Witch one is better on the spider co. Japan or Colorado us?

No single one is "better", each has its advantage. Its what suits you and luckily spyderco has something for everyone. A few staple models would be endura and delica both made in Japan, the USA military and para military. Also check out the taiwan line, some gems for sure. Gayle bradley model, sub hilt, domino, southard. And if you want a folder thats pretty much no glam but all cut for the best bang for your buck, check out the china line (tenacious, persistance, ambitious). I own or have owned all of these models and they all have there benefits. What fits your needs best is the question?
 
I think this quote sums it up well:

mark jeneson said:
All of my favorite Spydies are from Taichung. Things are made in China. Things of quality are made in the US. Things of the utmost quality seem to be made in Taiwan.
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I would also rank manufacturers China < Japan < USA < Taiwan. The Taichung foundry is definitely up there with some of the best knife manufacturing out there.
 
I think all this repetitive thread making asking the same question is rather pointless.
Each manufacturer makes a good variety of different blades to fit different needs.
Ranking tends to lead to elitism, IMO. Not many people need nor can justify a knife for $3-400+, so should they really expect to lose out and get screwed on a $45 blade from China or a $65 folder from Japan? Not at all, and Spyderco has done a great job at making sure this is the case! :thumbup:

Odd how many people never mention Italian production...

I don't think there is a foundry in Taichung, but I could be wrong. I believe they use all steels that are sourced from elsewhere.

Like dericdesmond mentioned, maybe it's better to mention what criteria you're looking for in a knife rather than asking what factory is "better".
Say if you lived on ocean front and we're in the water daily, even if everyone loves a Gayle Bradley like it's a grail, you'd still probably be better off long term function wise with an Atlantic Salt or something instead. ;)
 
Tough question as there are too many variables. First being your particular taste in knives. Where it's manufactured should not be the first criteria you look for.

Applied to those of course who do not mind buying off shore knives. Some prefer to stick with U.S. made knives which is fine.

About any country you can think of has the capability to made a good knife. Some Chinese based companies seem to be stepping up their game, like Kizer.

Just a mention. Not trying to start the USA vs. the world, or cloners discussion.
 
I think they are all of great quality, even the Tenacious line. That being said I have become rather fond of the Taichung models. Their fit and finish plus materials used seem to be a step above the Golden line. That is tough for me to say because I grew up 15mins away from Golden Colorado and have (and still do) carry my Goldens with pride.
 
Japan is "better" for me, but only because the makers there are the only Spyderco makers with a proven ability to produce smooth bolstered midlock knives and because most of the Spyderco models I like best have been made there.
 
I will say that yesterday I sharpened my Yojimbo 2 for the first time, and it has the straightest most symmetrical grind I've ever seen on a production knife. In fact the whole knife is perfect, so props to the golden factory for this piece!
 
thank you guys. It seems that China is replacing most of the old school knife makers and I'm a bit in easy.
 
I too would put Taichung first in terms of fit and finish with Golden close second and Japan a mix of a close third and a distant third depending on model. I only have two from Italy and they are both slip joints but very high quality as well. I think once Japan starts making all their midlocks like the Native 5 my perception of the Japanese would be greatly improved. Most from Japan have noticeable blade play. The Junior is from Japan and the best in terms of quality. It's also a compression lock not a midlock. Ignore country and get what you like.
 
For me, I don't care who made it as long as the quality control is right. I have not been happy with the Spydie hole since the beveling of it stopped. Bring that feature back an I'll pay more.
 
nccole said:
I too would put Taichung first in terms of fit and finish with Golden close second and Japan a mix of a close third and a distant third depending on model. /Snip/... Ignore country and get what you like.
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Yeah this has been my experience as well. That being said, a Caly 3.5 is my Spydie of choice lately.
 
flipe8 said:
Yeah this has been my experience as well. That being said, a Caly 3.5 is my Spydie of choice lately.
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My 3 CF is quite nice (my nicest mid lock) but my 3.5 Super Blue has a lot of play and is gritty. No matter, I love SB and had to have this knife.
 
I have Spydies from Golden, Taiwan and China. Next month I will have my first Japan Spydie. I think, from the one's I have, I'd say my Sage 1 (Taiwan) is the best, as far as F&F, overall. I'm not knocking Golden by any stretch, and in my eyes my PM2 is perfect, I just think my Sage is just a little better.

Of course, this thread kinda of forces one to choose, when really, there is no way to truly choose one factory over another when they are all making outstanding products. I will concede that had I not bought my Persistence (China) I probably would not have bought any other Spydercos.
 
I own Spydercos from Japan, US and China. Yes, I own 2 Millies and a PM2. But the ones I carry are Japan-made; currently Delica 4 SS and/or one of my Salts. None of the ones in my rotation have any blade play. I really don't care about the country of origin. What matters is that they work for what I use my knives for. The fit/finish on my Delica 4 SS is very good. I don't think better F/F on it would make it a better cutting instrument. I tend to go by which models I prefer, as opposed to which country they're made in.

Jim
 
FriarPhenn said:
I think this quote sums it up well:



I would also rank manufacturers China < Japan < USA < Taiwan. The Taichung foundry is definitely up there with some of the best knife manufacturing out there.
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I'd have to agree with this. Funny how things have hanged over the years. Used to be cheap stuff was made in Taiwan. China was a no trade nation. And the best was always in the US.
 
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