Spyderco's annual culling - need opinions

Sal Glesser

Sal Glesser

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We are currently in the process of trying to determine which models will need to be culled to make room for new models. Most of our dealers prefer that we do not carry too many models for dealers & distributors due to the problem with large numbers of SKUs & their inventory.

Those models culled will more than likely go into a "discontinued & close out" section of the Spyderco Website (which is in the process of being redesigned).

I would like to know which models you think we should discontinue for 2001?

I can tell you that we will be dropping the C01 "Worker" model. The "Worker" model was the first Spyderco Clipit. Introduced in 1981, The Spyderco Worker is the model that literally changed the way the world makes knives. It was the first knife with a clip and the first one hander (serrations came the following year). Some say it was the first "real" tactical knife.

We will be producing a special short run of Worker models that will be different, to recognize the 20 year run (1981 - 2000) of the pattern. Each will be numbered and there will be a presentation box with some info about the knife's history.

What is your opinion about "what should go"?

sal
 
Sal,

Sign me up for one of those 20th anniversary Workers!

To answer your question:

1. The Pro-Grip II.

2. Also, don't know your sales stats, but how do the heavier stainless steel models do? I would think that sales would be low for the Endura II for example.

My thoughts,

Dean

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"All is well. And all will be well - in the garden." Chance the Gardener
 
Dean - thanx for the input. Do you mean the lite weight or stainless Pro-Grip?

re: weight question. There seems to be 2 schools of thought with regards to "heft". Some like it better, some don't. We try to provide for both preferences. The Stainless Endura sells well because of it's price as well as it's heft. With the AUS-6 blade & slightly lower quality, we can provide a "Police Model" type of knife for much less.

The Stainless Police Model, which could be considered as somewhat of a "Classic" is still high on the charts. Even after 15 years.

sal
 
Sal,

I was referring to the stainless Pro-grip.

Interesting about the stainless versions of the larger models. I really like my stainless Dragonfly and am considering a stainless Delica or Native. I hadn't considered the larger models because of weight concerns.

By the way. I really like your knives - keep up the good work, innovation and customer service.

Dean
 
Now watch this thread drift into a "wish list" for more models and variants!
wink.gif


Copilot maybe? I think the Dragonfly is the Essential Little Spyderco, and the others can be "evaluated." But how about a plain edge ... Oops! And a left-handed Dragonfly?

I haven't seen a lot of interest in the J.D. Smith or Zowada or D'Holder models. The "Toad" gets a lot of "That's CUTE!" reactions from non-knife people, but those are also people who can't comprehend paying a high two-digit price for a little knife. And I hate to admit that I haven't seen much interest in the Centofante C25 and C50, because I think the plain-edge C25 is a nice useful knife (that I'd like to see as a frame-lock. OOPS! I did it again!



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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
James - the only real "OOPS!" that I know of would be: "lower quality", "forget performance", "forget the ELU", etc.

None the less, I won't let you change this into a wish lost. This is serious. (I know, you be serious & I'll be Roebucks).

In order to have our 2001 lists and catalogs to dealers by OCT, I need to make these decisions now. Many decisions are based on input (reasons are great to) from ELU.

sal
 
Sal,

Well - this may show how ignorant I am of what is still IN your lineup....but in my opionion the 'pro-venator' could be dropped w/no tears shed. Add to that the Dyad - which has never done much for me personally. I don't have much use for the Toad either - just little to.....little (bladewise) for me!

Bob

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"The search is half the fun!"
 
- Worker...agreed
- Standard...yawn
- Necklace...why?
- Harpy or Merlin...having both in the lineup seems excessive, could lose one of 'em
- Copilot/Pegasus/Navigator...see above
- Delica...never done much for me
- Provenator/Pro Hunter
- Goddard...the sun has set on this one
- Cricket
- Toad
- Q
- Moran
- Rookie

And believe it or not I like Spydercos! To be able to thin this many shows how huge the range has become. To actually thin this many would focus the catalogue more and leave room for those upcoming models.
smile.gif

 
Sal,
Any and all necklaces can go. I'd get rid of the Michael Walker lightweight too. Believe me, nobody would like a GENUINE Walker/Spyderco with the carbon fiber scales more than I would but its too pricey. Porsche's not the only thing for which there's no substitute and the lightweight just doesn't do it. On the other side, I have to stick up for the Pro-Grip II. You already axed my beloved Hunter (I know it's on the discontinued page) but you need a stainless handled drop point in the line up!

