Taiwanese deals

I cannot speak for Boker, but Spyderco is using one maker in Taiwan because he was exceptional in his skills. Most of Spyderco's models are made in Golden and Seki.

Spyderco's "byrd" brand pieces are made in China.

sal
 
Sal,I hope you don't think I'm slamming your company because my Manix gets more pocket time than any knife I own.I also really like my Waved Endura.I just feel that your best work comes out of Golden.I know there are a lot of complications to running a large inventory company from labor costs to taxes to land cost but I just wish companies would stop leaning toward out of country manufacturing.You definetely make a top shelf product so try to keep the jobs in the USA.Thanks,Mark
 
mmarkh said:
Sal,I hope you don't think I'm slamming your company because my Manix gets more pocket time than any knife I own.I also really like my Waved Endura.I just feel that your best work comes out of Golden.I know there are a lot of complications to running a large inventory company from labor costs to taxes to land cost but I just wish companies would stop leaning toward out of country manufacturing.You definetely make a top shelf product so try to keep the jobs in the USA.Thanks,Mark
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Hi Mark,

Thanx for the kind words and support. I took nothing as to be negative.

Our Golden facility has a limited production capacity. We're in the process of increasing that capacity, but we probably won't make it so large that we cannot avoid outside mfg.

We've not gone outside to get lower costs, but to find makers that can meet our standards. Seki-City in Japan and one maker in Taiwan was capable.

Japan is not cheaper, We are working with an Italian maker, but that is also not cheaper. Taiwan does have a cost advantage.

Our Chinese made "byrds" are definitely a cost advantage for very acceptable quality.

However I would like comment on your statement;

"but I just wish companies would stop leaning toward out of country manufacturing".

This is market driven. The Amefican market says lower price, The lower price says higher volume. The American buyer, more often than not will not pay for the US workers to work. Large American knife companies are folding.

I admire and agree with you and those like you that would prefer American made. It is challenging to keep an American knife factory operating. But Americans still vote with their wallets and they vote daily to mfr offshore. :confused:

sal
 
BigJimSlade said:
Theres a difference in wishing one could buy all american made goods and wanting to keep companies who have been sucefull selling higher priced goods manufactured outside china/taiwan to continue doing so. Whe cant vote with our dollars in every facet of life, thats true. But you can tell BM that you would rather spend 20-30 bucks more for US production.
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I'll agree with BigJim on this to a certain extent. If I can buy an American made knife that is similar to the one made in a foreign country that interests me, then I will. That is if the materials and quality are at least as good and not WAY out of my price range (for instance, I would buy an imported production version of a custom if the custom costs 400 bucks and the production version costs 150 bucks...as long as the production version is a VALID reproduction and not a ripped off design, and still is made of good materials and has quality production). But, as I stated before, some companies that have their knives made abroad have exclusive designs; for instance, the aforementioned KaBar TDI knives.
 
I will pay $10-20 extra for an american or japanese knife that is similar to one made in Taiwan. But if a knife is made in Taiwan and there's no equivalent american or japanese design (as is the case with the S and probably Trance as well) and it also happens to be priced attractively, I'll certainly go for it.
 
mmarkh said:
If I insulted anyone I apologize.That was not my intention.
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I apologize too, if I came across as too harsh.

What you are suggesting is totally against free market economies and common sense. By shifting their operations to Taiwan, the lowered price of knives means its more affordable to a larger market, and the affordibility helps push markets further afield to the east and the rest of the world. That helps about everybody, Americans included.

Spydeco being an american company also translates to income for your country.

The rise of asian economies simply means there is now another one BILLION more consumer that will buy american products, and that creates jobs for you and your children, in the long run.

Taking a longer view, the new globalized economy will help create more jobs, more trade, and better competition for everybody. Whether you like it or not it's here to stay, and the earlier you get out of that "support only america" atitude the better it is.
 
Thank you, Bennjn. I've been trying to say something like that for a while now, but lacked the eloquence to put it in those terms.

There's nothing un-American about wanting a quality, well-made product at a reasonable price.
 
Tim Piatenko said:
mmarkh, I see you are not following anything I'm saying ... :rolleyes:
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I think I am following you,Tim.Hopefully the large American companies can get prices in line without costing jobs or placing a burden on the hourly workers that make their knives.:confused:
 
I have an honest question. The 2 major cutlery companies that I can think of that have closed recently are Camillus and Schrade, both American companies with American made products. Many people have a problem with companies like Buck, Gerber, and Ka-Bar going from all American made products to having some knives made abroad. So, here is my question: Have any of those companies had major lay offs or anything due to their current outsourcing? I, personally am not aware of any, so could it be that building upon what they already had by having some knives made over seas has actually helped the companies be more successful and helped keep many American workers employed? I'm not trying to be smug here; I honestly want to know simply because I have no clue.
 
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