Customized Kiwis

tarsier

tarsier

Joined
Apr 6, 2002
Messages
1,356
If Spyderco ever started up a custom shop, similar to Buck's PCKS, I think that the Kiwi would make a good starting point. I would pick the Kiwi for several reasons.

First, it is marketed as a gentleman's knife that performs well and looks classy. The bone scales are nice, but in my mind, I can see all kinds of other good-looking handle materials on this knife.

Second, it seems like the ideal knife to give as a gift. If a customer could pick the handle materials, they could tailor and personalize the gift a bit.

Third, there might be a good market for these knives with collectors. There are guys who buy 5 or 10 Buck 110s from PCKS. We Spydie Knuts are equally wacky and addicted to our brand, and I'm sure we would step up to the challenge...:) Sign me up for one in cherrywood and one in buffalo horn.

The drawback is how to make this profitable. I have no clue what Spyderco's profit margins are, but the production Buck 110 has the advantage of starting from a very low price point. The customized versions sell for about $80 - $120, except for the pearl handles. Given that the production Kiwi is more expensive, it might push the customized versions up to a price where people lose interest.

Anyway, some thoughts going through my mind on a rainy Saturday. Sound like a good idea, or am I way off base here?
 
Funny you should bring this up. Acquired a jigged bone Kiwi earlier this week, beautiful little knife. Showed it to a couple friends, they liked it too, but one of them immediately asked if it was avaiable with ivory scales, which got me thinking of a few different scales that would look great on one. There may be factors I'm not taking into account, but considering the small size of the scales, can't see how even "exotic" materials would add THAT much to the cost of manufacturing it, and if handled as an "in-house custom shop" item could be sold for full list plus custom charge.

In answer to Easyrider, the Kiwi is the only Spydie I'm aware of that is already built to accept inletted scales in a SS frame. Any of the other SS models would either have to be milled to accept them, thus upping the cost, or else have them applied as "slabs", thus thickening the knife (unless they make some with thinned down handles already for places like Santa Fe Stoneworks).
 
Hi Tarsier. Interesting that you would bring that up. At this time, Santa Fe Stoneworks is doing a myriad of custom variations of the Kiwi. We send them unfinished Kiwis to save on cost and they add the exotic materials and finish the handle. I saw some very beautiful pieces at the Blade show. You might check them out.

AT this time, we're making the jigged bone and the all stainless version. We have a concept model of an FRN version, but we're still on hold with it.

We do have another model in the works that will offer some of what you are discussing, but it's still more than 6 months off so My lips are "crazy glued".

sal
 
While it'd no doubt be increase the cost tremendously and decrease the usability, have any blades been considered in damascus ?
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
Hi Tarsier. Interesting that you would bring that up. At this time, Santa Fe Stoneworks is doing a myriad of custom variations of the Kiwi. We send them unfinished Kiwis to save on cost and they add the exotic materials and finish the handle. I saw some very beautiful pieces at the Blade show. You might check them out.

AT this time, we're making the jigged bone and the all stainless version. We have a concept model of an FRN version, but we're still on hold with it.

We do have another model in the works that will offer some of what you are discussing, but it's still more than 6 months off so My lips are "crazy glued".

sal
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Dang Sal, Santa Fe must be selling those Kiwis so fast at shows and over the counter that none ever make it to their website. :mad: Good for them, but bad for me! Find Delicas, Police, Dragonflies, Harpies, and even a Viele, but not one Kiwi to be found. :( Ya gotta convince them to buy more! :D Oh, and yeah, I am going to do the sensible thing an email them groveling and begging for the chance to own one. :D
 
I saw a Delica proto at blade with blue bone scales.Put a clip on it and I will buy one of every handle material you put on it.It would be cool if you came out with this model say in blue bone and every year changed the scale material.
BTW I saw one of the Dino bone Kiwis at blade.200.00.I just wish I could come up with the cash to get one.
 
I'll love to add exotic material and finish the handle myself! It hard to make blade and frame, but make a cocobolo inlines and finish it - really easy.
Any way to buy Kiwi (or Native or all other beautiful models) as "do it youself" kit?
Thanks, Vassili.
 
Interesting comments, folks.

Sal, thanks for the tip on Sante Fe Stoneworks, and I look forward to hearing about your future plans when you can announce something.
 
I may just have to hop on the Kawasaki and ride up to Santa Fe Stoneworks and take a look at what they have.
 
At the IWA show in Nuremberg this spring I saw a Santa Fe Stonworks Kiwi with Mother-of-Pearl inlays. Really a beauty!

Would be interesting to see all-ss-Kiwis with engraved handles.
 
I've often thought of this as well. Neat filework, black pearl or pearl and abalone...you could go grazy!
 
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