Is spyderco behind now?

I don't even OWN a Spyderco knife, a situation I will remedy someday soon, but I do own one of their OLD Sharpmaker 204's and when I placed an e-mail to a rep. with a question regarding the old 204 vs the newer 204 she truly went above and beyond the call to make me happy--not that I was UNhappy in the 1st place--I wasn't. Sal's customer service policies will insure that I will ALWAYS be a fan of Spyderco's. I hope this wan't totally off-base since I didn't read the entire thread, but I just saw someone was trying to "bash" the company and thought I'd thow my .02 worth in. Best Regards--Jim Falor SEMPER FI
 
aleksandrov said:
Here's something valuable for you:

"Wise men speak when they have something to say, while fools speak because they have to say something." Who said something like that?
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wow, a Platonic quote found on the Internet. You are valuable now. . .

Oh, wait. . . this is a Knife forum. :D

Besides, the best Plato quote is:


He was a wise man who invented beer.
 
thedawg said:
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Yeah everything I said was my personal opinion thats why I am discussing it here. If i knew the truth I would post a report.
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Well, that pretty sums up that you really do not know for a fact that Spyderco is falling behind. If they did, they'd probably be out of the market very soon, if not already. Therefore, your personal opinion does not equate to your statement that Spyderco is falling behind. This thread might have been better if you asked something on the line of, "Do you think Spyderco is falling behind?" or "What do you think are some things that Spyderco can do to further improve their image/ products/etc...?"
 
SharpOne said:
This thread might have been better if you asked something on the line of, "Do you think Spyderco is falling behind?" or "What do you think are some things that Spyderco can do to further improve their image/ products/etc...?"
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Actually, that was the title of the thread....
Is spyderco falling behind...?

I stated my reasons for thinking that they are.. Most of there new models of the last couple of years were not a success. ATR, Manix, R model, Persian,gunting,Ronin,dodo,streach,Caly, etc.

Some of those had some success but not enough to continue production and are getting axed.

Compare this with the new models of kershaw and benchmade.

Also there website is very behind. You cant rely on it for anything. It is not updated regularly. They dont care about it.

Some here say that the company is small. Well, I dont think the company can afford to be small in the future. Unless it makes hi end specialty items like CRK. A small company that makes economy knives will be eaten by the big giants. BM and Kershaw and cold steel will drive spyderco out if it stays at this rate.

Thanks
 
thedawg said:
Most of there new models of the last couple of years were not a success. ATR, Manix, R model, Persian,gunting,Ronin,dodo,streach,Caly, etc.
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I think you misunderstand the Spyderco model. They don't take a mass-market, lowest-common-denominator approach. They develop specialty knives.

This means you will see a few old standby upgrades and a number of experimental, limited-market runs. As long as these earn more than they cost to produce, they are a success, and a learning curve towards the next great knife.

Anyway, All the great knife companies have a fairly similar record of deep-sixing patterns once the sales begin to slump but before their dealers are stuck with dead metal on the shelves.
 
thedawg said:
Actually, that was the title of the thread....
Is spyderco falling behind...?

I stated my reasons for thinking that they are.. Most of there new models of the last couple of years were not a success. ATR, Manix, R model, Persian,gunting,Ronin,dodo,streach,Caly, etc.

Some of those had some success but not enough to continue production and are getting axed.

Compare this with the new models of kershaw and benchmade.

Also there website is very behind. You cant rely on it for anything. It is not updated regularly. They dont care about it.

Some here say that the company is small. Well, I dont think the company can afford to be small in the future. Unless it makes hi end specialty items like CRK. A small company that makes economy knives will be eaten by the big giants. BM and Kershaw and cold steel will drive spyderco out if it stays at this rate.

Thanks
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I guess I don't see what you see on the points you mention. As mentioned by others, many of the models listed by you were and are successful. I could name models from each of the other companies that are no longer being produced, or were limited run productions. That means nothing, really. I mentioned earlier how both BM's and Kershaw's sites were outdated and had products listed that were no longer being produced, some for months and months.(Mini Stryker for one off the top of my head) Not two weeks ago, I couldn't find ANY info on the ZDP Mini Cyclone from Kershaw's site.
The size of a company isn't the only way to determine how much success it has. G.M. is very large, but its' size is hurting it right now.
With all due respect to Benchmade, many could argue(sorry guys, just to make the point:o) that they are producing many models right now that strongly resemble many Spydercos with the Round Hole to benefit from Spyderco's success.
I still just think your opinions aren't backed by anything solid.
 
