Spyderco Custom Shop - Ideas and Discussion.

I never understood why this isn’t in place already. Customers want it, it would sell more knives. I guess all the guys that buy up and flip sprints for profit might get upset if this cuts into sprint runs.

My suggestion:

start off with 3 popular models- PM2, Native 5, Manix 2

offer 3 or 4 choices of blade steel. s30v, 20cv, m4, k390, etc

4-5 g10 colors, carbon fiber, or micarta

satin or DLC coating

This would be a hit.
 
One thing that has not been discussed much is the acceptable prices of custom shop knives. Let's take PM2 as an example, how much would be reasonable (from the end user's perspective) for a DLC M4 orange g10 PM2? $200, $220, $240, or $260?
 
sharp_edge said:
One thing that has not been discussed much is the acceptable prices of custom shop knives. Let's take PM2 as an example, how much would be reasonable (from the end user's perspective) for a DLC M4 orange g10 PM2? $200, $220, $240, or $260?
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My custom Crooked River with S30V and carbon fiber handles cost $300. With upgraded steel add $40 to $200 to that, which I’m willing to pay. The PM2 seems like the most comparable candidate price wise+- $30. I’d surely pay similarly along those lines.
 
Good suggestions, I didn't even think about an actual custom shop, as in having a blade reprofiled, handles heavily customized, and what not. My head was in the BM custom configuration format. I wonder in what way the Spyderco crew was looking at it?
 
I would love, love, love this. If I could order a PM2 and Shaman in a steel and handle material/color of my choice I’d be ecstatic.
 
Custom blade profiles might be a good idea.

Repeatable small batch runs of simple variations on existing platforms, with blade profiles that would otherwise be of unknown success in the marketplace. Of those, if there's a standout popular choice of something, maybe it could enter production.

This could be a fantastic way to test the waters of the market. Small batches help mitigate the financial risk of an unpopular item and can help unleash creativity.

Another idea: Custom heat treat protocol.

Anyone want 63-64 HRC M390?

How hard can REX-45 realistcally get? What about 10V, K390, and 4V?

Random Example: Paramilitary 2 with a spine profile reminiscent of the Stretch, in a steel best suited to support being ground thin behind the edge, with a custom heat treat designed to maximize edge stability and edge retention.

You'll probably have some dealers wanting their own exclusive custom shop sprint runs.

Why not?
 
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If Spyderco does a custom shop I would think it would be similar to the Buck knives custom shop and the Benchmade custom shop.
 
If this ever happens and go through, beeing able to choose steel and frn colour, maybe even steel/TI scales, on the Delica/Endura platforms I would be in heaven personally...
 
Interesting thread. Thanx SubMicron.

We'd really have to nail down what we would do and not do. We make quite a few new models each year now. My first thought was to create our own solutions. I don't know how Benchmade, Buck or any one else does their custom shop. Seems to me that the cost to do would be much higher than a regular model, especially if hand work is involved.

Is a model like the "Crooked River" also a production model?

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
Interesting thread. Thanx SubMicron.

Is a model like the "Crooked River" also a production model?

sal
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It is indeed and they have the Mini CR as a production option as well

Say what you want about Benchmade, and I have strong opinions too, but objectively speaking, the CR is a good looking knife if you're interested in that kind of traditional outdoor knife look.

The CR is an interesting model to bring up. My previous "random example" wasnt actually so random, and the Crooked River plays into a point I have not posted yet.

What turned me on to the Crooked River was a video online showing an extremely well done custom version. Seeing that custom CR made me interested in the production version, almost enough to buy one. If I didnt harbor strong opinions about BM, I would have purchased one a while ago.

So then a custom PM2 with spine reminiscent of the Stretch would bring a marketing synergy that would draw attention to both the PM2 as well as the Stretch.
 
Start with the most popular USA made G10 models: Military, PM2, Para 3, Native 5, Manix 2.

Several readily available steel and G10 options with micarta and CF in there too.

