Honetbee.....China

[rodd]

Was the Honeybee made in China?

Rod

[Mr Blonde]

Yes, together with the Bug, Tenacious, Persistence and the Byrd line.

Wouter

[monsterdog]

Along with the soon to be released "Grasshopper" and "Resilience" (is it official?) knives.

[ChapmanPreferred]

Looks like you have your requested answer.

[rodd]

I am shocked......SHOCKED !!! I thought that the Byrd line would make and sell all the China knives.
Kelly you have some splaing to do.
Does anybody know why they are not all in the Byrd line.
Thanks, Rod

[Blerv]

My guess is because for the Tenacious/Persistence the quality far exceeds the Byrd line. They truly deserve a round hole based on all the reviews I have ever seen.

The Bug/Honeybee line are token products. Scaled down versions of the Delica and started as trade-show freebees. They are spreading brand name recognition rather than trying to sneak into the mainstream product market. With the Byrd hole they wouldn't make sense, nor would making a "token" type product in the USA as they would cost too much to give away or sell for the sub $10 range.

Personally, I think for the size the $4 Bug is a nice little knife. For the value it's definitely Spyderco. I've cut through 3 zip-ties w/o rolling the blade (:eek :) which is more than I can say for some of my $30 other "little big knives" from other makers.

[The Deacon]

I am shocked......SHOCKED !!! I thought that the Byrd line would make and sell all the China knives.
Kelly you have some splaing to do.
Does anybody know why they are not all in the Byrd line.
Thanks, Rod

Sucks to be you today. :rolleyes:

[sal]

Hi Rodd,

Sorry to SHOCK you. It has been a daily conversation among the mangers at Spyderco as well.

As the competition continues to bring more Chinese models to the marketplace, which seems to be market driven, We too must have offerings that compete.

The byrd brand has little "Name" in the marketplace. So they don't sell as well. Our customers keep asking for more Spyderco products priced like the "Tenacious" to offer their customers.

We are also increasing the USA made offerings, espeically in lower price point models. The economy seems to still be lagging and the market is buying accordingly.

sal

[RLR]

Maybe if you ask a third time the answer will be different :rolleyes:

[rodd]

Sal
I sincerely hope that you and your manager’s decide to keep the China made knives out of the Spyderco lineup. Perhaps more advertising to let customers know that the Byrd knives are owned by Spyderco and manufactured under the strict quality control of Spyderco.
In the long run, adding more China made knives into the Spyderco mix is not something that will help Spyderco in my opinion. If you add too many, that’s what Spyderco will become known for.
Regards
Rod

[dsmegst]

rodd,

Seeing the popularity of the Tenacious and it's little brother, I don't think that will happen. If a twin of the Tenacious was to be offered in the Byrd line with the same or even a slightly lower price, I doubt many people would choose that knife.

I do agree that it's all about perception and as long as the Chinese made Spydies keep up with the quality Spyderco is known for, I don't see it hurting the reputation.

I'm am guilty of similar prejudice as well. When I first saw "Taiwan" on the Sages, my heart sank. But time has proven just how good that knife and the other Taiwan offerings have been.

I think it's safe to trust Sal and company to make sure that the perception of Spyderco quality doesn't get smeared by sloppy products, regardless of where it's made.

[Blerv]

Sal
I sincerely hope that you and your manager’s decide to keep the China made knives out of the Spyderco lineup. Perhaps more advertising to let customers know that the Byrd knives are owned by Spyderco and manufactured under the strict quality control of Spyderco.
In the long run, adding more China made knives into the Spyderco mix is not something that will help Spyderco in my opinion. If you add too many, that’s what Spyderco will become known for.
Regards
Rod

No offense but these statements are just opinions.

The Spyderco site can be sorted by build location. The $4-9 price of the Bug and Honeybee are obvious informational "give-aways" as well as the steel used which is clearly Chinese.

As for the marketing of such knives one only has to look at the history of America's business practices. Price point products are essential for a large demographic of shopper. Most all companies have a "budget" line including major knife companies. During a recession I would think the line itself is paramount.

The Tenacious *should* be around $50-60 street value. Instead it sells under $30 most places online. It's an amazing product despite it's origin and I doubt the people who buy them now would spend much more regardless of tang stamp.

Value speaks for itself. Ask Toyota and Honda about the patriotism they faced 40+ years ago.

