Spyderco's Taichung (Taiwan) Folders

[MacLaren]

Yes, the Vallotton's Polished G10 handles are just gorgeous. My cousin thought they were Micarta too.
I just received my Black Southard. Its perfect. Centering is dead on, flipping action is better than my two browns. I really,really like the Black Southard. I'll try and get some pics up today, with initial thoughts/impressions.

[gbelleh]

I've been updating post #1. Since my last post on December 23rd these have been added:

1. Dog Tag Folder Black (Taiwan)
2. Chaparral Blue Stepped Titanium (Taiwan)
3. Schempp Bowie (Taiwan)

These are due including some fixed blade ones although the thread is about folders:

1. Dog Tag Folder G-10 (Taiwan)
2. Szabohawk (Taiwan)
3. Janisong (Taiwan)
4. Bradley Bowie (Taiwan)
5. Reverse (Taiwan)
6. Ronin 2 (Taiwan)
7. Perrin PPT Black Blade (Taiwan)

Of course, at the Amsterdam Meet we should see more announcements.

Just to clarify Taichung vs. other Taiwan makers, I believe the SzaboHawk is made in Taipei, at least in the pics I've seen, it's only marked Taipei.

[endgame]

I heard both only sal or a employey eather way its done very well

[RamZar]

Updated post #1 with more Upcoming Taichung folders:

1. Dog Tag Folder CF/G-10
2. Gayle Bradley 2
3. Ion
4. Mamba
5. Myrtle
6. Nirvana
7. Squarehead
8. Stick
9. Vrango

[SageRage]

Like many have already said, Taichung knives are just on some other level. Its truly something that has to be seen and examined against Golden and Seki Spydies. Not that I don't love the knives from Golden or Seki bit there is just something extra special about my Taichung knives

[farnorthdan]

Agreed SageRage and welcome to the forum.

[RamZar]

Updated post #1.

[BTG]

Wow...never really knew which one's they were...strange though, I have 120 spydies and on that list the only one I have is the original dog tag, and the only one I want is the GB's . Oh yeah already ordered the g10 dog tag...but I think the only reason is, I don't do wire clip knives, they just turn me right off, and almost every one on that list is wire clipped..I wish they sold conversion clips, a lot of those knives " have me" till I see the clip.

[camelbak]

I've just bought my firs spyderco knife...It's K2...I love the concept...
but it's that the HIGH PERORMANCE and quality ?????
straight from the box...backspacer looseness, lock 100%...?????
How I'm gona fix that??? I live in Poland and as far as I know there is no service in my country. Shipping there and back...waste of money...
I'm still waitting for CS response but I'm not expecting miracle...I think first and last one...

[img][img]http://s3.postimg.org/ohtt1iyv3/IMG_0016.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][img]http://s3.postimg.org/t2fzggikf/IMG_0019.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][img]http://s3.postimg.org/9x7o9kxkv/IMG_0021.jpg[/img][/img]

[3rdGenRigger]

Judging an entire companies product line on a sample size of 1 seems rather illogical. I have 47 Spydercos and I wouldn't send one back because they're all pretty good. A few have a little play (Typically the more highly used ones), but overall the quality is very good, and the quality of my Taichung Spydies is noticeably higher than the others. Dead on centering, no blade play in any direction, very even grinds, and very good interface between different parts. Sounds to me like you got an anomaly (There's no company on Earth that doesn't get one wrong every so often).

[camelbak]

200$ knife??? that's half sebenza quality...i agree, **** happens... but what piss me off is quality control /shipping strategy(dealer) ...
sending over see product that is defective at start and there knowing there is no bizness in sending it back for service... shame because i was realy saving for this one...

[The Deacon]

200$ knife??? that's half sebenza quality...i agree, **** happens... but what piss me off is quality control /shipping strategy(dealer) ...
sending over see product that is defective at start and there knowing there is no bizness in sending it back for service... shame because i was realy saving for this one...

Sadly, I've suspected for some time that at least some US dealers do just that. The alternative is to buy from a dealer in your own country, or at least within the EU. That way, if you are not satisfied with a knife, you can return it.

[camelbak]

problem is the value of knife is almost doublling crossing the see (customs, shipping, dealers profit, etc...), so when You're saving for it, you look new and chippest...I fouded Outfitter Country on amazon and now "There is a 15% restocking fee for ALL items returned for a refund" + shipping back to US.
In my opinion problem is the QUALLITY , but not only materials , a inspection the final result. all the rest is just tsunami...
Reliable high performance....words loose meaning theese days////

[farnorthdan]

Yea that's gotta suck living across the pond for buying US made knifes, I've been very satisfied with my TiaChung pieces. I've wanted to pick up the K2 since they dropped but the mixed reviews have kept me from pulling the trigger, I even checked one out on a trip to the SFO in Golden and even that piece seemed off to me, 100% lockup and sticky lock, too bad is what I say.

[3rdGenRigger]

I feel your pain, but I'd be more hesitant to buy a knife shipped over her from Europe than one from here in North America just because of the issues you're experiencing. 99+% might be great, but if you're unlucky enough to get the exception you're thrown for a loop. There are a lot of people on here with K2's (I don't have one myself...not interested in the model personally) that are more than happy with them, but I could equally link you to threads of people with problems with almost every model. The overwhelming majority of examples are well produced though..as I've said, some will slip through the cracks with any model (And this also applies to other products like cars for example...nobody can point to any maker that doesn't have the odd lemon slip through the QC cracks). Spyderco, in the experience of the 47 current, and well over 60 if you count sold and gifted models, that I own/bought, have all been good. I'd be hesitant to buy a Europe produced knife for fears of similar results, however I'd still take the leap and trust the dealer I buy form to stand behind their products, and if they don't I'd trust the manufacturer. If both failed to remedy said issue I'd definitely be truly unhappy.

[RamZar]

Updated post #1.

[Joris Mo]

My K2 is also the only imperfection I've seen so far from Taiwan Spydies, it having a rather late lockup.
Considering the price and that it should be half of Chris Reeve quality, it's still a better deal than I got on my brand new Sebenza 4 years ago which had bad centering, bad centering and not the best lockup either.. So Reeve doesn't always get it right either.
(still like both blades alot, these weren't meant to be safequeens)

[RamZar]

High quality sometimes come with imperfections. I've had two instances for the Taichung folders.

My Chaparral Stepped Titanium Blue had faded blue in many spots. Sent it back for a full refund. Still need to find a pristine one.

My Rubicon had sticky titanium liner lock. It got better in time. However, lock disengagement is not the most comfortable and the backspacer has sharp edges. I've kept it though.

[TomAiello]

My Stepped Blue Chap is perfect. :)

[RamZar]

I'm hopeful that Gayle Bradley 2 will drop before the end of the year!

Back on 10-25-2015, on USN, Sal said: "The GB2 shouldn't be too long now. We have some issues to sort.".