Where It's Made

Wolverine666

Wolverine666

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
6,642
To start : I love Spyderco. They just make a high quality product for a more than reasonable price. A really great value that has little competition (IMO). So I don't mind if some of my Spydies are made in Japan , Tai Chung or Golden. I know Spyderco's QC is good all over and has yet to ever let me down.


That being said , although I love my Chaparral from Tai Chung and my SuperLeaf from Japan , I do still favor Spydercos that are built in Golden , CO. Not really sure why. I guess I just like knowing the fact that my new knife was created in the USA. And it just so happens that some of my favorite knives (from any manufacturer) like the Yojimbo2 and Para2 are both made in Golden.

So would I avoid purchasing a Spyderco that was made overseas ? Absolutely not. And my collection is testament to that. But I just get a tad bit happier when I see that the next Spyderco I am buying is of Colorado origin.

Fell free to chime in and speak your mind.
 
I think golden made is a plus.....but I don't really care that much, spyderco just has such good quality control..
 
I really like the Taiwan knives. Just coincidence I guess, the designs I like just happen to come from there. I have 12 Spyderco's and not one from Golden yet. I have the green Para on order. The Manix doesn't quite do it for me, the Military is too big, Jojimbo doesn't interest me much, the Native seems too similar to my Sage's, the UKPK's don't lock, no interest in an auto, and the Leafstorm was the closest I came to getting one. I have some Japanese knives, four I think, but the models that really interest me just happen to come from Taiwan, it is a bonus that their quality is (perceived as) the best. I can say that the Japanese models don't quite measure up to the Taiwan models. The Junior is the only one I have that did not have some issues. My Meerkat, Stretch, and Caly 3 all have very minor issues, while I have had one Taiwan knife with a minor issues. The minor issues include anything from a blemish in the CF, to a burr on the opening hole, to gaps between handles and steel liners. Buying Japanese, Golden, or Taiwan makes no difference to me. My Tenacious was first and last Spyderco from China. China is different.
 
Wolverine666 said:
Hmmm , I haven't purchased any China-made Spydies yet.

Interesting.
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The Tenacious is a fine knife, but there are only four different knives made there, and I have no interest in any of them anymore. It was my introduction to Spyderco, but they have much better offerings. I also like a bit better steel than they offer. Not getting political, but I don't mind supporting Japanese, Taiwanese, or Italian manufactures, but China is different, I would like to limit my supporting of their manufacturing.
 
I'm carrying these three all the time these days, and have no complaints (Japan, Taiwan, Taiwan):

VHbk58m.jpg


I can't say where they're made really has any influence in my buying decisions. I didn't know where the Kopa was made until just now when I opened it to check--I was just looking for a small Spyderco with <2.5" of blade that looked nice and was comfortable to handle. Never even thought to check where it came from . . .
 
nccole said:
The Tenacious is a fine knife, but there are only four different knives made there
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Technically, there are seven made in China counting the Bug Series. And for the $8 I got my Bug, it is an awesome freakin' knife. Comes shaving sharp and cute as a button.
 
the quality of the spydercos that I own that are manufactured and assembled outside of the US are near perfect. I haven't had any issues with fit and finish at all. Knives made outside of the US do not hinder my purchases. I'm just glad to support a US based company that still manufactures some of it's products within the US.
 
If Spyderco had elected to make the midlock Kiwi, the Stretch, and the Chaparral in Golden, and had done as good a job on them as their current makers, then I'd be carrying knives that were made in the USA exclusively. But, since most of what Golden turns out just doesn't work for me and the little that works doesn't work as well as those three, I carry Spydercos from Japan and Taiwan.
 
The one thing I don't like about Japan is their exclusion/inclusion of steels. The Taiwanese knives could have any steel (other than Japanese) on them.
Price wise, I don't think there is much difference between the three. I have heard people state that the Southard would cost ~$400 to make in Golden, and I don't believe it. In fact I think sometimes the Golden knives are the cheapest. ~$110 for a PM2, ~$125 for the Junior. Both G10, SS liners, comp lock, comparable steels. Or ~$70 for a Manix lightweight vs ~$80 for a Stretch. Similar size, similar handle type, comparableish blade steel. The Sage 3 can be had at ~$115, but a Manix 2 S30V under $85. Both G10 by S30V, similar lock styles, similar size. I know it is more complex than just comparing some common knives, but Golden's prices may be the best in terms of value. The only Golden Spydie that seemed steep to me in price was the Leafstorm. Comparing that to a Sage 2 makes the Sage 2 seem like a better value. Similar prices usually, but the Sage has all Ti handles and is bigger. I suppose royalties plays a role (plays a role in the Junior as well now that I think about it).
 
I have no preference for country of origin. Not by design, but irrespective of manufacturer's label, I find my heart has a sweet spot for moki made blades.
 
Of the spydies I've handled I can't really tell any difference in build quality from knife to knife. They might be different knives but the same Spyderco fit and finish is there.

However, I like seeing USA or related places in the tang stamp.
 
I personally like seeing a knife made in the USA but w/ Spyderco QC I don't have a problem buying a Taiwan, Japan, or Italy. China is a different story though.... I'm not saying that the china knives are bad but I just don't like supporting Chinese made knives. China anything really....
 
evilgreg said:
I'm carrying these three all the time these days, and have no complaints (Japan, Taiwan, Taiwan):

VHbk58m.jpg


I can't say where they're made really has any influence in my buying decisions. I didn't know where the Kopa was made until just now when I opened it to check--I was just looking for a small Spyderco with <2.5" of blade that looked nice and was comfortable to handle. Never even thought to check where it came from . . .
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I will have a carbon fiber Kopa one day!!

Just gotta find one for a realistic price haha.
 
I personally don't care where a knife is made as long as it's well made. When it comes to Spyderco, I have no issues whatsoever. Their reputation is such that I know I'm going to get a good knife, no matter if it's a lower cost FRN handled folder or an upper end knife. Yeah, I like to see Made in USA on a blade as much as the next guy, but lets be real. The USA is not the center of the universe and other countries can and do produce high quality knives that can rival and at times surpass the quality of a US-made knife. I think it's more a matter of you get what you pay for rather than the country of origin. And while cost isn't necessarily a defining factor on the quality of a knife, most cheap knives tend to be just that... Cheap.
 
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What's wrong with supporting foreign countries? If they make a valuable product, buy it! The government taxed and regulated all the businesses here to death. It wasn't the consumer that drove away business.
 
I have always found that the USA and Taiwan made knives are of excellent quality. China made ones are really good as well, despite being... well, China. However the Japan made ones that i own such as Caly 3.5, stretch, delica, ulize, and superleaf have poor fit and finish. I'm staying away from Japan made knives.
 
Frozy said:
I have always found that the USA and Taiwan made knives are of excellent quality. China made ones are really good as well, despite being... well, China. However the Japan made ones that i own such as Caly 3.5, stretch, delica, ulize, and superleaf have poor fit and finish. I'm staying away from Japan made knives.
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That's my experience too, but I'm not going to shy away from the Japan knives. I still love my Delica. I find the Taiwan and Golden knives to be the absolute best fit and finish that Spyderco offers.
 
Before this thread gets too political, I'd like to add that my limited experience with Chinese Spydercos has been positive. My Kiwi 3 Slipit, features stellar F&F, and 8CR13MoV isn't bad either. To be honest some of the sharpest edges I've ever made were on this steel. It can get very, very, sharp. I like to buy American when I can, but I'm not going to limit myself and exclude quality knives from foreign countries.
 
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