Taiwan Spyderco's and American manufacturing.

[Elly's Pa]

I will only buy US made knives. In my eyes a spyderco made in taiwan is not a spyderco knife, makes me feel like spyderco certifed knockoffs. I feel very strongly that a US company should support US workers. I feel VERY conflicted about buying US made spydercos knowing that they are shipping jobs overseas. I own a few US made spydies a feel proud knowing I supported a US knife maker but a part of me does not want to support spyderco because they ship US jobs overseas. I would own many more spydercos if they made all there knives in the US.

 

[sharp_edge]

May be supporting an American company, but the foreign workers get paid and benefit from it too, which is what I think this thread is about. I don't have a problem buying products from most countries, China is one I try to avoid though, for a multitude of reasons, spotty quality control being a big one, but far from the only reason.

So foreign workers should not be treated as equal human beings even if doing so can also benefit an American company? What exactly do you think Chinese workers do wrong? Are you having a problem with Chinese people or Chinese government or just anything related to China/Chinese?

 

[Elly's Pa]

Let the foreign consumer support there own manufacturing jobs. I choose to support the US workers over the foreign, yes and proud to do so. I understand the idea of supporting an american company, I get that. But... my issue is that the American Company is NOT fully supporting the American WORKERS.

Do I buy Spyderco? Yes, but I would buy alot more if their entire line was US made. Given the choice between 2 US made knives I liked equally, I would buy the knife from the company that make ALL their knives in the US. And, further more if it came down to a choice between 2 100% US made companies, I would choose the one that uses the most US made materials.

I love that Spyderco makes some US made blades. I just wish they made more.

 

[Danke42]

I will only buy US made knives. In my eyes a spyderco made in taiwan is not a spyderco knife, makes me feel like spyderco certifed knockoffs. I feel very strongly that a US company should support US workers. I feel VERY conflicted about buying US made spydercos knowing that they are shipping jobs overseas. I own a few US made spydies a feel proud knowing I supported a US knife maker but a part of me does not want to support spyderco because they ship US jobs overseas. I would own many more spydercos if they made all there knives in the US.

You must have missed part about how when Spyderco started all their production was overseas; and over time they took their profits and used them to start US production.

 

[Cursum Perficio]

If I bought only folders made in my country, all I would have is Svords. Not that there's anything wrong with a nice Svord.

I have about 18 - 20 Spydercos, 6 of them from Taichung. In terms of build quality, fit and finish, and for still being centered/tight lock up/smooth action after being used for good while, those 6 are my best Spydercos.
TBH it's only the GB and Slysz Bowie that I've used a lot, but both of them are just like when I got them only smoother.

I bought a Sage 4 when they got discontinued, I had always liked the look of them. The one I got is utterly immaculate, just flawless. It's so nice I can't bring myself to carry it. I just have it to admire. Weird for me 'cos if I buy a knife it's to carry and use. But to me this Sage epitomizes high quality production folders. Within the context of what I own that is - I don't have a Sebenza yet.

 

[Elly's Pa]

You must have missed part about how when Spyderco started all their production was overseas; and over time they took their profits and used them to start US production.

Ok, well if they have already proven they can make knives in the US then there is no reason why they can't make more. Thank you for solidifying my position. Will NEVER buy a foriegn made Spyderco knife. And I'm sure I'm not alone.

Sucks b/c I really want a GB but alas... I guess it's not ment to be.

 

[sharp_edge]

You are right. How come so many American manufacturers including Spyderco/Sal not keep all jobs to our American workers and pay them $200 per hour? We want our American workers to have well-paid jobs and we knife nuts will fully support manufacturers who do so even if it means we would have to pay $300 for a plain jane PM 2.

