As a dealer I have to say that the Taiwan chop does have an effect on sales to many buyers. They will pick a Spyderco or Boker over CRKT simply because of their country of origin. "Made in Taiwan" carries the same stigma that "Made in Japan" did when I was growing up. That will change.
What many don't realize is how much of the "Made in Japan" knives have at least part of their manufacture subcontracted to Taiwan. Boker has a great number of their knives made in Argentina. They have been doing it for years.
There is some good stuff coming out of Taiwan. There is a lot of junk too, just like any other country. "Made in USA" doesn't guarantee that something is going to be superior or free from defects any more than "Made in Taiwan" guarantees that something from there will fail on it's first hard use.
There is no longer a mystique in where a product is made. "Made in USA" could be easily said "Made in USA by Taiwanese...or Malaysians...or Hatians...or Vietnamese...or whatever". Same for most other countries. It is amazing how much labor is imported these days.
Sal said it. It depends on the company. The Taiwanese will make anything to the specification of the contract. It's up to the contractor to ensure that the right materials are used, the right processes are used and the quality meets the company standards.
Companies like Spyderco are very particular about their quality and reputation and will go to extra lengths to ensure that their products are up to par. CRKT has been doing the same.
Having said all that though and as I stated earlier, I have seen an effect on sales due to the origin of the knives, at least out here on the West Coast. If CRKT has been selling more than Spyderco it is only because of price.
Many times a customer will look at the TAIWAN on the blade and lay it back down, even after admiring the knife. They will then walk over to the Spydercos and make comments like "The Japanese really know how to make knives" or something similar.
CRKT is undervalued right now and I believe it is an intentional attempt to get deep into the Spyderco market. I also believe they have suceeded, to a certain extent.
When the discounters enter the picture, the price gap widens even more and CRKT sales surge. I think CRKT encourages this for obvious reasons. The perception seems to be that Spyderco may be the superior product but the discount shopper isn't willing to pay the extra cost.
When the prices are comparable, however, I actually sell more Spyderco than CR, even at the shows. In the store, where retail rules, Spyderco still wins.
I just returned from a gunshow in Ventura, CA where I sold nine various models of Spydercos over the weekend (including a Toad
) and only two CRKTs. I have a LOT of CRKT and am seriously considering closing them out with a clearance to put in a better selling line. I have never considered that with Spyderco. That has to tell you something.
I have nothing against Columbia River, they make good knives, but I haven't sold a Mirage or an Apache in months. The S-2, never (and that is one GOOD knife). Even discounted, they still don't move. Kaspars, Point Guards and Urban Sharks did ok when they first came out but they have already cooled. M16s were good for awhile and I still sell some of those but only the cheapest ones. There is no point in carrying them if I can't make a decent profit on them and discounting has taken them below the break point. Restocking and expenses take up all the profit and I can't buy my beer.
Jmcbang, I know that, so far, this hasn't done much to answer you original qustion but please bear with me. Sometimes us old Texas folks take awhile to get to the point.
You are looking for a knife for general work and carry. You already have the answer in your head. Think about which one you like the most. Which one do you keep going back to when you look at them? Which one is the hardest to put down after you handle it? That is the one you should get.... first. (If you are a knife nut, you will eventually have all three.
)
As far as quality is concerned, they are all comparable with the edge (no pun, no pun) going to Spyderco. While I, personally and professionally, believe that the locking liner, properly fitted, is more secure and reliable than the lockback, (Please let's not have that debate here again guys) the truth is either system will work very well for general work and neither is suitable for combat, so go with what you prefer.
As far as steel is concerned, Spyderco uses ATS55 (usually) and CRKT uses AUS6 (mostly). Both are medium carbon, fine blankable stainless steels. Edge retention, sharpenability, wear resistance and corrosion resistance are comparable. You probably won't notice the difference.
Something else to keep in mind. I get many repeat buyers of Spyderco knives. When people lose them or break them or just want to add to their battery, they come back for more Spyderco. When someone loses or breaks a CRKT, they usually say that it's time for a change and go with something else, usually a Spyderco. Something to think about.
Bottom line: go ahead and get what you like it won't matter. If you're a real KNIFE NUT, eventually, you'll wind up with a Sebenza anyway.
Good luck, and welcome to the forums.
DW
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Dennis Wright
("Have a knife day!")
