New Spyderco ATR is exactly what I've been waiting for!

I know this is a little off the subject, but why is the blade shaped the way it is? Is there some advantage to that shape over a more conventional blade shape?
 
Originally posted by dylan_d
especially since it's for you right handers :grumpy:. Go figure.
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Dylan_d - Apart from the clip being on the wrong side for you "wrong" handers ;) , I find the compression lock really ambidexterous, unlike the standard frame lock wich I struggle to close left handed. In fact Spyderco make a right handed knife that has the lock moving in the other direction, the Gunting. I've used models with compression locks that go to the left and others that go to the right, and I really can't tell the difference.
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
Hi Jeffrey. Thanx for your interest in the new model. It has been a long and difficult project. Actually, based on our costs, the model should be much more expensive than it is. We are pulling very short margins on this piece. It will also be limited production because of the high cost.

I don't think that it is too expensive for what it is, perhaps you just can't afford it? I can't afford a Ferrari (although I would love one), but I wouldn't say they are too expensive for the product.

What other USA made kife would you compare the ATR to? And how much is the comparison? The ATR is a very sophisticated design. Certainly more difficult to build than the Buck Mayo, or the Chris Reeve Sebenza.

Anyway. I hope you have the opportunity to own one in the future.

sal
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Mr. Glesser,
By no means do I intend disparagement of Spyderco by my post. Indeed, I hope that a look back at the thread starter reveals the admiration showing through. I've been a Spyderco fan since 1993 (wow, 10th anniversary! I hadn't realized!) ever since I got over the initial shock of seeing my brother's first lightweight Delica. (I thought it was mighty ugly until I got used to it, and now I admire the design for its utter functionality.)

Your points about the ATR and the Ferrari are well taken. I'm no knifemaking or metallurgy expert, so I relied on others to point out the facts I had missed: particularly, that the steel and titanium used in the ATR are not inexpensive.
I let my frustration get the better of me in my post, because from the moment I saw the picture of an ATR on knifecenter.com (with no price listed, nor a release date!) I had set my heart on one (or two, with one as a backup!). When I was informed that such a knife might easily cost me more than $250, whoaaa... I kinda lost it for a moment. I am certainly not used to spending that much for a knife, and while "affording" it, per se, is not a problem (I have the money to buy the knife), my problem is more about coming to grips with why I would be buying the knife. As I said, I cannot imagine making such an expensive knife an EDC. It seems that the spectrum of folks here on Bladeforums contains those who buy to admire as well as those who buy to USE, regardless of price. Some people here definitely use knives hard, even when they are over the $200 mark. Maybe I'll be one of those people in time, but for now, I'm not. So I realize that *if* I bought an ATR (at $300) I would want to just stare at it a lot, but not actually hack at stuff with it like some here do with Sebenzas, and that makes the purchase hard to justify.

Let me just assure you here that I am very fond of Spyderco, and I think it has done a great job for a long time getting quality knives out to the users at reasonable prices. I love my Delicas and my Walker Linerlock and my Copilot like crazy. I hope to be able to pick up an ATR when they are available (which is...when?), but it will involve some soul searching on my part, unless the price ends up down closer to $100...

Sal, while I'm at it, I hope you don't mind me making a request. Could you please, me and probably many other Spyderco fans, by coming out with a moderate priced model that has *torx screw handle scales*? I've reached the point where I don't care for pinned handle scales because of their unadjustability and permanence.

I'm thinking of something like a Delica with a liner-lock, I suppose. Or how about a frame-lock in a Delica size (not necessarily a Delica-shaped blade, though -- maybe a clip-point), in a moderate steel to control the price? Just a thought... but keep in mind that I'd sit in line to get such a knife from you.

Thanks for all you do.
---Jeffrey
 
Thanx for all of the kind words, and Jeffrey, no offense or insult was taken. We would certainly have preferred to have a less expensive knife. I'm sure we would sell more of them.

We operate on fixed margins, which is why our prices seem fair. They are. I would never intimate that Sebenzas are overpriced. I've know Chris & Ann for many years. (Chris Reeve was Spyderco's South African Disributor before coming to America). They always provide excellent quality and excellent value. Buck also is being fair with the Mayo. Titan is very difficult to work with, Engineering is critical. The integral compresion lock is new and very close tolerance. Double grinds are difficult (cost more), Cobra hood is new and requires casting tooling, along with the already mentioned topics. I never thought of the ATR as "Elitist". It was originally designed for one of the gun manufacturers, but they declined to get involved in a knife project. If I knew it would be such a compliated project, I might have though twice about it, but we believe the design is worth of a "real life sample". Time will tell if the design has more longevity than small quantities.

Perhaps in the future as the design develops, we'll find ways of making them more affordable.

I do appreciate the input.

sal

______________________________________

"Refinement is your evolutionary obligation to humankind."
 
Sal---Enough already with the teasing!

When will the ATR be shipping????

It's been a month since I bought my last Spydie and I'm getting the D.T.'s!
 
