"Compare to Spyderco"

cerulean · Oct 24, 1999

I saw a basket of little knives for sale at a local gas station. They were on the counter with a sign that said, "Compare to Spyderco - $27.00." The knives appeared to be rip-offs of the Ladybug and were priced at around $3.50, I believe. I didn't buy one, but since they're so cheap, I might get one just to rip it apart. Maybe I should ask the clerk what type of steel is used in the blade

anthony cheeseboro · Oct 24, 1999

On the positive side, this shows how influential Spuderco is if gas stations are mentioning them. This must mean that at least where you live, Spyderco musy have name recognition on par with Buck or Case.

James Y · Oct 24, 1999

I think the steel used in those is 420 J2. (or so I've heard...really!)

A couple of times I've had a knife clipped to me pocket, and a non-knife friend asked me, "Is that a Spyderco?" or, "Can I see your Spyderco?" whether it was a Spyderco knife or not.

Maybe someday "Spyderco" will be like saying "Buck knife" or "Swiss Army Knife."
Jim

cerulean · Oct 25, 1999

I should probably mention that I live in Colorado, so name recognition may be greater here than in other parts of the country. But yes, I can see "Spyderco" being used as a general term to describe a specific type of knife in the future.

Shrike9 · Oct 26, 1999

Saw a small display of Spyderco copies only without the hole at a truckstop and picked up one like the Endura for $6.00. Now whenever sombody tries to borrow a knife guess what one they get

Lokelani · Oct 25, 1999

The Spyderco Ladybug "look-alike" has been spotted here in the islands too. Selling price...$3.99.
Patti

James Mattis · Oct 26, 1999

Spyderco? A generic term? Not in this forum!!!

Poo! Poo! Poo!

By the way, I've seen xerox, uncapitalized, in a dictionary as a verb, meaning "to photocopy." The English language is owned and regulated by no one, and therefore cannot be sued, though companies that publish advertising can.

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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001

James Mattis · Oct 26, 1999

One more note on the knock-offs . . .

I've seen a wholesale catalog and price list put out by the most notorious knock-off importer, whose name I shall not mention, but who had the nerve to have a booth at the Blade Show, in the same room as everybody they've been knocking off. Those knock-offs retailing at $3 & change or $5 & change, bought in bulk, give the dealer a profit margin going on 200%.

That's called temptation.

I wonder how much the slaves who make them earn.

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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001

Excalibur · Oct 26, 1999

James, that soounds about right. I had a "dealer" at the knife show in Pigeon Forge last year stop me when he noticed a couple of Spydie clips hanging out of my pockets.

"hey I see you like Spyderco... these are just like them!" He offered them to me for $1.50 & $2.50 if I would buy a minimum of 100.

I picked up a piece of paper off his table ... flicked out my Centofante... and sliced a few strips off it. I asked, " will yours do that?" The fool actually tried to do it!

I wouldn't have traded him my Spydie for a whole truckload of those Knock-Off's!

Unfortunately my Centofante was stolen right out of my pocket by some thief that I bumped into in the crowd about an hour or so later.

JohnR7 · Oct 28, 1999

Have you ever tried to do business in China? They are very good at getting across that they can make you whatever you want, but you have to tell them what you want. I am sure the solution is to hand them a good selling knife, and they will make you a copy that you can buy very cheap. The Min. order is always $10,000. The reason they give you, is that they have to sell you at least one truck load, to ship it to Hong Kong. Then it cost $5000 for a shipping container to get it over here. That is why our American market is getting flooded with things from China, you have to buy large amounts, and so importers are selling them cheap, to move their inventory. Chinese want to make their money off of high sales at low profit per unit. Their product is only designed to last one year, because its their belief that you buy everything new every year at new year. Joe Q Public loves the low prices, but there is a real trend out there back toward quality and something that will last. A good knife is a good investment in the long run. It will cost you less then all the cheap ones you will have to buy over and over again. Exp. if Spyderco can keep pumping out a Spyderco Q at the discount price. I can sell about anything in the $20 to $25 range, but I have trouble finding people who are willing to pay $50 for a knife. I have been selling knives for 12 years and I really believe people are ready to come back to the better quality American made knifes if they can get one at the right price. That does not eliminate the high end market, as iceing on the cake. But the money is in any knife in the $20 - $25 range for Joe Average. Maybe $30 to $35 for the bigger model. Its hard to pass up the hype of American made, hi-tech, lazor cut, lifetime warrenty at a price you can afford. I have more young people asking me for a Spyderco than any other knife, and the reason they are coming to me, is they want one at a price they can afford. The average person owns 30 to 40 knives. So its a good bet that if they like what I sell them, they well be back to buy another style to add to their collection. I learned a long time ago, that if you do not give people what they want, then you will soon be out of business. Well, thats my 5 cents worth

Thanks JohnR7

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