Why are Lum chinese more than Ti Salsa's

[DaveH]

It looks like the Lum chinese folders are close to $110 for normal web prices, yet the Ti Salsa is around $93 around $20 less.

Why would the Lum continue to remain higher?

 

[Carlos]

Lum Chinese MSRP is $194
Ti Salsa MSRP is $150

The Lum Chinese has a much higher price to start, before discount.

 

[DaveH]

Yeah, but besides the pure fiction of MSRP prices, I'd still like to know why they are more expensive.

Maybe the Lum is a "gentlemans knife" hence the higher prices? Or maybe the licensing adds a significant amount to the cost?

 

[Greg G]

Hello:

Could country of origin be a big factor? Taiwanese labor is much less expensive than Japanese or American labor. I work Quality Management in metal fabrication, and I have seen too many of our customers go overseas... But have also seen some GOOD quality from China. I'm sure Sal chose this facility with care. Anybody care to give feedback on the build quality of their Salsa's?

Greg
(owner of 2 Lum's and no Salsa's)

 

[zmac]

As well as labour costs, here's a few more things that will effect price:

1. Currency Exchange rates
2. Import/Export taxes
3. Margins
4. Cost of materials
5. Volumes

The quality of the Ti Salsa is superb and easily compares to the Lum. The Salsa appears to be quite difficult to manufacture. The tolerances are tiny and things like the intergral compression lock, detent and cobra hood look especially tricky. A brilliant job by Spyderco in design and manufacture.