Spyderco, no longer the value it once was...

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JeremiahWeaver09 said:
i own many of spydercos finest models, knives like the police 3, chinook 3, massad ayoob, civilian, military, szabo, yozimbo , gayle bradley, manix xl etc.... all new from dealers, and i dont believe i ever paid over $150 for any of them.
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Please look at the price of these models now, with the exception of manix xl, police 3 is around $130-$140, chinook 3 is unavailable new, military is right around $150, gayle bradley, massad ayood, civilian are definitely over $150 while szabo is almost $200. Yojimbo fluctuate anywhere from $130 to $170.

As I was looking at the titanium military it's now at $260 while the fluted titanium military is $310. I remember not so long ago when the ti mili cost $160, what happened?
 
Neomentat said:
Please look at the price of these models now, with the exception of manix xl, police 3 is around $130-$140, chinook 3 is unavailable new, military is right around $150, gayle bradley, massad ayood, civilian are definitely over $150 while szabo is almost $200. Yojimbo fluctuate anywhere from $130 to $170.

As I was looking at the titanium military it's now at $260 while the fluted titanium military is $310. I remember not so long ago when the ti mili cost $160, what happened?
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police 3 i am seeing for 125 shipped from several dealers on a certain auction site. military is 140 shipped. i am also seeing civilians for under 150 shipped. szabos seem to have increased in price, though i know i bought mine for 150 shipped. gayle bradleys can be had for 140 shipped. i also bought a sprint run ayoob for 150 when they were available. these are very high quality knives that are available for under 150 shipped. to compare, look at all the new emerson models, most of them are close to $200 or over from dealers.
 
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My personal experience with the Spyderco wire clip:

Last week, I had my Spyderco Cat clipped to the back pocket of my shorts and accidentally ran it through the wash and subsequently through the clothes dryer. When I took it out, it was still clipped to the pocket. It's not overly tight either, but from this experience it undoubtedly has great retention.
 
Luis G. said:
Spyderco Southard: $240-$260 G10, titanium CTS 204P. Horrid blade geometry (4mm stock, that tapers with an aggressive hollow grind makes it a POOR performer).
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On paper maybe, in use nope. The Southard destroyed the Domino (an ffg) in cutting cardboard and rope. Why? Grind isn't everything.
 
No, they aren't the value they once were, but its that way with all brands IMO.
Its not just Spyderco.
Thats OK with me though as it may keep me from spending as much on knives. I have all of the knives I want/need anyway.
 
My opinion is that Spyderco has been introducing more of their expensive models and they're selling. I would assume they make more money on the more expensive models. So, I view it as models and pricing reflecting their market niche and trying to continue to move into the higher end production knife niche that Benchmade and Kershaw (and ZT) have by introducing newer steels and perhaps slightly better overall construction.

As far as price increases and value, I think Spyderco keeps tabs on what the other manufacturers sell and make and their pricing reflects what they think the market will bear.
 
Stays Sharp said:
I'm off topic here but phew man! You must have a epic EDC load. Yesterday in a thread you said that you carry bigger flippers (safe to assume theres Ti involved so I imagine a size range there), then you said that you carry an SAK also, and now you just said you EDC a handgun IWB..... Not to mention keys, wallet, phone, etc etc. Wow. Impressive.

I insist on EDCing a Glock 19 size pistol (XDm Compact another example) and I can barely stand one knife after I include watch, buncha keys, money clip, and phone. To me, this is where lightweight knives shine. The Endura, LWT Manix, and BM 940 are prime examples of what works for me. Especially in my area where it is 90 degrees for 3/4 of the year and all I can wear are shorts and a shirt.

We are very different indeed.