Satin or DLC finish option.

Black or silver hardware option.

Saber or FFG blade grind option, maybe even SE, PE, or partial edge.

Some sort of subtle custom shop marking on the blade.

As far as price is concerned, I think most would easily pay $50 over sprint MAP to have their ideal custom build. I may even pay $250 for a saber ground Native 5 in Cruwear and OD micarta!
 
I assume these will probably be limited to Golden models?

Price will be an important factor that is will the price be closer to MAP or MSRP? Closer to MAP may become an issue with dealers.

Probably a limited number of blade steels and handle materials/colors.

Someone may be able to order something similar to a Sprint Run and/or Dealer Exclusive. For instance, what if you wanted M390 and Blue G-10 like BBS.
 
My idea is that there is a custom configure portion of the website. You pick what you want and submit it through the website. Spyderco selects configurations based on whatever criteria they see fit and produces 100 (or whatever sprint-ish quantity) and the person who submitted that configuration gets theirs for free.

At the end of the year there is some sort of measurable (quickest sell out, most votes, whatever) and that person gets to DESIGN their own knife.
 
The PM2 with black & gray digital camo scales & a DLC coated saber ground blade. Rounded Green micarta scales would also be nice.....⚔

I forgot, blacked out liners....
 
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Personally, if Spyderco started a custom shop, I’d like to see it turn out something like Olamic Cutlery’s. Metal handles with custom finishes, hardware, anodizing, and maybe inlays on popular Spyderco models.

For instance... BladeHQ will be coming out with an exclusive Paramilitary 2 with copper scales and NO LINERS. This is a great first step!

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Now take that... And add some hardware options with custom anodization like this.

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And then maybe if that worked out well, inlays could be added to the options.

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And/or maybe things like custom speed holes and whatnot.

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The idea of a limited combo of options sounds like the easiest way to get the ball rolling with custom offerings.

A cautious way to start would be to feature one of the more popular Golden models with the choice of any production steel offerings (Satin and DLC) plus any steels that are allocated to upcoming sprint runs. If for some reason they happen to have a leftover supply from a scrapped sprint/exclusive you could also offer that steel - a good way to clear stale inventory. Then offer the scales in existing FRN and G10 colors plus Carbon Fiber. Spyderco could feature one model per quarter and then perhaps two for the Christmas season.

Example - Fall 2020: Para 3
  • Steel Options: S30V, BD1N, S45VN, S110V, SPY27, REX 45, 204P, Maxamet
  • Scale Options: FRN (Blue, Black, Red, Orange), G10 (Black, Blurple, Gray, DigiCam, Orange, Green), Carbon Fiber

Above is the easiest way for Spyderco to dip their toe in the custom-ish world. All of these scales and steels could potentially be in stock? If not, with a little planning something similar could be at the ready in the Fall.

Now, if I could customize my dream knife, it would be a Native 5 in CruWear (DLC) with Micarta scales and a compression lock, or they can just make me a CruCarta Shaman Mini. The only way I'm ever going to get one is if Sal and Eric make it. Come on, guys!

One thing I will add to this ... If we could order a Spyderco in a wide variety of configurations from the factory, it would deter a lot of people from swapping the blades and scales at home.
 
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All the fancy trimmings look nice and all, but I would be much more interested in Spyderco if they released a fixed blade version of all their folders.
 
Boombats said:
All the fancy trimmings look nice and all, but I would be much more interested in Spyderco if they released a fixed blade version of all their folders.
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This thought has never crossed my mind... But looking through my Spyderco folders, I gotta say, I'd purchase several of these designs again as fixed blade knives. Good call.
 
Fixall said:
This thought has never crossed my mind... But looking through my Spyderco folders, I gotta say, I'd purchase several of these designs again as fixed blade knives. Good call.
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I mean it might not translate well to every design, but some of them for sure. Maybe adjust the handle dimensions a bit but otherwise I think it could work.

Imagine a Shaman or Slysz Bowie in fixed form!
 
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