Sal, although your question was directed at TWG, some of my thoughts on the Spyderco Moran:
The current features of the Spyderco Moran are what make it unique. The shape of the blade with convex edge is what makes it a Moran and so extremely sharp. The mirror finish is beautiful and on a practical level, probably makes it more corrosion resistant and easier to clean.
The sheath, although attractive, and putting the knife in a presumably good cross-draw position on you belt, is too difficult to use. For example, it is too easily damaged by insertion of the knife.
The current handle is comfortable, tough, light in weight, and presumably helps to keep the cost down. Possibly, like Mad Dog knives the handle is dielectric??? Although you have asserted in this forum that it is tough, I would be more comfortable if I knew, with more specificity, how tough? I recall discussing this in a thread inquiring about drilling a lanyard hole through the handle.
For instance how much pounding could it take. Obviously the blade is not one of those 1/4 sharpened pry bars, but .... inquiring minds want to know.
I know at least one hunter who uses his knife, an old Western, to split the chest of a deer, rather than reach in to cut and pull out the esophagus. I am not a hunter so I may have been inexact in quoting his description. Can I safely recommend the Spyderco Moran to him? I know his current knife is getting narrow from years of use.
The other uses I can think of would be to drive it through a car window in an emergency, but I would not be worrying about the handle then. Another stress it might be subjected too, especially in an emergency, would be obtaining kindling, or in splitting off a piece of wood or branch for some other reason.
This knife is ideal for someone who wants a quality blade at a good price for low impact backpacking, where every once counts. It might, however, still be called on to accomplish the above chores, e.g., if that backpack gets carried off done a river, or destroyed by an animal.
Yes, a flat ground might be easier to produce for Spyderco and easier for the end line user to sharpen, but then it is not really a Moran.
I would prefer that the Spyderco Moran be kept the way it is, except with a different sheath. Some ideas regarding a sheath, including ways to keep Concealex/Kydex from scratching the blade, have been discussed at:
www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum20/HTML/000484.html
I personally want mine in denim Concealex!
so sign me up!
With Spydercos usual ability to innovate and solve almost any knife related design problem, I am confident that you can devise a sheath that will not hold excessive moisture yet protect that wonderful finish without going to a satin finish. Weve already had some ideas. If you do change the finish, I particularly like the stone wash finish on my Sebenza, of course I am not sure this lowers the cost....
Using the word Edgeworks and doing a search turned up numerous threads discussing sheaths. There seems to be some discussion regarding the best.... I do recall a thread from the maker Edgeworks stating that they were overloaded at the moment.
Now to pay for it. I saw an interesting idea on how a non-professional can maintain a Moran edge. It involved using a leather strip to provide a cushion, covered with either an abrasive compound and/ or abrasive paper. Ahhh...I found it....Cliff Stamp, quoting Mad Poet....is this like playing telephone???
If I'm not using a sanding belt to put a convex edge on, I use emery paper or very fine grit wet/dry sandpaper on top of a leather pad that is attached to a wooden block. you lay the blade almost flat on the sandpaper, and press just enough so that the leather 'gives' a bit, so the edge comes out convex instead of flat. It take a little practice, but works good. If someone wanted a polished edge they could go from there to a very fine crocus paper and even rouge on the leather pad to strop the blade out.
It was at the thread entitled, So how do you sharpen a rolled edge - BladeForums_com The Leading Edge Of Knife Discussion.htm
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002106.html
It should be relatively easy to assemble these items in bulk, along with a sheet of instructions, but perhaps more trouble in smaller quantities. I suggest that every Moran contain an order form for this special sharpening kit, along with a box to check for the Sharpmaker. Bladeforums could carry this kit too. Of course, a couple of years down and around the convex curve, the user will need more supplies for the kit. Some will opt for the local hardware store, but others will just order again!
Please send me the first kit, along with the invoice.......of course since I am suggesting the kit, the invoice should be low.
Second way to pay for it, marketing. I had enthused over the Spyderco Moran to a friend as I thought he would like it. At a local knife show, there was only one Moran on display. I dont know how many that seller had, but his price was somewhat high. At least it convinced my friend. He had a local dealer order one for each of us. They liked them so much that they ordered more to keep in stock, for sale. (At a lower price than the one at the knife show!) I know from what you have said that the price may be lower than you prefer, but at this price if the word gets out I think it should be a bigger hit than it is. Forumites keep enthusing and fellow readers buy it, but that leaves a lot of potential missing sales. More demos are needed. I hate companies, and try not to patronize, ones that try to force dealer to carry unpopular models to get the ones everyone wants. There has to be a good way, however, to accomplish the same thing. Pictures and literature to dealers help, but are not as effective as the real thing. I assume that dealers pay for stock and display models. How about loaning some display models on a temporary basis? (I know that, you know, you may lose a few this way, but as an attorney I feel compelled to mention it.) After all, our order of two resulted in an order of five more.
Lastly, how long are the original Spyderco Moran knives going to be made? Are you still producing them? I, along with TWG want to get another one, but I expended too much on knives recently, so I would prefer delaying a little longer. My friend feels the same way. The dealer that I mentioned apparently took all the ones in the distribution channel that it uses, so I am concerned with supply. Related question, if you do not mind answering it. About how many Spyderco Moran knives have been made so far?
I hope these thoughts are of some help. I do realize they sort of answer your question in a reverse manner. I guess you get what you pay for.
Regards,
Donald
[This message has been edited by Donald (edited 11 May 1999).]
[This message has been edited by Donald (edited 11 May 1999).]
