I've had my Persistence for quite a while now, and have used it a lot at work. I can't get over how GREAT of a knife it is for the cost. I find its finish to be just as good, if not better than other American/Japanese/ or Taiwan made Spydies.
I just ordered a Tenacious.
Do you hope Spyderco makes more Chinese models at the same value prices?
Maybe some new blade shapes?
I am fully aware of the existence of the Byrd knives, but for some reason they just don't cut it for me. The eye-shaped opening hole seems wrong. The quality just feels cheaper. I had a Cara-Cara and Meadowlark, and gave them away.
I've handled the Persistence and Tenacious and they are just RIGHT. No burrs in the Spyder hole. Comfortable in hand. Performing blade-steel. And affordable.
I won't lie I can't always afford to buy knives for $75+ dollars. Not only that, they're good knives to recommend to people who need a good quality, cheap knife who find spending $100+ on a knife ridiculous.
All thoughts are welcome.
Who wants more Chinese-made Spydies? I know I do.
I personally think so.Firebat wrote:Nice? Yes. Nicer than its American/Japanese/Taiwanese counterparts? Not quite.
I have a Chinook III made in Golden, and I find the finish on the blade is WEAK. Burr in the Spyderhole. Roughly polished on the back of the tang near the jimping.
My Stretch II is fully polished only half-way down the tang. There is a visible divide on both sides where the final polishing ended. So where the markings are, it is visibly duller.
I really like the Tenacious and Persistence too. But IMO, the Taiwanese Spydercos are a step above all the others in fit and finish. I have 4 so far and can't find a single flaw in any of them. All my US Spydercos have been excellent too. Japanese have varied from impeccable to a little rough. But that's just my experience so far.
Spyderco is coming out with the very affordable FRN UKPKs. I wouldn't mind seeing a couple more high quality China made Spydies, but not at the expense of the uniqe and high-end offerings.
Spyderco is coming out with the very affordable FRN UKPKs. I wouldn't mind seeing a couple more high quality China made Spydies, but not at the expense of the uniqe and high-end offerings.
I have a Tenacious and have given away others to people that I like. I also have a few Byrds and have recommended them to others and they're pleased...for the price.
When compared to my other Spydercos, it's obvious to me where the extra money goes. First is materials. 8Cr13MoV is a good steel, but it's not at the level of VG-10 or S30V which seem to be the "go-to" steels. The G-10 itself is not American or Japanese level G-10. Second is finish workmanship, not just on the outside, but the inside too. The liners on all the Tenacious's (sp?) I've seen have lots of burrs on the skeletonizing holes. The fit of the G-10 to the liners isn't bad, but has room for improvement. The blade grinds are one area where the Tenacious is spot on. Then again, it's easier to grind a lesser steel and to get a good surface finish on it.
I wouldn't necessarily mind seeing more of the mainland Chinese Spyderco's, but I don't want to see a huge increase there. As good as they are, I will save and buy 2 great knives rather than 5 good knives. I used to pooh-pah the folks that spent $100+ on a Military. I don't anymore. I haven't made the leap to custom knives because I don't feel there is that much more performance to be had than I get with high end production knives. Extra polishing doesn't do much for me when I'm just going to scratch it up in use. The craftsmanship and execution of the designs are amazing, but will it cut better? So far, I say no.
If some people feel they're getting all the function out of Tenacious vs a Native or Delica, that's wonderful. I just think they're missing out on some very important details. For my money, I prefer other things.
When compared to my other Spydercos, it's obvious to me where the extra money goes. First is materials. 8Cr13MoV is a good steel, but it's not at the level of VG-10 or S30V which seem to be the "go-to" steels. The G-10 itself is not American or Japanese level G-10. Second is finish workmanship, not just on the outside, but the inside too. The liners on all the Tenacious's (sp?) I've seen have lots of burrs on the skeletonizing holes. The fit of the G-10 to the liners isn't bad, but has room for improvement. The blade grinds are one area where the Tenacious is spot on. Then again, it's easier to grind a lesser steel and to get a good surface finish on it.
I wouldn't necessarily mind seeing more of the mainland Chinese Spyderco's, but I don't want to see a huge increase there. As good as they are, I will save and buy 2 great knives rather than 5 good knives. I used to pooh-pah the folks that spent $100+ on a Military. I don't anymore. I haven't made the leap to custom knives because I don't feel there is that much more performance to be had than I get with high end production knives. Extra polishing doesn't do much for me when I'm just going to scratch it up in use. The craftsmanship and execution of the designs are amazing, but will it cut better? So far, I say no.
