Must you have the newest steel? ZDP-calypso?

Im new to what id call "educated" knife buying. That is I actually do reseacrh before buying a knife and not just grabbing a bargain bin knife off the shelves in local stores. i dont own a Spyderco and really look forward to tryin out the hole. The new Cal Jr is very nice looking to me and seeing as how steel is still beyond me, besides what i read, Im getting it for the looks,and price.

That said I guess the new steel does help sell it because its just that... new... but i would have ordered the new version if even only the handle were new because its my first and id just buy the latest model. Unless all the write ups were negative, which none that ive seen have been.

My wife picks football teams by the color of there jerseys and still almost always wins the bets. So looks alone cant be too bad a way to pick hehe.
 
Not everyone would EXPERIENCE the difference between the latest "super steel" and regular ole ATS-34. I mostly open packages, prepare my lunch at work, etc. with my knives and I habitually keep them shaving sharp. I, obviously, neither need nor would I ever notice the difference.

If you don't sharpen your knives often or frequently use them on chores that would take your knife from shaving sharp to dull DURING said chore, THEN you'd probably notice and want the better steel.

If you NEEDED a better steel, you probably already knew it before it came out. If you didn't know you needed a better steel than you probably don't.:thumbup:

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I've been carrying my vg10 CJ for a while now and I absolutely love it. But the one thing I've complained about is how it doesn't hold its incredible edge as long as I would like. Do I need to always have a scary sharp edge? No. Do I like to? Definitely. As such, I had even considered giving up the CJ in favor of something else. I considered things like small Sebenzas and Mayo TNTs thinking that the s30v might be better at this. But then I found out about the upcoming ZDP CJ run. So I held off any purchases and waited for it to come out. I've had it now for about two weeks and its everything I wanted. Not only is the steel OUTSTANDING but the color combination is a welcome addition to the otherwise drab knife world. Not only is it sheeple friendly, I've already experienced that its female friendly. ;)

So yes, I bought one almost purely because of the steel in order to 'upgrade'. I also buy nicer cars as time goes by. And nicer clothes. And I upgrade my computer ever so often. Is there something wrong with that?

Sometimes its nice to have the LATESTandGREATEST for only 25 dollars more. Try doing that with many other hobbies...

Mark
 
Brownshoe steps in it again. :rolleyes:

I never knew offering customers what they wanted was a marketing gimmick. Brownshoe should move to Cuba or North Korea where there you are "given" only what you need. :thumbdn:

He is another Ignore List applicant.
 
No, I do not have to rush out and buy the "latest" knife or knife steel. I buy knives that I like.
 
I've been carrying around this Fallkniven U2 (that I won in a raffle from generous Nordic Viking) with this new steel laminate and I haven't touched up the edge yet. Maybe I'll just see how long I can keep it shaving sharp with just a strop. That's how I decided I liked D2 a lot.

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Remember, the question was, must you have the newest steel? NO. I've got other knives to spend my money on. A knife is more than steel. The calypso is an OK, but tired design derivative of many other spydercos. The steel is not enough for me to buy it. Maybe you all are more wealthy than me, but I've got plenty of knives in this class. I don't have the steel monkey on my back anymore, thus I have more cash available for other types of knives.

Don't see why polling your customers to find out a quick sell niche product doesn't make it a marketing gimmick. That's the best way to do it. As with any new trick, if it takes off, spyderco will market it in other knives or in other sprint runs with different colored handles. Gee, you could invest hundreds in the diffent future variations. If it doesn't pay off...the steel and product disappears like the Jot, ATS55, CPM440V, etc.

Oh by the way, thanks Mr. Bybee, you're a sweet man.
 
Of course we want the latest and greatest, this is bladeforums, right? :D :thumbup:

I agree with Joe Talmadge 100% and several others. After I tried the Calypso Jr., I knew I needed more to give away as presents. Well, I gave one of them away.... I called Roger at Knifeworks, asked how many he had, and got them! That was the VG10 run. Once I knew about the ZDP run, I ordered some more!

Great knife, great steel, and yes, it's currently lining my pocket! I gave Sal my money **very** willingly. He keeps being innovative and making great products, he's gonna be getting more of it, too!

Thanks Sal!
 
Hmm, like many here, I think that Brownshoe's posts merits a serious reply.

