I Was Wrong About WE Knives

Status
Not open for further replies.
Cvrobinson said:
Have yet to purchase a WE for reasons expressed in this thread already. Am sure that fit and finish is excellent from feedback of members I trust and handling a few, but, the designs do not speak to me. What I see is a lot of well made parts, put together well, with no soul. See a CRK, you know it’s a CRK, same as Emerson, Strider, Onion, Demko, the list is endless of makers/designers who’s knives are instantly identifiable. Taking parts, pieces from proven designs, assembling them randomly in a flavor of the month, rarely keeping a design long enough to stand the “test of time” does not constitute a knife design I really want. There are no facts presented here, just a 1 guy’s opinion.
Click to expand...
I don't know if this is what you would call a soul, but I can immediately recognize a WE design based on how funky all over the place it is. I can't recall seeing a design of theirs that I would buy. A matter of personal taste of course.

I've said this in other WE threads, that I think they are over priced. I completely understand the quality, fit/finish, and materials are top notch, even better than some of their US competitors. Many members I respect have told me so and I believe them. That said, I cannot fathom how their knives can cost so much considering the economics involved with where they are made. I have no issue buying knives from China. I have many. Its just that I would figure being made in the economic system they are, they would beat the competition on price, like Chinese knives often do in other budget ranges. Seems like WE is making a cash grab, taking advantage of a high end niche collectors market. More power to them and to those that enjoy buying them. It just doesn't make sense for me.

And before anyone complains about me "getting political". Just stop. I haven't. Any accusation of such would be trolling :D

I'd like to try the civivi line, but that "C" on the pivot is a no go. WE just doesn't want me as a customer and I can accept that. Luckily there are many other brands to try :)
 
Cvrobinson said:
Have yet to purchase a WE for reasons expressed in this thread already. Am sure that fit and finish is excellent from feedback of members I trust and handling a few, but, the designs do not speak to me. What I see is a lot of well made parts, put together well, with no soul. See a CRK, you know it’s a CRK, same as Emerson, Strider, Onion, Demko, the list is endless of makers/designers who’s knives are instantly identifiable. Taking parts, pieces from proven designs, assembling them randomly in a flavor of the month, rarely keeping a design long enough to stand the “test of time” does not constitute a knife design I really want. There are no facts presented here, just a 1 guy’s opinion.
Click to expand...
I understand your point. I think my favorite knives made by WE are production versions of existing customs, like what they’ve done with the Laconico knives.

Many of their original designs seem to blend in a flood of titanium frame lock flippers. They stand out because of the fit, finish and quality of manufacture, but they don’t create a visceral response. Some of their high end designs have a “hold my beer” feel to them. It feels like they’ve consciously tried to pack as much “wow” factor into 9” of knife as possible.

Also, when I get above $400 for a knife, I’m definitely gonna want a local shop that can service it. I think WE has some parts available here in the US but any real service or repair requires shipping overseas.

That’s why I’ve passed on most recent WE in-house knives. I still appreciate the collabs that they help bring to market at a price that I’m comfortable with.
 
craytab said:
I don't know if this is what you would call a soul, but I can immediately recognize a WE design based on how funky all over the place it is. I can't recall seeing a design of theirs that I would buy. A matter of personal taste of course.

I've said this in other WE threads, that I think they are over priced. I completely understand the quality, fit/finish, and materials are top notch, even better than some of their US competitors. Many members I respect have told me so and I believe them. That said, I cannot fathom how their knives can cost so much considering the economics involved with where they are made. I have no issue buying knives from China. I have many. Its just that I would figure being made in the economic system they are, they would beat the competition on price, like Chinese knives often do in other budget ranges. Seems like WE is making a cash grab, taking advantage of a high end niche collectors market. More power to them and to those that enjoy buying them. It just doesn't make sense for me.