There are times for IWB knives and again, another time that LWTs shine. When running chores in sweatpants or outside in basketball shorts, I can't carry those tanks.
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I'm 6'4 and in the 280lb range, so I'm able to get away with larger loads than a lot of folks are comfortable with. Quick rundown:

- Front right pocket: large folder which changes often
- Front left pocket: SAK Cadet Alox (although I'm expecting a Farmer today, so that might change :D )
- Front watch pocket: I'm blessed with a management position where I don't interact with the customer on a regular basis so jeans are my daily wear. In this pocket, I usually carry my lighter, and a Maratac III flashlight
- Back left pocket: usually where my phone's at if I'm not sitting down
- Back right pocket: wallet

IWB strong side, Kahr CW40 (I also have a S&W M&P that I sometimes carry, but I don't generally enjoy carrying a full-size handgun so it's not often)

So, honestly for me, a knife's weight doesn't really register. Like you, I live in a really hot climate (it's been high 90's all week during the day) but since most of my time is spent in A/C, I don't generally wear shorts. On those days when I'm out and about and AM wearing shorts, it's usually one of my pocket guns instead, for example, the LCP.

Now, all of that said, I AM beginning to experiment with the possibility of IWB carrying a small fixed blade. I tried it with my Izula II but just wasn't able to get used to the handle kinda poking into me when I sat down, so I ended up carrying it in my left front pocket for the rest of the day, and now, if I'm carrying a fixer that day, that's where it goes.


Krissig, sorry for being a jerk last night, I didn't mean my responses to really come off like they might have read. My comment about carrying my knife wrong was my (poor) attempt at a joke. I actually do think about that imbalance, and when I'm sitting at my desk, I generally take the wallet out and put in my lockable desk drawer. Oye, the price of carrying too much stuff.
 
Quiet said:
That's a good example, I'll definitely agree. Plus, you can get THAT knife!

I am currently on the "Email me when it's back in stock" for two or three different sites for one of the Manix's, have been for awhile. My own memory on their release differs from yours because I remember BladeHQ and one or two other places being sold out fairly quickly.
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BladeHQ was sold out 3 days after they got it in. I was monitoring it, cause I was planning on ordering one as soon as I got paid, and payday was 5 days away when they first listed it. 2 days before payday, it was gone. Luckily Knifecenter got theirs in a couple days later, and I was able to get one from them.

I agree, I dunno what's up knives like the Karahawk(which I was initially excited for), with G10 handles and VG-10 blades costing $180+(and that's at dealers, retail is much higher).
 
calc said:
Capacity is only one factor among many in what drives cost. Materials, labor, regional tax/duty, and other components influence what the eventual cost is. You can't really compare production vs. custom since made-to-stock vs. made-to-spec are completely different processes, but even if we were to try, there are far more reasons why customs are priced higher than capacity alone.

If you're talking about margin, that's one thing. But even then, there are more factors than capacity involved in demand. It's not really a good comparison because they're so different. Not all production is made equal.
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Capacity drives the costs of materials, as their cost is determined by the number of suppliers, the amount of material available, the ability to transport it, ie, the relative capacities. Labor is the same, compensation is based on the value of the outputs, ie the capacity for the human input to generate value. Taxes are levied based on the output of the entity, again proportionate to their capacity. The processes of custom and production are different because of their relative capacity. We are dealing with the conversion of scarce resources, the speed and quantity of this conversion affects the per unit pricing. That is a consideration of utilization, the measure of the capacity to do work. Cost of capital is based on risk represented by the borrower, their capacity to pay down debt. It's about capacity, but it isn't about one single form of it. But in an economic sense, it is always about the ability to efficiently use a volume of inputs - direct materials, human intelligence, energy, time.
 
hardheart said:
Capacity drives the costs of materials, as their cost is determined by the number of suppliers, the amount of material available, the ability to transport it, ie, the relative capacities. Labor is the same, compensation is based on the value of the outputs, ie the capacity for the human input to generate value. Taxes are levied based on the output of the entity, again proportionate to their capacity. The processes of custom and production are different because of their relative capacity. We are dealing with the conversion of scarce resources, the speed and quantity of this conversion affects the per unit pricing. That is a consideration of utilization, the measure of the capacity to do work. Cost of capital is based on risk represented by the borrower, their capacity to pay down debt. It's about capacity, but it isn't about one single form of it. But in an economic sense, it is always about the ability to efficiently use a volume of inputs - direct materials, human intelligence, energy, time.
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I gotcha, I had just assumed you were strictly speaking of production capacity, i.e., throughput. Thank you for clarifying.
 
