Are some knife Mfg. Using cult following to boost their profits.

[snapshot2017]

I find some knife Mfg.s have a cult following of their knives, for example Spyderco, have many of the same type knives that they change handle color and Material they change the blade Material, they make a "sprint Run" and the prices go from the $140 to $225 as an example.
And people are begging for new sprint runs of the same knives, it seems to be working well i feel are they using these sprint runs to just boost their profits?

 

[Pilsner]

Criminey?! A business making decisions based on boosting profits?! Tell me it ain’t so! Somebody call the cops!

 

[Danke42]

I find some knife Mfg.s have a cult following of their knives, for example Spyderco, have many of the same type knives that they change handle color and Material they change the blade Material, they make a "sprint Run" and the prices go from the $140 to $225 as an example.
And people are begging for new sprint runs of the same knives, it seems to be working well i feel are they using these sprint runs to just boost their profits?

Yeah that's success works.

Companies that don't do it don't last.

 

[Pilsner]

Yeah that's success works.

Companies that don't do it don't last.

Man, that’s why all my businesses that I started with selling at a loss and discouraging enthusiastic fans didn’t work out...

 

[TRfromMT]

I'm trying to remember another brand name that did that..... oh, yeah.

Apple

 

[snapshot2017]

I have to admit i have bought a few Spyderco's sprint runs, so i am not asking this question because i think it's wrong or mis leading people.

 

[Quiet]

Wow. Just....wow.

 

[Lapedog]

I find some knife Mfg.s have a cult following of their knives, for example Spyderco, have many of the same type knives that they change handle color and Material they change the blade Material, they make a "sprint Run" and the prices go from the $140 to $225 as an example.
And people are begging for new sprint runs of the same knives, it seems to be working well i feel are they using these sprint runs to just boost their profits?

There is much more cost to a company for using a new harder wearing steel type than just the cost of the raw steel alone.

A steel like m390 vs s30v; m390 wears out tools much faster than s30v. That cost to Spyderco (or whoever) needs to be recovered somewhere.

Also the cost of researching and developing new heat treatment also raises the cost of the final product.

 

[Danke42]

Sprint runs of existing knives are a great deal for fans of that knife company.

You get a knife that you may already have or have used and like but in a new and improved steel and if you're buying new from the source at a great deal.

If you just chase sprints that are sold out and being resold by flippers you'll be frustrated. The best way to deal with that is to know you may have missed one but there will be another coming in six months or so.

 

[snapshot2017]

I have asked Microtech i don't know how many times,when they will make another John Wick knife OTF Knife.

 

[Tommy-Chi]

I find some knife Mfg.s have a cult following of their knives, for example Spyderco, have many of the same type knives that they change handle color and Material they change the blade Material, they make a "sprint Run" and the prices go from the $140 to $225 as an example. And people are begging for new sprint runs of the same knives, it seems to be working well i feel are they using these sprint runs to just boost their profits?

YES, this is true of all the major manufacturers of knives. It is across the board. But is it a bad thing? Speaking for myself I get a bit peeved regarding the entire process because the products are limited in number and I don't usually have the cash or ability to get in on the Sprint Runs and Special Items for sale, but it must help enormously with the manufacturers bottom line.

It cannot hurt Spyderco to make 500 to 1,500 knives, ten times per year and always sell out within a week or less.

I've asked a dozen times on other forums that the "Sprint Runs," be moved in to a "Custom Shop" format, so that the knives can be ordered for a period of time, say six months, but absolutely nobody backs me up on my idea on those forums. They refused to add a follow up comment. And I am not the only one who has brought the problem up.

There is a certain amount of GREED and CLIQUE development going on here from manufacturer, flippers and collectors. You are either in their little clique or you are not. They work as a team to keep the sale of the goods to their small insular groups and they really don't care about everyman or woman getting the said product.

I'm still trying to figure out who it harms to have a knife for sale for six months vs a week. Who in the heck really thinks a Spyderco knife is going to go up in value and how much money are you going to make by buying ONE?

I collect knives. Collecting Spyderco knives is NOT going to make me any money and a fool would have to think so.