If some people feel they're getting all the function out of Tenacious vs a Native or Delica, that's wonderful. I just think they're missing out on some very important details. For my money, I prefer other things.
42 Spyderco fixed blades and counting...
For the devoted Spyderco collector and knut I think they'll always prefer the high-end steels and the F&F of the Golden products ... but the higher price will probably deter most first-time, novice buyers from splashing-out on them. Also, the relatively low production runs mean that there just aren't as many of these knives in high-street stores so they don't get the exposure that some other brands do. Over here in the UK if you go into any outdoors/camping shop and you ask to see their knives you'll be shown a huge array of Victorinox SAKs and maybe a few Gerbers ... but that's it.
For me, the Tenacious is a truly superb product and the Chinese knives give Spyderco a way to entice more first-time buyers to try a Spyderco knife. The lower costs could lead to higher production runs and perhaps even hook-up with a large high-street retailer and then get more people to buy a Spyderco and then buy-into the whole Spyderco philosophy. Then, once hooked, they will certainly try one of the higher-end products :)
So, yes keep a proportion of the range made in China/Taiwan and keep the pricing low ... but always maintain the core of the product range high-spec and made in the USA :)
For me, the Tenacious is a truly superb product and the Chinese knives give Spyderco a way to entice more first-time buyers to try a Spyderco knife. The lower costs could lead to higher production runs and perhaps even hook-up with a large high-street retailer and then get more people to buy a Spyderco and then buy-into the whole Spyderco philosophy. Then, once hooked, they will certainly try one of the higher-end products :)
So, yes keep a proportion of the range made in China/Taiwan and keep the pricing low ... but always maintain the core of the product range high-spec and made in the USA :)
My spydies: Squeak, Tenacious, Terzuola, D'Allara, UKPK CF peel-ply pre-production, UKPK CF smooth pre-production, UKPK G10 orange leaf-blade, UKPK FRN grey drop-point, UKPK FRN maroon leaf-blade, Bug ... all PE blades :)
I can buy chinese knives elsewhere..What they should do is use Spydie-quality materials in China. I don't mean the blade steel, but use higher quality screws and G10 and they will really have a winning combination.
I find the 'manufacturing' quality of the chinese knives to be good, and I have no complaints about 8cr13, the feel just isn't quite right. An upgrade in the G10 would be a huge step, and then use torx instead of allen screws (actually the tenacious might be torx, I don't remember, but it's hard to tell because the screws are soft enough to take an impression of a torx driver anyways if you try to use it so at the end of the day you don't know what the correct driver should have been).
I'm also really really really looking forward to the next generation of FRN Byrds.
I find the 'manufacturing' quality of the chinese knives to be good, and I have no complaints about 8cr13, the feel just isn't quite right. An upgrade in the G10 would be a huge step, and then use torx instead of allen screws (actually the tenacious might be torx, I don't remember, but it's hard to tell because the screws are soft enough to take an impression of a torx driver anyways if you try to use it so at the end of the day you don't know what the correct driver should have been).
I'm also really really really looking forward to the next generation of FRN Byrds.
-
bowarrow2000
- Member
- Posts: 268
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Contact:
-
The Deacon
- Member
- Posts: 25717
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Upstate SC, USA
- Contact:
I don't buy knives on the basis of tang stamps, but, so far at least, the only Chinese Spyderco I've carried is the Bug. It will stay that way unless Spyderco decides to have a midlock with a 50/50 choil, full liners, and bolsters built there. Then, maybe, but it would depend on the build quality.
Paul
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
Deplorable :p
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
Deplorable :p
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
-
dalefuller
- Member
- Posts: 469
- Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:37 pm
- Location: Atlanta
-
tonydahose
- Member
- Posts: 6277
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2006 7:56 am
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
i can see the point of getting some more cheaper knives out because for a person who is not a knife nut, they can not fathom(sp?) spending $50 or more on a knife. i see this alot at the firehouse. Guys who make 70-90K a year have no qualms gambling that much away in a day or twice as much at the bar but they wont spend more than $10 on a knife :confused: . it makes no sense to me, especially since we probably use knives more than the rest of the population.
