Question for Sal

fudo

fudo

Joined
Aug 27, 1999
Messages
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Buck knives have had some good success with mixing and matching parts that are already being produced. E.G. a 110 with a veriety of blade steels. If Spyderco followed this policy, it would help me spend money faster,(just don't tell my wife.)
I would love an S30V Native blade in a Native III handle. What do you think?
 
Probably not going to happen. The Native III is made in Japan with VG-10 because it is a Japanese steel. S30V is an American steel, so that is why it is used on the American made models. I think VG-10 is not allowed to be shipped out of Japan, not sure if it's the same for S30V (I doubt it).

You can check out the Spyderco factory forum and put your input on the Native III design. Recently Sal asked us what we'd like to see in the new Native III design, because he was planning on messing around with it a bit.
 
I agree, doubtful that it would happen. Most people that want the Native III handle will "settle" for VG-10.

Personally, I find them about equal in edge holding, so either one is perfectly fine for me.
 
smcfalls13 said:
I agree, doubtful that it would happen. Most people that want the Native III handle will "settle" for VG-10.

Personally, I find them about equal in edge holding, so either one is perfectly fine for me.
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I agree, I'd take any "premium" blade steel. 440C is okay with me too! :thumbup:
 
Hi Fudo,

Mixing and matching steels from different countries does present mfg difficulties we'd prefer to avoid.

sal
 
That's one 'golden age' of manufacturing that never really hapenned did it?

I can remember in the early nineties everyone was talking up how the internet would allow us to order custom levis from the factory (I know they dd that for a while), custom cars with exactly the features we want etc. I know that Gerber (I think) were also offering this facility for a while as well.

Anyone with knowledge of marketing and manufacturing care to explain why this concept has never got off the ground?
 
Ming65 said:
Anyone with knowledge of marketing and manufacturing care to explain why this concept has never got off the ground?
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It's far too expensive to implement. People want the features they desire, but don't want to pay extra for them in most cases. Just think of the increase in price due to the shipping costs involved.

It also would take far too much time to execute, and time=money.;)

That's my opinion anyway.
 
smcfalls13 said:
It's far too expensive to implement. People want the features they desire, but don't want to pay extra for them in most cases. Just think of the increase in price due to the shipping costs involved.

It also would take far too much time to execute, and time=money.;)

That's my opinion anyway.
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Not only that, but I imagine those extra costs would be quite substantial. Think about it. Say you want a Endura, but instead of FRN handles, you want G-10 and “oh by the way, could you pleas put a CPM-S30V blade on it for me”. Now, the Golden plant has to come up with the tooling necessary to produce the G-10 handles (since it isn’t just like pouring different material into a mold), as well as doing so for a new blade design (I know the design is already there but the tooling for that design is in Japan, which means Golden has to come up with the tooling for it also). Not to mention that the steel is being shipped from another country. I don’t know about any customs fees, or applicable regulations, but the shipping alone is going to raise the price. I just shipped a package to a friend overseas, and it cost probably three times more than if I were to ship INCONUS, or even Hawaii. There is also the added cost of either maintaining a materials inventory, or special ordering them on demand. Either way is going to prove cost prohibitive. There may even be additional cost of hiring new employees for the production, procurement, inventory, and distribution of such items since the other employees weren’t just standing around waiting for orders. Either that, or expand work hours to allow for the now specialized orders, since not doing so could cut into regular production. Spyderco is a small company with less than 40 employees, and such an endeavor just doesn‘t seem practical.

I just looked at the Buck Knives website to be sure. They offer what you are seeking for their 110 folding hunter. The prices aren’t too bad, but you have to also consider that they start out at $65.00, which is more than is what a standard NIB 110 goes for ( I think Wally World sells them for about $30.00). They didn’t seem to offer this service on their other knives, just the 110. That’s understandable since (in my estimation) the 110 is probably the most copied folder in this country, and maybe even the world (although my knowledge in this is limited). It wouldn’t surprise me if that knife was more established in society than any other knife in production. My point is that because of the popularity of the 110, and it’s renown, if ever a company should offer such services, the 110 is probably the safest knife to do it with in terms of financial risk. How many 110’s do you think are in circulation compared to the best selling Delica/Endura?
 
New tooling for the new blade steel, of course it has to be a new grind as well, new tooling for the handle, a new clip would be necessary too. By the time all is said and done, you have almost a whole new knife, and all the costs associated.

Good point. I completely forgot about the expense of tooling.
 
Your welcome Fudo, although I think the answer better came from the others. Accurate analysis I might add. Very astute group.

I would however, like to take this opportunity to put in a plug for the custom makers. What you are asking for is what they do better than any factory could do.

sal
 
I guess that's the answer for anyone still looking for the above mentioned 'golden age'. While the mass producers haven't really been able to customise. The custom makes now have technology at their disposal to make some very affordable knives in good quantity.
 
Ming65 said:
The custom makes now have technology at their disposal to make some very affordable knives in good quantity.
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Not to mention a wealth of information for the newbees and far easier access to steels and other materials worldwide. And also a way to reach the public, though an unknown maker has more chance to sell in real life then on the net.
 
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