And before anyone complains about me "getting political". Just stop. I haven't. Any accusation of such would be trolling :D

I'd like to try the civivi line, but that "C" on the pivot is a no go. WE just doesn't want me as a customer and I can accept that. Luckily there are many other brands to try :)
Click to expand...
I just wanted to comment on “price”:
The price doesn’t always have to match the cost to manufacture plus x% of margin. Price, depending on your target market, can actually hurt you if you set it too low. I think it’s safe to say WE is targeting consumers on the higher spending end of the spectrum. If they sold the knife for $150 instead of $250, I can comment on a lot of negative consequences, particularly for CIVIVI.

Not all pricing has to follow particular costing equations in lockstep. Marketing demands particular price points for a particular target audience.
 
Roy Batty said:
I just wanted to comment on “price”:
The price doesn’t always have to match the cost to manufacture plus x% of margin. Price, depending on your target market, can actually hurt you if you set it too low. I think it’s safe to say WE is targeting consumers on the higher spending end of the spectrum. If they sold the knife for $150 instead of $250, I can comment on a lot of negative consequences, particularly for CIVIVI.

Not all pricing has to follow particular costing equations in lockstep. Marketing demands particular price points for a particular target audience.
Click to expand...

Well said Roy. Price alone can influence perception of quality, value and level of desirability for a product, irrespective of actual costs to produce and quality.
 
Roy Batty said:
I just wanted to comment on “price”:
The price doesn’t always have to match the cost to manufacture plus x% of margin. Price, depending on your target market, can actually hurt you if you set it too low. I think it’s safe to say WE is targeting consumers on the higher spending end of the spectrum. If they sold the knife for $150 instead of $250, I can comment on a lot of negative consequences, particularly for CIVIVI.

Not all pricing has to follow particular costing equations in lockstep. Marketing demands particular price points for a particular target audience.
Click to expand...
Thus, why I consider it a money grab and won't be paying the artificially high price tag. Sounds like you understand my opinion perfectly :)

Plus, I don't like the way they look, at all.
 
Mako109 said:
Well said Roy. Price alone can influence perception of quality, value and level of desirability for a product, irrespective of actual costs to produce and quality.
Click to expand...
Very true. I’ve actually posted knives for sale for too low a cost at auction on eBay and people would message me to ask if it was a fake and why did I set a starting price for so low.
Pricing must be planned carefully or people look elsewhere. Lower cost definitely doesn’t mean “more customers”.

upload_2020-6-17_14-43-10.png
 
Roy Batty said:
Very true. I’ve actually posted knives for sale for too low a cost at auction on eBay and people would message me to ask if it was a fake and why did I set a starting price for so low.
Pricing must be planned carefully or people look elsewhere. Lower cost definitely doesn’t mean “more customers”.

View attachment 1360656
Click to expand...
I have sold any and all eBay items starting at $1. The value will settle out and most times a bidding war ensues due to all the early interest in product. I don’t use reserves neither. I have not sold on eBay for 5 yrs now. I used to sell quite a bit.
 
cj65 said:
I have sold any and all eBay items starting at $1. The value will settle out and most times a bidding war ensues due to all the early interest in product. I don’t use reserves neither. I have not sold on eBay for 5 yrs now. I used to sell quite a bit.
Click to expand...
That’s what I do too now. $1 and let the market sort out final cost... the more bidders the better it looks anyway.
 
Jesus Christ this thread turned into a complete shit show didn't it? OP talks about his love for WE knives and out of the wood work come the people talking politics. Keep your feels in your pants and move on to the political threads then. Grown ass men... Freaking embarrassing
 
Seeing this whole type of thread posted AGAIN is embarrassing. Use the search function. Very little about knives has not been posted here at one time or another.--KV
 
kvaughn said:
Seeing this whole type of thread posted AGAIN is embarrassing. Use the search function. Very little about knives has not been posted here at one time or another.--KV
Click to expand...
So “we shouldn’t speak for fear it’s already been said before”? Nah. Conversations are dynamic and ever-changing. There is value added here.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top