[This message has been edited by tortoise (edited 07-16-2000).]
 
Tortoise - Welcome to the Spyderco forum. Honored that your first post would be here.

Thanx for the input.

sal
 
I agree with Ferret, with the exceptions of the Cricket and the Moran.
This should thin the herd sufficiently to make room for the new and improved stuff. Bring'em on!!


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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu
 
Let me second or third the opinion here,to cull from the smaller knives that have similar traits. Also another vote to keep the Pro-Grip which I just picked up along with a Hunter.
 
I would have to agree with some of the other posts:
Cricket- doesn't do anything for me
D'Alton
Pro-Grip Stainless
Snap-it OR Remote Release (Maybe I'm missing something but I've never understood why there are 2 you can attach and quickly release)
Good luck, that must be tough cutting some of the "kids" loose.
Eric


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Outside of a dog, a Knife is man's best friend. Inside a dog it is very, very Dark.
 
Walker Lightweight - never much cared for its ergonomics, and it definitely was one of the less sturdy models.

CoPilot - although one graced my pocket on flights all over the world (when serrated blades were still politically correct), the Dragonfly is your best, all-around, small package. (In my opinion, better lines and performance than the Pegasus or Navigator.)

Harpy - deep six it in favor of the Merlin. Most of the commercial fisher-folk and those who work with rope/line on a daily basis favor less expensive blades.

Catcherman - honestly never owned one, does this specialized, niche model sell?

The SnapIt and RemoteRelease both serve the same general purpose. Do sales justify both, or for that matter, either?

Toad - one word, "warts."

My two cents...

Joel
 
I like light-weight knives with a good(metal) belt clip(like the ones you use!). Drop the Cricket(to be replaced by the Meerkat), and the mini-Police necklace.

From the posts above mine about the snap-it and remote release, I think the snap-it should be dropped. I agree that the two models are too similair, but the remote release seems to me to be the better model(and I don't want it dropped from the line before I get one
smile.gif
). That huge clip right next to the open blade on the snap-it seems rather odd.

And could someone please explain what the Harpy/Merlin thing is? It's really confusing me. Is it the same knife with a different name, or am I more confused than I think I am?


[This message has been edited by jrollins (edited 07-02-2000).]
 
Ack! Don't lose the Cricket!
eek.gif


The Delica & Endura lightweights are the "can't go wrong" basics of the line. I've never been much interested in the Delica II and Endura II. My favorite stainless models are the Native II, the Calypso Jr., and the Dragonfly.

I haven't had much call for the Worker of late, but it seems a shame to lose it from the line. Sort of like Colt discontinuing the Single Action Army.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Hi Sal,

Have to agree with most of the posts here. I think you have too many knives in the smaller blade category. I think you should do it on account of the sales. Which sells and which dont and base your judgement on that too. I can only buy so many knives with similar blade shape and spydie hole. And the smallest folder I will get is one with a 3" blade. I do not like really small knives. Hope this helps. My favorite so far is the Wenger. Full size.

Liong
 
Sal,
Pro-Venator and Pro-Grip. They are too small. I think the Wegner C-48 and Wegner Jr C-49 are better buys. I definitely agree with the rest of the guys on the Walker lightweight C-37. The Wayne Goddard C20 and Lightweight C16BK should be phased out to make space for others too. I personally think the WG C16&C18 is enough. Hmmmm yeah, the Cricket! I think its time too to wave good bye to this one...
cool.gif


Sam

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stilltryintokeepitsharp!
 
OK IMO,

Reduce to one handle option for those that exist in multihandle Zytel, fiber, stainless, micarta.

Reduce models that are the same but in different sizes.

Consolidate the "little knife" catagory to
just a few models.

Maybe I'm a heretic but many of the new collaborations make be YAWN:

Moran, Walker, Centofante, Horn, Terzuola, Zowada, Smith, Shabaria, Lum, Goddard

DaveH
 
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