NRA Convention

GB940Rookie · Apr 23, 2018

i noticed yesterday that Spyderco is missing from the exhibitors list at the NRA convention this year in Dallas, TX. I’m disappointed. I was looking forward to my first time at a Spyderco booth.

Many knife companies will be there. Benchmade, ZT/Kershaw, Cold Steel, Microtech, Case, Buck and on and on.

Sal and Eric don’t have to show up, although that would be awesome

, but at least have a booth.

darth_cholo · Apr 23, 2018

I can only speculate about the reasons why spyderco isn't going, but anything associated with NRA right now brings with it a lot of hot political and social discussions. It's common to find a gun enthusiast who's also a knife enthusiast so I can understand why so much crossover is there.

Sharp Guy · Apr 23, 2018

I'm planning on going. I was also disappointed that Spyderco won't be there. There seems to be a lot of Spydie fans here in N. TX and I'm sure their booth would get a lot of attention.

GB940Rookie · Apr 23, 2018

Doesn’t look like they were there in 2016 or ‘17 either.
That’s disappointing.

lieferung · Apr 23, 2018

I'm also disappointed... that they didn't come by Chicago area last year.. But I don't think there's a big knife show in the area

c'est la vie! Whatever reason Sal Eric and friends have, I respect.

Sharp Guy · Apr 23, 2018

lieferung said:
I'm also disappointed... that they didn't come by Chicago area last year.. But I don't think there's a big knife show in the area c'est la vie! Whatever reason Sal Eric and friends have, I respect.

I'm from the Chicago area there was never any big gun or knife shows. It's a shame considering there's a lot of gun & knife enthusiasts there.

joeldworkin307 · Apr 24, 2018

A Spyderco is not a gun. Spyderco does not make any products that are compatible with a gun. No lights, no bayonet, not even a molle attachment for a sheath. The NRA is not their trade association, so why should they be there?

sharkattacksw · Apr 24, 2018

joeldworkin307 said:
A Spyderco is not a gun. Spyderco does not make any products that are compatible with a gun. No lights, no bayonet, not even a molle attachment for a sheath. The NRA is not their trade association, so why should they be there?

Because, as previously mentioned, there is a lot of crossover in the customer base, I'm sure. I'd bet that a high percentage of firearm enthusiasts are also knife enthusiasts to some degree or another. I really hope that Sal and the gang didn't skip the NRA convention for fear of being associated with the NRA due to political correctness run wild. After gun restrictions are discussed and (possibly) put in place, knife restrictions are next. Just look at Europe. I'm not saying Sal is deliberately boycotting the NRA, but if they are thinking about it, they might want to see how it works out for Yeti. Pelican, on the other hand, is embracing the NRA and getting loads of new business while many are now choosing them over Yeti. Yeti is taking lots of heat on various social media platforms.

Sal Glesser · Apr 24, 2018

We tried to get in this year but the show was filled and nothing became available. We worked the show for years back in the 80's & 90's, but the show schedule became to busy so it had to go. We're planning on trying to get a spot for next year.

sal

Danke42 · Apr 24, 2018

They haven't gone for years so how could anyone assume they weren't going this year for any other reason than they concentrate on attending other shows.

They go to SHOT, IWA, and then of course Blade Show.

What they also do is put their energy into hosting open events around the world for their end users. Attendance is limited but if you really want to see some cool stuff going to one of their meets is a must do.

lieferung · Apr 24, 2018

sharkattacksw said:
Because, as previously mentioned, there is a lot of crossover in the customer base, I'm sure. I'd bet that a high percentage of firearm enthusiasts are also knife enthusiasts to some degree or another. I really hope that Sal and the gang didn't skip the NRA convention for fear of being associated with the NRA due to political correctness run wild. After gun restrictions are discussed and (possibly) put in place, knife restrictions are next. Just look at Europe. I'm not saying Sal is deliberately boycotting the NRA, but if they are thinking about it, they might want to see how it works out for Yeti. Pelican, on the other hand, is embracing the NRA and getting loads of new business while many are now choosing them over Yeti. Yeti is taking lots of heat on various social media platforms.

Yeti released a statement that they simply ended their older outdated discount program with all organizations, and have a new one to offer (probably less of a discount, but that's business). It's not political.

sharkattacksw · Apr 24, 2018

lieferung said:
Yeti released a statement that they simply ended their older outdated discount program with all organizations, and have a new one to offer (probably less of a discount, but that's business). It's not political.

Possibly, but I think they are seeing the backlash from the very customer base (outdoorsmen/women, and a lot of firearms enthusiasts who are also NRA members) that helped get them where they are. Looks like back peddling to me.

GB940Rookie · Apr 24, 2018

joeldworkin307 said:
A Spyderco is not a gun. Spyderco does not make any products that are compatible with a gun. No lights, no bayonet, not even a molle attachment for a sheath. The NRA is not their trade association, so why should they be there?

For the same reasons that they go to SHOT. For the same reasons the other knife companies are there.
The convention isn’t just about guns.

Kreyzhorse · Apr 24, 2018

Sal Glesser said:
We tried to get in this year but the show was filled and nothing became available. We worked the show for years back in the 80's & 90's, but the show schedule became to busy so it had to go. We're planning on trying to get a spot for next year.

sal

Thanks Sal!

darth_cholo · Apr 24, 2018

Always impressed with a company where top ranked brass can post on a message forum. Awesome.

GB940Rookie · Apr 24, 2018

Sal Glesser said:
We tried to get in this year but the show was filled and nothing became available. We worked the show for years back in the 80's & 90's, but the show schedule became to busy so it had to go. We're planning on trying to get a spot for next year.

sal

Appreciate the reply Sal. Ill be in Atlanta the week after Blade. So close.

I’m going to catch up with y’all one of these days

Minh762 · Apr 24, 2018

Sal Glesser said:
We tried to get in this year but the show was filled and nothing became available. We worked the show for years back in the 80's & 90's, but the show schedule became to busy so it had to go. We're planning on trying to get a spot for next year.

sal

Thanks Sal. Hope to see Spyderco next year at the NRA conference.

tueller · Apr 24, 2018

I was glad to hear Sal’s explanation because I love my spyderco’s. I will not support any company that is anti-gun/nra. Anti-gun = Pro-slavery and that does not get my business. The really ironic ones are companies that sell guns lol... ie dick’s sporting goods. Unreal.

RipD · Apr 24, 2018

Anti-gun = pro-slavery? That's a new one for me. I own guns and have a carry permit. I still have to question some gun supporter statements.

jbmonkey · Apr 24, 2018

RipD said:
Anti-gun = pro-slavery? That's a new one for me. I own guns and have a carry permit. I still have to question some gun supporter statements.

not the place but gun control has a long history of racism and poverty bias...... and started as a way as how to restrict minorities and the poor from owning firearms. its well documented. it still carrries today in parts of this country. ironcially it isnt the south so much anymore. go figure.

wrong place for politics.......but glad Sal, Eric and spyderco are above this political back and forth nonsense and are focused on their customers. thats what matters.

NRA Convention

sure sure