Spyderco,taking on a new road?

J

Jim malone

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May 25, 2007
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I am a long time Spyderco collector and user.I have been collecting since the 90's. It seems that a few years ago Spyderco took a turn in a different direction. Instead of making tools for professionals it looks like they are turning into a different direction. The new releases have descriptions like "light, small, thin". The latest models are no longer affordable for the average professional.People pay hundreds of dollars for Titanium,high end exotic steel and design. Why? Is this customer demand or because of the input they get from the forums?
Every year fewer and fewer models seem attractive to me and those that do are too expensive. What's wrong with the old G-shock? Do you think we all wan't a rolex?
Or is this Spyderco's business plan? To become a high end semi custom maker?
 
I don't see it as you. I bought my first Endura in the early 90's, and they still make that model at a good price. IMO there price hasn't went up that much and they have more varity than they ever have. They've added some models with Ti for the people that want those while still offering a huge selection of knives less expensive than those.
 
They really do make knives for every budget. As a company, IMHO-they probably offer some of the best bang for your buck in a 65-200 dollar knife. Just my .02
 
Interesting thought. Hope you have your fire suit at the ready though... ;)
 
I don't care if i receive some flak. As a long time contributor,and a long time customer it is my right to voice my concern.
 
The model I really like, A LOT, has hardly gone up in price unless you get the more exotic titanium or carbon fiber handled variants.

In 1992 I paid around $100.00 for a CPM 440V G-10 handled Military. Fast forward to 2012, I paid the same for a CPM S30V G-10 handled left hand Military. And paid $130.00 for an all black CPM S30V G-10 handled right hand variant. So comparing the one from 1992 with the same model, left handed in 2012, about exactly the same price. Paid a premium for the all black model, but that is to be expected.

The Military is a true work horse of a knife. My 1992 variant is still with me to this day, the blade about 1/32 of an inch shorter due to countless honings over the last 21 years. If that holds true, the next 21 years wil lsee it 1/16 of an inch shorter, and I'll be f--kin 73 years old and probably falling apart at the seams. ;-(
 
I see that they are coming out with higher end knives, but they seem to have every price point covered don't they? Its not like they are going exclusively high end. What were big sellers "back in your day"? Endura, Millie, Police... They are still available. I assume that the ones that arent are so because of lack of sales.

Regardless, in the end customer demand will dictate the direction methinks.
 
Spyderco has a lot of knives to offer in various price points.

I agree that most of the newer stuff is getting up there in price. But most of that has to do with worldwide economic factors though.

I tend to stick with the more basic models, like the Para 2, Manix 2, Manix 2 XL and Endura 4.

I am waiting to see more sprint runs of the Manix 2 XL over the next couple of years, since I missed out on earlier sprints of the Para 2 and Manix 2.
 
I have seen them make knives that appeal to the masses and lots that don't. I stop buying from them in the early 2000s as they didn't make anything that really appealed to me. I bought a few which I still have (Terzuola/Calypso Jr.) and they have been retired due to my appreciation of the Millie/PM2 variations. Fads/Trends come & go, but those loyal to their offerings will always be here. I can appreciate the higher end knives (Ti Millie etc) but I don't feel they are "all in" going into that direction. While the Sprint runs/Dealer exclusives are definitely nice, it is also nice to be able to pick up the same knife with S30V and rock it without worrying about collector value or the like. Bottom line? If they make it and I like it...I will buy it.
 
You don't need a fire suit OP, since I've been collecting Spyderco's since they first came to market, and the bulk of my collection are long discontinued knives, with less then a handful of the last 3 years of production. I really don't care for much of what is being produced with the exception of the Dragonfly and Delica. I prefer lock backs over frame/liner locks, and G-10 with full liners and back spacers over FRN. I have lost count of the huge number of knives Spyderco has discontinued, and I'd be willing to bet many of those discontinued knives would sell quickly today if brought back. I love the Mule fixie, but don't care for at all their current crop of fixed blades, especially since the scales on the ones I do like are not removable. Anyway, the offerings are getting higher and higher priced, and in some cases higher then what one could spend on a custom made knife. I don't know what Spyderco's intent is for the future, but I would like to see a return to the production of knives people will actually use, rather then what they post on internet forums in pristine condition.
 
My opinion is that Spyderco is broadening it's horizons a bit. As for knives not being able to be affordable for the professional, that is somewhat inaccurate. The Rescue series, Mlitary, Dlica, Endura are still priced very well, and price increases surely reflect rising manufacturing costs. I don't know too many professionals that have to have a super exotic knife that is in the $250+ range, when a $120 Military or a $65 Endura/Salt is still very much available. Let's not forget the Byrd line, Tnacious, Prsistence, Resilience, etc.

I think what you are seeing is a lot of knives being released to reflect changing knife laws theoughout the world. Lots of sub 3" blade knives to give those thwt live in areas with strict laws some variety. Their money is just as good as ane else's, right? No need for kevlar one piece pajamas, just a bit of a wider perspective.
 