WTC #1444 Always Remember
Need info on a particular :spyder:, just click here
My knives
Spydie count: a few:D
Need info on a particular :spyder:, just click here
My knives
Spydie count: a few:D
-
Metals of war
- Member
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:04 pm
- Location: Cork, Ireland, Europe, Earth
I really agree with ChrisR about this subject. What I really like with Spyderco is the different level offerings. The way I see it happens whether they have a manufacturer (subcontactor)and they run different model with them in the same size range, so they can offer some well priced but not Golden quality knives, like the Cat and the Chicago, or the Tenacious and the Presistance. On the other hand Spyderco offer the same models at different price level with good quality, but with different materials, like the Strech range, Caly3 range, Delica range…
What I really like to see is to have a knife in the Tenacious and Presistance line but something beefier, Endura sized, Tenacious balde shape and steel, with the same color G10. I would like to have a real Spyderco, what is look like a Spyderco and not like a Byrd, what I can trash no problem, without breaking the bank. I hope there will be a bigger size Tenacious sometimes.
I hope this makes sense.
Gabe
What I really like to see is to have a knife in the Tenacious and Presistance line but something beefier, Endura sized, Tenacious balde shape and steel, with the same color G10. I would like to have a real Spyderco, what is look like a Spyderco and not like a Byrd, what I can trash no problem, without breaking the bank. I hope there will be a bigger size Tenacious sometimes.
I hope this makes sense.
Gabe
I dream the dream of steel and blade. Now I'm dreaming it awake too.
“Temptation is like a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or his destruction”
(John Owen)
My latest :spyder:'s
Meerkat sprint C64JPBG
Bushcraft Second
Lum Chinese C65FGPBK
Delica FFG C11FPBL
Endura FFG C10FPBL
Delica zdp-189 C11SGRE
Manix 2 FFG Sprint C101GPBL2
Military Titanium C36TI
Caly3 CF zdp-189 C113CF
Manix 2 Pink C101GPPN2
“Temptation is like a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or his destruction”
(John Owen)
My latest :spyder:'s
Meerkat sprint C64JPBG
Bushcraft Second
Lum Chinese C65FGPBK
Delica FFG C11FPBL
Endura FFG C10FPBL
Delica zdp-189 C11SGRE
Manix 2 FFG Sprint C101GPBL2
Military Titanium C36TI
Caly3 CF zdp-189 C113CF
Manix 2 Pink C101GPPN2
I'm impressed with the Tenacious and Persistence for the price and quality, but let's not get carried away with China. I think China will end up being a slippery slope for Spyderco. That's all I'm going to say about that. :spyder:
You can't display a toad in a fine restaurant like this! Why, the good folks here would go right off the feed!
More Chinese Spydies? For me personally the answer to that question is somewhere between yes and no.
I bought a Tenacious when it came out and was impressed by the quality given it's low price. Sure there were small imperfections if you wanted to find some but they were totally acceptable. When I got a Persistence I was even more impressed because compared to my Tenacious the quality seemed to have improved from "very good" to "excellent".
For anyone who is looking for an entry-level Spyderco knife, or who needs a couple of give-aways for friends these are just perfect. So on that part, I would say yes to more :spyder: made in China.
When it comes to the ratio of Chinese made knives to knives made in the US or Japan, I'd say a handful of models in the current lineup are enough. Maybe add one or two models so people have a little more choice than small or big (I don't count the Bug, Honeybee and Grasshopper) when looking for a low-priced model. IMO the vast majority of models should stay what they are - high quality, high performance tools.
Cheers, Rob
I bought a Tenacious when it came out and was impressed by the quality given it's low price. Sure there were small imperfections if you wanted to find some but they were totally acceptable. When I got a Persistence I was even more impressed because compared to my Tenacious the quality seemed to have improved from "very good" to "excellent".
For anyone who is looking for an entry-level Spyderco knife, or who needs a couple of give-aways for friends these are just perfect. So on that part, I would say yes to more :spyder: made in China.
When it comes to the ratio of Chinese made knives to knives made in the US or Japan, I'd say a handful of models in the current lineup are enough. Maybe add one or two models so people have a little more choice than small or big (I don't count the Bug, Honeybee and Grasshopper) when looking for a low-priced model. IMO the vast majority of models should stay what they are - high quality, high performance tools.
Same here. Some years ago I carried a SS Cara Cara for a while. That one totally failed. I later tried a G-10 Meadowlark but couldn't get warm with it. Maybe I am biased as a fan of Spyderco knives, but I'd rather get two Chinese Spydercos before getting one Byrd again. I know, that sounds silly as both come from the same company... :rolleyes:HotSoup wrote:Byrd knives [...] quality just feels cheaper. I had a Cara-Cara and Meadowlark, and gave them away.
Cheers, Rob