 

[4844889345853489-435]

I will only buy US made knives. In my eyes a spyderco made in taiwan is not a spyderco knife, makes me feel like spyderco certifed knockoffs. I feel very strongly that a US company should support US workers. I feel VERY conflicted about buying US made spydercos knowing that they are shipping jobs overseas. I own a few US made spydies a feel proud knowing I supported a US knife maker but a part of me does not want to support spyderco because they ship US jobs overseas. I would own many more spydercos if they made all there knives in the US.

I think it's a bit much to say they are "shipping jobs overseas". Their factory in Golden, CO is under max capacity, I remember a year or two back when you could hardly get a Para 2 because they couldn't keep up with the demand for them, it's really only recently (i'm guessing since they expanded their factory) have they been able to keep up with the demand for them. The knives they make overseas are knives that they probably wouldn't be able to make otherwise, so I hardly think they are "shipping US jobs overseas". There's also the fact that the majority of the Taichung Spydies are made out of American blade steels. You're still supporting American industry and jobs.

 

[Elly's Pa]

C'mon sharpedge... $200 per hour???

Anyway... Yes "shipping jobs overseas" how many new models are in the 2017 catalog and how many are US made. Why not make those knives in the USA? Expand the plant again, sure prices would go up, don't care. Gimme a US made Gayle Bradley for 200. Sold.

Unfortunatly we all want low prices and are willing to put our factory workers in the unemployment lines.

 

[stabman]

Ok, well if they have already proven they can make knives in the US then there is no reason why they can't make more. Thank you for solidifying my position. Will NEVER buy a foriegn made Spyderco knife. And I'm sure I'm not alone.

Sucks b/c I really want a GB but alas... I guess it's not ment to be.

You just don't get it.
There was NO SPYDERCO FACTORY in the beginning.
The sale of Japanese made Spydercos provided the money to start a USA based plant.
The continued sales of all Spyderco knives produced everywhere provides more money to expand the plant; they keep expanding it.

By not buying the knives produced elsewhere, you are making sure that they have LESS MONEY TO EXPAND THE USA PLANT.
You are keeping Americans out of jobs by your decision.

Money does not grow on trees...it has to come from somewhere.
But if you have a few million extra dollars to kick their way, then they can expand the plant more right now to give you the USA made knives you crave.

 

[`br4dz-]

So foreign workers should not be treated as equal human beings even if doing so can also benefit an American company? What exactly do you think Chinese workers do wrong? Are you having a problem with Chinese people or Chinese government or just anything related to China/Chinese?

I try not to start trouble with anyone on these forums, since we are all here for the same reason: the love of knives, but you sir, are a very bitter and toxic person. Every comment you've made on this thread has been extraordinarily hateful towards the poster, while twisting their words to fit whatever biased agenda you have. I have skimmed through the posts, so I don't remember every detail, but not a single person here has bashed a country overall. As American's, we should fully support our own country first, that has nothing to do with China, or Taiwan, or any other country, that's simply SUPPORT YOUR COUNTRY. In the words of JFK, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. Simple. With that out of the way, the next people you should support are our Allies, which would be Japan, Taiwan, European countries, and the likes. China is not an American ally per say, but that gets too deep into politics and finances and too many people think they are experts on the issue. So I have no issues saying on that fact alone that, that I personally do not like supporting China, even if it's just paying their workers and the manufacturing costs over there. We buy enough cheap China goods as it is, so it's nice to have American made products by an American made company, because, lets wrap all this back up to the first post of this thread, we are Americans and we should support our own first.

 

[Peter1960]

You just don't get it.

I guess he also dislikes my shoppings of spydies as I am non American. Or is my money good enough to support an US-company no matter from where in the world it comes and how I earn it

 

[The Deacon]

I'm surprised by the reaction to Ganzo in the knife community, versus how designs and styles are handled in the wristwatch community. Long ago Rolex invented the Submariner "dive watch" with the large rotating bezel. In due course it evolved into 10,000 variants and became a universal design standard. Odds are half of the knife collecting community owns a Submariner-style watch, versus fewer who own a true Rolex.

