Sprint Runs vs Exclusives on Paramilitary 2 knives

Bento Box has the exclusive right to build as many PM2's with that M390 blade with that blue color handle as they want. My guess is they will sell as many as they can right now and into the future as possible. I'm sure we will see many more of them after this batch sells out.

That's not quite accurate. Bento Box would have to order batches of these from Spyderco, and by that I mean that they are produced in production runs enough to make sense for Spyderco. For example, a minimum production run might be 250 or 500 or something like that, versus 10 or 15. Second runs of dealer exclusives are not common. Off of the top of my head, the only other 2nd run that I can think of was the EDC forums Moonglow Manix 2. There may have been more, but I can't recall any right now. To boot, I don't think that there have been any 3rd production runs of dealer exclusives.

A dealer can continue to order batches from Spyderco as noted, but most dealers don't after the first run. You have to think that as the dealer, you have to front the cash to Spyderco for the production run that they are given, and then they are stuck with them until they sell out. If they move slowly, that's a bunch of knives sitting there not making money for you. If you have ordered 600 of them, that's a lot more of any other single model that you will likely have on your shelves.

Another thing that makes the multiple run unique is that Spyderco is typically issuing other variants of the same knife: i.e. - in this case, the standard production Para 2's are there, and the upcoming green one. These variants, in a sense, are competing with each other for sales.

My guess is that there will not be another run of the Blue Para 2 after this one.
 
I appreciate how Spyderco supports its dealers with these exclusives, but it is very frustrating for the end user with all the pre-order requirements and limited run Beanie Baby nonsense. I would be a much happier customer if I could buy a PM2 from a dealer in my choice of steel and scales.

Just curious, how much more would you be willing to pay to "build your own PM2?" I see your point, but hopefully Spyderco might just settle on making one of these awesome newer steels the norm. I guess ordering from a set of handles would be cool and not cost anymore.
 
Makes sense nccole. My comments were from a user perspective, one that has more than enough S30V knifes. I share your excitement for CTS-204P and would much prefer it to the S35V and think the PM2 makes an excellent platform for a variety of premium steels.

I appreciate how Spyderco supports its dealers with these exclusives, but it is very frustrating for the end user with all the pre-order requirements and limited run Beanie Baby nonsense. I would be a much happier customer if I could buy a PM2 from a dealer in my choice of steel and scales.

Well in theory you can, by going custom. You can usually find makers that can and will use just about any steel, handle material, and combination of the 2. I'm not sure what you mean by preorder requirements though. I've had no problems catching multiples of the sprint runs. Usually it's the folks that arrive after the items have been out that have a hard time.

There are manufacturers that do offer a couple models in your choice of handle color and blade steel. I think Spyderco wouldn't do that due to being a relatively small company, compared to the other manufacturers. The idea of a Spyderco Custom Shop was discussed a while back, and the idea eventually was put to rest by Sal due to production capacity, and overall work force.
 
May I ask why you care so much? Are you not going to use it? If you plan on using it and keeping it, forget exclusive vs. sprint and get what appeals to you.

Thanks for the comments. This has been really helpful for me. I care so much, because I like to understand what I am buying. And frankly this has been a lot of information to intake. There are sprints, exclusives, numbered club editions, re-ocurring exclusives (bento box), never returning exclusives, M390, CTS-204P, S35VN, S30V, S90V, 20cp, and 204P. This sentence is making a noob like myself get a headache.

I shouldn't care so much because I WILL be using the knife. However, I would like to justify to my wife and to myself why I can spend $180 on a limited blue knife with some special steel. Maybe my hope is that after a few years of use, I can turn around and sell it for close to what I paid and get another limited knife that suits me better? I am not looking to "flip" the knife for a quick buck. This has been way to much work just getting a grip on understanding the metals and editions to make that worth it. Maybe I am just like most of you and like to get something that is a little special. I mean that is why they make special editions of things, right?

Anyway, I really appreciate all the thoughts and comments. As of right now, I think I would most likely go for the green one (on the waiting list) or wait for the next limited run and enjoy my black one for now.

My issue with the blue one is that it seems a bit over priced. Everything on his site is expensive, and the fact that this is a 2nd run on the knife makes me think it isn't so special. I asked how many blue would be made, and the owner said that he didn't know. My guess is that we will see blues again after the 2nd run since there is so much demand for the PM2.
 
Just curious, how much more would you be willing to pay to "build your own PM2?" I see your point, but hopefully Spyderco might just settle on making one of these awesome newer steels the norm. I guess ordering from a set of handles would be cool and not cost anymore. ]

Well I would certainly pay in the $140-$275 range (depending upon the steel and scales) for a premium PM2 in that scenario and I have no doubt that Spyderco could entice me and many others with attractive options. I think any higher than that I would just choose the custom route, which the limited available of PM2's in premium steel seems to be pushing me more towards anyway. I know production schedules are involved, but there is not a shortage of labor, materials or willing buyers for a premium production PM2 option(s) in addition to the basic S30V version as an alternative without having to mess with the pre-pay & pre-order limited stuff. The Delica, Endura, Dragonfly, Stretch, & Ladybug all have the ZDP-189 option in addition to the VG10, which has FRN scale options, so a regular production PM2 of the premium sort in at least one super steel seems plausible instead of having multiple options.