PS: Check out the new FRN Slipit "Light Weights" coming out this year. Just around a $59 MSRP and American made with GIN-1 steel. That should be a very affordable option for those with more patriotic convictions.

[anti-torsion]

...in my opinion...

And you are entitled to it but being prejudice against a product because of where it's made is ignorant.

What kind of TV do you own? Bet it's not made in the USA.

[SmoothOne25]

blerv, the frn light weight slipits you speaking about, you mean the ukpk frn's? i didnt know they would we in gin-1....dont know if i like that. i thought they would have the same steel as the g10? sal, may i ask why was that done? to make them more affordable along with the frn instead of more exspensive g10?

[Blerv]

blerv, the frn light weight slipits you speaking about, you mean the ukpk frn's? i didnt know they would we in gin-1....dont know if i like that. i thought they would have the same steel as the g10? sal, may i ask why was that done? to make them more affordable along with the frn instead of more exspensive g10?

Yea I phrased that poorly. FRN UKPK.

GIN-1 is a great working steel. Combined with the FRN and hollow-grind it will be a very affordable knife for the masses (especially our UK brothers)....and be possible to manufacture in the USA.

The G10 Urban and UKPK will still be available in full flat grind in premium steels for the AFI's. Now there is a price point offering or better yet, a legal "user" knife for the UK.

Here are some quotes from Sal on British Blades:

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... &p=1351230


Re: Spyderco 'Lightweight' FRN UKPK

GIN-1 was our choice of steel for many years. Edge retension for us was better than 440C, but not as good as ATS-34 (154Cm) or AUS-10. GIN-1 has about .9 carbon. Corrosion resistance was better than ATS or AUS-10, but not as good as 440C.

GIN-1 is a nice steel. Made by Hitachi foundry.

Remember, it is Eric and I that select the steels.

sal

AND...


Re: Spyderco 'Lightweight' FRN UKPK

Hi Dagon,

440C is a great steel. Especially for corrosion resistance. We make our Whale Resuce blades from 440C.

The reason we selected GIN-1 is tht it will hold a thinner edge than 440C. The secondary carbides in 440C can break out a very thin edge.

sal

[rlw1979777]

Sadly I was under the same impression when it came to Taiwan made Spydercos. I WAS WRONG. Sadly my Bradley is probably the best fit and finish Spyderco I have ever owned. The sage also is near perfection. I still dont buy chinese knives, and never will. I can see why it would catch you offguard with the bug and honeybee being made in China. But for under 10 dollars what did you expect?

Spydercos have always been about a better quality and usually more expensive. But you get what you pay for. Chinese made Spyderco's I believe may change that perspective though.

[zombie]

not to derail this thread, but I can't wait for the ukpk frn, these will also make great gifts for friends in the UK.

[cckw]

I have no problem with China made product if the quality is good. I don't object to the Spyderco name on it, as a matter of fact I don't like the Byrd branding. if the cheaper stuff had the different hole or other china mark, fine, but two names does not appeal to me... But of course it's not up to me and I don't loose any sleep over it. I would buy a China Spyderco, but not a byrd.

[SmoothOne25]

not to derail this thread, but I can't wait for the ukpk frn, these will also make great gifts for friends in the UK.

FREAKING A! :eek:
each color, edge, style etc. all of them, the day they are out, then following they will be in my hand. im a collector and am getting doubles cause of the price. one as a user and one as a queen nib for life :D
and blerv dont get me wrong im sure gin-1 is a great steel but its just i thought spyderco doesn't use it really anymore in favor of the newer better steels we've seen used in all the beauties the last few years... i kind of assumed there was a REASON why it wasn't used. get me?
in fact i can say with absolute certainty i only own one the that specific type of steel and like suggested wished the frn ukpk's had a more premium steel. but it will be nice to have cheaper models in the design. its one of my favorites. the slipits ukpk/urban/dkpk type. its only fair to have cheaper models for everyone who cant afford them, but i guess it will be cool to buy all the new frn ukpk models for like a few hundred - instead of one for one hundred :D

[SmoothOne25]

i also dont buy byrds. never had. probably never will, unless something extraordinary comes out. imo any byrd available has a spydie equivalent with better appearance, steel, handle material, ergos, etc. no offense sal, i know why you make the byrd line and i can appreciate the reason you do it. its juts not for me, id rather pay more and get more. money isn't the issue for me when buying a knife(s) its about me liking what i am buying and getting that buzz when it first gets put in your hand. and unfortunately the byrd models just dont "do it for me"