Where/who makes Spyderco?

C

Command45

Joined
Oct 25, 2010
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I know the company is based out of Colorado but does anyone know if thats were the actual knives are machined and assembled? or more likely part of this is done overseas? I read on a source that some like model C91 Pacific Salt is made in Japan, great knife. Id like to contact their factory for a production run.
 
All Spyderco knives have the country of origin etched on the blade tang. They are made in the USA (In Golden, CO), Japan, Taiwan and China depending on the model.
 
Some knives, like the Military and Native, are made in Colorado at their factory. Some knives, like the Endura and Native IV, are made in Japan, by Moki and other Seki manufacturers. Some of their knives, like the Bob T slipit, are made in Taiwan. Some, like their Byrd line and their Tenacious folder, are made in China. My three favorite Spyderco folders are the Military, Native IV and Bob T. I had a Byrd, it was a great knife, but I either traded or sold it. All of their lines seem to be well made.
 
I believe some are made in Golden, Colorado. Some are made in China, Taiwan and Japan. Some may have parts made in one location and the knife assembled in others.

The C91 uses H-1 steel which is made in Japan so I expect that's where the knife is made as well. More knowledgeable folks will be able to help you more than I
 
All true said above...as far as I know. Spyderco is very forthcoming in the origin of the knife and the steel they use...no mystery-steel Spydercos :thumbup:

Spyderco is also very finicky about who makes stuff for them and they do their own QC here in the US. So the blades made elsewhere have to be made to Spyderco's specifications exactly and pass inspection in Golden CO. In other words, they may not all be made in Golden but they all come to Golden and have to pass inspection in Golden and they are all distributed out of Golden (or other Spyderco facilities here in the US).
 
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Yes indeed. Golden Colorado. Sorry. I should have known because they make Coors there too! Plus it's right here on my blade!!!
 
Don't forget Italy. Hossoms were made there as well as other models I can't think of right now.
 
Made right here on planet Earth, according to my UK Pen Knife Rescue. Didn't realize we had to worry about off-world manufacturers.
 
Fox in Italy made the Hossoms and the Volpe, Klotzli in Switzerland made the original carbon fiber Walker, Sal has mentioned using at least three makers in Japan and two in Taiwan. Which makers he works with is privileged information.
 
There's a selector pick/tab on the catalog page that allows you to see which knives have which "country of origin." One thing they all have in common: they pass Sal Glesser's tests or they don't get sold as Spyderco - at least (thinking of the Cat and Chicago) not for long. (Remember the Zenith campaign? "The quality goes in before the name goes on." :D )
 
Sithus1966 said:
Made right here on planet Earth, according to my UK Pen Knife Rescue. Didn't realize we had to worry about off-world manufacturers.
Click to expand...

Steel production in space is going to make for some very interesting alloys.
We just need to hurry up and figure out how to get cargo up there for less than a thousand dollars a pound.
 
Thanks for the great replies!

JNewell said:
There's a selector pick/tab on the catalog page...
Click to expand...

:D I compared the knives by country and found what I expected: USA and Japan are most expensive and more geared for specialty purpose. Taiwan is next, China is last, Italy is discontinued.

Im quiet impressed Spyderco can outsource all over the world and provide such different products and priceranges!
 
Spyderco has outstanding quality control of all its knives no matter where they're made. I've owned a Resilience and Tenacious (China made) and their fit and finish was pretty much on par with my Military (USA made) and my Police3 (Japan) made knives. No matter how much or how little they cost, you get you're moneys worth with Spyderco.
 
Im quiet impressed Spyderco can outsource all over the world and provide such different products and priceranges!
Click to expand...

Sal, Eric and other Spyderco team people spend a lot of time on the road. It takes a long time to develop a relationship with another company, developing the trust and just learning the processes and names used. There is always going to be someone at the company trained by Spyderco keeping things on track and insuring things are done correctly. Kind of the first layer of QC. They go through another QC inspection in Golden.

Like any company Spyderco does have the occasional issue but to be honest I don't ever see them for some reason. I just read about them here on the forums and I'm currently north of a hundred. Part of that is I ask the sellers to inspect and only do business with people I know and who know me but that's still an impressive number of no defect knives. IMO, Spyderco does their job as well or better than anyone else around.
 
The Mastiff said:
Sal, Eric and other Spyderco team people spend a lot of time on the road. It takes a long time to develop a relationship with another company, developing the trust and just learning the processes and names used.
Click to expand...

I'd love to be a roadie for a month with Sal and Eric. Kinda like traveling with a rock band. :D
 
Where: Earth
Who: Giant Spiders, of course!

Actually it doesn't matter. Their QC is so fantastic, country of origin is irrelevant. IMHO.
 
I agree of course when in the store and actually handling the knife, on the computer its a little harder. I just dont have enough experience with the brand yet. =)
 
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