Originally posted by dylan_d
especially since it's for you right handers
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The catalog photo and some of the prototypes have reversible clips so that we lefties can go broke enjoying Spyderco goodness. Also, at least two Spyderco employees have confirmed it will have the reversible clip. That may change in production, but until then, let the thought of a hefty ATR replacing the weight of your newly-emptied wallet fill you with cutting dreams and slicing wishes.
 
at first I was a bit surprised about the retail price of the ATR (way back when it was first announced) but for a knife like the ATR with the materials it uses the price is no unreasonable considering online store prices will be about 200 and after a while it should drop to 170 and you can get one used on the for sale forums for probably 160.
 
Maybe I came off sounding harsher than I intended.

Regardless, I think some folks are missing my point.
I hate to see a terrific design emerge from an awesome company like Spyderco, only to discover that it has been marketed toward that small segment of knife buyers that are willing to pay custom prices for production knives.

Considering that the Titanium Salsa, with cobra hood, and integral compression-lock, and ATS-34 blade steel, is listed at $149.95, the ATR at $250.00 to $300.00 still seems overpriced to me.

Don't get me wrong, I hope Sal sells a million ATRs. And then I hope he finds some way to lower the costs so that the average working guy will buy one.

Allen.
 
Originally posted by allenC
...marketed toward that small segment of knife buyers that are willing to pay custom prices for production knives.
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You must mean we discerning few who judge an object on how well it is made as opposed to how it is made ;)
 
pay custom prices for production knives
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This has been beat to death many times. In my opinion you pay for quality in design, materials, and excecution. The term "production" and "custom" have no meaning in regards to price and clouds the issue. The is only one defining term for a knife and that is quality.

If a knife has those 3 things going for it, design, materials, execution, then I don't care if it's made on a 3D copy machine, by monks in a cave, or by ommpa-loompas.

I'm glad Spyderco, Buck, and etc. are coming up with new models that move higher in the "production" realms that what we're used to. I think it improves the lineage, and gives us more choices.
 
One thing I don't understand is exactly how the lock works. Is it similar to an integral? Anyone have a link to a diagram or something like that? Is the lock ambidextrious or made for righties?
 
I don't know or care if they're too expensive, too inexpensive, or make your ears itch when you lie. I just want one. If they're too expensive, I want one a bit after everyone else gets one first.
 
StJames,
No, I meant just what I said.
Victorinox knives are about as "well made" as any slipjoint you'll find, but they are still affordable to the average guy.


Is an ATR more "well made" than an Endura?
Did Sal hold the Delica to a lower quality standard than his other knives?
I think ALL of Spyderco's knives are well made. Some are larger than others and use more material. Some use costlier materials. Some have stronger locks, ect. But they are all well made.
Maybe you did'nt mean "well made" after all?

Personally, I judge objects on their performance to price ratio.

Allen.
 
You know, when you look at this image, it appears as if it would be easier to close left handed than right...

sp70pjb.jpg
 
Dylan_d
Here's a pic of the exposed lock,
compr_lock_01.jpg

From the outside it looks quite like a frame lock, but the forces acting on it are more akin to those on the axis lock.

A full titanium integrated compression lock (as also found on the Ti-Salsa), is a very tough lock.
As said the lock it'self if fully ambidextuerous.
 
Allen, if you are judging knives on the performance to price ratio, then darn near every knife made is way over priced. After all, they are meant to cut. Why should anyone pay $200 or more for a piece of metal that cuts and can be folded into it's own case. OK, well maybe we can look at some little things like how the knfe is designed to fit the hand, how the knife is designed to execute a cut, the metal in the blade so it doesn't rust easily or have to be sharpened frequently Possibly a lock that keeps the knife from closing on your hand. Add that in and the knife still should cost anywhere near that. On the very surface, what you say is close to the truth. However, dig a little deeper. Spend some time making a knife or two. Executing a design to work properly. Then, when you get a bit frustrated because it isn't quite what you want, start talking to knife makers and learn how they do it. Then you might have greater appreciation for the cost of some of these knives.

I think it is safe to say that knife companies aren't deaf to customers who want a less expensive but better performing knife. If they don't listen, someone else will and take their sales.

At the end of the day, it goes back to what has been mentioned before, don't like the price, don't buy it.
 
I see what you're saying.

That's why I CAN understand paying alot of money for a one-of-a-kind custom made knife.
After all, the maker has literally shed sweat (and maybe blood and tears too) making the knife.
And, since it's handmade, there is no other knife exactly the same in the whole world.
And when that maker dies, his special art dies with him, because no one else will make the knife the exact same way as he did.

But 300.00 on a production knife?
I just can't see that.

Allen.
 
I've always felt Spyderco's were about the best value out there considering the high quality...would also add Doziers and Randalls and Bucks to my good value list. My overpriced list would include CRK, Busse, Strider and Emerson. I have owned and used all these brands of knives and this is my own opinion from many years of experience.
 
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