should spyderco outsource to China?

[ozspyder]

Wow, so much debate... or is that mass-debate :p

I'll add my bit of fuel to this bonfire. I think if Spyderco can make decent knives at a decent price for decent people who want to use it.... AND if Spyderco can make some money from it and spend those profits made to build better quality but NO PROFIT knives such as the T-Mag, Captain, Volpe etc..etc.... shall I go on ?

All these AFI knives Sal makes upon the request of the esteemed members of this forum is from his own generosity. Decisions have to be made so that Sal can put bread and butter on his table (and on the tables of those he employs). So, the decision to try to recoup some lost revenue whilst gambling on getting a new manufacturing plant for future awesome Spydies might be scoffed at now by some naysayers. However, I think we should all respect the decisions made by the owners of Spyderco instead of thowing poo-poo at them. Owners of business should be able to understand this one very easily. Difficult decisions have to be made, especially if the company is on the cutting edge....they are the innovators that need to push boundaries as well as to educate others so that everyone can improve (Chinese factory will learn from this, Spyderco will profit from this, we will all get better products from this - directly or inirectly)

My 2cents worth. And I really do not mean any disrespect to anyone who speaks their mind here.

[redback]

In answer to this thread, I have 2 Spyderco knives from China, and I don't intend buying any more. I hope you get my drift.

[clovisc]

seems like a pretty crazy, convoluted argument...

and i think some of us aren't seeing the big picture too clearly...

lately, spyderco has expanded its offerings dramatically... the tenacious, new byrds, and other made-in-china offerings are only a small part of what's happening...

think about:

-- a much wider range of more upscale knives, such as S90V mili, CF stretch and caly 3, etc.
-- a number of new "ethnic" offerings planned
-- more sprint runs, more new colors
-- collaborations with awesome designers (anso, wilkins, new viele stuff, etc...)
-- more H1 knives
-- more fixed blades
-- use of new steels (D2, BG42, S90V milis...)
-- pretty amazing "special projects," such as the mule and sage endeavours...

duh... spyderco isn't turning into a "china only" company... they're simply expanding their range of offerings... the upper, middle, and lower ends. they're becoming a larger, stronger, more competitive company in a range of respects. and that's a good thing; it means many more spydies, and many more innovations to come.

as far as quality goes, the quality of my tenacious is on par with that of any of the golden or seki-made spydies i've owned. i don't see any room for complaint.

[dialex]

Spyderco is known for offering quality knives at affordable prices. I have spydies made in USA, Japan and Taiwan. To my surprise, the quality of the Taiwan made one (Spyderco Salsa) was at least on the same level with its American and Japanese brothers (or sisters, if you like). This, to tell the truth, significantly diminished my apprehension vs. CCC knives.
If Spyderco would have decided to move its entire line of products in China, I would have shouted out "NO!". But since we know the Military will still be produced in Golden and the Delica in Japan, why should we worry?
There will always be people who will want to try a Spyderco but they will be reluctant to throw out too much money just for the sake of trying. The Chinese Spyderco offers this alternative. Of course, Spyderco has to be confident in their Chinese knives, otherwise it will happen like Redback said a couple posts before...

[224477]

I think NO.

I am okey with "T" but I hope the majority of models will be Japan and USA made.
However, I would like to see more byrd models in future - a UK compatible folder from byrd /but different design as UKPK/ and some fixed blades.

/..and maybe a karambit and a bali, but I know how it is with the legal situation.. :rolleyes: /

[Dr. Snubnose]

The truth of the matter is it's not really any of our business....This is what Sal decided he must do...it's his company....I personally don't agree with his reasoning, however I don't own Spyderco and neither do any of you...If he wants to explain it to us...fine....but he doesn't have too, Sal will do whatever it takes to keep his company competitive in the marketplace and afloat...bottom line is we will either support his products or we won't. Spyderco has always produced a superior knife and I don't think it matters where it's made as long as they keep making a superior knife, when and if the quality goes down the tubes...that will be the day I'll stop buying, selling and using their knives. It's that simple!....Doc :D

[Shike]

The truth of the matter is it's not really any of our business....This is what Sal decided he must do...it's his company....I personally don't agree with his reasoning, however I don't own Spyderco and neither do any of you...If he wants to explain it to us...fine....but he doesn't have too, Sal will do whatever it takes to keep his company competitive in the marketplace and afloat...bottom line is we will either support his products or we won't. Spyderco has always produced a superior knife and I don't think it matters where it's made as long as they keep making a superior knife, when and if the quality goes down the tubes...that will be the day I'll stop buying, selling and using their knives. It's that simple!....Doc :D

Yes and no! Yes..... he does own the co. No.... he doesn't have to explain. But without us...... the people that buy his knives......There might not be a company or decisions to make

[korbiaka]

Yes and no! Yes..... he does own the co. No.... he doesn't have to explain. But without us...... the people that buy his knives......There might not be a company or decisions to make

China made products are going to increase, and thats just a fact of life. We (AFI's) are in realility a small part of of the knife buying world. IMHO Spyderco held out as long as they could, but the fact remains most knife manufacturs have had low priced China made knives for years. Spyderco needs to fill this nitch in order to stay viable in to days market. I'd rather see Spyderco make a lower priced line of Chinese knives then to see Spyderco get left behind.

