country of origin ("political" content)

[adairjs]

If you live long enough, I guess it is inevitable that you'll change your mind about some things, maybe more than once. I admit that I used to shun anything made in China, believing that it was all junk. Perhaps worth noting here that my 82 year old dad still feels that way. Eventually, I figured out that the Chinese are perfectly capable of making some quality products, when that's what their buyers want. Spyderco was a large part of why I came round to that way of thinking. That said, I've never had any great affection for the Chinese government, and, for me, at least, their building artificial islands on top of endangered coral reefs, in disputed territorial waters, so they can extend their military might is kind of the last straw. There are plenty of bad things to say about various actions of our own government, I know, but I can't very well boycott U.S. products while living here. I can only try to change those things with votes, letters to my congresspersons and such. I will of course continue to buy Spydercos made in Taiwan, Japan, Italy or the U.S., but I won't be putting another cent into the Chinese economy, if I can help it. No offense to others who may well feel differently, and I hope to see some interesting differences of opinion from folks on the forum.

[demoncase]

I'm British- which means:

Driving a German Car to eat an Indian Curry with a Belgian Beer then going home to sit on my Swedish sofa to watch a US show on my Korean TV, while updating my status on a Chinese made phone....Maybe with a Japanese whisky or a US bourbon.

So- I guess I'm already fully OK with the global economy....There's no country of origin on a product that would put me off buying it.

What matters to me- and the only thing that matters- is quality of product and value for money.

[bearfacedkiller]

Edit:

Meh, it is what it is.

I like knives. :-)

[The Deacon]

Was in a Walmart a few years back that had a Dunkin Donuts inside its one entrance. It was a Wednesday, which was the day several of the area's retirement communities brought their residents there to shop. Overheard and unexpurgated version of this exchange between two old timers:

Codger 1: "Why are you buy that stuff? It's made by a bunch of ***** little commie **********s."

Codger 2: "Well, at least I know not a single one of those ***** little commie **********s voted for -----------------.

There aren't really a whole lot of Spydercos coming out of China that interest me, but if one did, I'd apply the philosophy of Codger 2.

[demoncase]

Codger 1: "Why are you buy that stuff? It's made by a bunch of ***** little commie **********s."

Codger 2: "Well, at least I know not a single one of those ***** little commie **********s voted for -----------------.
.

Genuine LOL.

Perfect.

[RadioactiveSpyder]

This thread is better suited for the Off-Topic section...

[The Mastiff]

I recall when the same sentiments were being applied to Japanese made products. In fact as late as the early 80's in Flint Michigan parking a Japanese made auto near where AUW 'ers hung out was pretty much a guarantee it was going to be vandalized. Things have changed as far as Japan and Japanese products are concerned. Now their electronics are too expensive . :)

Joe

[SpyderNut]

Edit:

Meh, it is what it is.

I like knives. :-)

+1

[Liquid Cobra]

I'm British- which means:

Driving a German Car to eat an Indian Curry with a Belgian Beer then going home to sit on my Swedish sofa to watch a US show on my Korean TV, while updating my status on a Chinese made phone....Maybe with a Japanese whisky or a US bourbon.

So- I guess I'm already fully OK with the global economy....There's no country of origin on a product that would put me off buying it.

What matters to me- and the only thing that matters- is quality of product and value for money.

Possibly one of the greatest posts of all time. Right or wrong it put a smile on my face. Thanks.

[bdblue]

I admit that I used to shun anything made in China, believing that it was all junk.

The older members of the board can probably remember when "made in Japan" meant junk. Eventually Japanese quality improved a lot. I remember the first time I drove a Hyundai automobile, a rental, and it was a real piece of Junk. I'm still not a Hyundai fan but the few that I have ridden in more recently seemed on the surface like pretty good cars. I see a lot of junk made in China but eventually I think most of the products will be pretty good.

OTOH I feel a lot of nationalism and would prefer to buy US products as much as possible. I don't know how practical that is these days because I also like to save money.

