Why isn't Spyderco doing anything to combat the fake copies of their products?

gglotz83

gglotz83

Joined
Feb 7, 2014
Messages
198
I know overseas manufacturers have been copying Spyderco knives for a while, but it seems like things are worse than ever. I recently purchased a digicam para2, and I did a lot of homework before I made my purchase - I was shocked at how many fakes are for sale, and even more shocked at how good these fakes are getting. It's great that members of the knife community post pictures and videos of "how to spot a fake", but I think the people making the fakes have started watching these videos too!

It's sad that things have gotten to a point that we (the consumers) now have to inspect our knives against a 5 point checklist to confirm that our knife is genuine. If I owned a business and made a product with my name on it, I would do everything that I could to make sure that my customers were getting a genuine product, and that they could trust my name.

Spyderco (Sal) - please be proactive and implement something into your manufacturing process to combat these fakes. Start putting serial numbers on your blades, or add a certificate of authenticity with a hologram to your packaging. Right now, with your black and white copy paper, you are making it too easy for the scum bags out there.
 
gglotz83 said:
I know overseas manufacturers have been copying Spyderco knives for a while, but it seems like things are worse than ever. I recently purchased a digicam para2, and I did a lot of homework before I made my purchase - I was shocked at how many fakes are for sale, and even more shocked at how good these fakes are getting. It's great that members of the knife community post pictures and videos of "how to spot a fake", but I think the people making the fakes have started watching these videos too!

It's sad that things have gotten to a point that we (the consumers) now have to inspect our knives against a 5 point checklist to confirm that our knife is genuine. If I owned a business and made a product with my name on it, I would do everything that I could to make sure that my customers were getting a genuine product, and that they could trust my name.

Spyderco (Sal) - please be proactive and implement something into your manufacturing process to combat these fakes. Start putting serial numbers on your blades, or add a certificate of authenticity with a hologram to your packaging. Right now, with your black and white copy paper, you are making it too easy for the scum bags out there.
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Sure like that can't be faked....
Read the threads brother. Sal has been fighting the counterfeiters tooth and nail. Certain countries have zero respect for copyright laws and allow them to be produced, which makes it an uphill battle.
 
I'm pretty sure all of those things can be faked, and I'm pretty sure Sal has spent plenty of money (that otherwise could've been used towards producing knives) fighting the counterfeiters.
 
Hmm...let's see. Suing a Chinese company in a Chinese court? Ya, that will work. :rolleyes:
 
In my business I run into this issue a lot. The issue isn't with the American makers of goods, the problem is with the country the fakes are coming from. There is a massive indifference (almost an encouragement) toward fakes being made China. They knock off anything popular from watches to knives, to even cars. Until international law reigns them in, there is nothing that can be done.
 
You can't stop it. This is happening with many knife brands, and as you know it happens with many other products as well.
You make a change. They make a change. It will never stop. You can bet Sal and others do all they can, but they can only do so much.

The only thing you can do is be an informed consumer.
Thats your job, and not Sal's.

Buy from the list of Dealers here at Blade Forum and you won't have to worry about it.
Stay away from a deal that sounds to good, and stay away from ebay unless you know the seller.
Good luck in the future, and remember the two things I said above.

BTW- Where did you by the clone ? edit- Nevermind. Just realized you didn't buy a clone.
 
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Serial numbers do work, and if done can garantee and authentic product. Maybe one on the inside of the liners, not on the blade. Or a verification number on the box. The vaporizor tank company Kangertech has numbers on the boxes and a number to call for verification. It's sad. I have completely boycott Ebay due to their complacency.

If you boycott ebay, ali-express, and other known mass counterfiet distributors then that is the best defense.
 
Hi Gglotz,

Welcome to our forum and thanx much for your concern.

As mentioned, it is a major concern and takes a great deal of time and funds. We have attorneys in China as well as here and it's a constant fight. Just hired an additional attorney in China yesterday specific to this problem.

We've spoken to our congressman and will be working with them as well. Also working with Homeland Security on the issue.

And as mentioned, it's not just us, it seems that the Chinese counterfeits are accelerating in all industries. Sort of gives the impression that the Chinese govt does encourage it, but they assure us they don't. :rolleyes:

sal
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
Sure like that can't be faked....
Read the threads brother. Sal has been fighting the counterfeiters tooth and nail. Certain countries have zero respect for copyright laws and allow them to be produced, which makes it an uphill battle.
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The point isn't too produce a product that can't be faked. Anything can be faked with enough time and effort. The point is to discourage people from making fakes by adding extra steps to the manufacturing process; in turn costing them time and money. The factories producing the fakes exist because they can mass produce at very low cost, and they are profitable. Once you cut their profit margins, I think many of them would close shop...or they would start producing fewer fakes, at the higher price.

We're all in this together!
 
It's very difficult to combat people who do not play by the rules as the rest of the world.

My wife just bought an iPhone5c on Ebay without checking with me and it turned out to be fake. Even companies like Apple that is 1000 times bigger than Spyderco cant seem to do squat. It is bad, the best you can do is to inform yourself first when making a purchase and buy from reputable dealers. If it's too good of a deal, then it is.
 
It sucks for Spyderco and to the extent that it raises prices, it sucks for us too. As consumers, all we have to do is buy from a reputable dealer. Buying used could be more of an issue. Use common sense!
 
gglotz83 said:
The point isn't too produce a product that can't be faked. Anything can be faked with enough time and effort. The point is to discourage people from making fakes by adding extra steps to the manufacturing process; in turn costing them time and money. The factories producing the fakes exist because they can mass produce at very low cost, and they are profitable. Once you cut their profit margins, I think many of them would close shop...or they would start producing fewer fakes, at the higher price.

We're all in this together!
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Your right adding steps to the manufacturing process would cost more time and money but that would be true for genuine Spydercos too. This would in turn increase the cost of the product which would probably make the problem worse. More money for the counterfeit knives. Labor in China costs pennies on the dollar compared to the US. This combined with the use of inferior materials is where the companies make their money.
 
One word will stop this, but as long as major interests have significant profits coming from the use of communist labor camps, it won't happen. That word is "Tariff." Tariffs were what funded our entire government until the 20th century, and could end our deficits again if we actually used them wisely. Sadly, it is probably obvious to everyone why that wont happen.
 
FDE said:
Your right adding steps to the manufacturing process would cost more time and money but that would be true for genuine Spydercos too. This would in turn increase the cost of the product which would probably make the problem worse. More money for the counterfeit knives. Labor in China costs pennies on the dollar compared to the US. This combined with the use of inferior materials is where the companies make their money.
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Exactly.
 
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Am I missing something? I don't think the op bought a fake. I think he just noticed how many fakes were available when he was researching his purchase.
 
SolidState said:
One word will stop this, but as long as major interests have significant profits coming from the use of communist labor camps, it won't happen. That word is "Tariff." Tariffs were what funded our entire government until the 20th century, and could end our deficits again if we actually used them wisely. Sadly, it is probably obvious to everyone why that wont happen.
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That would mean taking money out of my pocket and giving it to the government. I'm pretty sure I'll come out cheaper just buying my knives at knifeworks! ;) :D
 
Screwdriver said:
I say move the Chinese line of Spyderco's to Taiwan.
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Not sure what good that would do. They are counterfiting all models. Not just the Chinese line.

I wonder if because China owns US debt, we politically turn a blind eye to this sort of thing so we don't rock the boat?
 
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