I sure don't mind lining someone's pockets, especially if he takes the time and trouble to ask me what I want. I don't know of too many companies or services that bother to do that. (How many car companies ask what you would want to see done differently in a new model?) Not to mention that, even with your input solicited, you don't have to buy the knife. I'm pretty sure that someone else will. I very rarely pre-order production knives, and I did not in this case either. Even though I certainly know what it would be like--it's not that I've never had one with a different blade steel.

And yeah, steel is important to me. I like knives, and steel and ergonomics are probably the two most important facets of a knife to me (and I am quite familiar with the ergonomics of this knife, thank you very much). I like to see improvements in technology, metallurgy, and such. I believe that I have the will to resisit marketing ploys when there is nothing new backing them up.

So, I made the call to the band-aid people, and my "purple" knife (as my 2 1/2 year-old twins call it), arrived last week. I now carry it daily, and plan to use it as my beater for awhile. See how long that edge lasts. See if I can get it to where I need the diamond rods for the Sharpmaker (not really, I don't usually let my knives get that dull).
 
Am I sucked in by the hype of the "latest and greatest" steel... yes - because Im a frickin knife knut and this is what I do!!! I bop around here and other knife sites till a new one catches my attention, then I lust for it, then I buy it... repeat process. Im sick :barf:
 
Ryan8 said:
I bought one. I hadn't considered a Calypso before but after seeing the pictures of the new one and everything, I was won over. It really wasn't the steel - I would've been happy with the VG-10.

The handle color was actually a plus for me. With the endless sea of black knives out there, this one actually had some personality.
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Exactly my thinking! (Have you been reading my mind again? Must get those holes in the tinfoil hat repaired ...)

The steel was simply something different to try out, not the major consideration. The Calypso is one of my favourite knives and the knew colours just made it look so classy I had to have one. I'll probably give the grey one to my wife.
 
I'm a knife nut. That's for sure.
I would, without hesitation, buy a old model knife with a new hip-hop steel (knowing it's a good one, of course) IF I liked that model.
Never handed a Calypso Jr. - and I don't like FRN.
But I can asure you, if it was a Military, para-millie, delica or whatever the ones I love, I would - for sure - already had one in my pocket.

I am just waiting to see what will it be the next model using the ZDP.

Knives, for me, aren't just tools. They're my hobby and passion. And I don't need to act "logical" for everything I do. I can buy a knife just because I like it, not because I need it.

And Sal, no matter what some people say, I admire your way of doing business, and I think should still conduct your company the way you have been doing.
"Integrity is Being Good Even if No One is Watching" - Integrity is the word to define Spyderco. I like that.

Regards,

Andre Tiba - Brazil
 
No... and if you wait a little longer. It will be totally sold out. No problem.
 
brownshoe said:
Hell will freeze over if they ever used a non-stainless carbon steel.
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Since you chose to use such a blanket statement, I suggest you start dressing warm....because Hell is about to freeze over (CPM 3V is a nonstainless carbon steel).
 
What? buy a new knife? Now why would I want to do that, the last ones not worn out yet :rolleyes:

And from Spyderco? That strange company where the CEO and I have had a laugh on line? You know that guy who asks for the opinion of others?
Oh at a price point that many people can afford as well. And highly saleable if I want out of it?

Nah, bad idear isn't it ;)

Truthfully though I doubt I will get one. I'm broke and I fancy an Axis lock on my next new toy. Sal knows I'll be back :D
 
If it were tip-up carry I'd buy it. ;)
Spyderco is one of the FEW manufacturers getting pretty good at allowing multiple clip positions on most of their knives for people with preferences; just not THIS knife.

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fulloflead said:
If it were tip-up carry I'd buy it. ;)
Spyderco is one of the FEW manufacturers getting pretty good at allowing multiple clip positions on most of their knives for people with preferences; just not THIS knife.

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Just as a matter of interest, (and entirely changing the subject), why do you prefer tip up carry? Not saying there is anything wrong with that, just wondering why you prefer it. I can't decide which I prefer so I guess I'm looking for reasons ...


Actually, I've just had a think about it. Don't answer this question here, didn't mean to hijcack the thread, I'll start a whole new thread about the subject.
 
Steel type doesn't dictate which knives I buy.I'm happy with Spyderco's in G-1,G-2, VG-10 ,AUS-8, what ever.The knife design and (my idea of),utility is what I base my purchases on.YMMV.tom. :cool:
 
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