Stopping Counterfeits

[Buckaloo]

In the early 90's I received my first spyderco as a gift. Immediately I feel in love with there knives. In the late 90's some one stole it. For some reason I never got around to buying a new one. Recently I picked up a tenacious. Man what a lot of wasted years without spyderco. Needless to say it got me addicted. I have purchased three syderco's this month. The last being the left handed military which I LOVE. To me I'd rather buy from a dealer and spend a little extra to know what I'm buying. But I've seen a lot on these fakes. I've seen people blame it on forums giving out info and suggesting pm's. This would not work cause the fakers could just have employees get the pm. Some blame it on companies having products made in China. Not once have I seen an idea that could help a customer know its the real McCoy. Why don't spyderco have a card or something made that has water marks that are expensive to replicate. These could be put in the box. Not for the Byrd or value line but only on the expensive folders. That way no china company gets there hands on them. A company making fakes would not spend the required cash to duplicate. I'm sure it wouldn't be that much and would give your avid customer base piece of mind. Just a thought. Love your products. Please PLEASE get more para 2's on the market. I wanted that knife but settled for the military because no dealers had them.

Thank You,
Michael Buckaloo

[StuntZombie]

The problem is, all counterfeiters have to do is buy the originals, and then they have all the time in the world to glean every little bit of information on a product. Also, having special cards made up would require someone to design them, then spend time getting it approved, making changes, then finally printing them. In the end, it adds to the cost of an already expensive item.

[sal]

Hi Buckaloo,

Thanx for the thought. We're not the only company with this issue. The copycats have people everywhere, some even insiders in the knife and other industries, constantly providing informtion. We caught one of the major Chinese factories taking photos of our prototypes and concept models. They said they didn't know :rolleyes: . Gail made them delete the pics. They can copy anything, even watermarks. They use Chinese steel but mark them S30V or whatever the original is made from.

We saw copies of Reeve, Hinderer and Strider last time we were there.

It is a big issue for thousands of companies. We've raided some factories in China, but by the time we get to a second factory, they've cleaned house. It's more of a problem in Europe where verification is more difficult.

sal

[Clip]

If they're expensive to replicate, they'd be expensive to plicate in the first place... :)

Anything Spyderco or any other manufacturer puts out can be copied at a lower quality and price by counterfeiters. Nothing's sacred any more. IMO, the best defense is to buy from reputable dealers or forum members.

EDIT: meant reputable forum members :) don't buy from any one-post wonders unless it sounds too good to be true!

[The Deacon]

Best insurance against counterfeits is to buy from a reputable dealer. On the secondary market your best bet is to deal with individuals who have an established reputation because not even all forum members are honest and honorable. Collectors Club numbered Spydercos should also be safe, assuming you understand how the numbering system works.

[Pinetreebbs]

Another vote for reputable dealers. There are some on eBay, but I have been burned there. Every time I search eBay for older Spyderco knives I might want to add to my collection I find fakes and counterfeits. I report them to eBay, but it doesn't seem to have much of an impact. If they seller is in the US, I also ask the seller a question about the item and tell them they are not selling a genuine Spyderco. There are US sellers selling fakes, but if it ships directly from China, Honk Kong or Singapore, in my opinion is you have next to no chance of getting a genuine Spyderco.

[Buckaloo]

Yea then what if joe criminal at the dealer only making $150 a week decides to buy a truck of fakes and swap them out. Then fakes at a dealer. I only buy from dealers. I'm not cheap and these knives deserve more than some auction garage sale. More power to you for saving but I want to pay high for high quality. At least have serial numbers with a register system so spyderco can let me register it and know 100% it's real. This is a top end knife the best of the best. Serial numbers would be great. Maybe mine would've got recovered and I wouldn't have been lost for a decade. Thank you sal for this wonderful knife and company and thank you for spending time answering my questions. You've have earned a valued loyal customer over this. Thanks it feels great to have this blade in my hand again. Oh the wasted years.

[Buckaloo]

Btw just want to say I'm in full support of the China made value line. I owned expensive spyderco 14 to 15 years ago. Always loved them but just never ran across one to buy. Picked up a value tenacious for $35 shipped straight from amazon themselves. Needless to say within a week of receiving it I had the left handed Millie ordered with over night shipping cause I couldn't bare the wait. The value line worked with me and got me to the babies. My next purchase in the next week will be a Persian 2 wanted to grab both these up before there gone. Just wanted to share how you got me to the $100+ knives. Thank you for this great left handed knife. Please more for us. Lefties will pay premium prices I want digi camo g10 scales for my Millie. Please get us para 2's. I would've bought one of those to. These dang knives are addictive they really are.

[Buckaloo]

Sorry I have one more question I need answered. On my left handed Millie should my liner lock be a lot darker than the blade steel where the lock and lock jimping is? It's like a very dark gray. I'm cool with the color. Must admit the counterfeits have me a tad nervous with no true confirmation of authenticity. Seen a video where the guy claimed his was fake over this dark liner lock. Bought from dealer but online. Hear on out I'm walking in a store to get my spyderco's. I'd rather buy direct. Would rather pay 35% more than have the concern. It feels like a spyderco but online these fakes are so close it's scary. Not a deal breaker as far as spyderco knives or company. If they wasn't making fakes I'd be concerned. When they copy you that means your doing it right. Does anyone know the turn around on sending a knife to Colorado for cleaning and sharpening. Since I've got three already just thinking of letting the experts work on there masterpiece work of art. Man I want a para 2 so bad with black blade on g10 digi camo. Best looking knife ever produced. I need it!!! Lol