Collaboration production quantities

[KenN]

I hope this isn't asking for info. that's too guarded, but I've always been curious about the production output of companies that offer 'custom collaborations', especially Spyderco, because you seem to offer the largest number of such models.

Specifically:

-Does Spyderco produce X number per year or does it depend on how the first batch did?

-Is 1200 units the basic 'batch'

-Is there a max. capacity set that production will not exceed(like 3 batches of model C99 and absolutely no more, ever?)

-Sometimes in catalogs, I see the line 'available in limited quantities only' for some collaboration models but not for others. Does this mean that some collaboration models are produced at the same capacity as regular production models?(the Wegner models almost seems like a regular production pieces, but the soon to arrive J.D. Smith and Bradichanski models seem to be more exclusive in availability)

Any info. on this would be very appreciated.

Thanks,
Ken

[This message has been edited by KenN (edited 12 March 1999).]

 

[Sal Glesser]

Ken - We will generally begin with a batch (normally about 1200 pieces due to batch sizes and minimums required to cover tooling costs and the amount of pieces that we "guess" the market will desire.

We may replace an older design with a new one such as the case with the new Bob "T" and the Jess Horn models. Or the demand may drop off indicating that the collectors have purchased the model but the general public for some reason is not.

Limited quantities are the result of the dificulty to make the model, such as the Bob Lum and the "R". "Limited quantities" is also our way of saying that we don't know if we can maintain this model at a lower volume due to the high number of SKU's already in the system.

sal

 

[KenN]

Sal,

Thank you for the clarification.
I like certain models and buy multiples of them sometimes because they are 'limited availability'.

I love things that are less common or exotic, and I know that custom made is definitely that, but with my income, I have to look for high quality production pieces that are small quantity release items instead.

To Spyderco and all other companies that produce special collaboration models and exotic limited run items, thank you.

Thanks,
Ken