[Hookpunch]

China made products are going to increase, and thats just a fact of life. We (AFI's) are in realility a small part of of the knife buying world. IMHO Spyderco held out as long as they could, but the fact remains most knife manufacturs have had low priced China made knives for years. Spyderco needs to fill this nitch in order to stay viable in to days market. I'd rather see Spyderco make a lower priced line of Chinese knives then to see Spyderco get left behind.

This is true and it is an unfortunate fact of life.

It is not only in the sport knife companies that this happens. Fender has been doing it for years, building cheaper "Strats" in Japan and Mexico and building the higher end ones in the USA.

Hopefully the revenue from the cheaper models subsidize the price on the better quality models.

Spyderco is just doing what almost every other company is doing.

[Shike]

China made products are going to increase, and thats just a fact of life. We (AFI's) are in realility a small part of of the knife buying world. IMHO Spyderco held out as long as they could, but the fact remains most knife manufacturs have had low priced China made knives for years. Spyderco needs to fill this nitch in order to stay viable in to days market. I'd rather see Spyderco make a lower priced line of Chinese knives then to see Spyderco get left behind.

??? :confused: I am sorry I don't see how your reply is in line with the quote :confused: But I agree with your statement up to a point. I just want to see the higher end product made in the US, Japan or Europe. I do think that China can make a good product I just don't want all my products to be made there.

[korbiaka]

??? :confused: I am sorry I don't see how your reply is in line with the quote :confused: But I agree with your statement up to a point. I just want to see the higher end product made in the US, Japan or Europe. I do think that China can make a good product I just don't want all my products to be made there.

Sorry, I'm not sure why I quoted your post, I'm sick as a dog, and all hopped up on cold meds. I was just stating my veiw on things. :o

-Adam

[Agent Starling]

But without us...... the people that buy his knives......There might not be a company or decisions to make

Yes, we, the rabid few on this forum, may care where they are made...those who are not so avid...probably don't give a rat's u-know-what! :D

DISCLAIMER: just my opinion...not a statement of fact!! :D

Agent Starling

[Agent Starling]

Fender has been doing it for years, building cheaper "Strats" in Japan and Mexico and building the higher end ones in the USA.

Ha! That's why mine's a Gibson! :p :D

Agent Starling

[Dr. Snubnose]

Spyderco is not solely dependent on the sales we as forum members make...to think that they are is foolish....Yes Sal looks to us (the die hards)as the basic ELU for feedback about how to improve his knives (smart move)....if we (forum members)were the only people to buy his knives Spyderco would not exist...yeah we buy knives but we don't even account for small portion of sales....Walmart probably orderes more Natives in one year than this forum has purchased in 5....Doc :D

[Qboy]

Hi all:

I understand the political realities of this situation as Sal has explained it and it is his company. His choice. Ah, the gift of freedom.

From my perspective, the reason that we have such an enormous economic crisis in the U.S. of A. is largely because of the trade imbalance and the WalMart-ization of the economy. I do not fault WalMart shoppers, but I won't shop there--my freedom. This is all about dollars. Vote with *your* dollars. There are those items that we have no choice but to buy from overseas suppliers. Pocket knives are not one of them--at least not Spydercos. I like the design of the Tenacious but I will not buy one. I am willing to pay a few bucks more for an American knife.

[oneformula]

if i wanted a cheaper knife, i would get a buck

[A.P.F.]

I am a Spyderco customer and as long as a knife has the quality of materials and construction I demand, I don't really care where it was made. Do I prefer a Golden or Seki knife? Sure, but I like the features and value found in the Byrd line as well. In fact, the Byrds are becoming so good, that I am snapping them up before the rest of the world finds out and the prices go up.

It all comes down to trust, and I trust that Spyderco will never associate it's name with poor quality knives.

[Chrismico]

The surest way to keep this man from purchasing a tool it to put the words "Made in China" on it. Apparently there are many who do not feel this way.

Went that route years ago when the cheap Chinese tools flooded into this country. The price made them attractive. It did not take long to learn that inevitably when the cheap was purchased the better quality US made tool was purchased too afterward. Finally came to the conclusion that it did not make sense to buy both anymore. It was less expensive to just buy the higher priced US, European or Japanese made tools and forget about the ones that break and leave one injured or without the correct tool to finish the job. The cheap comes out expensive.

Don't know anything about the quality level of the Chinese made Spydercos and don't have any plans to find out. That attitude could lead to one missing out on something, but doubt if it will.

[Shike]

Yes, we, the rabid few on this forum, may care where they are made...those who are not so avid...probably don't give a rat's u-know-what! :D
Agent Starling

Hi! I don't know if you read all the post but I said the same thing a few post back :)

[Shike]

Spyderco is not solely dependent on the sales we as forum members make...to think that they are is foolish....Yes Sal looks to us (the die hards)as the basic ELU for feedback about how to improve his knives (smart move)....if we (forum members)were the only people to buy his knives Spyderco would not exist...yeah we buy knives but we don't even account for small portion of sales....Walmart probably orderes more Natives in one year than this forum has purchased in 5....Doc :D

I said the same thing before also :D