Lil Temperance 3 - I must be missing something!

VS_Power

VS_Power

Joined
Jan 24, 2017
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138
Spyderco newbie here.

I've been looking at the soon-to-be released Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3, and I'm wondering why it's so expensive compared to other Spyderco knives.
(I am looking at MAP pricing on multiple websites, for example. Not MSRP!)

Specs are very similar to the Para 3:
- 3 inch blade, slightly more than 7 inches open
- G10 scales, stainless steel liners
- S30V (some sites say the LT3 uses VG-10 - it's not clear which one it is)
- Compression lock
- 4 way pocket clip

Major differences:
- Para 3 is more than $70 cheaper
- Para 3 is made in the USA, instead of Japan
- Para 3 is 1 oz lighter, 3oz vs 4oz

I understand that some of the differences above might amount to different prices, but it's hard for me to figure out why the LT3 would be 60% more expensive than the Para 3. You could probably even argue that the Para 3 should be more expensive based on the country of origin and potentially the steel if the LT3 is VG-10.

Legitimately trying to figure this out as I'm looking for a good EDC <3 inches, and I've never owned a Spyderco before. So far the Sage 5 looks amazing, but maybe there's something about the LT3 I'm missing that would make it a good choice too. Thanks!
 
Lil temp 3 will have S30V steel and I think American made g10. But don't quote me on the g10 part.

Anyway, it's expensive to make knives in Japan. Hence the part of the price difference. I'm also pretty sure Spyderco sells their flasgship Golden models like the PM2, Manix etc at a lower price point to help encourage people to get into the brand. That creates a sort of artificial price gap. Spyderco could sell their Golden models for more but chose not to.


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I THINK Eric explained this in a video, somewhere.
I love the LT and just acquired a LT Rhino.
I think these folders are worth price asked but work the angles, buddy. In the meantime, check out a Native5 and the N5LW.
rolf
 
From http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1464084-LT3-100-Pacer

joeldworkin307 said:
Thicker stock s30v + thicker g10 + new tooling for production + smaller run = higher production cost. At least my understanding.
Click to expand...

Japan isn't cheaper than USA. At least not much cheaper. The Para 3 is gong to be a full production knife, meaning the cost of new machinery can be spread out over more knives and make up a smaller percentage of each knife sold. The Lil Temp will only be a few thousand tops, so costs are not as spread out.
 
Spyderco Dude said:
I'm also pretty sure Spyderco sells their flasgship Golden models like the PM2, Manix etc at a lower price point to help encourage people to get into the brand. That creates a sort of artificial price gap. Spyderco could sell their Golden models for more but chose not to.
Click to expand...

Spyderco Dude: what are you basing this on? (I'm curious -- no disrespect meant!)
 
jswa2 said:
Spyderco Dude: what are you basing this on? (I'm curious -- no disrespect meant!)
Click to expand...

None taken. I remember reading something along these lines years ago. In all honesty I can't remember where or who said it. I wish I had a better answer.

I do know that Sal has said the yen is a big contributing factor to the cost of the knives produced in Japan.
 
jswa2 said:
Spyderco Dude: what are you basing this on? (I'm curious -- no disrespect meant!)
Click to expand...

I think Spyderco operates with lower margins on the PM2 and Manix and try to compensate with higher sales volume.. Think Sal said it when they came out (bit unsure here...)
 
Lycosa said:
I THINK Eric explained this in a video, somewhere.
I love the LT and just acquired a LT Rhino.
I think these folders are worth price asked but work the angles, buddy. In the meantime, check out a Native5 and the N5LW.
rolf
Click to expand...

^^^This! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Hi Gang!
I'm very close to making an order for a LT3. I love the leafblade and I'm dying to see how the new handle feels.
Who's getting one?
rolf
 
Also, the Lil Temp is thicker stock and simply more rugged than the PM2 or PM3. I like the old green model but the clip was a disaster
 
Lycosa said:
Hi Gang!
I'm very close to making an order for a LT3. I love the leafblade and I'm dying to see how the new handle feels.
Who's getting one?
rolf
Click to expand...

I'm seriously thinking about it. I enjoyed the write-up in today's Spyderco Byte, and the design interests me. I like how stout it is, and the handle divot is a cool idea. They're available now. Decisions!
 
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American made G10? I was under the impression that all Spyderco G10 was sourced from China (FYI, I dont have any issues with this at all). I am game for one, the divot pivot is something I want to try :)
 
I have one coming on Tuesday.
Off to check out the Spyder Byte.
I say, try one, you two.^
rolf
 
Divot details from the Byte:

1a608f282aa2c3c0f2218348f0aa0026.jpg



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A sub 3 inch blade of s30v blade with g10 handles for about 200 dollars !! The 3.4 inch PM2 with s30v/g10 costs 125 dollars. 35% less. And margins are the same? Ok.
Is this just Japanese knives? Or all recent knife prices relatve to traditional Spyderco prices?
Still regret map changes.
And I m a Spyderco fan. Just not as fanatic as I used to be.
Doubt that I m alone.
 
Thanks guys.^
For me, I just really like the design. I carried my LT1 for quite some time. I like the Rhino blade but the Leaf blade is more of an all-around blade style.
rolf
 
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