More colors, por favor

S

Stiletto Raggio

Joined
Jan 29, 2000
Messages
546
Spyderco is my favorite brand. They have a ton of different and innovative designs, different lock types and blade steels, and can be had in the broadest range of shapes and sizes of any manufacturer. I love all my Spydies, but I think that the use of color sets Spyderco apart in a lot of ways. From the tan FRN Native that I got over here to the bright blue of my Dodo to the deep, forest green on my Salsa, I really like the fact that Spyderco doesn't stick to "tactical" or traditional knife colors. That said, why not make more variations, particularly in knives that have G-10 scales? Heck, a short run every couple of months in a broad range of colors should sell well, and the ones that are particularly popular could be run again in the future. You could even post a poll to see what color people would most like to see offered in a different knife.

Personally, I'd like a maroon Manix with gold anodized accoutrements. And a white scaled Dodo. And a Foliage Green Civilian with reversible pocket clip for carry outside the wire!

See, endless possibilities, increased sales, and all you have to do is order a different color of G-10 every once in a while. You would incur no additional design or testing requirements and retain the ability to respond very quickly to market demands.

Just a thought.
 
I am still wondering when more pink delicas are expected. Sal mentioned they were coming. I have yet to get one although I am on a waiting list. I also think more color variations would be great. I would appreciate an easy to spot Delica when I am out in the woods.
 
Only problem is, that aside from a small vocal group of enthusiasts here, "the market's" reaction to colors other than black has been underwhelming. Even among the "affi" community here, the response to them is mixed, at best. When the blue Dodo you are so fond of was first released, there were cries of "WHY?" and "When will a black version be available?" posted within hours. Ditto the blue Yojimbo. FWIW, in spite of those events, a pink Delica was released last month, a yellow Saver Salt is starting to appear on dealer shelves, the future appears to hold a pink Endura (either that or theres a dealer who does not understand the difference between August 1 and April 1), and there is a version of the Military somewhere in the pipeline that will have green G-10 scales.
 
The Deacon said:
the future appears to hold a pink Endura (either that or theres a dealer who does not understand the difference between August 1 and April 1)
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Paul, I checked and there are a number of online dealers that are advertising the pink Endura, including Moteng. I'm inclined to think it's not an April fools joke. ;):)
 
I don't blame the tactical crowd for the single color bias, a good deal of it is probably people wanting a low-key EDC. Black blends in with darker colors very well, and it being so uniform a color that black clip could be anything from a phone to a pen. I personally switch between black/gray tools and knives in the city and suburbs, to brightly colored versions for anything outdoorsy. For black tie events, I swear by my black Jester as a a formal fashion statement. As for the parts of my life where I don't have to tie a tie, I have my eye on the orange Rescue and the yellow Salts for hiking and around the house. One color is meant not to be seen, the other wants to be seen.
 
I'd love to see more colors too. I get bored looking at all of the black handled knives out there. Also, I think that someone who's not a knife enthusiast would be less likely to think "weapon" if you were to pull out a blue or yellow (or especially pink) handled knife to open a package rather than one with a black or gray handle. I haven't decided which one yet, but I want to pick up something from the Salt line with the bright yellow handles for camping. I'd especially love to see something in bright orange. In the meantime, I'm going to get some orange para-cord to make lanyards for my knives that I want to be more visible.
 
Spyderco is my favorite brand. They have a ton of different and innovative designs, different lock types and blade steels, and can be had in the broadest range of shapes and sizes of any manufacturer. I love all my Spydies, but I think that the use of color sets Spyderco apart in a lot of ways. From the tan FRN Native that I got over here to the bright blue of my Dodo to the deep, forest green on my Salsa, I really like the fact that Spyderco doesn't stick to "tactical" or traditional knife colors.
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+2

I feel exactly the same way. Of my current collection, 63% have handle colors other than black and 5 of the 6 knives I have purchased recently have had a color other than black. I can understand why colored knives don't sell as well but I truly appreciate Spyderco's continued devotion to not only be different than the pack but much much better.



AlexSchira said:
Black blends in with darker colors very well, and it being so uniform a color that black clip could be anything from a phone to a pen.
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It's been my experience that anyone who is actually going to notice a pocket clip is going to be able to discern whether it is a knife without too much trouble; unless the clip is extremely low profile and the knife is not exceptionally wide.

I think color is incidental in regards to clipped carry, anything clipped to ones pocket is obvious enough since even the color black comes in many shades and tones.
 
fellyjr said:
Paul, I checked and there are a number of online dealers that are advertising the pink Endura, including Moteng. I'm inclined to think it's not an April fools joke. ;):)
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I was fairly sure it was for real, just trying to be a bit funny. Your post does make me wonder if these might be a Moteng "distributor exclusive" like the run of black FRN ZDP Calypso Jrs.

spoonrobot said:
It's been my experience that anyone who is actually going to notice a pocket clip is going to be able to discern whether it is a knife without too much trouble; unless the clip is extremely low profile and the knife is not exceptionally wide.

I think color is incidental in regards to clipped carry, anything clipped to ones pocket is obvious enough since even the color black comes in many shades and tones.
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I would disagree. There are colors that attract attention and colors that do not. There are also a large number of very popular pocket/belt clip "devices" in use today that are as wide, or wider, than the average Spyderco. The list includes cell phones, pagers, pedometers, MP3 players, door openers, and more. While there are obviously exceptions, the majority of those devices (or at least the ones carried by males) seem to be either black, or a sliver grey, so those colors are probably the least likely to attract attention, at least from anyone not being paid to "eyeball" those seeking to enter a specific area. That is not to say they will not be seen by John Q. Citizen, merely that they stand a far, far better chance of being dismissed as belonging to an object the viewer perceives as benign.
 
I am glad to see that so many people agree or at least understand my point. The last two knives I bought had black handles, but only because that is the only color they came in.

I guess my big point is that, especially with G-10, it is not only easy, but most likely very profitable, to simply swap colors. Heck, why not?

Also, I am glad that Spyderco has avoided "tactical blade coatings" for the most part and bead blasting entirely. Stainless doesn't need it and not many people use a pocket knife for covert purposes. Trying to get a plain, satin finished blade can be damn difficult these days.
 
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