RevDevil said:
My opinion is that Spyderco is broadening it's horizons a bit. As for knives not being able to be affordable for the professional, that is somewhat inaccurate. The Rescue series, Mlitary, Dlica, Endura are still priced very well, and price increases surely reflect rising manufacturing costs. I don't know too many professionals that have to have a super exotic knife that is in the $250+ range, when a $120 Military or a $65 Endura/Salt is still very much available. Let's not forget the Byrd line, Tnacious, Prsistence, Resilience, etc.

I think what you are seeing is a lot of knives being released to reflect changing knife laws theoughout the world. Lots of sub 3" blade knives to give those thwt live in areas with strict laws some variety. Their money is just as good as ane else's, right? No need for kevlar one piece pajamas, just a bit of a wider perspective.
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Jim... I'm in the same corner you are as far as liking what Spyderco is currently offering and wondering if they are moving away from their roots with all the collabs and ethnic series offerings. I haven't seen a new model from Spyderco that I've wanted in a couple of years now. I think that Rev has probably come pretty close to the real answer, or at least part of it. Innovation and new market penetration seem to be important in keeping a company fresh and alive. Spyderco seems to be able to attract new generations of fans as well as keeping old ones with their offerings.

I'd like to see them focus mostly on stuff I like and bring out some new model that suit me... but I'm very narrow in what I like and my tastes are very utilitarian. If they did what I want, they'd have 40 models of 3"-bladed folders with G10 or FRN (black, of course) in 3 or 4 different blade steels. I might buy one or two of each model, but that wouldn't be enough to keep them in business. As long as they keep making something for me, even if it's an old model in a new steel or scale, I'm willing to share the company with those whose tastes are more adventurous than mine.
 
It's true that most of Spyderco's new models have been higher end, but they do still make plenty of affordable ones. They sure haven't come out with too many recently, though... other than the Manix 2 Lightweight and a couple sprint runs, I can't think of any.
I feel pretty neutral about the whole deal.
 
Besides the Temperance 2, just about all the Spydercos that I've bought over the past year, have been around the $100 mark. I feel that is very reasonable for a folder considering the quality you get from the Spyder.
 
I for one love the selection of different blade steels no one else comes close.
I think aside from a few minor things they are spot on
 
I like small, light and thin, but I love large, heavy, and thick...Take a look at the Native series and you will see a variation in price and materials while still staying true to legacy design.My opinion is that the N5 is beyond any doubts in my mind the best designed and highest quality Native and worth every cent.I think the affordability is still in the lineup plus you can step up to a model like the up coming C41CFP5 with theS110V blade.I think that the Golden produced models are on coarse in the right direction except for availability, but that's another subject...If some models don't float my boat, then I purchase other brands...I rotate between BM,ZT And Spyderco for EDC.I would not consider any of them thin,light, or small , but I don't know if my consideration is relative or subjective.Anyways if you can afford $120 for a knife then as least consider a Native 5 which is in fact a pretty darn good professional tool, but I can't tell by you're post what profession you are in....Spyderco still makes a working mans knife, but has diversified.
Peace,
salmonkiller
 
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FWIW, I'm a relative newcomer to Spyderco. I got my first one, a Caly 3 CF, in 2010. And, I was hooked. It was my first "EDC" knife. Now I've got over 50 Spydies. The variety of knives offered by Spyderco is what keeps me coming back for more. I call it the "Baskin Robbins" of knife makers. Lots of flavors!

I own models ranging from the inexpensive Persistence and Tenacious to a number of exotic steels like a PM2 and Manix 2 in CF / S90V, several of the "Ethnic" models, to an Abalone / Pearl Kopa. Love'em all. I only wish I had 50 pockets!

I was never a "knife guy" until I met a Spyderco. They're not just doing something right. They're doing a LOT right.
 
Bottom line, they have to produce what sells if they want to stay in business. The world is changing, and they have to change with it or go the way of Schrade and Camillus. If you're not moving forward, you're falling behind. Smaller, lighter knives sell better to the ever increasing population of cubicle dwellers who don't really need a knife at all, but want to carry one anyway. Exotic/expensive materials sell to those who are buying pocket jewelry rather than a working tool. There are more of that category all the time, and they have more money to spend on such things than us poor working stiffs. Sometimes Sal brings out something that we ask for on the forums and it works out well. Other times he ends up selling a bunch of pieces at a loss just to get rid of them. Trying to give the people what they want is not an exact science. Trying to make what they want at the price they want to pay is almost impossible. If you think their prices are getting higher, you're right. What has the price of fuel done since you started buying Spyderco knives? If I recall correctly, gas was $1.59/gal when I bought my first Spyderco, a Jess Horn lightweight, for $60. Now gas is $3.75/gal here, which would make that FRN and AUS-8 knife $141.50, which is more than I gave for my last ZDP-189 Endura, including having Tom Krein regrind it.

I don't much care for a lot of what is coming out either, but what do I know? I don't care for the Paramilitary 2, and those are selling faster than the factory can turn them out, so someone must like them. As long as someone is buying them, Spyderco should keep making them, even if I don't like them. There is always a chance they'll use the profits to develop something I do like.
 
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