Just a few notes: Was not the 1st Spyderco knife made in Japan (the Worker)? Correct me if I am wrong. If I am correct, the story of Spyderco's knives is really one of manufacturing returning to the U.S., not leaving it, as so many seem to say all the time. The Spyderco knives started as imports, and now some flagship models are built state-side. That's pretty cool. Hat's off to Spyderco.
In the case of the Taiwanese knives, I think we have to give the Taiwanese operation a heck of a lot of respect for having the systems, the tooling, the culture, the crafts-people, and the know-how to make such fine knives. Bravo to them and much respect. I don't think it's just a case of cheap labour, these people are truly skilled at what they do, and deserve to command a premium price for their product. My only hope is that the wealth being created is shared among all of the workforce. From my last reading on the subject Taiwan is a place that has opportunity and a good life for people who work.
Thirdly.....any industry that can find something to put in empty containers going back to China has a captive audience. They are looking for anything to lessen the cost of having empty containers returning. I am sure they get a good deal shipping S30V back across the ocean, and why not? America produces good steel, the Taiwanese make good knives.....things go back and forth....that's how the world is supposed to work in the "Global Economy".......if you believe the rhetoric at least.
