Spyderco's annual culling - need opinions

Hi Sal,

Don't have much of an opinion on what should go, but do have on what to keep.

Please keep the Native & Military.

Hopefully the plans for a smaller Military are still in the works.
 
I would like to see the standard dropped. It seems an alright knife but, in my humble opinion it seems somewhat of a half measure. Those interested in the light weight of the CF handle and willing to pay the extra cost, are probably interested in a higher performance lock like a liner lock or compression lock.
 
I recommend these for Cancellation:

Police necklace
Snap-It
Centofantes
Walker
Horn
Viele
Zowda
Smith
Co-Pilot (unless it does something that Pegasus doesn't)
D'Alton

The Goddards and Wengers look like good working knives, but if they aren't selling then...

In the future, have a smaller number of collaborations at any one time. Set a rational maximum number. Kill one off before starting a new one. Special items like them are nice, but in this case they have run amok. :-)

The core of Spyderco's inhouse designs look very strong. Fewer of the in-house models look like deadweight.
 
Originally posted by Philip357:
...btw I own a Shabaria too, but I bought it because I really liked the shape 'artistically' since I do no see a practical use for it.
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Philip357:

The shabaria has a few major advantages:

1.it's one of the lowest riding spydies - hence - a very discrete carry.

2. It has a curved edge that lends itself to some knife-fighting techniques better then others.

3. It is one of the fastest opening Spydies around.

4. It has one of the best blade-to-handle ratios.

5. And - as you said - it is beautiful.

Sal - whatever you do - don't drop the Shabaria - we will just keep buying them every year...
wink.gif


Seriously - I agree there are more "small" blades then I see reason for - but as you said it - I don't care too much for small folders, and can't see the American market needs as well as you do.

Just my 02


 
Too many SKUs? Difficulty in paring variations of similar models? NO PROBLEM; do what General Motors does. They have Caddillac, Olds, Pontiac, Buick and Chevy all with different trim levels, market targets and pricing.

Got one model with different handles and different steels, how about black plastic cheapies in bubble pack as your Chevys and the Wegner, et al collaborations as the Caddys? The variants could be grouped by price and features of likely market (ELU) appreciation. Think about it, if GM were to put titanium torsion bar, independant rear suspension on Mrs. Klabberdasher's Buick, they would be throwing money away; she doesn't care. Put big, thick and cheap cloth seats in a $50,000 c5 and watch consumer's noses curl.

a) Cheapie/welcome to Spyderco entry level; b) step-up/special use; c)high end production and; d) collaborations.

Kids who saved up and bought a chevy drive caddies. Those who cut their teeth on Fords now drive Lincolns. Your situation is not problematic; it is opportunity.

Bottom line, Sal: you should have MORE SKUs, MORE variants and ANOTHER marketing division, or TWO. BTW, since it was my idea, I will head one of them for you.

[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 07-21-2000).]
 
Definitely keep the Zowada, the design kicks serious ass! Only one I tried in a store had real poor lock up, it actually worked exactly like a slip-joint, otherwise I would have gotten one! And keep the harpy too, way cool, and where else can you find a knife like that?

Also keep the catcherman because it fills the niche for a folding fillet knife. And the necklace police, 'cause I don't know of any other necklace knives out there?

But I'd say discontinue the Toad and the Shabaria, as well as the snap-it and the remote release.
But hey, I guess if something sells well, keep it!
smile.gif


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You could put nacho cheese sauce on it...
 
Obviously there will be some Spyderco's that get cut that some people like. Numbers don't lie. I would suggest culling the ones that dont sell very well. That is the bottom line. Supply and demand.

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Dennis Bible
 
HELL, I like the JD Smith!!

Am I the only one?!?!?!
eek.gif


Anybidy has a 2nd to sell, lemme know!
 
I hate to hear that the Worker will be discontinued. I love that knife. I have two of them. I prefer the plain edge.

Maybe you could discontinue some models (i.e. the Worker) for a few years then begin making them again. Kind of like the "New Coke" and "Coca Cola Classic" thing...
 
I would recommend dropping the D'Holder Toad, the Zowada, the Goddard lightweight seems a bit redundant to me. If you don't sell a lot of those Necklaces, you should let them go. I really don't think the Spydercard is very practical. I say drop the micarta Calypso jr, unless you make it in VG-10. I think the Progrip could be dropped. Do you sell enough Catcherman models? If not, drop it. The Walker lightweight has a poor liner lock as does the zytel Cricket, they could both go. If you drop these, maybe you could bring back the full size Calypso and introduce the Military Jr.
 
I have and love the Dragonfly. Please keep it.

I would keep the Cricket. I still want one, but I keep spending my money on dumb things like household bills!

Keep the smaller models. They are inconspicuous and useful.

You can easily carry one in the pocket of your sportcoat, and if you take it out to cut a loose thread, no one will be alarmed enough to call the cops on you. Gotta keep the sheeple calm.

I would be interested in even smaller blades, for instance, 1.5 inches and one inch. Folders that are sturdy and capable despite how small they may look.

Craig

 
With the exception of a few "armchair commando" pieces which I have for the sole purpose of enjoying the excellent design (Lum Tanto, Jot Singh Kalsa) and a useful design (Calypso), all of the blades I carry have less than a 3" blade. So from my point of view (I live in downtown San Francisco) the more small knives, the better. My needs are well satisfied with the Worker, Dragonfly and Calypso Jr., but I am nevertheless looking forward to the Salsa. As for a real list to cull:

Necklace
Tie Clip
Merlin
Spydercard
Progrip
Native (just too ugly)
Toad
Zowada
Goddard

Thanks for the opportunity to voice an opinion

 
Ok I have to throw in my thoughts here. Some have voted to drop the delica. I disagree!!! It's great for air travel and a few knife fighting schools actually recommend it. Both the Endura and the Delica have their place. The snap-it and remote release are good knives for mountain climbers, divers and such, however one of them can get the ax. The Spyderwrench would be great but it would have been better with needle nose pliers instead. Not saying drop it but maybe redesign it. As for dropping 50/50 blades. I like the half serrated and half plain blades. Although I do prefer plain I do find them useful. Models that should be discontinued should be the ones that are real close to another product on the catalog. Ultimately whichever gets the ax, someone will weep. Whats not your or my favorite is someone elses favorite out there.


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Jesse
"Usual Suspect" and HK Freak.
 
OOPS.
Wrong thread.

[This message has been edited by OwenM (edited 06-02-2001).]
 
I too am in the minority.

My first Sypdie was an Endura... wasn't a real smooth opener... bit large for my everyday carry... stop carrying when I broke the clip off. My everday carry knife is a M Walker LtWt, and I love it. It sees daily use... it's the right size and I like the clippoint style. I have the old and new Viele... just think it is a classy looking and a smooth opener. The new Viele is my "dress" knife :')

What I look for:
The Spydie hole... the best!
Style
Tactical looking but not "threatening"
2 1/2 - 3' blade
Plain edge
smooth opening (I've handled maybe a dozen different Spydies and the Walker Lt and Viele are the smoothest I've tried)


What I don't like:
The "endura shaped" blade
Tight clip which restricts drawing the knife
Colored Zytel (?)

~Kev
 
Sal, see Joyce Laituri's culling post. I'm to lasy to retype it! Thanks for being good when no one is looking! RKBA!
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by RH:
cardimin & architect: Check the date of origin for this thread - you guys are about a YEAR too late.</font>
Click to expand...

Just a year? I'm getting better.

 
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