Spyderco's Taichung (Taiwan) Folders

[RamZar]

Don't forget the Mules! Couldn't tell you which ones off the top of my head, but I know at least 18 and 19 are Taichungian. I'll look it up...

Aren't the Mules all fixed blade? If so, remember I restricted the list to just folders.

I know these fixed blades are made in Taiwan: Bushcraft, Serrata, Puukko, South Fork.

Mules: MT18 - S110V, MT19 - PSF27, Bushcraft Blank?

[PayneTrain]

Don't forget the Mules! Couldn't tell you which ones off the top of my head, but I know at least 18 and 19 are Taichungian. I'll look it up...

Aren't the Mules all fixed blade? If so, remember I restricted the list to just folders.

I know these fixed blades are made in Taiwan: Bushcraft, Serrata, Puukko, South Fork.

Mules: MT18 - S110V, MT19 - PSF27, Bushcraft Blank?

I...am...an idiot. Sorry about that, I didn't notice we were talking about folders. This smiley hardly conveys my embarrassment. :o

[3rdGenRigger]

Nice job on the list. I have several of these and agree about their quality.

Chokwe--kind of bummed the lock sticks and is wearing with such little opening.
Techno--one of my all-time favorites.
Zulu--beautiful Anso style and Spydie quality. Surprised more people aren't in love with this one like I am, though I am afraid to sharpen it.

Buying the Slysz Bowie and Southard (finally) ASAP.

Hoping the Southard Ion is a-go, too, and that it's what I imagine it to be.

I've used both my Chokwe and Techno quite a bit...and both are solid in lockup and haven't moved a bit. This is the first I've heard of a Chokwe pre-emptively wearing. The only Spyderco linerlock/framelock I've had stick was my Vallotton, and a small amount of pencil lead on the tang fixed it and it's been fine ever since. My Chokwe has never been sticky at all and still locks up solidly...it's one of my favourite Spyderco knives and gets carried regularly.

[The Deacon]

My question is whether ALL current Spyderco Taiwan folders (including the Cat & Chicago 440C/G-10) are being manufactured at the same quality Taichung factory?

It's my understanding that the Cat and Chicago are not made in the Taichung workshop. They are not marked Taichung, and there is a noticeable difference (IMO) in build. Not that the Cat/Chicago are bad at all. Just not the amazing custom quality work that comes out of Taichung. Again, nothing wrong with the Cat/Chicago. I love my Cats.

That is my understanding as well.

[bearfacedkiller]

I need a chockwe before they dry up is what I got from this.

[3rdGenRigger]

I need a chockwe before they dry up is what I got from this.

They're easy to find still from lots of retailers...and at a good price typically.

[B#GuitarMan]

At one time I thought I'd try and collect all the Taiwan Spydies since they are such excellent quality but now that I see there are so many I better just pick and choose my faves. They sure are well made!

[MarcusH]

It's my understanding that the Cat and Chicago are not made in the Taichung workshop. They are not marked Taichung, and there is a noticeable difference (IMO) in build. Not that the Cat/Chicago are bad at all. Just not the amazing custom quality work that comes out of Taichung. Again, nothing wrong with the Cat/Chicago. I love my Cats.

+1
To my knowlegde there were three different makers in Taiwan over the times.
The first one made the Salsa and marked "Taipei Taiwan".
The second one made the "S" and the different variants of the Cat/Chicago, marks just "Taiwan".
The third one marks "Taichung Taiwan " and makes all other Taiwanese models in an outstanding quality.
IIRC this maker added the "Taichung" only after the quality problems of the other current maker from Taiwan with the CF Cat/Chicago, the first run of the Gayle Bradley was just marked "Taiwan".

[gbelleh]

IIRC this maker added the "Taichung" only after the quality problems of the other current maker from Taiwan with the CF Cat/Chicago, the first run of the Gayle Bradley was just marked "Taiwan".

That's true that not every single Taichung made knife is marked "Taichung." My Gayle Bradley and Chokwe are early models, and are only marked "Taiwan."

[MarcusH]

Completely forgot about the Chokwe, mine is also marked just "Taiwan".
Are there also some Sage 1 without the "Taichung"?

[gbelleh]

Forgot about the Sages. Yes, my Sage 1 and 2 are only marked "Taiwan."

[Kylems11]

Every spyderco i have bought from taichung has been excellent. Fit and finish is awsome. Great quality. Just as good if not better then the american made spydercos i own.

[RamZar]

Almost sounds like if the list is for Taichung folders I should eliminate Cat, Chicago, Salsa and "S"?

[3rdGenRigger]

If the list is for Taiwan made knives it wouldn't be a concern...you may want to make a distinction between Taichung knives and those produced at the other Taiwan location, but that's up to you based on where you want this thread to go. I have a Ti Salsa and a Serrata that are made in Taiwan but not at the Taichung factory...they both have awesome fit and finish, but I'm hesitant to say it's on par with the Taichung models simply because 2 examples doesn't constitute a large enough sample size to make a viable comparison IMO.

[The Deacon]

Almost sounds like if the list is for Taichung folders I should eliminate Cat, Chicago, Salsa and "S"?

If you want to list just those by the folks in Taichung, then yes, those 4 should be removed from the list. The alternative would be to change the title to just say Taiwan folders.

[RamZar]

Almost sounds like if the list is for Taichung folders I should eliminate Cat, Chicago, Salsa and "S"?

If you want to list just those by the folks in Taichung, then yes, those 4 should be removed from the list. The alternative would be to change the title to just say Taiwan folders.

Since my impetus was the Taichung folders I separated the non-Taichung ones into a separate list below the Taichung list.

[MarcusH]

Awesome list, thanks a lot.
Probably you might want to add this variant of the Salsa:

[RamZar]

Awesome list, thanks a lot.
Probably you might want to add this variant of the Salsa:

Green Salsa added.

[The Deacon]

FWIW, there was as an aluminum Salsa officially listed as "tan" but actually more of a grey.

[RamZar]

FWIW, there was as an aluminum Salsa officially listed as "tan" but actually more of a grey.

"Tan" Aluminum Salsa added.