Well in theory you can, by going custom. You can usually find makers that can and will use just about any steel, handle material, and combination of the 2. I'm not sure what you mean by preorder requirements though. I've had no problems catching multiples of the sprint runs. Usually it's the folks that arrive after the items have been out that have a hard time.

There are manufacturers that do offer a couple models in your choice of handle color and blade steel. I think Spyderco wouldn't do that due to being a relatively small company, compared to the other manufacturers. The idea of a Spyderco Custom Shop was discussed a while back, and the idea eventually was put to rest by Sal due to production capacity, and overall work force.

I can see the pro and cons of a custom shop from Spyderco's perspective and respect whatever business decisions Sal make. I am aware of the custom route and try to support the artisan knife makers, particularly those in my area. I feel very fortunate in being able to acquire as many Sprints, Limited edition and Forum Spydies that I have, but some have slipped by me that I would have purchased. I haven't been late to the game often, but the Green PM2 in production is one that I missed out on as it is sold out well before release date, whenever that might be. I may end up missing out on the knife, but if I do both Spyderco and Knifeworks missed out on on my money as well. Sure I could pay $100 premium to buy one from a flipper on ebay or in the exchange, but I'm generally not inclined to do that. I have purchased multiple sprints, Mules, and Forum knives and sold some of those myself, so I am certainly do not mean to cast aspersions on anyone that chooses to sell a collector for a profit. For me it's more of a matter of having a hard time to justify turning a knife I paid an inflated price for as user, which is what I'm most interested in. So I'm stuck with two choices I don't like, 1) Pre-Order & Pre-Pay plus wait or 2) Pay a premium in the secondary market. I'm just selfish and want another option.

I just find it a bit odd and frustrating given the current economy to not be able to purchase something utilitarian like a knife due to an artificially created scarcity, hence the Beanie Baby comment. I suppose it could be viewed as a great position for the dealers and Spyderco to be in, but is it really that good for them? How much business is Spyderco and dealers missing out on these limited runs versus a regular production premium option on the runaway hit that the PM2 is? They could do both and make everybody happy. What would Spyderco do should one of these pre-order and pre-pay deals fall apart leaving the consumer without their money or knives? It appears that demand for the PM2 simply exceeded projections resulting in a production backlog and will be temporary in nature. I'll continue to play the game because I'm a big fan of the product and the company, but I'm just not a big fan of the pre-order & pre-pay model.
 
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Yes, not to mention that although several exclusives have come back for a second dip, I don't recall any going for a third run.

May I ask why you care so much? Are you not going to use it? If you plan on using it and keeping it, forget exclusive vs. sprint and get what appeals to you. Me, I skipped the blue because it is $180, and I already have a blue knife. The green is $140, identical steel except made by Carpenter (which is an American company if you care), and I do not have a green knife yet. Don't read this as me jumping on you, I am not. At this point in time, you cannot get a 20CP or XHP except second-hand and $$, the S90V is worse, the 204P's have not shipped and are all spoken for, the browns are S35V which is basically the same as S30V, so unless brown just does it for you, I would skip that, so the blues are the only non S30V PM2's left. If you want any of these, I would jump on the blue now. Spyderco will probably do some more sprints/exclusives in the future, but no guarantee. If you are thinking about holding it and then re-selling it to make a buck, the blue will do that for you too, although I bet you use it if you buy it with that intent :D
 
When did Spyderco say January?

I'm moving in January, I really, really hope that I don't have to contact Bento Box and ask them to change my shipping address at the last minute.
From the Spyderco website which is linked above by Kreole:
ParaMilitary2 Blue G-10 - M390 Blade
SKU:C81GPBL2
Estimated Delivery
January 2012
 
How far back were the green Para2's pushed back? That might help us gauge how long we'll have to wait for our Blues.
 
The steel in the green is CTS-204P (same as the new Southard, and the same as M390 just from a different company). Spyderco said June, Knifeworks said July. The pre-order was filled in February.
 
Is there a mailing list for specials/exclusives, or do I have to just frequent this forum or Spyderco's website? Thanks.
 
Is there a mailing list for specials/exclusives, or do I have to just frequent this forum or Spyderco's website? Thanks.

Frequent the forums.



I think its about time for another Carbon Fiber Para 2. Since there's only been one I'm thinking next year will bring us another.
 
Frequent the forums.



I think its about time for another Carbon Fiber Para 2. Since there's only been one I'm thinking next year will bring us another.

Let's keep bringing it up until it comes to fruition. And I hope they make enough for everyone this time. I'm not into paying private sellers $400 bucks for one.

Like I suggested before, not concurrent but two versions would be nice: Some uber steel for the snobs, and another for the masses with something like CPM-154. I'll buy both!
 
The steel in the green is CTS-204P (same as the new Southard, and the same as M390 just from a different company). Spyderco said June, Knifeworks said July. The pre-order was filled in February.

For the record, the preorder sold out very quickly in February, 2012. The estimated delivery was to be June or July, 2012. Today is December 2012, barely 2 weeks from 2013, and no definitive word yet as to when the knives will actually be sent to customers, very good chance it won't be in 2012 though.
 
10 months that's some delay, I guess because the standard models are sold out they're catching up with those first.
 
For the record, the preorder sold out very quickly in February, 2012. The estimated delivery was to be June or July, 2012. Today is December 2012, barely 2 weeks from 2013, and no definitive word yet as to when the knives will actually be sent to customers, very good chance it won't be in 2012 though.

I am still waiting also..
Anyone know an ETA?
Green my fav color!
Thanks
 
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