Sprint run question

[flipe8]

Does anyone know how it is determined to do sprint runs on past production models? Is it simply a matter of requests, or is there more to it? Also, does anyone know if there are some discontinued models that were brought back and now are back in the regular line-up due to continued interest?Thanks.

 

[smcfalls13]

I'm pretty sure there's more to it than just requests. Otherwise there'd be sprint runs of just about every knife Spyderco discontinued.

I'm not 100% sure, but I would expect it to be a more objective decision. I would guess sprint runs are chosen based on the combination of expected sales and ease of manufacturing. I believe they also use sprint runs to test the market demand for certain new products.

Prime example is the recent sprint of ZDP-189 Caly Jrs.

The Caly Jr. in any configuration has always sold well, hence the multiple sprints of the gray version. It was also quite easy to manufacture since the run required no extensive retooling of the handle scales or blade shape, just a different color FRN, which to my knowledge is pretty easy to do. Also it was an inexpensive way to test the popularity of ZDP-189 without committing to brand new tooling and designing for a new knife.

I could be wrong, as all this is speculation, but thought I'd offer it up as one possible explanation.