- Joined
- Jun 4, 2012
- Messages
- 193
Not a flame but really curious. Only picking on para II because it is a mega-seller, requires almost no marketing (we market here, on YouTube, word of mouth, and so on), is relatively simple, had modest development costs (this isn't a useless, but expensive, pharmaceutical taking years to "discover."), for the most part a smaller Military and better para 1. And a good knife. And I like Spyderco.
I just bought a camo, black, 2012. It grows on you
. Simple and it works. But...
direct costs of manufacture (made in high quantity):
G-10 slabs (good quality, thick): $5
S30V (3oz?) $5
Lock $4
Washers $1
Screws/Clip $1
Other $1
Labor (they rush 'em out) $3
Advertising $1
$21
Sure there is designing a model (the Military --- just smaller and the Para 1 --- designing sound like fun to me in any case!!!). The owners, or at least Eric, evidently designed much of this and a second or third employee designed the rest. All parts from the U.S., well, who cares if they are or not? (is it as good as Taiwan or not? If not, don't tell me about labor costs and, perhaps, using Chinese kids to make like Apple Computers). Swiss watches are primarily only part made in Switzerland anymore anyway.
Average price for informed consumer --- maybe $120. Numbers made --- the factory is supposedly at full throttle --- one reason for QC not being perfect. Lefty version not available.
Much higher than $21? Well, what about the Tenacious? Cost to maufacture of $20 vs $80 --- I think not and if so, make all knives in Taiwan --- they're usually better made anyway. No, the steel in either does not cost $50. Better G-10 - $.50 cents. Better screws - $25 cents at best. Why not do S30V in Tenacious --- because of price and the Sage 1 is at about $100. A Tenacious at $50 with S30V --- sign me up :thumbup: (To their credit, they offer the Tenacious line.) 20% better for 3x the price? Maybe, and maybe worth it.
I think the above is high. A guess, sure. But I remember asking about a Rolex Sub. Educated guess was $400 for a then $3,500 watch or so. To their credit, the owners and loaded and give much to charity.
Once again, I admire the company, the product, and love Spyderco. But the prices for a high volume product? And they are usually better priced than Benchmade.
Tx. for responses regarding pricing and the price to make. (The machinery gets good use in my opinion.)
This almost makes me think of going custom. More money but to my specs (snakewood, bolster, and such) and probably better steel (the steel, heat treat, etc... even if the same steel like Dozier D2).
Tx. (And I do love the knife and realize middle men up the price.)
What do u think? With respect.
P.S. My 15 year old serrated Spyderco is well made and sharp; my 2012 purchased serrated Spyderco is dull. Who knows? Tx.
I just bought a camo, black, 2012. It grows on you
. Simple and it works. But...direct costs of manufacture (made in high quantity):
G-10 slabs (good quality, thick): $5
S30V (3oz?) $5
Lock $4
Washers $1
Screws/Clip $1
Other $1
Labor (they rush 'em out) $3
Advertising $1
$21
Sure there is designing a model (the Military --- just smaller and the Para 1 --- designing sound like fun to me in any case!!!). The owners, or at least Eric, evidently designed much of this and a second or third employee designed the rest. All parts from the U.S., well, who cares if they are or not? (is it as good as Taiwan or not? If not, don't tell me about labor costs and, perhaps, using Chinese kids to make like Apple Computers). Swiss watches are primarily only part made in Switzerland anymore anyway.
Average price for informed consumer --- maybe $120. Numbers made --- the factory is supposedly at full throttle --- one reason for QC not being perfect. Lefty version not available.
Much higher than $21? Well, what about the Tenacious? Cost to maufacture of $20 vs $80 --- I think not and if so, make all knives in Taiwan --- they're usually better made anyway. No, the steel in either does not cost $50. Better G-10 - $.50 cents. Better screws - $25 cents at best. Why not do S30V in Tenacious --- because of price and the Sage 1 is at about $100. A Tenacious at $50 with S30V --- sign me up :thumbup: (To their credit, they offer the Tenacious line.) 20% better for 3x the price? Maybe, and maybe worth it.
I think the above is high. A guess, sure. But I remember asking about a Rolex Sub. Educated guess was $400 for a then $3,500 watch or so. To their credit, the owners and loaded and give much to charity.
Once again, I admire the company, the product, and love Spyderco. But the prices for a high volume product? And they are usually better priced than Benchmade.
Tx. for responses regarding pricing and the price to make. (The machinery gets good use in my opinion.)
This almost makes me think of going custom. More money but to my specs (snakewood, bolster, and such) and probably better steel (the steel, heat treat, etc... even if the same steel like Dozier D2).
Tx. (And I do love the knife and realize middle men up the price.)
What do u think? With respect.
P.S. My 15 year old serrated Spyderco is well made and sharp; my 2012 purchased serrated Spyderco is dull. Who knows? Tx.
