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Spyderco Bali-song?
- Thread starter CHAINS
- Start date
Sal Glesser
Moderator
- Joined
- Dec 27, 1998
- Messages
- 11,731
Hi Chains. Actually, we had no plans to do so, but Carlos posted a thread on the balisong forum about a year or so ago. He asked if the "balisong aficianados" would support a Spyderco balisong. The results were unusually positive, so we began a design.
Spyderco R&D is normally working on 10 to 20 projects at any given time, so progress is often slow on a particular model.
There are many balisongs on the market. Most are quite similar. (I've seen some Fred Perrin designs and a new Laci Zsabo design that were quite original). The market doesn't really need another "look alike" version of the traditional butterfly.
This would be new market for Spyderco so there is a learning curve. We do have a pattern that we are pleased with. (I am playing with it as "we speak"). We've spoken with knowledgable balisong people, shown a few protos at shows. If we can get to "play" with and refine interesting new concepts that are effective refinements....?
I can say that we've refined a number of protos.
Current plan is to introduce one model and then begin the "feedback" dialogue with the balisong ELUs to see if there is a market that we can serve and please. If the feedback takes us to exciting new models, then we'd be happy to continue and develop the concept. Lord knows the market has certainly moved into our concepts.
The current pattern of the "SpyderFly" does not lend itself to a traditional lock. We're not pleased with lock designs to date. The question has come up whether to introduce the first model latchless, or wait until we have something we're happy with. Do you have an opinion? I thought about asking that question on the balisong forum...maybe they'll visit here?
sal
Spyderco R&D is normally working on 10 to 20 projects at any given time, so progress is often slow on a particular model.
There are many balisongs on the market. Most are quite similar. (I've seen some Fred Perrin designs and a new Laci Zsabo design that were quite original). The market doesn't really need another "look alike" version of the traditional butterfly.
This would be new market for Spyderco so there is a learning curve. We do have a pattern that we are pleased with. (I am playing with it as "we speak"). We've spoken with knowledgable balisong people, shown a few protos at shows. If we can get to "play" with and refine interesting new concepts that are effective refinements....?
I can say that we've refined a number of protos.
Current plan is to introduce one model and then begin the "feedback" dialogue with the balisong ELUs to see if there is a market that we can serve and please. If the feedback takes us to exciting new models, then we'd be happy to continue and develop the concept. Lord knows the market has certainly moved into our concepts.
The current pattern of the "SpyderFly" does not lend itself to a traditional lock. We're not pleased with lock designs to date. The question has come up whether to introduce the first model latchless, or wait until we have something we're happy with. Do you have an opinion? I thought about asking that question on the balisong forum...maybe they'll visit here?
sal
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2000
- Messages
- 1,654
Definitely a question that should also be posted to the balisong forum.
Latchless has a certain appeal in simplicity and beauty. I think it was also your original sentiment for a Spyderco balisong some years ago. Of course that would limit carry options, requiring a sheath (?).
Latchless has a certain appeal in simplicity and beauty. I think it was also your original sentiment for a Spyderco balisong some years ago. Of course that would limit carry options, requiring a sheath (?).
Sal Glesser
Moderator
- Joined
- Dec 27, 1998
- Messages
- 11,731
Definitely a question that should also be posted to the balisong forum.
Hi Carlos. If you think it will get some opinion, go for it.
sal
Hi Carlos. If you think it will get some opinion, go for it.
sal
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2002
- Messages
- 395
I like the latchless idea, but for reference as to which handle you're holding, perhaps some unique indicator, such as a mock-latch-lip could be added to the safe handle... in a spyder-like fashion... another idea that came to mind is some sort of male-female latch system that links up when the handles snap together, both opening and closing...requiring only slight pressure to click apart... this would vastly improve opening closing times IMO 
By the way, the the idea of a spyderfly sounds awesome.... sign me up!
By the way, the the idea of a spyderfly sounds awesome.... sign me up!- Joined
- Nov 26, 2002
- Messages
- 97
If one were to go latchless, and Spyderco was genuinely concerned about method of carry.. As Carlos pointed out, maby a sheath.. well, Spyderco could be the first company to offer a molded Kydex sheath that had a couple of carry options (IWB/belt/neck for example).
It would be another industry first (as far as a production bali was concerned), make the knife more appealing to people that may not be so quick to choose a bali, and be a very hand and convienient accessory to those of us who are bali fans.
Kydex would not really increase the cost of production, and even if it did increase some, one could offer it as a simple 'option' for a few $$... Spyderco offering a "package deal"
It would be another industry first (as far as a production bali was concerned), make the knife more appealing to people that may not be so quick to choose a bali, and be a very hand and convienient accessory to those of us who are bali fans.
Kydex would not really increase the cost of production, and even if it did increase some, one could offer it as a simple 'option' for a few $$... Spyderco offering a "package deal"