Sprint runs of existing knives are a great deal for fans of that knife company. You get a knife that you may already have or have used and like but in a new and improved steel and if you're buying new from the source at a great deal. If you just chase sprints that are sold out and being resold by flippers you'll be frustrated. The best way to deal with that is to know you may have missed one but there will be another coming in six months or so.

100%. This is very true.

 

[pinnah]

Better question... do some people define their identity through brand association?

 

[colin.p]

Companies put out "special edition" knives at a higher cost because people will pay whatever said company charges. When they stop paying, then said company will stop putting out "special editions".

 

[SW-EDC]

Remember, you don't have to buy their product.
I have a co-worker who has to have the latest Iphone whenever a new one comes out. I don't get that.
I told him thanks to you, Apple has a market cap of over a trillion dollars.

 

[Dangerously]

There are several Instagram makers who seem much better than Spyderco at charging ridiculous prices for simple products.

I just avoid buying them. Turns out to be pretty easy. But I stopped smoking too, so I may have superhuman willpower. Or maybe it’s just not that hard to avoid buying stuff I don’t need at prices I don’t like. Although I do admit to liking the odd complaint about it, like the OP.

 

[snapshot2017]

Remember, you don't have to buy their product.
I have a co-worker who has to have the latest Iphone whenever a new one comes out. I don't get that.
I told him thanks to you, Apple has a market cap of over a trillion dollars.

And just look at the people who are paying this year over $200 more then was asked last year for the new Apple iPad Pros, along with $150 for the key boards and then having to buy a new $100 dollar pen that the new iPad Pros now need, and lets not forget how Apple controls the memory these iPad use.
Yet they stand in line all night to be the first to get them.

 

[stonproject]

OP, you seen the Burnley single finger knuckle dusters selling for a grand?

Thats what I'd call a cult following

 

[madcap_magician]

I find some knife Mfg.s have a cult following of their knives, for example Spyderco, have many of the same type knives that they change handle color and Material they change the blade Material, they make a "sprint Run" and the prices go from the $140 to $225 as an example.
And people are begging for new sprint runs of the same knives, it seems to be working well i feel are they using these sprint runs to just boost their profits?

So... company A wants to make money. Company A hears that Purchasers 1-5,000 would all buy Company A's Knife Model 42 if only Knife Model 42 was in unobtainium and marbled carbon fiber.

Company A makes a sprint run of Model 42 in unobtainium and marbled carbon fiber. Purchasers 1-5,000 buy the sprint run.

Isn't this just the market working normally? Demand rises, supply rises to meet it? People get products they want, suppliers make a profit?

 

[Kreyzhorse]

People like knives. People like Sprint Runs. People buy them. If people didn't like them, the Sprints wouldn't sell. Company stops making Sprints. Supply, demand. It works.

 

[marrenmiller]

YES, this is true of all the major manufacturers of knives. It is across the board. But is it a bad thing? Speaking for myself I get a bit peeved regarding the entire process because the products are limited in number and I don't usually have the cash or ability to get in on the Sprint Runs and Special Items for sale, but it must help enormously with the manufacturers bottom line.

It cannot hurt Spyderco to make 500 to 1,500 knives, ten times per year and always sell out within a week or less.

I've asked a dozen times on other forums that the "Sprint Runs," be moved in to a "Custom Shop" format, so that the knives can be ordered for a period of time, say six months, but absolutely nobody backs me up on my idea on those forums. They refused to add a follow up comment. And I am not the only one who has brought the problem up.

There is a certain amount of GREED and CLIQUE development going on here from manufacturer, flippers and collectors. You are either in their little clique or you are not. They work as a team to keep the sale of the goods to their small insular groups and they really don't care about everyman or woman getting the said product.

I'm still trying to figure out who it harms to have a knife for sale for six months vs a week. Who in the heck really thinks a Spyderco knife is going to go up in value and how much money are you going to make by buying ONE?

I collect knives. Collecting Spyderco knives is NOT going to make me any money and a fool would have to think so.



100%. This is very true.

I don't know if you follow these things, but those knives definitely do go up in value if you check eBay. In fact, they're immediately available right after they all sell out, and they're selling for waaaay higher than retail price.