Can someone tell me more about the ZT0777M390?

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But, I still want the composite blade. Badly. I'm jonsing hard for it. I'm sure I'll get over it, scarred, but still alive. Battered, but unbowed. OK, maybe a little bowed.
- Same here. The Yin/Yang look of the composite blade simply made the ZT0777 a really unique knife. IMO, even a composite DLC/M390 blade would keep the style of the original ZT0777.
 
Any possibility that the ZT0777 will no longer be a limited edition item? Since the composite blade was the most likely the most difficult part of production, could it be added as a normal production item? What about the possibility of a damascus clad blade, like the Shun kitchen knives? IMO, that would look fantastic.
No the 0777 will not be a production piece unfortunately.
 
Hope KAI will release 1000pcs of this ZT0777M390 :thumbup:

Or more so that there's plenty to go around like the 0560CBCF without an initial mad dash to get one!

I think the 0770M390 blade looks real nice showing off the channel on the spine plus with the M390 steel it'll be a great user.

ZT0777-2.jpg
 
- Same here. The Yin/Yang look of the composite blade simply made the ZT0777 a really unique knife. IMO, even a composite DLC/M390 blade would keep the style of the original ZT0777.

This is basically like an inlay, artistically isn't it? Well, an inlay created by brazing? Strictly speaking you could create somewhat the same look by using different finishes like stonewash and satin, but keeping in one steel?
 
Or more so that there's plenty to go around like the 0560CBCF without an initial mad dash to get one!

Yeah but thats a 2 way street..due to the number made the CBCF I paid near full retail for isn't worth even close to what I paid for it:grumpy:
 
Yeah but thats a 2 way street..due to the number made the CBCF I paid near full retail for isn't worth even close to what I paid for it:grumpy:
- Unless the CBCF was purchased as an investment or safe queen, it should be a great knife for EDC and should last you for years and years. I also think it was a decent bargain at MSRP due to the materials and blade steel.
 
Yeah but thats a 2 way street..due to the number made the CBCF I paid near full retail for isn't worth even close to what I paid for it:grumpy:
What's the magic production number that keeps both collectors and users happy, and in the sweet spot price wise? If 1000-1500 is too many for a collector, then they should know that, and pay accordingly. If a 1000-1500 is to few for a user, then they should know that and also pay accordingly. Yea? No?
 
What's the magic production number that keeps both collectors and users happy, and in the sweet spot price wise? If 1000-1500 is too many for a collector, then they should know that, and pay accordingly. If a 1000-1500 is to few for a user, then they should know that and also pay accordingly. Yea? No?

You forgot the third army, that is, the scalpers/profiteers. In the 0560CBCF case, the early to mid-stage scalpers made some money while the later ones almost none.

Personally, if it was known by all that the final production number was closer to 1,500 that may have calmed the waters in several ways.

Additionally, I'm all for the higher production numbers for Limited Editions (capped at 1,500) so that all who want one can get one at a reasonable price of around MAP within the few months that they trickle out.

That's just my take.
 
Is the production number to be determined or is it only to be replacement for the 777 that are not produced? So if 350 777 were produced, than 650 should be made in M390 right?
 
You forgot the third army, that is, the scalpers/profiteers. In the 0560CBCF case, the early to mid-stage scalpers made some money while the later ones almost none.
If you mean the dealers, then you know they all made money. :)

If your talking about folks that buy from a dealer, and look to capitalize, well sometimes that works out and other times not so much.

Is the production number to be determined or is it only to be replacement for the 777 that are not produced? So if 350 777 were produced, than 650 should be made in M390 right?
Is this a round about way of asking for production # totals? :)
 
What's the magic production number that keeps both collectors and users happy, and in the sweet spot price wise? If 1000-1500 is too many for a collector, then they should know that, and pay accordingly. If a 1000-1500 is to few for a user, then they should know that and also pay accordingly. Yea? No?

An excellent question. How may I as a buyer know what the anticipated size of the production run will be? Is that something disclosed on the Kai site? Will my dealer know?

