Spyderco Forums

Without question the finest quality Spyderco knives come from the Taiwan factory. Their tolerances seem to be tighter than the rest. This is not uncommon as Taiwanese machines and machined parts are often of superior quality in all sorts of industries.
I am one who would very much love to say the best Spydercos are the American made knives but as awesome as the knives coming from Golden may be, the Taichung knives are consistently the best.

Taiwan has a unique history of quality manufacturing, dating back decades before most of the rest of Asia became industrialized.

After China surrendered Formosa to the Japanese as part of the cease-fire that ended the Cino-Japanese War, the Japanese used the island as an industrial region.

Later during WW2, Taiwan had a large role in manufacturing Japan's military hardware. If I remember correctly, even airplane manufacturing took place there.

My brother has often praised the quality of Taiwanese made goods. He remembers that they were making high quality bike parts even back in the 70s and 80s.

Modern Taiwan also has more Western influenced worker protections and laws. Unlike China, that has regional minimum wages as opposed to a national minimum wage, Taiwan has a countrywide minimum wage of ~$4.50 an hour.

And if the current Spydercos coming out of Taichung are an indication, Taiwan is still a smart choice for balancing production costs and quality.

Some excellent responses here and I don't really have anything to add that wasn't already stated, just one more opinion that the Taichung made Spydercos are overall my best fit and finish models in my experience.

Taichung seems to kind of be the "premium" maker for Spyderco these days, whereas the USA made models are more of the "workhorse" models. Not to say that the Golden made models aren't of excellent quality, as they certainly are, just that it seems that all the really "fancy" stuff is currently made in Taichung for whatever reason. Golden on occasion does do some fancy stuff too, so I imagine the main reason is a question of who has capacity to take on the workload. Golden is pretty darn busy making Para3's and PM2's I'm guessing!

My Gayle Bradleys are a testament to the supremacy of Taichung knives that Spyderco manufactures. They are worth much more than their price point suggests..

carl3989 wrote:Is it just me or do you also pass on a purchase of a Spyderco knife made in Taiwan? Am I wrong to think that the quality of the knife is inferior to one made in the USA or Japan. Please explain to me why I may be wrong.

Country of origin does not influence my Spyderco purchases at all. I have been pleased with the build quality of all of their knives, whether from USA, Japan, Taiwan, Italy or even China. In fact one of my favorites is from Taiwan (Szabo folder).

Every good I have purchased that was built in Taiwan has been high quality. I am not sure how you developed the views that you did?

There is a reason why the very difficult Spyderco knives come from Taichung. None of the other makers are probably able and willing to make them. Nirvana, Tighe Stick, Rubicon, Magnitude, Mamba, Ti Chaparral, ALL of the flippers actually, EuroEdge, .
Then you also have the fact that Taichung can do just about anything in terms of materials (G10, CF, CF laminate, Ti, etc.), locks (entire Sage series), and steel (it's all imported so you can get just about anything not Japanese).
You need a Taichung knife. First, quality is at the very pinnacle of production knife makers. Second, there are some very, very excellent designs out of there: Techno, Sage, Chaparral, GB Folder, Slysz Bowie, many of the Spyderco flippers, Nirvana, etc.

And third: there is no reason to only buy American, because that encourages American companies to be lazy. Competition is healthy. Spyderco uses makers in Italy, Taiwan, Japan, China, and their own factory in Golden, CO. If you buy knives from any of them, you still support an American company. Buy a good product because it's a good product. And remember, a lot of "foreign" companies are making stuff here now. Buying a Ford built in Mexico vs. a Honda built in Alabama doesn't really seem to have any difference to it, in my opinion.

mrtodd777 wrote:My Gayle Bradleys are a testament to the supremacy of Taichung knives that Spyderco manufactures. They are worth much more than their price point suggests..

+1

It's been said and implied already, but I'll weigh in. Unless you're avoiding Taichung as part of a globalization protest (but search for Sal's reasons for Spyderco's locations), you're cutting off your nose to spite your face. Taichung's fit-and-finish is becoming legendary (but follow the bearing-race controversy, so that you approach flippers with eyes wide open).

wrdwrght wrote:(but search for Sal's reasons for Spyderco's locations)

If you, or anyone else, has links to these posts, I would enjoy reading them.

I love all my Taichung Taiwan made knives. They are first class knives.

I had a USA only policy for a long time when it comes to guns and knives. A lot of that has to do with supporting the diminishing number of businesses that still manufacture in the US, a little national pride, and the idea right or wrong that the best are still made here. Part of what inspired the shift to American made knives was the abundance of cheap $4 Taiwan knives like the one I was carrying in the 90's. They were flimsy, took a lousy edge, and were rust magnets. Because of this I definitely developed a very negative attitude about knives from Taiwan..... 20 years later, Spyderco has inspired me to branch out and I now own several quality knives from seki. And by buying Seki made knives from Spyderco I am still supporting an American company if not US manufacturing. I still prefer knives from Golden, but I really like Japanese steel, and though I dont own any yet from taiwan, based on what I have seen and heard from other forum members I think you would be very happy with the quality. I understand where you are coming from though.

^^^ Haha, oh I always seem to find a good laugh on the forum someplace.

I still own some non Spyderco Taiwan knives from my youth that aren't worth their weight in tin foil. When Sal explained that the reason their knives have "Taichung, Taiwan" on them and not just Taiwan was because the maker wanted to be set apart from the rest, I got the sense that they take pride in what they do. That's something I can respect no matter what country is doing it. It doesn't hurt that fit and finish have been on par or better than any other production knife I've ever handled. Like everyone else, of course I would love it if they were all made in Golden, but I respect the work those folks are doing over there with these knives. Seeing really is believing.

Vivi wrote:

wrdwrght wrote:(but search for Sal's reasons for Spyderco's locations)

If you, or anyone else, has links to these posts, I would enjoy reading them.

Wish I did, Vivi. But I know his various statements on the matter are here and on BF. They're off-handed, like his bombshells.

Just wanted to add to the group of folks saying "do not discount the QC from Taiwan". The fit and finish and QC of the knives coming from Taichung are freaking awesome. With the Para 3 and the Native 5 Spyderco is quickly approaching the Taiwan level of fit and finish. In fact, after carrying the Native 5 G10 for 2 weeks now I think it's probably on par with Taichung Taiwan.

Great knives. Do not hesitate to buy a Spyderco from Taiwan. They are amazing.

zacmangray wrote:^^^ Haha, oh I always seem to find a good laugh on the forum someplace.

I assume you were referring to the "Everybody Taichung Tonight" joke on the first page, and not to my comment.

carl3989 wrote:Is it just me or do you also pass on a purchase of a Spyderco knife made in Taiwan? Am I wrong to think that the quality of the knife is inferior to one made in the USA or Japan. Please explain to me why I may be wrong.

Remember:
Spyderco is a US company and Taiwan is an ally to the US so it's good to support them. I have a US first buying policy, not a US only buying policy. In order: US, allies, other.
My experience has been excellent with Spyderco knives made in Taiwan, FWIW.

I love Taiwan made knives. Now China, that is a different story. No matter what I might be missing, I just can't buy knives made there.

Flipping Addict wrote:I love Taiwan made knives. Now China, that is a different story. No matter what I might be missing, I just can't buy knives made there.

Exactly! Taichung Spydies are the best, the Golden models are getting better all the time though. :)

I have a "made in USA" policy, which I try to keep but, it has nothing to do with a lack of quality kives produced in other countries. Those Taiwanese Spydercos are well made.