Market for pre-customized Spydercos

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Webz5989

Joined
Aug 7, 2023
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I realize that some will think buying a pre-customized knife defeats the purpose of customizing in the first place. However, aftermarket scales and hardware can be major upgrades to many Spyderco models and installation isn’t always the easiest thing without some experience. Do you think there is a significant market pre-customized and otherwise unused knives?
 
There is a market for customized production knives but you'll take a loss.
For example I've got a KnifeJoy CPM20CV PM2 that cost me probably 150 new (guessing) then installed titanium scales and all titanium hardware with copper backspacer and lanyard hole delete. Also a milled MXG ti clip.
Can't remember exactly what all of that ran me but it was significant and I now own a beautiful piece but as far as resale...🙄 If I could squeak 250 out of that package I'd be lucky.
Hope I'm not too far off base from your question.
 
If the "customer" gets to pick all the parts, and ends up with something truly unique and personal, maybe. Most of us like doing it ourselves, so everything is exactly how we want it. Even if we make mistakes in the process.
 
I like doing it myself.

As far as “official” customizing goes, another American company (that has a butterfly logo) has an official custom shop that allows multiple choices for several different knife models; maybe that’s something Spyderco should explore in the future. I’ve done that and it’s pretty cool. Chose handle material and color, knife steel, and clip; it was pretty awesome!
 
Thanks! Yes, that’s exactly what I was getting at. Doesn’t sound like there’s any hope of making a profit at the end of the day unless maybe you’re producing the parts yourself… would love to see that PM2 btw, sounds sick!
 
With knives, and especially with firearms, when I see that the item in question has been "customized", it sends up a red flag for me. I don't know the skill set of the person doing the work, and in many cases any factory warranty is void.

Customization is a personal choice, and may not be everyone's cup of tea. It makes me question why it is being sold, if it is already customized to your liking?

Lastly, just because it has been customized, doesn't mean the price equals the sum of all the parts. Sure, if you can get it, more power to ya, but unless it hits all my buttons, it is actually worth less, to me anyway.
 
gruntmedik said:
With knives, and especially with firearms, when I see that the item in question has been "customized", it sends up a red flag for me. I don't know the skill set of the person doing the work, and in many cases any factory warranty is void.

Customization is a personal choice, and may not be everyone's cup of tea. It makes me question why it is being sold, if it is already customized to your liking?

Lastly, just because it has been customized, doesn't mean the price equals the sum of all the parts. Sure, if you can get it, more power to ya, but unless it hits all my buttons, it is actually worth less, to me anyway.
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Ya, totally get that sentiment. I guess the difference for me is that some of the customizations aren’t purely aesthetic but significant improvements to the knives in my opinion. Great point regarding the skill of the person and potentially voiding the warranty.
 
Thanks for the comments everyone! On a related note, is anyone aware of any companies that are doing high end custom versions of Spyderco knives regularly?
 
Webz5989 said:
Thanks for the comments everyone! On a related note, is anyone aware of any companies that are doing high end custom versions of Spyderco knives regularly?
Click to expand...
Pretty sure Kevin Wilkins is still doing work on the Endura and Delica.
 
You asked for a picture...
Here are my modded Spydies.
They all have one thing in common.
 
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Webz5989 said:
Thanks for the comments everyone! On a related note, is anyone aware of any companies that are doing high end custom versions of Spyderco knives regularly?
Click to expand...
Lynch seems to offer some with regular frequency.
 
My modded Spydies…

snCTSBC.jpg
 
Webz5989 said:
Thanks! Yes, that’s exactly what I was getting at. Doesn’t sound like there’s any hope of making a profit at the end of the day unless maybe you’re producing the parts yourself… would love to see that PM2 btw, sounds sick!
Click to expand...

Unless you're set up to mass-produce the parts yourself, I wouldn't bet an old sock on turning a profit. And by "mass-produce" I mean buying materials in bulk and turning out parts by the thousand to get your unit costs down. By the point you're making a profit I'm not sure the product qualifies as "customized" anymore.
 
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