Quiet, thanks for sharing. You're a big dude! I'm only 5'10 a buck 70.

When I do carry my LCP which isn't often, it goes front right pocket as well and a LWT folder like an Endura goes to left or right IWB. This works very well for me but I like having a bigger pistol.

Concealed fixed blades are prohibited in the great state :rolleyes:of CA or else I'd def utilize that option. Fixed blades have to be open carry here and I'd really prefer not to do that.
 
I just ordered a Sprint Run Manix 2 in Cru-Wear.
For US$161 I get a very strong, well made, ergonomic, easily carried 4.3 ounce folder with an ambidextrous lock, easy one hand opening/closing, a degree of exclusivity (Sprint Run), and a very good blade steel. Personally I think it good value, worth the price.

I want, seriously do want, a BM 940-1. Been in the cart on and off since first released. I just haven't been able to justify the price. If the price was where it would be without the enforced MAP thing I would definitely have bought it by now.

I haven't bought a BM since the price jump. Have bought 4 Spydercos in that time. To me, that's where I'm seeing more value.
 
^
I got my Cruwear Manix for $138. It's good that dealers are given a chance to compete in this case. It's a deal at $160, a steal at the price I got it for.

....And again, it's all relative...to guys that only buy $50 knives, paying that much for one is CRAZY. And everyone set their own values differently. Spyderco seems to have multiple options at all price points.

BTW, I caved and bought the BM940-1 CF. One of the best knives in my rotation, a little pricey but I still recommend it.
 
I consider still the Delica one of the most durable knives out there, it will outlast a Minigrip by years IMO...
So 70$ and your set for life, seems cheap to me ;)
 
Stays Sharp said:
Quiet, thanks for sharing. You're a big dude! I'm only 5'10 a buck 70.

When I do carry my LCP which isn't often, it goes front right pocket as well and a LWT folder like an Endura goes to left or right IWB. This works very well for me but I like having a bigger pistol.

Concealed fixed blades are prohibited in the great state :rolleyes:of CA or else I'd def utilize that option. Fixed blades have to be open carry here and I'd really prefer not to do that.
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Tell me about it. I wish I was your size some days, definitely easier to buy clothes, that's for sure! LOL A lot of stores think that if you have a 34 inch inseam that you most only have a 36 inch waist at best. Ah well.

I do have some Maxpedition bags which all feature a conceal carry section, which I will sometimes carry my M&P or one of my other fullsizers in, but of course, here in Florida, Maxpedition stuff is generally referred to as "shoot me first" gear. Hmmmm...that guy over there has a gearslinger with MOLLE in it, preeeeetttyyyy sure he's got a gun! LOL

I think we're in the same boat with fixed blades, however, as a CCW holder, I'm good to go generally. Florida is pretty good for gun and knife laws. Now if we could just get rid of all the crazies...

Anyway, back on topic: I am definitely on the wait list for one of the S110V Manixs'. :thumbup:
 
Y'all are all stating these prices but I don't know where y'all are getting them from. I paid $140 for my Gayle Bradley, $150 for my Manix 2 Foliage Green CTS-XHP sprint, $108 for my PM2, $115 for my Caly 3 CF/ZDP-189, $68 for the Dfly ZDP-189. All of these (plus several others) have been purchased within the last year. The only PM2's I've seen over $150 are the sprint runs.

If y'all are paying anything close to msrp you're plum out of your minds.

Oh and I prefer the BBL to the compression lock, so I hope they don't change the Manix 2.
 
K.O.D. said:
Y'all are all stating these prices but I don't know where y'all are getting them from.

If y'all are paying anything close to msrp you're plum out of your minds.
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People post these bloated prices to support their arguments. Their point becomes "stronger" when they say a standard PM2 is $200 as opposed to $108 shipped from popular dealers lol.

Those higher prices DO exist, but the same goes for any knife brand. B&M stores etc, you will find them priced that way. Hardly exclusive to Spyderco though right.
 
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