A Spyderco by any other name is just as sharp (Domestic Japanese market Spyderco models)

[JoviAl]

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone can help me out on this - I read somewhere recently that there are some Japanese made Spyderco designs that are sold domestically under other brand names. I’m flying to Japan tomorrow for our family Christmas and New Year holiday and would love to pick up a couple of these as little curios to remind me of the trip in years to come.

Does anybody know who/what brands might be selling them under licence? I have zero interest in fakes, stolen goods from the factory or anything like that. I’ve seen a couple of what looked like Enduras with different brand names on (maybe as collabs or corporate gifts?), but my nonexistent Japanese reading skills precluded me from understanding their provenance.

Any insight would be very much appreciated.

Al

[OV1kenobi]

Unlike known watches that are specifically for the JDM I haven’t heard of any JDM-specific Spyderco knives. I am also curious.

[rycen]

I think I understand what you’re asking, but I’m not 100%. As far as I can remember, there are no “Spyderco”models that aren’t marked Spyderco. There are models/variations made in Japan that aren’t sold here. I don’t believe there’s a comprehensive list because Spyderco themselves aren’t always aware of these models.

A few that I can think of immediately are

Montbell pirka

K005 which is a combination of a delica blade and a worker handle with a pro grip insert

A civilian in G10 with a plain edge blade

And also a few Snow Peak versions

[spydergoat]

Enjoy Japan, it’s a beautiful place! No idea where they sell Spyderco and I didn’t see any in my visit there. If you are interested in kitchen knives and some traditional knives, I enjoyed Tower Knives in Osaka, they also have a branch in Tokyo. Aritsugu in Kyoto is very popular with tourists and it’s fun to go to that market in general.

[zuludelta]

I wonder if anyone can help me out on this - I read somewhere recently that there are some Japanese made Spyderco designs that are sold domestically under other brand names. I’m flying to Japan tomorrow for our family Christmas and New Year holiday and would love to pick up a couple of these as little curios to remind me of the trip in years to come.

Does anybody know who/what brands might be selling them under licence? I have zero interest in fakes, stolen goods from the factory or anything like that. I’ve seen a couple of what looked like Enduras with different brand names on (maybe as collabs or corporate gifts?), but my nonexistent Japanese reading skills precluded me from understanding their provenance.

I don't know if they still make/sell them, but IIRC one of Spyderco's Seki City partners had a deal to sell variants of the first-gen Endura & I think the first-gen Ladybug under the Snow Peak brand (a Japanese outdoor gear retailer). Pretty hard to find today & a casual online search didn't turn up any more recent models being sold by Snow Peak.

[PMBohol]

I might be wrong but the hole is trademarked so that would be an obvious obstacle

[JoviAl]

I wonder if anyone can help me out on this - I read somewhere recently that there are some Japanese made Spyderco designs that are sold domestically under other brand names. I’m flying to Japan tomorrow for our family Christmas and New Year holiday and would love to pick up a couple of these as little curios to remind me of the trip in years to come.

Does anybody know who/what brands might be selling them under licence? I have zero interest in fakes, stolen goods from the factory or anything like that. I’ve seen a couple of what looked like Enduras with different brand names on (maybe as collabs or corporate gifts?), but my nonexistent Japanese reading skills precluded me from understanding their provenance.

I don't know if they still make/sell them, but IIRC one of Spyderco's Seki City partners had a deal to sell variants of the first-gen Endura & I think the first-gen Ladybug under the Snow Peak brand (a Japanese outdoor gear retailer). Pretty hard to find today & a casual online search didn't turn up any more recent models being sold by Snow Peak.

The brand Snow Peak rings a bell - it may well have been those I’m hazily remembering.

I’m not desperate, they just seemed like a fun twist on a common theme to have as a keepsake of the trip. I can’t find anything about them online either, so if they’re no longer in production then no worries

[JoviAl]

Enjoy Japan, it’s a beautiful place! No idea where they sell Spyderco and I didn’t see any in my visit there. If you are interested in kitchen knives and some traditional knives, I enjoyed Tower Knives in Osaka, they also have a branch in Tokyo. Aritsugu in Kyoto is very popular with tourists and it’s fun to go to that market in general.

Thanks! I’m headed to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka so I’ll check some of those out

[JoviAl]

I think I understand what you’re asking, but I’m not 100%. As far as I can remember, there are no “Spyderco”models that aren’t marked Spyderco. There are models/variations made in Japan that aren’t sold here. I don’t believe there’s a comprehensive list because Spyderco themselves aren’t always aware of these models.

A few that I can think of immediately are

Montbell pirka

K005 which is a combination of a delica blade and a worker handle with a pro grip insert

A civilian in G10 with a plain edge blade

And also a few Snow Peak versions

Thank you Rycen, much appreciated

I don’t want to unwittingly buy something that is a theft of physical or intellectual property, so a bit more research on my end is in order. I would be surprised if large international companies like Mont Bell or Snow Peak would open themselves to censure by having their brand on products of dubious provenance, but in my experience IP and copyrights are sometimes a bit of a grey area outside of Europe and the USA.

[JoviAl]

Well, turns out that was quite the rabbit hole. After some messing with a Japanese VPN and some domestic market searches it turns out the Snow Peak knives (and a few others) are still floating around but not in any great profusion.

I’m heading to a few rock climbing and outdoors shops while I’m over there to pick up some bits, so I’ll keep my eyes peeled for any of these gathering dust on shelves. Do I need a yellow handle SE Endura with the scallop grinding on the back side? Not really. But do I want one? I think we all know the answer to that

[spydergoat]

Thanks! I’m headed to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka so I’ll check some of those out

I’m jealous! Safe travels and eat lots of Soba!

