"byrd" line of knives

I think China is able to make products just as good as any place.The problem is all the compainies that are going over there and instructing them to make it a cheap as possable.
The China=Junk thinking will continue until China refuses to do it.
 
I agree with u812 on this one.

unfortunately I think it will take time in changing because one of the main reason manf. have moved overseas is lower labor cost. (and before anyone brings up the old sweatshop argument, check the cost of living first).
 
I certainly understand the rational for this move, and I think it makes sense.

I thing Walmart has pretty much proven people don't care about quality as long as it's inexpensive. ALong those lines, I think $20 is becoming the retail price point. Besides the chive, the Kabar-Dozier folding hunter is right there too.
 
Quite frankly, I really don't expect Spyderco aficianados to suddenly become interested in a lower line knife.

I thought to mention the information because there were questions popping up and I've always made it a point to be straight with everyone.

Personally, I think it will be many many years before Chinese made knives in general will meet Spyderco standards.

In our testing, we find quality/performance differences that most would not detect, even most on this forum.

sal
 
Wow! I may have to check out one of those "Byrds" and see how it compares with the Vapor, Monochrome, etc..

I like the stainless steel bolsters, the Micarta handle, but one thing that's going to take me a while to get used to is that comet shaped hole. I'm sorry, but it just makes the knife look so.....Frost Cutlery-ish! That's just my impression based on the pic, but I do hope the quality of these Byrd knives live up to Spyderco standards. Are they already available or are the on pre-order?
 
It looks like the byrd is available for order from knifesite.com. The website lists Qty in stock: 10.
 
Bear in mind that Knifesite is selling the Byrd knife for full retail. The retail price of a lightweight Delica is $66.95. It ain't quite fair to compare the "Harrier"'s MSRP with the Delica's ideal on-line price.

Second, I know exactly what you mean, CS. It looks really chintzy in the photo. If I was just looking at the image, I'd swear it was a badly-assembled knockoff with a blade stamped out of pot steel. Knowing that it's under Sal's control, though, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one of these for a more reasonable price. If the quality exceeds the Vapor's, I'll be plenty impressed.

Third, Sal, is this the project you were talking about back here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258162&page=2&highlight=budget+delica

Seems like an interesting new product line. I'm really interested to see where this goes.
 
Reserving my opinions/comments until I can get my little fisties on one or more.
 
I've handled one at the Dutch Spyderco show last month, and it was a good knife. A bargain for $39 MSRP!
I personally will keep buying Spydies, and try to convince my friends to do the same, bui that's no news I guess since we here are not really the target audience as Sal said.
I wouldn't mind seeing the current Byrd model as a Spyderco model however (round hole, VG-10 or S30V steel). I like the green Micarta!

Ted
 
I have to say that I was underwhelmed with the knife in the pic supplied by Simona.
However I have seen some pretty decent knives coming out of Taiwan. I really like the Gerber Harsey. It has very good build quality for a price of around $35.00 in Wally world. The only reason I don't own one is that they are all serrated. The "Harrier?" will need to compete with that and if Sal can get that level of quality from his guys in Taiwan, he's got a good chance in the market.
Personally, if I could get a Native III with Black micarta handles, and that was easy to open as my Calypso Jr's, I'd be a happy camper.
 
fudo said:
I have to say that I was underwhelmed with the knife in the pic supplied by Simona.
However I have seen some pretty decent knives coming out of Taiwan. I really like the Gerber Harsey. It has very good build quality for a price of around $35.00 in Wally world. The only reason I don't own one is that they are all serrated. The "Harrier?" will need to compete with that and if Sal can get that level of quality from his guys in Taiwan, he's got a good chance in the market.
Personally, if I could get a Native III with Black micarta handles, and that was easy to open as my Calypso Jr's, I'd be a happy camper.
Click to expand...

Just so I am clear: Isn't the new Byrd line being made in mainland China as opposed to Taiwan? The reason I ask is that mainland is still not as advanced in quality cutlery production as is Taiwan.
 
I believe that this new line will dilute the power of the Spyderco brand. If I sold knives, and had a bigger mark-up on the Harrier over the Delica, I'd push my customers to the Harrier, telling them it's a Spyderco, just a better deal. If there is limited difference in the hand, most buyers would probably go for the Harrier

Is the warranty the same on the new line? If not this could be a discriminator.

Too bad Spyderco can't expand their US production. Even for the Spyderco brand, there is still significant Japan and now Taiwanese production. There once was hope in Spydertown that all Spydercos would be US produced.

Tell us Sal, how many new jobs in America has Spyderco created since 2000?
 
Hi Brownshoe. We're making more knives in America than in 2000. We're using more American subcontractors. We're using more American made steel. We're increasing monthly with plans to continue to increase production in Golden.

How many jobs is that?

The byrd line should have no affect on the Spyderco line, especially the domestic product.

It's an add-on, not a replacement. The warrantee is 30 days.

Also, I would hope that our dealers would not "lie" to the customer as you suggested. If that were the case, they could make up any story.

sal
 
Smokey Mt Knife Works were and are still lieing to there customers about the BRK Native.
This is what I got from a salesman there a while back.NOTE 'Not all there salesman lie'
I asked why it was covered by Camillus,answer "Camillus makes Spyderco's knives for them and they are the ones that cover the warranty."BTW I did correct him on that.
I would be willing to bet that they put the Byrd in the Spyderco case and say it is a Spyderco model.
Being in the Spyderco case may not be bad but they should know the story on them when answering questions.
 
Smart move on Spydercos behalf. China is where it's at. I hope that it increase your bottom line. Few of the proliferation of of one handed, pocket clip knives that I see every day are 'name' brand (US/Japan) fodder. It's good to be in that market.
 
I don't think most retailers would consider that "lying." It's the truth. Byrd is a spyderco product, since spyderco is the parent company. If a retailer has a higher markup on spyderco vs. byrd, then price being close, the push will be towards spyderco. However, if the mark-up is higher on the byrd and price is close, then any retailer who wants to feed his kids will be be selling byrd with a spyderco kick. I've heard a lot more direct lies in knife stores and even more at shows. I am sure you know that Sal given your past retail experience at fairs and shows.

By the way, what is the warranty on the new line?

From your response, I guess the answer is Spyderco has added no new US employees since 2000.
 
Hi Brownshoe. Regarding the sales personnel, it is probably as you suggest, although I don't think you will ever hear anyone from Spyderco saying they are the same..

Regarding the employees, Spyderco is a smaller company than we were in 2000. We've added some, removed some, and became lean and more efficient in this "interesting" economy.

We always try to do the "right things for the right reasons". Keeping our staff working is a "core" value. I think our employee count was adjusted as the result of a mangement restructuring rather than sending jobs overseas.

How has the employee count been at your place of employment since 2000?

sal
 
Thanks for the info Sal, too bad you can't expand your US production.

For my company, with a core of 600 in 2000, we've added about 100 new US employees. What we are really proud of is of the 100 new employees we've only added 3 administrative staff. We're leaner and bigger.
 
Good job with your company.

Our US production is finally poised for growth. We (I) had a lot of damage control to deal with in the recent change.

I think it is imperative that we, as a country focus on putting Americans to work.

Our highest tech, closest tolerance and best performers, I am pleased to say, are made by our Golden Knifemakers. For finish and craftsmenship, our Seki Knifemakers (5) are hard to beat. Also keep in mind that the Yen is stronger than the dollar with shipping and duties are added in.

sal
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top