Wow, what a great dicussion, not only on spydercos but knifemaking here in the U.S. vrs overseas. And if you think of it,we are discussing not only knives but our American manufacturing economy.
Regardless if we like it or not, We do not produce, create, manufacture, design, sell, what we use to 50 years ago. People in other countries work for less money then what we do here in the U.S. The other countries are now experiencing their economic revolution.
Our time is done. Unless, we can figure what what we can competively produce and sell on a worldwide scale, I think we are going to be in a "world of trouble"
Now on knives, I own lots, all different brands. Some I bought just to see what they were like, some I would never use cause they were "nasty"
I'll talk about two China knives I bought.
I bought 2 Rough Rider knives made in China. One was a trapper the other a bone handle doctors knife.
I gotta tell ya I am impressed with them.
Both have good fit and finish. They both have "snap, walk and talk". Both sharpen well, I can "pop hair " with them no problem. Twenty strokes on my sharpmaker and they are sharpen.
They dont stay as sharp as long as some of my other knives but I figure they are 440 something and for the price and what I use them for they work.
I am in a office setting and they dont see hard use. Opening envelopes, cutting open boxes, and cutting my sandwiches, thats the gist of my normal knife use.
They are "sheeple" friendly, my customers eyebrows dont get 20 sizes larger when I open them up to cut a envelope.
Oh the price I paid for them, one was 8 dollars the other was 5 dollars.
Did I get "value" for my dollar. I think I did.
My point is that high quality, will soon be comming out of China, and at a labor cost well less then here in America.
OK let me talk about my best bud. Can he destroy a knife. He is a old farm boy. His knives go inside carburators, cut wire, turn screws, cut boxes, scrape gaskets etc. You get my drift.
He likes stockmans. I have reprofiled his Uncle Henry 2 times already. The tip keeps getting busted. He sees no sense in spending 50 bucks for a knife. He is barely willing to spend 15 for one.
My point is that a 50 or 100 dollar knife is not one that my bud would use. Not the way he uses them.
He is better to spend 15 or 20 bucks, use the knife up in a year and buy another one.
And by the way, I think he is going to get a Rough Rider like mine, for his next knife. He likes it.
Now there are us "knife nuts" who will spend the bucks for a name brand quality knife, but you know there really are not that many of us.
I think "IMHO" the majority of the population dont even know the differance.To them a knife is knife and cheaper is better
How many people do you guys know who have bought Frost knives ?
AND swear by them and how good a deal they got.
For every quality knife sold, I am willing to bet 20 cheap ones are sold.
Last point, Any company, Sals included, has to seek the lowest manufactuing cost, and stay competive in order to stay in business.
If China starts to produce cheap somewhat good quality knives,( and I think they are headed in that direction) how does Sal stay in business ? How does any U.S. knife company stay in business ???
Its good business, good foresite to get some kind of relationship going now. Line up good cutters, grinders, etc Train the help so to speak.
Who knows, in 20 years maybe all Spydercos might be made in China.
I am sorry for the length of this thread. Didnt mean it to go so long.
But the short end of the story is other countries are beating us at what use to be our game.
Good knife hunting
Jack