One of the books I read many years ago when I was involved in a dot com suggested that the seller who provided the most (relevant) information to the buyers would appeal to the geeks, the neophiles, the early adopters, the opinion-setters. They illustrated their point with a restaurant that beside the price, the menu gave all the nutritional information, including cholesterol, protein, carbs, and other information that nutrionally aware people valued, not just calories. Their appeal was very niche, but their niche had the money to support them and they set a trend in the industry that continues to this day (depending on where you eat--but even McDonald's now has that kind of information available on the net).

If Kai provides that level of information for us, the knowledgeable consumer, I would expect them to reap the benefits of enhanced reputation within the marketplace as well as a higher economic profit (yes, I know some argue the existence of economic profit over time--work with me, here).

For example. I have an 0801. I'd like the 0801CF--no particular reason; I'm a knife addict. I think it looks pretty. I just came from the ZT website, and they tell me they have no idea when or how many. Hard for me to plan and budget appropriately. I'm certain others feel the same way.

The knife industry has come a very long way in the past thirty years. I anticipate future changes that will be very important for the manufacturer, the dealer, as well as for the consumer.

Let me toss in an idea. Is there some reason ZT or Kershaw can't run a Dutch auction for the first X number of knives from a production run? (Aside from possible channel conflict.) That keeps the scalpers to a minimum, but lets the serious collector get in early, but still gives dealers a large chunk to play with--you need the dealers, obviously.

It also preserves the most economic profit for the manufacturer. Nice thing about a Dutch auction, we get to set our own price. If we win, epic! If we don't, no harm no foul. But, the process is entirely transparent and filled with information for buyers.

To be clear, I don't mind ZT or Kershaw making a fair profit. Frankly, I think if you guys makes good money, you'll expand, bring in more excellent engineers, even better materials (as difficult as that is for me to visualize), more interesting manufacturing techniques, finishes, and styles. Hard to do all that on a shoestring. As a serious knife addict, I don't mind supporting my pusher, er, manufacturer. If a knife gets too pricy for me, I'll pass (please god, more likely I'll auction the children--wait, I don't have any children), same as people already do today.
 
If you mean the dealers, then you know they all made money. :)

If your talking about folks that buy from a dealer, and look to capitalize, well sometimes that works out and other times not so much.

Pure scalpers/profiteers come in all forms.
 
Is the production number to be determined or is it only to be replacement for the 777 that are not produced? So if 350 777 were produced, than 650 should be made in M390 right?

Based purely on the ZT 0777 Serial# thread about 250 have been produced and since KershawLynda back in April said 1,000 for the production run and the desire of KAI to finish out the remainder of the run with 0777M390...

I'm still hoping they can produce 1,000+ of the 0777M390. I'd really like to actually carry one where possible. My precious 0777 will not get carried at all. :)
 
Your statement makes them sound all bad, and that's really not accurate in my book.

There are a few whose motivation is crystal clear. They're in the very small minority but sway things noticeably with limited editions. Individuals, dealers and quasi-dealers.

Right now, there are "dealers" selling the ZT 0801 very near, at or above MSRP. The usual suspects.
 
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There are a few whose motivation is crystal clear.
The flip side to that are those that want the best for the least, and voice when it happens and when it doesn't. Their motivations are crystal clear as well. I don't think bad of them either.

It's a great big world out there, with room for everybody.
 
The flip side to that are those that want the best for the least, and voice when it happens and when it doesn't. Their motivations are crystal clear as well. I don't think bad of them either.

The vocal minority!

The ZT 0560CBCF has/had an MSRP of $425 and MAP of $340. I paid $340 for one and $380 for the other one. I'm content living between MAP and MSRP for Limited Editions to an extent. With the higher production numbers and current availability of the 0560CBCF if most waited they would've gotten closer to MAP. When it was unclear on the how "limited" the run was profiteers jumped in full force.

It's a great big world out there, with room for everybody.

As long as everybody had better privy information instead of to a small number.
 
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