[Mocean]

Sadly I think you will be very disappointed in the availability of outdoor knives in general in Japan. I can only speak from experience in Tokyo but shops selling any non kitchen knives are few and far between.

The Edge Shibuya was an amazing place but that closed about 10 years ago. There are a couple of places in Ameyoko,Ueno selling Spyderco but its just generic VG10 Delicas and Dragnonflys basically. Apart from that, some outdoor stores will have a small cabinet of knives but think Swiss Army, Opinel, Leatherman.

[Fastidiotus]

Worst comes to worst if you can find Spyderco's for sale somewhere they should at least have the white JDM box even if they're bog standard models. Keep us updated, very interested to see what you end up tracking down!

[JoviAl]

Worst comes to worst if you can find Spyderco's for sale somewhere they should at least have the white JDM box even if they're bog standard models. Keep us updated, very interested to see what you end up tracking down!

Oh, is that what the white boxes mean? I did wonder when I ordered a few knives from Japan online previously why they turned up in white boxes. Well that’s one mystery solved

I’ll keep you posted if anything turns up on my trundles.

[sv4]

Worst comes to worst if you can find Spyderco's for sale somewhere they should at least have the white JDM box even if they're bog standard models. Keep us updated, very interested to see what you end up tracking down!

Oh, is that what the white boxes mean? I did wonder when I ordered a few knives from Japan online previously why they turned up in white boxes. Well that’s one mystery solved

I’ll keep you posted if anything turns up on my trundles.

Indeed, the Japanese Domestic Market Spydies came in white boxes (with Japanese script). But the knives inside are exactly the same, though. No special markings or identifiers.

[James Y]

I have heard from a few sources that there isn't much of a knife carry culture in Japan, at least in the major cities, and that knife carry is pretty restricted in Japan, like in some European countries.

Jim

[Mocean]

You can carry a small pocket knife 'if you have a reason' - ie going fishing etc. Walking the urban streets you're just asking for trouble if you do bump into the police.

So yes, knife carry culture not really a thing here.

[SpeedHoles]

Well, turns out that was quite the rabbit hole. After some messing with a Japanese VPN and some domestic market searches it turns out the Snow Peak knives (and a few others) are still floating around but not in any great profusion.

IMG_3551.pngIMG_3552.png

I’m heading to a few rock climbing and outdoors shops while I’m over there to pick up some bits, so I’ll keep my eyes peeled for any of these gathering dust on shelves. Do I need a yellow handle SE Endura with the scallop grinding on the back side? Not really. But do I want one? I think we all know the answer to that

When exactly are you going?

All those models are long long discontinued.

In my experience (not that I looked super hard), it'll be difficult to find locking blade folding knives in general, unless you find a specific enthusiast shop. Mostly it'll just be kitchen blades, and higonokami and other slip joint type utility work knives. (Or even cheesier stuff if you find yourself in a tourist trap)


If I were you I'd search instead just for some good solid Japanese brand knives themselves. If you have the money, a Rockstead would be incredible.
Mcusta is really quite nice in my experience.
Maybe some Al Mar.
G. Sakai will possibly be familiar or reminiscent to some here.


The Montbell and Snowpeak products will just be generic rebrands.
It's like being in US/Europe and buying a North Face or Mammut knife or something along those lines. They don't make the knives. Just get some entry level stuff to rebrand and put into chain stores.

[JoviAl]

Well, turns out that was quite the rabbit hole. After some messing with a Japanese VPN and some domestic market searches it turns out the Snow Peak knives (and a few others) are still floating around but not in any great profusion.

IMG_3551.pngIMG_3552.png

I’m heading to a few rock climbing and outdoors shops while I’m over there to pick up some bits, so I’ll keep my eyes peeled for any of these gathering dust on shelves. Do I need a yellow handle SE Endura with the scallop grinding on the back side? Not really. But do I want one? I think we all know the answer to that

When exactly are you going?

All those models are long long discontinued.

In my experience (not that I looked super hard), it'll be difficult to find locking blade folding knives in general, unless you find a specific enthusiast shop. Mostly it'll just be kitchen blades, and higonokami and other slip joint type utility work knives. (Or even cheesier stuff if you find yourself in a tourist trap)


If I were you I'd search instead just for some good solid Japanese brand knives themselves. If you have the money, a Rockstead would be incredible.
Mcusta is really quite nice in my experience.
Maybe some Al Mar.
G. Sakai will possibly be familiar or reminiscent to some here.


The Montbell and Snowpeak products will just be generic rebrands.
It's like being in US/Europe and buying a North Face or Mammut knife or something along those lines. They don't make the knives. Just get some entry level stuff to rebrand and put into chain stores.

Hi,

I went for the last two weeks of December and the first week of January. Found plenty of folding knives (Iishi Sports in Kyoto had a large selection), but none that aren’t either commonly available or not my kettle of fish. I didn’t bother buying any kitchen knives in the end, as what was available there is also easily available here in Singapore at a nominal variance in price (with the amount of volume driven sales that happen here - 11.11, 12.12, Christmas, LNY, 1.1, 2.2, etc, many are actually a bit cheaper than in Japan after discount).

I ended up replacing a lot of my climbing consumables like Dyneema slings and ab tat - they were a crazy good deal with the weakened Yen.

[poolhustler]

Snow Peak Endura.......