In the watch community everyone knows that a $100 Invicta or $200 Seiko isn't a $7,500 Rolex, but with authentic factory markings no one cares. These companies run in totally different circles, and collectors may own at several price points for different purposes. Watch collectors use the term "homage" as a positive reference to "in the style of" rather than "fake," "copy," "clone," or "replica."

Of course, anyone with half a brain condemns true counterfeits (i.e., false factory markings) as counterproductive all around. Such as the legion of Spyderco fakes on Ebay that I keep reporting and keep getting ignored about...

I suspect the difference is time. Nobody in "the knife community" gets upset about knives that copy the "general style" of a Buck 110, or the fact that every slipjoint maker (or darn close to it) has or has had a version of the Barlow knife and dozens of other patterns. Nobody complains about companies using the Walker style liner lock, or Chris Reeve style frame lock either. Where the lines get drawn are copying the "look and feel" of knives still covered by design patents, features still covered by utility patents, and items protected by trademark. Ganzo breaks all of those rules.

 

[demoncase]

If I might use a case in point: Boeing....The all American airplane manufacturer.
~Has ALL of their primary flight controls designed and integrated in Wolverhampton, England.
~Builds and tests those flight controls in the Baguio, Philippines and Suzhou, China.
~Has their servos designed, built and made in Tewkesbury, England.
~Has their software developed in Bangalore, India
~Buys their titanium from Russia and China.
.....But that 787 that rolls out the end of the line in Seattle is all American, right?

Point I'm making is: once you tug too hard on the thread of 'Made in X', it unravels real fast..... If it's being made by a reputable company and the QA/QC is up to snuff, then I could care less about where the thing was made.

Then again- I'm British- We were trading copper smelted at the Great Orme, Wales for Persian enamel 4000 years ago.....We've had bit longer to get used to globalisation than you chaps in the Colonies.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Elly's Pa,

I'm pleased that you are so pro American. I understand and agree with America first. We fly a Garrison flag in front of our factory. We have been growing our US production facility for many years beginning in the mid 90s with some antiquated equipment and untrained workers. Often while our competitors were moving models over seas.

I will say that every Spyderco knife is 100% hands on by Eric and myself. Even collaboration designs are thoroughly gone through. Designs, steels, parts, materials, tolerances, makers, etc. are all Spyderco. The demand for our knives is greater than our ability to produce in Golden. It's very difficult for us to find makers with the passion and skill necessary to meet our standards. Those that do are quite proud of the fact that they can build for Spyderco. They work hard for us, and you.

The profit made from the knives made by our partners over seas, goes to pay our US staff, and grow equipment and talent. We extend our best effort to conduct business in an honest, fair and proper manner where we do business. Perhaps being able to provide quality product for our customers, which we couldn't do without partners, might carry more weight that shipping jobs overseas?

sal

 

[@KennyLiu@]

I thought most of us were open minded people, turns out some people are still consumed by their ego, Elly's pa I believe there is a line between a knife lover and an average person, I support Spyderco because as a business,it does what it must to grow, that is why there are Spyderco plants all around the globe, it does NOT mean that they are "not fully supporting the American workers," you are not getting that, furthermore you talk junk on Taiwan made knives, but have you ever had one in hand and felt the quality?
After reading your comments I cannot justify you as a knife enthusiast, there are many ways to support America, but to avoid foreign made products is not one of them. However if you still chose to steer away from certain products, continue doing that, I don't want the hard working people in our country making great products for people like you.
Mr. Glesser was very kind and patient to explain the meaning behind the Spyderco symbol and his love for the nation, however I chose to be more straightforward as your comments were hurtful even if you didn't mean to be. We love blades, that's why all of us are here, but when did we start being less tolerable to our beloved companies that bring us joy than the everyday items surrounding us? Don't we have bigger issues like the clones that are hurting the industry?
Again, pride for your country is not shutting yourself out, we are not North Korea, but rather using globalization as a springboard to synergise foreign countries with different skills and resources to make the best product.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sharp_edge]

