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Your Top 5 Spyderco Folders made at the Taichung plant

To be honest, the only Taichung model that ever gets into my pocket is the CF Chaparral. The rest, while possessing excellent fit and finish, just don't "do it" for me. The only other one that came close was the Sage 4, but I just can't get past how hideous those black screws sticking out of the bolsters look.
 
It's not in you guy's top 5 list, but I've been in love with my sage 4 for several weeks now. Something about the ironwood and titanium just gets me :D Generally, I'm a loyal CRK guy but certain knives make me venture out and discover other quality cutters. I have to say that the Tiawan produced Spydies have been about the most consistent high-quality knives I've found on the <$300 market , and i've owned or handled most of these mentioned here. There are some refinements that could certainly be added, but they really are fantastic for their price points.
 
RamZar said:
What are your top 5 choices in ranked order?


  • Air by Gayle Bradley
  • Cat
  • Chaparral
  • Chaparral Titanium
  • Chicago
  • Chokwe
  • Des Horn
  • Domino
  • Gayle Bradley
  • Navaja
  • Nilakka
  • Sage 1
  • Sage 2
  • Sage 3
  • Sage 4
  • Southard
  • Szabo
  • Techno
  • Tuff
  • Vallotton
  • Zulu
Click to expand...


Hmmm... I have everything on that list except a Chaparral Titanium, a Des Horn and a Szabo. Of the one's that I have I really like ALL of them a lot with the exception of the Tuff. I love the design, I just can't break the sucker in so that I can open it easily.

If I HAD to list my top 5, I think I'd have to say:


  1. Gayle Bradley
  2. Domino
  3. Sage 1
  4. Southard
  5. Vallotton
 
1. Domino
2. Southard
3. Sage 1
4. Techno
5. Gayle Bradley

However, with 1 & 2... I wish the Domino had a different CF scale, and I wish the Southard didn't have any G10 and had CF or titanium.
 
KrisOK said:
Hmmm... I have everything on that list except a Chaparral Titanium, a Des Horn and a Szabo. Of the one's that I have I really like ALL of them a lot with the exception of the Tuff. I love the design, I just can't break the sucker in so that I can open it easily.
Click to expand...

Nice. Only missing 3!

Ditto: Navaja, Nilakka and Sage 4.

Agreed on Tuff. If it was smoother it would probably sell more with that nice 3V steel and thick blade.
 
Last edited:
RamZar said:
Arguably, the best quality Spyderco folders are coming out of the Taichung plant.

What are your top 5 choices in ranked order?

Here are mine:

  1. Southard
  2. Gayle Bradley
  3. Techno
  4. Air by GB
  5. Sage 2

Here's a full list of current models to choose from (all are made in Taiwan but not sure if all are made at the Taichung plant):

  • Air by Gayle Bradley
  • Cat
  • Chaparral
  • Chaparral Titanium
  • Chicago
  • Chokwe
  • Des Horn
  • Domino
  • Gayle Bradley
  • Hungarian
  • Navaja
  • Nilakka
  • Sage 1
  • Sage 2
  • Sage 3
  • Sage 4
  • Southard
  • Szabo
  • Szabo Black
  • Techno
  • Tuff
  • Vallotton
  • Zulu
Click to expand...

My top 5 has changed:

  1. Southard
  2. Hungarian
  3. Gayle Bradley
  4. Techno
  5. Air by GB

The most recent folders added to the Taichung line since August have been: Domino, Szabo Black and Hungarian.

Also, it seems like there'll be fewer additions to the Spyderco line from Taichung in 2014:

  • Tusk
  • Southard Black blade
  • Sage 3 with CF/G-10 Laminate
  • Chaparral Stepped Titanium
 
Last edited:
The Taichung-made Spydercos are my favorites.
1. Domino
2. Gayle Bradley
3. Hungarian
4. Sage 1
5. Nilakka
 
Are there any Taichung sprints?Sprints,exclusives, and limited production are my favorite Spyderco models.The models from Taichung have not interested me as much as the sprints that have been released over the past few years.
 
phillipsted said:
Hands down, the Sage series.
Click to expand...

I have the same three in the Sage series. Got the Sage 3 just last week since it's being "discontinued" in favor of a Sage 3 with CF/G10 laminate instead of the current blue G10.
 
salmonkiller said:
Are there any Taichung sprints?Sprints,exclusives, and limited production are my favorite Spyderco models.The models from Taichung have not interested me as much as the sprints that have been released over the past few years.
Click to expand...

I don't think there have been Sprints...

Personally, I treat almost anything out of the Taichung plant as an "exclusive" due to the superior build quality, premium steel (S30V, CTS-XHP, CTS-204P, etc.) and premium handle materials (CF, CF/G10, titanium, etc.).
 
Planning to splurge a little on either a Chaparral or Sage CF soon (leaning towards the sage since it's similar in size to the Delica) and looking forward to my first Taichung spydie.
 
I don't have 5 from the Taichung plant. But I have the Domino and Gayle Bradley. Look at those next to the Native5 and there is no competition. The guys in Golden could learn a thing or two from the guys in Taichung. (sorry Golden)

They put out quality!
 
Sage 1-2-3
Gayle Bradley
Domino
Chokwe (although it doesn't have the 'feel' of a Taichung piece, I love it as a knife)
 
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