Websites are an interesting problem. In this business, you almost have to ahve one, but if it isn't current or interesting, it can become a handicap.

I've noticed how SOG's site has gotten way better recently, and it's actually fun to browse now -- even though I don't entirely like the glitzy style. There's just so much information about the knives, including upcoming releases.
 
You can say whatever you want about a company. It's your god given right :) Do they need to adapt? No. If it aint broke, dont fix it. Their STANDARD knives (not all these little high speed gimmicky knives, 'custom made' by some knife guru that decides to 'do a couple' for the company. with little 'cutouts' and 'dents' and spiders runnin all over the blade, with some crazy, non useful blade shapes, that look like they belong in a flea market etc etc.) are VERY useful. They dont rust, they ALWALYS open, they RARELY break, their materials are very reliable, their bladesl RARELY get loose, they always lock up tight, their pocket clips are tough, and put on a really durable way, and you can open em with bulky gloves on too. Ive had an all stainless endura, a standard issue frn endura, and an endura on steriods (the military) and ive plain abused those knives to no end. Not a darn thing wrong with any of em. No other knife can do all of that, that well in my opinion. I believe, if they start morphing into a gimmick company that is 'trying to keep up' with all the other knives, theyre going to fade into nothingness. Look at opinels.. still doin it after all this time, and theyre still great. Spyderco is unique, they should stay that way.
 
thedawg said:
A small company that makes economy knives will be eaten by the big giants. BM and Kershaw and cold steel will drive spyderco out if it stays at this rate.

Thanks
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Just out of curiousity, do you have some verifiable information about the relative sizes of these companies? Kershaw is a subsidiary of a Japanese company that is larger than any American knife company so I guess it would be fair to assume that it is "bigger" than Spyderco. The same holds true for Gerber which is a subsidiary of larger company. Where do you get the information about the other two? All three of them are small, privately held companies.
 
For whatever it is worth, here is my perspective on this thread.

I don't feel Spyderco is falling behind in the least. If there is one company I personaly keep peripheral vision on it's Spyderco. They are on the cutting edge in regards to steels, are very innovative with their features, push the envelope with performance, have a nice matrix of price points, work with great makers, have actual knife peeps in place at the factory, and blaze their own trail.

Spyderco's past influence has been invaluable to the knife community, and currently they are certainly one of our industry leaders, and I look forward to them keeping up the pace. My hat is no doubt off to them.

Now if I could just get to pick Sal's brain just a little more often....;)
EdgeOn said:
Just out of curiousity, do you have some verifiable information about the relative sizes of these companies?
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EO, this was from Sal himself.

Sal Glesser said:
We're a small company and we always do our best.

I will readily agree that Kershaw, Benchmade and Cold Steel make far more money than Spyderco.
sal
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I'm surprised he knows. I doubt these companies are sharing this kind of information with him.
 
All you have to do is go to a few stores, watch a little TV and read some popular magazines to see that Spyderco is more of a niche company and sells mostly to educated knife users and enthusiasts than to the common mob, which is much larger. I see Kershaw and Benchmade everywhere. The only place I see Spyderco is online and in Knife publications.
 
I have to say, while I love to play with the Axis lock, it is Spyderco's knives that I enjoy actually using. I have yet to find another company who puts as much thought into their knives' overall design and comfort of use. So, maybe it is the OTHER companies who are "falling behind?"
 
Whew.

Can't believe this thead is still going.

Thanx Thomas.

I appreciate your comments dawg, and your've given us food for thought.

It's ok if some perceive that we're falling behind (whatever that means). It's ok that some perceive that we're leading the industry. We appreciate all of the input and especially the kind words from supporters.

I'm sure in some areas, we're behind and some we're not. What's important to you will determine your point of view. Spyderco is a somewhat unique knife company, and our goal is to service our customers in our niche.

Some models sell greater quantities than others. Smaller markets. Not a problem. We've serviced smaller markets for our entire history. The lower volume models were good designs, well very made, performed very well, and pleased some of our customers. They were successful. Is there a problem with that?