I try not to start trouble with anyone on these forums, since we are all here for the same reason: the love of knives, but you sir, are a very bitter and toxic person. Every comment you've made on this thread has been extraordinarily hateful towards the poster, while twisting their words to fit whatever biased agenda you have. I have skimmed through the posts, so I don't remember every detail, but not a single person here has bashed a country overall. As American's, we should fully support our own country first, that has nothing to do with China, or Taiwan, or any other country, that's simply SUPPORT YOUR COUNTRY. In the words of JFK, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. Simple. With that out of the way, the next people you should support are our Allies, which would be Japan, Taiwan, European countries, and the likes. China is not an American ally per say, but that gets too deep into politics and finances and too many people think they are experts on the issue. So I have no issues saying on that fact alone that, that I personally do not like supporting China, even if it's just paying their workers and the manufacturing costs over there. We buy enough cheap China goods as it is, so it's nice to have American made products by an American made company, because, lets wrap all this back up to the first post of this thread, we are Americans and we should support our own first.

Where did I say anything that is even marginally hateful? Can you not understand very simple English? From the way you post and conduct yourself, I see you have no clue what patriotism is truly about; nor do you understand the very basics of economy and business. I hope it is not people like you who think they will make this country great again.

 

[Elly's Pa]

Everyone has there own opinions, and as opinions all are equally valid. I enjoy knowing that the knives I buy are made in the US. If some people are offended it's unfortunate. Are some foreign makers knives comperable or superior, maybe. But as a knife enthusiast who enjoys collecting and uses knives daily I choose to buy and use what I want for the reasons I deam fit. I also enjoy collecting football cards but if that offends comic book collectors, well... tough.

And... Kenny, we obviously have different opinions. Thats ok not a big deal. If the fact I have no interest in foreign made products hurts your feelings, sorry. I have nothing against Tiawan or Italy or Japan etc. Sorry, hugs and kisses all around.

I was hoping Sal would read my opinions and greatly appreciate his response. He has his reasons and ultimatly he has the right to do what he feels is best for his company. I also have the right, as every knife enthusiast does, to spend my money the was I see fit.

Ps... If all US made police, gb's, assists or man bugs etc become available put me down for 2 each. Even if they are double the price, I don't mind.

 

[yablanowitz]

I will only buy US made knives. In my eyes a spyderco made in taiwan is not a spyderco knife, makes me feel like spyderco certifed knockoffs. I feel very strongly that a US company should support US workers. I feel VERY conflicted about buying US made spydercos knowing that they are shipping jobs overseas.

How do you figure that? When they started forty years ago, they had no production facility in the USA and provided no American jobs. The only way they could have "shipped jobs overseas" would have been by leaving the country themselves. Instead, they have been creating more US jobs as fast as they can afford. Can you say the same?

I own a few US made spydies a feel proud knowing I supported a US knife maker but a part of me does not want to support spyderco because they ship US jobs overseas. I would own many more spydercos if they made all there knives in the US.

And maybe someday, if enough people with broader perceptions purchase enough of their products, they'll be able to move all of their production to this country. But knife manufacturing requires skill, training and experience, none of which grow on trees. Even if I won the Powerball and donated the entire jackpot to Spyderco for expansion, it would still take years to recruit and train enough workers to accomplish that. But the argument that "they are shipping US jobs overseas" doesn't hold water when those jobs were never here to begin with.

 

[`br4dz-]

Where did I say anything that is even marginally hateful? Can you not understand very simple English? From the way you post and conduct yourself, I see you have no clue what patriotism is truly about; nor do you understand the very basics of economy and business. I hope it is not people like you who think they will make this country great again.

Your ignorance is absolutely mind boggling, and yet once again starting your posts with patronizing remarks. Keep up the ultracrepidarianism and hate speech, intelligent conversations are not your forte.