Taichung models quickly joining my favorites

[Spyderwebs]

I picked up a Schempp Bowie a while ago and recently picked up the Kapara S90V sprint.

Wow, now I see why everyone says Taichung has the best fit and finish!

The actions are impeccable. The fit and finish is flawless. They have a very reassuring lockup and heft. I love the feel the stop pin has on the kaparas action.

My favorite detail is Taichung's attention to the spyder hole on both models. It has a perfect edge break that is grabby but not sharp at all. The internal hole finish is almost polished. I wish this was the standard on every model! (The tiny edge break at least, internal finish is less important)

Golden hole finishes are good, but slightly below Taichung imo. Seki's holes continue to have a very poor internal finish and nail-notching / almost cut-me sharp edges, though Seki frn backlocks are some of my favorite model overall (Ayoob, Delica, and the Salts are all perfection in design).

Anyways, the Taichung bug has bitten me. What are your favorite models from them?

The GB1/GB2 has been tempting me more and more.

[Jeb]

I got a Smock that I really like alot, now I really think if they would make this in an XL version they really would have something truly special...

[kobold]

Very happy with my GB2, Swayback, Spydiechef, Sage 1, and a few Chaparrals, which are getting carried the most as urban EDC, but the Caribbean SF SE, Sage 1 and the GB2 see more use.

[mikey177]

There are too many nice Taichung models to choose a favorite, but among my most liked are the Spydiechef, Drunken, Domino, Sage 2 and 5, PPT and Sliverax.

Here is a photo I took in 2022. Their number has increased a little since then.

[Brock O Lee]

Check out this thread...

viewtopic.php?t=60426

[LorenzoL]

Agreed, Taichung rules.

[Red Leader]

Sometimes I wonder what Sal and the crew think about these things, as they have obviously seen discussions and opinions about the quality tiers that the various factories have.

I thing Taichung tends to be the most consistent, and they are consistently great, with very few outliers.


The best Spyderco I have ever handled was a Golden model, so I know they have the capability. It’s just that there is more variability with the quality and not all knives are like that at Golden. If they were, they would blow away even the Taichung models.

My biggest pet peeve with the Golden knives, apart from the occasional lock stick, is how they seem to develop some pivot lash as time goes on.

[ladybug93]

taichung knows what they're doing for sure

[James Y]

The only Taichung model I have is a PE leaf blade Caribbean. Excellent quality, although I would have liked a bit stronger detent, but mine works fine. It's likely the only Taichung model I'll ever own, because I don't buy knives anymore, and haven't for years; but if I ever do, it'll most likely be a Golden model. Mainly because the Taichung models don't interest me as much, even if the quality is generally considered to be the best / most consistent of Spyderco's manufacturers.

Jim

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Would a Taichung, Taiwan made Endura and Delica be good as long as they used the exact same specs or not?

[DanM1000]

No question,,,,,best of the best from Taichung.

[mikey177]

The only Taichung backlock that I know of is the discontinued Sage 4. I don't know why there aren't more.

Sal has said that the company doesn't usually change the factory or country that a model comes from, so I don't see how a Taichung Delica could happen, barring something catastrophic happening to Seki City.

[LorenzoL]

The only Taichung backlock that I know of is the discontinued Sage 4. I don't know why there aren't more.

Sal has said that the company doesn't usually change the factory or country that a model comes from, so I don't see how a Taichung Delica could happen, barring something catastrophic happening to Seki City.

So basically we need another Sage 4. I’ll second the motion.

[mikey177]

Yes, a Sage 4 sprint would be like money in the bank. A lot of people have asked for it over the years.

Perhaps the Taichung factory is swamped with work and cannot squeeze anything else in the production line.

[gk4ever2]

... Seki's holes continue to have a very poor internal finish and nail-notching / almost cut-me sharp edges, ...

I have been happy with the quality of both Taichung and Golden knives, but not so for Seki City. I recently received one of the new Police models (C07BKP) that I was really looking forward to getting, but the edge is mediocre at best, with an uneven edge grind on both sides, and a half-hearted attempt at burr removal – the micro-bevel is inconsistent. A $285 knife should have a much better edge!

On an earlier Stretch 2 XL (PD#1 Sprint version), the edge is worse than the one above, and it feels rough by the fingernail test in at least two places. Both knives were purchased new from legitimate dealers. If these were $5 Walmart kitchen knives, then I would say oh well, but not for what these knives cost.

[Sharp Guy]

I like all my knives made in all the various locations but the Taichung models are my favorites.

[Sharp Guy]

The only Taichung backlock that I know of is the discontinued Sage 4. I don't know why there aren't more.

Sal has said that the company doesn't usually change the factory or country that a model comes from, so I don't see how a Taichung Delica could happen, barring something catastrophic happening to Seki City.

So basically we need another Sage 4. I’ll second the motion.

I know this is selfish of me but I'd prefer that they didn't do a Sage 4 Sprint or Exclusive. I looked for a nice Sage 4 for a long time and it's one of my prized knives. I feel like when they do a sprint run for something like this is lessens the whole experience of having a nice copy of a highly sought after discontinued model. The pride of ownership goes down several notches. I know it's part of the game but not I don't always like.

[Brock O Lee]

The only Taichung backlock that I know of is the discontinued Sage 4. I don't know why there aren't more.

You forgot about the Chaparral...

If I remember correctly, the Sage 4 pioneered that back lock design for Spyderco. It has a hidden stop pin in the blade, for an exceptionally solid lockup.

Disassembly...
viewtopic.php?t=75853#p1177218

[mikey177]

The only Taichung backlock that I know of is the discontinued Sage 4. I don't know why there aren't more.

You forgot about the Chaparral...

If I remember correctly, the Sage 4 pioneered that back lock design for Spyderco. It has a hidden stop pin in the blade, for an exceptionally solid lockup.

Disassembly...
viewtopic.php?t=75853#p1177218

Doh, you're right. And to think I have one in grey FRN. Sorry, fellow Chaparral owners

[Actinolite]

I have four Taichung models: Sage 1, Sage 5, Chaparral, and Kapara, and I have at least two copies of each. I also have four Golden models, Manix 2, Lil Native, Para 3, and Native 5, and I have at least two copies of each except for the Manix 2.

The Taichung models all have excellent fit and finish, and the actions all feel and sound great. The worst fit issue I’ve found is with one Chaparral, a barely noticeable misalignment between the blade and lock bar.

The best of the Golden models are as good as the Taichung models, In particular my Para 3 Crucarta appears to be flawless. And yet my other Para 3, a G-10 SPY27 version, is good but not great, from its poorly centered blade to its stiff release from lock. I’m sure it can be readjusted, but the point is, it wasn’t right from the factory. And the uneven edge grind will be fixed when I take the time to sharpen it. I have five Lil Natives, and there is as much variability there as well.

In summary, I love the Golden products. I prefer the feel and control of a Lil Native over a Chaparral (but the Chaparral slices better), and my favorite mid-size carry knife is a Native 5. At their best, the Golden models are as great as production knives can be. But they aren’t as consistently great as are the Taichung products—at least, not in my limited experience.