We're certainly not behind in steel selection, steel performance or steel variety.

I don't think we're behind on the number of new offerings, but even if we are, 20-25 new models each year is our max. And we try to discontinue an equal amount.

We're a small company (by design). I think that if BM, Kershaw and Cold Steel were going to eat our lunch and put us out of business, they would have already done so.

It sounds like you don't like our website. I'll tell Kelly, Joyce and Kristi. Thanx.

But mostly we try to please our customers with products they enjoy and appreciate. Big knives, small knives, High line, inexpensive, exotic materials, whatever our customers request is seriously considered.

I don't think you will find a "true" and "accurate" answer to your question.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
Whew.

Can't believe this thead is still going.

Thanx Thomas.

I appreciate your comments dawg, and your've given us food for thought.

It's ok if some perceive that we're falling behind (whatever that means). It's ok that some perceive that we're leading the industry. We appreciate all of the input and especially the kind words from supporters.

I'm sure in some areas, we're behind and some we're not. What's important to you will determine your point of view. Spyderco is a somewhat unique knife company, and our goal is to service our customers in our niche.

Some models sell greater quantities than others. Smaller markets. Not a problem. We've serviced smaller markets for our entire history. The lower volume models were good designs, well very made, performed very well, and pleased some of our customers. They were successful. Is there a problem with that?

We're certainly not behind in steel selection, steel performance or steel variety.

I don't think we're behind on the number of new offerings, but even if we are, 20-25 new models each year is our max. And we try to discontinue an equal amount.

We're a small company (by design). I think that if BM, Kershaw and Cold Steel were going to eat our lunch and put us out of business, they would have already done so.

It sounds like you don't like our website. I'll tell Kelly, Joyce and Kristi. Thanx.

But mostly we try to please our customers with products they enjoy and appreciate. Big knives, small knives, High line, inexpensive, exotic materials, whatever our customers request is seriously considered.

I don't think you will find a "true" and "accurate" answer to your question.

sal
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Sal,

The fact that you participate and get a sense of your customers' pulse from Internet forums is proof enough you're way ahead of the curve....
 
Sal Glesser said:
Whew.

Can't believe this thead is still going.

Thanx Thomas.

I appreciate your comments dawg, and your've given us food for thought.

It's ok if some perceive that we're falling behind (whatever that means). It's ok that some perceive that we're leading the industry. We appreciate all of the input and especially the kind words from supporters.

I'm sure in some areas, we're behind and some we're not. What's important to you will determine your point of view. Spyderco is a somewhat unique knife company, and our goal is to service our customers in our niche.

Some models sell greater quantities than others. Smaller markets. Not a problem. We've serviced smaller markets for our entire history. The lower volume models were good designs, well very made, performed very well, and pleased some of our customers. They were successful. Is there a problem with that?

We're certainly not behind in steel selection, steel performance or steel variety.

I don't think we're behind on the number of new offerings, but even if we are, 20-25 new models each year is our max. And we try to discontinue an equal amount.

We're a small company (by design). I think that if BM, Kershaw and Cold Steel were going to eat our lunch and put us out of business, they would have already done so.

It sounds like you don't like our website. I'll tell Kelly, Joyce and Kristi. Thanx.

But mostly we try to please our customers with products they enjoy and appreciate. Big knives, small knives, High line, inexpensive, exotic materials, whatever our customers request is seriously considered.

I don't think you will find a "true" and "accurate" answer to your question.

sal
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This post alone makes me want to buy a Spyderco even MORE that I did before. Now it's LT's turn.
 
I have always considered Spyderco a leader when it comes to knife innovation!! There is no way that they are behind!
 
jlfletcher83 said:
I think they are the best knife company on earth. My first pocket knife was a spyderco and sure I own other knives but Sal sets the standard on business ethics. I am proud to buy from an american company. I will say I will not buy a Byrd because they are made in China. Spyderco's Golden Colorado line is perfection in my book. They make good knives and may not have new models out every week but the models they do put out are well tested and they back their products.
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The best knife company on earth? is this not emotional?

Yes Sal is very ethical but the question is( Is spyderco loosing its edge?)
 
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