Reviving an old plea

S

sgtmike88

Joined
Oct 15, 2000
Messages
799
Sal,

I don't want to let this die,

How about that Wegner II ... VG-10 blade, reversable clip, slightly larger hole, eccentric pivot, etc?

Just planting seeds ... Thanks, Mike

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
I second that motion.

(Ah....would be damn sweet. Wishful thinking at least)

Tique
 
Oh, ...and black anodized hardware?
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Oh,...and black anodized hardware?
smile.gif


Edit: Sorry about the double post.

[This message has been edited by toothed (edited 01-24-2001).]
 
Hi Mike. I understand your request and can appreciate your interest.

However...this is one of those models that the interests of the forumites is opposite the reality of sales.

What's worse is, we cannot explain it. When we first introduced the model, sales were good. Then they tapered and are now marginal. The model has been promoted heavily by both Spyderco and Tim (Tim has done an excellent job) and yet sales do not demand the cost of a retooling.

I would appreciate any opinions from Wegner lovers as to why?

sal
 
I don't know if there is a reason why sales of the Wegner have declined. I do, however, appreciate you telling us why it won't retooled any time soon. We all have favorite fantasy Spydercos that we would like to see but you do not run a custom order business and you sure don't charge custom prices, and we simply cannot get every knife that we would like.
 
It sounds like the Wegner is on the soon-to-be-discontinued list.

The way the sales started good then droppped sounds like collectors jumped on it, and now only new collectors are continuing to buy it -- it hasn't penetrated into the general market.

Perhaps it is a price point problem. I recall that the Moran had to be modified to a lower price point before it would sell. Perhaps the general hunter market isn't interested in a $145 folder (MSRP). The passing of the FRN Goddard suggests that they may not be interested in a FRN version either.

How are the Pro-grips doing in terms of sales?

One more thought: Perhaps it is a problem of dealer purchasing. None of my local dealers (Boston) carry the Wegner -- I had to buy mine off of the internet. For the non-knifenut it is hard to buy or be interested in a knife that you never see. Then again, perhaps the sales curve is explained by dealers stocking them initially, but their sales didn't justify restocking.

[This message has been edited by Carlos (edited 01-25-2001).]
 
We all know how I feel about the Wegner. It is absolutely one of my favorite designs, period. I have advocated the Wegner for quite some time now.

I think that one reason the sales aren't what they should be is how the knife is marketed. I am not saying that I agree with it, but it seems as though knife image means a lot. The Wegner is marketed as a folding hunter. True, it was designed as a folding hunter, but I believe a lot of people over look it because they aren't looking for a hunting knife. Most hunters I know prefer fixed blades. I believe if the Wegner had been marketed as the latest "tactical" knife sales would be higher. A local knife store recently started carrying the Wegner after I let the owner handle mine. He loved it. He told me that he never stocked it because he caters to mostly police and military people and he didn't think they would want a "hunting" knife.

The Wegner is also one of those knives that you can't appreciate until you hold it. It feels much better than it looks. With the reality of internet knife stores people often don't handle a knife before they buy it. I believe this also hurts the Wegner.

It is a real shame that this knife doesn't get the attention it deserves. I know Spyderco wants to keep a good image, but maybe a review of its "tactical" capabilities in a major knife mag or some different marketing ideas would help. I would also suggest an ad that looks really good. Like some of the adds that Joel Pirela has done for Camillus. The Wegner is a great knife, but it isn't pretty. Maybe an attractive lay out would help. Unfortunatley often times it is not what you do or how good you do it, but appearances that really matter.



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Dennis Bible

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Sal, I truly appreciate the honest response. And in answer to your question, I'm reasonably certain that shootist hit the nail on the head. Most people seem to be interested in the latest and greatest tactical folder, not hunter. Marketing, IMHO, has led to the sales decrease. I live in an area where lower end productions prevail. The few shops that carry any decent folders will only stock the most current issues of highly promoted tactical hot sellers. The only time people in my area get exposed to higher end productions is when the Gun & Knife Show comes to town, and even then, the dealers present are pushing the latest and greatest. The closest (full) stocking retail dealer is a 220 mile drive.

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
You guys are probably right: I recall that I bought the Wegner rather than the Starmate or Military because at the time I didn't want a "tactical" folder.
 
Shootist may well be right,silly though the notion is. Other than that, the only reason I can think of why people wouldn't buy it is a more general application of the priniciple: "What fools these mortals be!"
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Ed Ricketts:
Shootist may well be right,silly though the notion is. </font>
Click to expand...

I agree that it is a silly notion. We live in an age of people wanting the latest toy to hit the streets. I don't believe many designs have the staying power of the past. I guess that is the double edge of the information age. We can get "new" designs faster, but "old" designs have to phase out to make way for the new ones.

The Wegner is great as is, of course I would be lying if I didn't say that I wouldn't like to see the Wegner II. I hope the Wegner stays in the lineup. I like this knife so much that I can't think of a substitute.



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Dennis Bible

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I, for one, specifically bought the Weg and Weg Jr because I didn't want my folder labled as "tactical." Even though this specific model is one of the best tac folders out there, I didn't want to have to go into a courtroom and have to testify about my use of a "tactical" knife on a subject. What I've ended up with is a pair of the finest utility knives I've ever owned. Too bad the silly ELU's can't see this and boost sales enough to merit a retooling.

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
I agree.

I got the Wegner because it was a "sleeper" tactical.

Everyone that actually handles the knife falls in love with it. You rarely see them in stores though. Many people probably don't even know about it.

Mine has been up North with an elk hunting friend for three years now. It's his everyday carry, and the only knife he uses outside the kitchen.

I guess I will have to get another one.
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I'm going to start recommending the Wegner more often for those looking for a "tactical".

Steve
 
I agree with the opinions posted on the Wegner, and my own experience has been this: I was up at my local dealer about a year ago and as usual I didn't really have anything particular in mind. I handled various folders, knowing that I would form a bond of sorts with the "right" one when I picked it up. I was offered the Wegner, and let me tell you it really stood out as a nice solid piece that indeed feels much better than it looks. However, I ended up going home with a CQC-7B that evening. Unfortunately, the Wegner just wasn't/isn't the type of knife that I like to collect (or rather accumulate
smile.gif
). I guess in this day and age people go for the high-tec/high-tac look and feel with exotic blade shapes etc.
 
One of the things that has made the Wegner so popular is the fact that it is so much more useful than most "tactical" knives. I actually had to talk a friend out of trying to buy a tanto-bladed knife because he thought it would make a "good hunting & camping knife". (OK- granted- this person is not a hunter) but for pure utility, the Wegner is one of the most versitile designs out there & a great "sleeper tactical" as mentioned before. One reason I like it is because it doesn't look like a "Kill-O-Matic", yet would perform well as a defensive tool if (God fobid) it should be necessary.

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"Never give a sword to a man who can't dance" (Celtic Proverb)
AKTI# A000107
 
The blade shape looks a bit well... weird.

W.A.

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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by The General:
The blade shape looks a bit well... weird.

W.A.

</font>
Click to expand...

The Wegner is definitley one of those knives that has to be handled to be appreciated. I wasn't interested in one at all until my good friend Chris Christman, of Top of Texas Knives, talked me into trying one. I immediately feel in love with the Wegner. The Wegner is like one of my previous girlfriends. Not much on looks but will rock your world. Maybe I need to give her a call.
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Dennis Bible

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