knives double the price. And a lot of other knives are on par with the price range they're already priced at.

As for trying the Chokwe and Sage knives, you definitely should. The Chokwe is awesome for a bigger EDC. It's excellent. And the Sage knives make amazing EDC's too.
 
I have the Vallotton, Chokwe, Perrin PPT, and a couple of Salsas. All excellent knives with regard to fit & finish. The Vallotton is a work of art! I'll definitely be picking up more Taichung knives.
 
Wow...time has change...when I was little...everything you see is made in Taiwan. Then during the 80's everything slowly began to the Made in China...once all those mass production are moved to china, Taiwan became more specialize in their craftsmanship. They specialize in many High End Fasteners from aerospace to automobile PPAP 3....knives is another market they thrive on...it's all about QC....I'm picking up a Navaja!
 
The Taichung Taiwan made spydercos are absolutely top notch. The Taichung maker was chosen because of their impeccable attention to detail and world class fit and finish, not because they're cheap... Fear not, the Taichung Taiwan spydercos are spectacular.
 
Thanks again everyone! I think I'll get that chokwe and show people how far Taiwan has come. Maybe once they see the quality in their hand they'll get educated real quick! :-) And I better move quickly before I can't get it anymore!
 
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