Is U.S. made Spyderco better than Taiwan?

AusLoX

AusLoX

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I like buying USA made knives if I have the choice because I have faith in the product and I like to support the U.S. Work force. However, some of the knives coming from the Taiwan factory are amazing. For example, the Spyderco Techno. I think the Taiwan factory is doing a great job.

Thoughts?
 
Spyderco is an American company so regardless of where the knife is made if you're purchasing one you are supporting an American company. Buy the model you like.
 
Taiwan is capable of producing just as good of a knife as any american factory using the same manufacturing processes. They've been making high quality cutlery for a good while now.

Buy the knife you like in the steel you prefer (if it exists).
 
In my experience Taichung has significantly better fit and finish, but Golden models seem to offer better bang for the buck.
 
rycen said:
Spyderco is an American company so regardless of where the knife is made if you're purchasing one you are supporting an American company. Buy the model you like.
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+1..... Buy whichever model you like.... The Taiwan-made Spydercos have excellent fit and finish!
 
I've only owned one Taichung spyderco and two Golden's, but in my experience the fit and finish on the Taichung models is several notches above Golden. My Manix 2 LW had no real problems, but the FRN handles were a bit "flexy" and the action was always gritty even after months of daily carry. My PM2 has always had blade play that I can't adjust out without making it too stiff to flick open. I've spent hours trying to tune it following all the guides posted around BF, but I never could get it just right.

My Domino is smoother than both, has many more technical/high end touches (chamfered edges, bearings, lockbar insert, Ti/CF, etc) and is totally free of blade play. I can't say definitively without handling more models from each factory, but it's pretty clear for me. Taichung makes higher-end knives to a much higher level of fit and finish than Golden. Of course, you do pay more for that extra F&F and the fancy components.
 
Yeah man, go for it. Lots of the Taichung models I've handled have every bit the fit and finish as some of the nicer midtechs that cost 3-5 times as much.

Taichung Spyderco is my go to for production knives these days. They're pretty hard to beat. My Spydercos from Golden are functionally just as good, but the fit and finish seems nicer coming out of Taichung. But as was mentioned above, you do pay a bit more, but it's worth the premium if you're looking for great fit / finish.
 
Keep in mind that there were a few different facilities that produced Spyderco knives in Taiwan over the years. Taichung specifically is the one to crank up the production quality to level 11 and reset the bar. :thumbup:
 
I'm the same way about buying USA-made when I can. But Spyderco's Taiwan-made stuff is of superb quality. These two Sages are perfect examples - fit and finish are as good as the US stuff:

 
USA USA USA!!! Just had to chime in for the fun of it:D!
 
I've owned an example of almost every USA made model released in the last 6 or 7 years, and in my experience they don't really compare to my Taichung models (Tuff, Domino, Southard, Bushcraft) in terms of F&F. I'm sure they could make models just as nice in Golden, but they would cost $300+ (or more). Like an earlier poster said, I never really found them to cut better, but they do feel more solidly built than my Golden models.
 
U.S. made Spydercos are great, but there's something about the fit/finish, tolerances, and attention to detail on the Taichung Spydercos that in some ways surpasses the American models.
 
American made products are nothing special even though I prefer it. If the product is good then let it speak for itself, not because it was or wasn't made by American hands. If an American manufacturer is not competitive then why try to save it by overpaying them and their over entitled workers? You're just losing money that you could spend somewhere else like your local diner or something.
 
What do y'all think about the Japan-made Spyderco's? How do they compare to the U.S. and Taiwan?
 
Only the USA ones say: "Golden, Colorado U.S.A. Earth"

Cause you know, we got to specify the planet, might be confusing with all our colonies...

Joking aside, I literally bought a spyderco blade because I wanted a knife that proclaimed on the blade that it was made on earth.

- T
 
The spyderco name assures you the blade is good. The company has sourced their knives all over the world, it is part of their business DNA. Country of origin is not as important as the spyder logo on the blade. Buy the blade that suits your taste,
 
BOHAWG said:
+1..... Buy whichever model you like.... The Taiwan-made Spydercos have excellent fit and finish!
Click to expand...

+2...

Something else worth mention,
I've owned three now Spyderco Lion Spy's and ALL of them have just been absolute tanks. SOLID, NO B.S. Lockup, perfect machine work, and the same edge retention on the steel/heat treat. Awesome knives, Awesome. (For those who don't know they're made for Spyderco by Lion Steel in Italy)
 
brownshoe said:
The spyderco name assures you the blade is good. The company has sourced their knives all over the world, it is part of their business DNA. Country of origin is not as important as the spyder logo on the blade. Buy the blade that suits your taste,
Click to expand...



Agreed.



...just watch out for knock-offs and fakes, which do have that Spyder on the blade...
 
AusLoX said:
I like buying USA made knives if I have the choice because I have faith in the product and I like to support the U.S. Work force. However, some of the knives coming from the Taiwan factory are amazing. For example, the Spyderco Techno. I think the Taiwan factory is doing a great job.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Buy what you like, they are all good. :thumbup:
 
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