Japan-Made Spydercos

[Wolverine666]

I just ordered a brand new SuperLeaf and it's my first Spyderco that was made in Japan. I'm excited for the knife to arrive. And I have a few questions if anyone can lend me some knowledge and information :

(1) Are all Spydercos that are made in Japan manufactured in Seki City ?

(2) The Spydies from Golden and Taichung have great reputations for fit and finish. How is the reputation for Japan-made Spydercos ?

(3) Is VG-10 an exclusive steel used by Japan-made Spydercos only ?

Just trying to learn a little.

[The Deacon]

I just ordered a brand new SuperLeaf and it's my first Spyderco that was made in Japan. I'm excited for the knife to arrive. And I have a few questions if anyone can lend me some knowledge and information :

(1) Are all Spydercos that are made in Japan manufactured in Seki City ?

Spyderco has at least two makers in Japan, at least one labels their knives Seki City, and at least one does not. However, that does not necessarily mean they're not located there.

(2) The Spydies from Golden and Taichung have great reputations for fit and finish. How is the reputation for Japan-made Spydercos ?

Moki, who does not use Seki City in their tang stamp, has the reputation of being one of Japan's premier makers, if not their best. Spyderco's other makers there also do excellent work.

(3) Is VG-10 an exclusive steel used by Japan-made Spydercos only ?

Not sure what you're asking. VG-10 is made in Japan and, at the present time, only used by Spyderco in knives made there. However, it's not exclusive to Spyderco, other knifemakers use it as well and I'm fairly certain it could be exported and used in knives made elsewhere if someone wanted to do so.

[Fred Sanford]

1) I believe so yes.

2) The Japan Spydies used to have a great fit and finish. I have seen the fit and finish get worse since the Fukushima disaster. I fully understand that and almost expect it. I am somewhat sure that things are probably still nuts over there and it's being covered up.

3) For the most part yes. There are other companies that use VG-10 (like MCusta) but it is a Japan Exclusive yes.

Paul beat me to it. :)

[dbcad]

The F&F you'll feel on the Superleaf will be exemplary :)

[Wolverine666]

Thanks for the info guys. What's the "Fukushima disaster" ?

I hope the fit and finish on the SuperLeaf is similar to that of my Sage4 :)

[Wolverine666]

So some of you guys say that the Japan Spydies have excellent and exemplary fit and finish. And some of you say that it's not very good due to some "disaster".

Should I be concerned about the craftsmanship and quality of the fit and finish on my new SuperLeaf ?

[dbcad]

Thanks for the info guys. What's the "Fukushima disaster" ?

Very recent history, and still unresolved. I'm off topic but I'm a bit dumbfounded by the question :eek: Some knowledge and awareness of what is happening in the world around you is a good thing.

[Wolverine666]

Very recent history, and still unresolved. I'm off topic but I'm a bit dumbfounded by the question :eek: Some knowledge and awareness of what is happening in the world around you is a good thing.

Don't preach to me on my post.

[Blerv]

I don't think the disaster has anything to do with a slip in standards. However, I haven't been around long enough to track a decline if there has been one. Only Spyderco can verify if they have had more rejects in QA since the event.

To date I've been happy with my Japanese Spyderco knives overall. Often my Moki ones have been gritty but once cleaned they are buttery smooth. Production knives are about high performance; impeccable f&f happens to be a common treat. If anything strong competition from Taiwan and Golden has kept them on their toes but calling a winner is always difficult.

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

I have found that the few Japanese made Spydercos that I have handled seem very.... utilitarian.

[Wolverine666]

I'm anxious to get my hands on the SuperLeaf. The Spydies I own from Golden have very good fit and finish. And my Sage4 from Taichung is outstanding. I'm hoping the SuperLeaf is right up there too.

[The Deacon]

Most of us have only our personal experiences to go by and, where Spydercos from Japan are concerned, mine have been consistently good for the past few years. Based on what I've read on these forums, those whose experience is mainly with Sprint Runs may have a different opinion. I'd agree with Blake that the knives from Moki have a tendency to be gritty, but almost all the knives I buy are midlocks and I've had the same experience with midlocks from Taiwan and Golden, so it's not all that unique and, as he said, they do respond well to a good cleaning so, to me at least, it's a non-issue. FWIW, in the last four years I've purchased a few dozen Spydercos, most of them from Japan, but the only one I had to send back for QC issues was a Sage IV.

The more relevant question might be whether those who own the SuperLeaf think of its fit and finish.

[Wolverine666]

Good point , Deacon.

So my new question is to all who own the SuperLeaf :

What do you think of the quality/fit&finish of the SuperLeaf ?

[mikerestivo]

I have owned 2 and they have both been flawless. The opening action is light, blades centered, lock up solid. Very nice knives. They beg to be used and used hard.

My brother recently used one to field dress a deer and he said it got the job done quite easily.

[dbcad]

Don't preach to me on my post.

If an individual is ignorant about a disaster of the magnitude of the Tsunami and earthquake that Japan experienced I can't help that. I can try to shed light on and enlighten individuals about real events in the real world. If you took offense at the remark blame it on yourself for not being informed.

I will post what I want, when I want on this forum

Your Superleaf should arrive in good shape.

[Wolverine666]

If an individual is ignorant about a disaster of the magnitude of the Tsunami and earthquake that Japan experienced I can't help that. I can try to shed light on and enlighten individuals about real events in the real world. If you took offense at the remark blame it on yourself for not being informed.

I will post what I want, when I want on this forum

Your Superleaf should arrive in good shape.

Haha. Blah blah blah. Are you still blabbing away ? How silly of you. I'm blaming YOU for preaching to me on my post. Your lame comment on how I should be aware of my surroundings was rude and uncalled for. So save your 2 cents. You need only speak when I tell you to :D

[Wolverine666]

I have owned 2 and they have both been flawless. The opening action is light, blades centered, lock up solid. Very nice knives. They beg to be used and used hard.

My brother recently used one to field dress a deer and he said it got the job done quite easily.

Good to know. Thanks for the heads up. I can't wait to get mine.

[Wolverine666]

Also , another SuperLeaf question :

Does the SuperLeaf have torx screws or pins holding it together ?

[SpyderNut]

So some of you guys say that the Japan Spydies have excellent and exemplary fit and finish. And some of you say that it's not very good due to some "disaster".

Should I be concerned about the craftsmanship and quality of the fit and finish on my new SuperLeaf ?

Not at all. IMHO, the Japan-made Spyderco knives are amongst the best of the best. I've had very few, if any, issues with my Seki Spydies. F&F is exemplary. I'm certain you will love your new SuperLeaf.

[dbcad]

Here's a comparison picture. All 3 are terrific quality blades. The Superleaf is a very well built and super useable blade, unique in it's blade thickness, breadth, shape, lock, feel and overall friendliness :) The grip is superb and solid with the choils :) The action is smooth, light and extremely comfortable :)

I still encourage the OP to be a bit more aware of what's going on in the world. Ignorance about a natural and man made disaster on the scale of what occured in Japan that left thousands dead and sizeable areas of radioactively contaminated land irks me I don't mind "preaching" from time to time, I only hope the OP takes it in a constructive way.