Question for KAI

L

L2bravo

Joined
Jun 14, 2013
Messages
800
Hey Kai. I love you guy's knives! I am new to the brand as a customer, but have known about you guys for a while. I can't say enough good.

I just purchased a 0550, and then a 0200. I then read where the 0550 is "under review". That is a great knife, but I understand that you guys have a biz to run, and sales don't lie...emotions do. Ever thought of doing some special stuff with it? Like maybe some black 3V steel, or something to breathe new life?

This all got me to wondering: If it isn't too much of a guarded secret, what are you guys top 5 sellers, in order? What sells the best? I think just because guys say "i love this. He claims that is the best" etc., means nothing.

Im sure we'd all love to hear it, if it can be shared. Thanks for a great product.
 
L2bravo,

Thanks for the very nice words, we appreciate your support and concern for the brand and specifically the 0550.

The 0550 IMO, is one of the nicest ZT's we produce. If you look back at the knife history of many brands, there are some really great designs that are no longer produced, and are long discontinued. This always brings a bit of confusion, as the patterns seem like sure winners in the eyes of many.

There can be a variety of reasons on why specific patterns get disco'd, with the most common being sales, or lack there of.

The 0550 is hanging ok today as far as sales go. I feel the 056X's have maybe stole a bit of the 0550's thunder. As you say, some LE's may spark some additional interest in the 0550. We'll have to see how that goes. As of today, dealers have requested a lot of different LE combinations in a handful of different ZT's, but there is little in requests for the 0550. Strange huh?

In any case, we have re-evaluated the status of the 0550, and I feel today it has good chance to make the 2014 line-up. I'd sure hate to see it go away.

Good news if it should go away, there will be another strong candidate to take its place. :)

We don't really give out our sales rankings, but will say that the trends are stronger with the current releases more so than the older patterns. I believe there are only 16 sku's currently in the ZT line-up, and it would be nice to see around 40 in the next few years, so there is a lot work to do, and there will be a ton to choose from in the future.
 
Thanks for the info KAI! Hopefully they're in the 2014 line up, I really want to get my hands on one at some point. :) ~Kirby
 
Ahem.

Cough.

Ahem.












Forum 0550.

So as not to replicate the dramatic scene that unfolded with the Forum Skyline, here is my suggestion...:

Lets do a Bladeforums ZT 0550 LE.

Now to keep the drama and norse-neighing to a minimum, I've thought of a few recommendations that may help to ensure the most popular blade gets chosen to be made.

Here we go:

We make the blade design a vote: Blade steel, Blade coatings, handle scale, blade markings, serial numbers, etc. are all voted on by those who would be buying the knife. All the options for design would be pre-determined by the folks at KAI. Now even further, to limit fraudulent double votes or folks just popping in to determine the blade's fate for the fun of it, we create a pre-order system ($5 or the like) that allows you access to voting or something similar. The voting could be held for a predetermined period of time and at the end of it, the popular blade choice wins and that is the blade that is made.

It's a democracy, folks.

Oh, and also, to keep the voting system cleaner and less Bladeforum clogging - maybe do it on the KAI website? Eh, KAI?

-Chuck
 
Thanks KAI, I appreciate your help, and insight on 550. Now I am a bit confused when you say, "newer patterns are outselling the old". Some of that is always bound to happen though. New toys always sell good, then taper off some. By the old patterns, are we talking about the 300, 350, 200, and they may go away? Or are they strong enough to live quite a while? I just got a 0200 yesterday. This is by far one of the best knives I own. It incredible, how strong of a knife this is.

I am not against new stuff. Hell, I can't wait for the 566. But, when I find something I really like, I hate it when it goes away. Guess I may need to sandbag a couple, for a rainy day.
 
Kai Corp. said:
The 0550 IMO, is one of the nicest ZT's we produce. If you look back at the knife history of many brands, there are some really great designs that are no longer produced, and are long discontinued. This always brings a bit of confusion, as the patterns seem like sure winners in the eyes of many.

There can be a variety of reasons on why specific patterns get disco'd, with the most common being sales, or lack there of.

The 0550 is hanging ok today as far as sales go. I feel the 056X's have maybe stole a bit of the 0550's thunder. As you say, some LE's may spark some additional interest in the 0550. We'll have to see how that goes. As of today, dealers have requested a lot of different LE combinations in a handful of different ZT's, but there is little in requests for the 0550. Strange huh?

In any case, we have re-evaluated the status of the 0550, and I feel today it has good chance to make the 2014 line-up. I'd sure hate to see it go away.

Good news if it should go away, there will be another strong candidate to take its place. :)

We don't really give out our sales rankings, but will say that the trends are stronger with the current releases more so than the older patterns. I believe there are only 16 sku's currently in the ZT line-up, and it would be nice to see around 40 in the next few years, so there is a lot work to do, and there will be a ton to choose from in the future.
Click to expand...

Additionally, I think the new 0801 will steal even more of the thunder from 0550 especially once the street prices for the 0801 comes down with ample supplies. They have very similar specs with better steel blade for the 0801 and a great flipper action versus the manual on the 0550 which may be hindering its sales.

Here are comparative numbers for 0801 vs. 0550 (first specs are 0801 where different):

  • Made in the USA
  • MSRP: $240 vs. $250
  • KVT ball-bearing system vs. manual-opening ambidextrous thumbstud.
  • Titanium Frame lock
  • Quad-mount (tip-up/tip-down; left/right hand), deep-carry pocketclip
  • Steel: ELMAX vs. S35VN (stonewashed finish on both)
  • Handle: All Titanium vs. G10 front Titanium Back
  • Blade Length: 3.5"
  • Closed Length: 4.7" vs. 4.625"
  • Overall Length: 8.2" vs. 8.125"
  • Weight: 5.8 oz.
Click to expand...

The 0350 line is undoubtedly the sales leader with now 17 different models produced and at least one more the rest of the year.

I'd have to put the 0550 sales numbers below all of the current non-discontinued folders: 0350, 056X, 030X, 0200 & 0550.
 
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Well, I will just say that, IF DoD doesn't get furloughed again in 2014, I have my eye on the 550. ANY 550. I already have one, and it is so good, I want a backup. And the 301BW. Those two are at the top of my list of 2014 knife purchases.

I'm also hoping to get the 0566 and 0770CF, pretty much in that order. But they all take a back seat to another 550.
 
Wow! Lots of great points made here! I have been eyeballing getting a 550 & a 801. It would be awesome to see the 801 on the sale forums for around 140-160 like the 550s. I love the kvt system. I think the 550 in a LE with the kvt and a flipper would make for a big seller.
 
dishcore said:
Ahem.

Cough.

Ahem.
...
We make the blade design a vote: Blade steel, Blade coatings, handle scale, blade markings, serial numbers, etc. are all voted on by those who would be buying the knife. All the options for design would be pre-determined by the folks at KAI. Now even further, to limit fraudulent double votes or folks just popping in to determine the blade's fate for the fun of it, we create a pre-order system ($5 or the like) that allows you access to voting or something similar. The voting could be held for a predetermined period of time and at the end of it, the popular blade choice wins and that is the blade that is made.
Click to expand...

Like. I missed out on the Blue Skyline S30V.
 
A forum 0550 would be awesome and I'm in. With the headaches from the Skyline I wouldn't be surprised if no one in charge would be interested in it though and I can't blame them.

But if we can persuade them I vote stonewashed M390 @61-62 HRC blade with carbon fiber scale and stonewashed lock side. I will probably get a custom scale though so I can go for what ever scale wise.
 
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