Is anyone else underwhelmed by Spyderco's 2014 lineup?

addylo said:
I've heard many say Spydies are not pleasing to the eye but I'm curious what makes you see them as mall ninja designs? I guess I haven't heard that opinion before. Do you have a particular model in mind?
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These are just a few examples... I know not everyone shares my opinion, but that's not the point. :) I'm not a fan of knives based on the kerambit or a shank.

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=844
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=719
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=3

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=60
"In the 1990s Spyderco was approached by a specialized branch of U.S. law enforcement about making a knife for their undercover agents. These plain-clothes LEOs found themselves in situations where they often could not carry a firearm but carrying a knife was not a problem. Most had no formal training in self-defense tactics or MBC but as a last resort could use a blade to protect or extricate themselves from a life-threatening situation. This was how the Civilian model came to be."
"... it is not intended or designed for general utility or everyday use. "

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=841
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=847
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=267
 
I personally am totally stoked about the new Sage 3 with carbon fiber scales. The blue G10 didn't do anything for me but, I'm definitely adding that one!!!
 
Why all the VG10? Obviously because it is popular with their customers and their makers in Japan only use Japanese steel. Would you like Aus8 instead? How about ZDP-189 for an instant $50 increase on a knife that has it? Also, yeah they have alot of lockbacks, but they utilize more locks in their lineup than any other brand.

You know, it's funny to me how they are being criticized for coming out with VG10 blades when I see no other production company comes close with the steels Spyderco works with. While companies insist on using 154CM still, Spyderco uses S30v as their standard steel and its on dozens of their production models. You don't see other companies use ZDP on standard models either. M390 check, UNCOATED M4 check, S90v check...Cmon now! And in our wildest dreams will we see our other favorite companies work with K390 and guess what? K390 sprints are in the works. Military K390 most likely.

As far as the lineup OP shared, yeah I'm not too hot on those either except for the Tatanka. But they come out with alot of models everywhere, something for everybody and again, other production knife companies aren't coming out with much either...One or two here or there that I like but Spyderco has them in volume. Another thing, plenty of surprises come out throughout the year with Spyderco so there will surely be more.

I am looking forward to:
S110v CF Native5
SuperBlue Stretch2
Any Millie, Manix2, PM2 sprint
S110v and 3v Mules
S90v Phil Wilson Bird and Trout Collab
K390 Sprints (no timetable)
 
None appeal to me this year but that's ok. Maybe next year. I don't need to like every knife a company puts out. Spyderco produces a wide array of knives for various tastes.

I see nothing wrong with vg10. Has excellent all around properties and gets very sharp easily.
 
gytheran said:
These are just a few examples... I know not everyone shares my opinion, but that's not the point. :) I'm not a fan of knives based on the kerambit or a shank.
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Gotcha. It would seem hawkbills are not your style. I'm with you on that.
 
Im new to Spyderco knife collecting so their are alot of older models to keep me busy.....but yes i agree there isnt much new in 2014 that stands out to me
 
...But to claim that Spyderco as a whole caters to mall ninjas is a bit over the top dont you think? How about the other 99% of their models throughout their history that you didnt cite? Are they tacticool also? All companies offer tactical minded knives...It is a niche that sells. It doesn't mean that all their knives are that way. Some brands more than others pays attention to ergonomics, ease of opening, blade grinds, weight, sharpness out of the box, and the list goes on yeah lets ignore all of that. If Spyderco is classified as that with the few offerings they have...What would you call other brands?

Hawkbills have more mundane purposes also... Its all opinions I know, but some people do EDC (not tactical) them and swear by it. That's the thing, Spyderco tries new things and not rest on their laurels.
 
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Not overwhelmed either. Sad to see the last spyderco auto go away.

Hopefully more sprint runs and mules. Always enjoy hard to find steels in a pm2 or military or mule myself.
 
Not too excited either. The only one that really interests me is the black Southard. Maybe the Roc, but I find it hard to justify buying a knife like that.
Too bad there' s so few new knives from Taichung. I' m keeping my fingers crossed for what else is released in the course of the year:)
 
I'm with Ken in that there are Spyderco staples that I like and they are not going anywhere. There is so much variety that someone can find something they like.
Same for me with Benchmade, 2-3 models that I stick to.
 
I think the majority of people are disappointed with the the offerings period. Sales will dictate otherwise, but I'd be betting the under on 14' The only ones I want this year are the firefly and yo2 sprint of course. Many of them even look like they should be offered by CS. All and all, I can't complain about Spyderco as a company though...they have been offering amazing lineups for many years (IMHO) with their regular offerings and the awesome sprints. With that being said, I think a lot of people including myself will be looking elsewhere with their knife funds this year.
 
I'll be scooping up the super blue sprints, and maybe a dealer exclusive or 2 , but as far as the regular lineup I don't see anything I haft to have.
 
The only Spydercos on my radar are old models. None of the new ones really interest me, and the one I was really looking forward to wasn't in the new lineup.

I don't consider Spydercos even remotely close to being "mall-ninja". They might have some funky designs in their Ethnic series, but that's dictated by actual knives that they're meant to pay an homage to. As for Hawkbill blades, they are a lot more utilitarian than most other blade shapes and are very useful in cutting free-hanging material.
 
The only two I've seen that I still are on my "do want" list are a Gayle Bradley (gifted my last one) and a Vallotton.
 
Stays Sharp said:
...

Hawkbills have more mundane purposes also... Its all opinions I know, but some people do EDC (not tactical) them and swear by it. That's the thing, Spyderco tries new things and not rest on their laurels.
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I EDC a Byrd hawkbill (along with multiple regular blades) and I couldn't go without it, I carry it in the carpenters pocket of my jeans and for fibrous jobs like making rags out of old clothes or cutting up furniture (which I actually do a fair amount) or rope & twine I don't know how I made it before.

Alot of the 2014 models don't do anything for me but I respect that their alot of dedicated use/style of blades that they cater to. I cant wait for the CF Sage 3, I love my S3 and CF is my favorite handle material so I just have to have it and tho I don't really want one I'm glad to see the worker come back, what other companies do that for their customers?
 
The Manix is coming in FFG - and not just the light weight version or a Sprint.

It's also coming in FFG with a combo blade like the original Mini Manix. I can't wait.
 
I'm happy to see the Swick is back with the 3, and soon to be released 4. I will purchase the CO1 Worker as soon as it comes out...but yes, other than these two models, I'm not as thrilled with the 2014 lineup; maybe I'm just over the Spyderco thing, or maybe because I'm rediscovering traditional folders.
 
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