As for Spyderco- I own a Tenacious, a Vallotton, a Bradley Folder, a pair of PM2's and a bunch of Manix 2's. I have nothing against my foreign-made Spydercos but I prefer to buy Golden-made models, again where possible.

[captnvegtble]

their building artificial islands on top of endangered coral reefs, in disputed territorial waters, so they can extend their military might is kind of the last straw.

And the U.S. has how many different military bases in other countries around the world? More than 600 bases in 38 different countries. Seems a bit of a hypocritical, self-righteous post... I suppose it all depends on one's perspective.

[endgame]

No offence we say were so non racist but only want to buy American knives and products.but you all who say that are racist hypocrites.america is made of all the races not just the ones we choose to recognize.yes the Japanese make way superior knives and yes they do.the chinese do make knockoffs but they cant buy the originals in there country.if Britain made spyderco knives what would we say.I am not long for this world .we are all people and can make a good product.stop the racism and give the world a chance

[SpeedHoles]

^ despite the raw grammar, I think I agree at the end, haha. :)

I recall when the same sentiments were being applied to Japanese made products. In fact as late as the early 80's in Flint Michigan parking a Japanese made auto near where AUW 'ers hung out was pretty much a guarantee it was going to be vandalized. Things have changed as far as Japan and Japanese products are concerned. Now their electronics are too expensive . :)

Joe

Haha, I live about 30-40min southeast of Flint.






And by the way, bdblue, Hyundai is a Korean brand.

[Cujobob]

It's not racism. It has nothing to do with ethnicity. Consumers make decisions based on many factors. This is essential. Not purchasing products because of factors like exploitation of workers, poor quality, poor value, etc mean you can affect the bottom line and force changes in those areas.

[SG89]

Comment deleted at the request of "yablanowitz"

[yablanowitz]

This thread is better suited for the Off-Topic section...

It's better suited to another forum altogether. How many times have we been asked politely to not post religious or political topics? A hundred, or is it more? Isn't there something in the forum rules about it? Maybe the O.P. should try reading them sometime. Maybe everyone should try reading them sometime. Oh, wait. Reading and following the rules is for losers, right?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Well when matter becomes software through advanced 3D Printing and Nano-molecular assembler based replicators, there will, ironically, be no such thing as "country of origin", because the only thing that will matter is software code blue prints. There won't be Spyderco knives made in USA, Taiwan, or Italy. There will be a Spyderco design that you pay for the rights to use, and you download your "Endura 8" 3d CAD file to your home replicator, and the molecular assembler field will feed out a brand new Super Endura with shatterproof diamondoid or synthetic steel blade and active SupraFRN handle that conforms to your hand each time you use it (Synthetic Steel = the properties of steel without needing iron mined from the dirt).

[swigert]

This thread is better suited for the Off-Topic section...

It's better suited to another forum altogether. How many times have we been asked politely to not post religious or political topics? A hundred, or is it more? Isn't there something in the forum rules about it? Maybe the O.P. should try reading them sometime. Maybe everyone should try reading them sometime. Oh, wait. Reading and following the rules is for losers, right?

:eek: I Agree

[ChrisinHove]

There's nothing inherently wrong with making ethical purchase choices. Buying locally produced stuff could help protect your neighbours - or your - job, and you might be reassured that it will have been created under known employment and environmental protection rules.

Buying the very cheap often raises the risk that something important has been compromised.

Personally, I try to buy fair-trade and from reputable sources when I can afford to - often there is no choice over origin anyway.

[SuckSqueezeBangBlow]

I'm British- which means:

Driving a German Car to eat an Indian Curry with a Belgian Beer then going home to sit on my Swedish sofa to watch a US show on my Korean TV, while updating my status on a Chinese made phone....Maybe with a Japanese whisky or a US bourbon.

So- I guess I'm already fully OK with the global economy....There's no country of origin on a product that would put me off buying it.

What matters to me- and the only thing that matters- is quality of product and value for money.

I have three Golden, nine Japanese and one Taiwan Spydercos and one Chinese Byrd.


I bet you wish you could get your hands on an Australian 450hp Turbo Ford Falcon