Spydie models: Too much of a good thing?

Harry Callahan

Harry Callahan

Fresh outta warranty
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Joined
Mar 17, 2002
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Spyderco releases a dizzying number of knives each year and as a result, they discontinue a great number of models. This gives knife enthusiasts great cause for panic and impulse buying. I've sworn off this cycle. I can't count the Spydies that I've aquired in a full blown panic, only to sit on a shelf. Spydies are meant to be used. That's where they really shine. If I live to be two hundred years old, there's no way I could fully appreciate all of these knives to their fullest extent.

This brings me to the point. Is Spyderco giving the public too much of a good thing? Hear me out. There's still folks running around EDCing G2 Workers and Mariners. There's still folks EDCing ATS-34 Militaries. There's still folks carrying (and using) first gen Enduras and Delicas. In the years that have passed since these classics were intro'd, (then either disco'd or upgraded) there has been a slew of models released then disco'd. A person could have missed, for example, the whole Dodo experience. The whole Adventura thing. The whole Kiwi thing. Take your pick.

The point is, Spyderco releases models at such a dizzying pace there's no way - no POSSIBLE way - anyone can fully appreciate all of them. I've sworn off even trying. It is a cycle of crazyness. Gotta have all the new models, gotta get all the disco'd models, gotta get all the forum models.... ENOUGH!! Sheesh. There's still people out there carrying non-chamfered Mariners and using them daily.

I love Spydies but there's just no way (financially or otherwise) that I can continue to aquire fifteen to twenty new models (plus sprint runs) per year.

It's sheer madness. :confused:
 
I've wondered about Spyderco's business model for a time now.

The way Spyderco continually developes new models and discontinues older models seems designed to create a "collector" market. Spyderco seems to maintain momentum by keeping the "rush" of a new model going as well as the "its been discontinued frenzy" going.

Not many businesses can keep that cycle in step, though.

But, also, there is usually some Spyderco model that can be found of interest by most knife buyers. In a market where there is strong competition, that is a good thing.
 
It's not a bad thing to keep interest up in a line of knives. Look at how many companies that produced the same models year after year, went out of business.
I buy what I want and I don't feel I'm getting hurt at all, by all the NIB Spydercos I have.
I've bought other brands and after a few years decided to sell them. Almost always wound up taking a loss. So, I'm not too worried about the 5 old Style Manix I have stashed, or the pair of D-2 Millies and all the others. Sure some models will probably never bring a bit more than I paid. But, I want my collection to at least hold it's value not be worth less. Spyderco is very good at that IMO.
 
Spyderco does keep their bread and butter knives going. Military, Delica, Endura, Dragonfly. Which probably keep hooking the new Spyderco-ists.

A Delica is what snagged me :D

Their constant flow of new stuff is just what I love. It's like a never ending smorgasbord of delicious stuff. Just when you think you are full to the max..... out comes the apple pie with vanilla ice cream already beginning to melt on top of it :D

I love experiencing all of the new models and reading about their performance. It's funny that Spyderco knives and knives in general have made me wish to never die. I would like to wear out each and every knife I like over it's 10 year, 30 year, or even longer life span.
 
I carry a Spyder for SP. My Para will go the distance with me. I started with an Endura first. Spyderco is my fav folder company.
 
I love the variety but I do think they are leaning towards a "collector" market with the introduction of sprint runs in different color handles or different blade steel. Not that is is a bad thing! I've barely broken in my BG-42 Military and now got the s90v Manix 2 in the mail. It just means that nothing will see the use and "love" that my original Worker or Harpy has.
 
too much of a good thing can only mean less for everything else.
and anything over the top usually means going under come hell or high water.
what matters is just how much greatness one could attain out of anything.
enjoyment probably lies in having accumalated material way beyond reason for no apparent reason.
 
I don't have to have any Spyderco knives, it's a want; not a need. Wants can be controlled, when they become needs you should step back and re-evaluate why you're in the hobby. I understand where you're coming from, I've been there too. It really sounds like you just need a break from the whole thing, maybe take a month or two off. Use the ones you have or none at all and come back when you feel ready. Nothing ruins a hobby worse than attaching stresses to it. "Spyderco" as a hobby should be fun and exciting. :)

Spyderco producing and releasing so many designs just means that at any given point I have a lot of options of what I want to purchase, carry and use. I don't need to acquire any of the newer models but can pick and choose what I want. Best part is that if I find a model that is less than ideal I can sell or trade for usually little to no loss. The market is a very efficient one.

A person could have missed, for example, the whole Dodo experience. The whole Adventura thing. The whole Kiwi thing. Take your pick.
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I feel that you are forgetting that most Spyderco fans are not in it for the whole of the Spyderco experience. They care about what interests them and generally that is just a small window of the line-up. Myself, I took one look at the Adventura and decided to pass on that model. Same thing with the Kiwis, they just never interested me. However, the Dodo really perked me up, show me one for sale to this day and I will do some quick mental math to see if I have enough money to buy it. Most people don't want to have the entire Spyderco line-up sitting in their curio. Only the really sick ones would like that. :D
 
I'm sorry, but I can't stand seeing the same old line up year after year. There has to be something new, something interesting, something totally unexpected.

Spyderco's past and present product lineup I'm guessing more diverse then any other knife company. I don't think they discontinue models to create a frenzy. They have a set line that makes money, and then collaborates or plays with the other models they release. Some do very well, others not so much.
 
Maybe its time to re-evaluate what is important in life - being healthy, having a family and so forth.

With so many consumer goods just one click away on the internet, it is easy to get lost in the rat race, where happiness is derived from the latest toy.

I have so many dang knives now that they are almost losing their mojo. I'm starting to think that the guy with one quality EDC knife in his pocket is just as happy as the guy like me with dozens and dozens of knives of all flavors. I've considered selling 90% of my knife arsenal, so that the few knives I would have remaining would have some significance.

As for Spyderco cranking out lots of new models and losing the old ones, Brother Sal is just in the business of making money, which is not a bad thing. Considering the number of Spydies I've bought this year, I am helping him achieve his goal. :)

But I do think it is helpful to reflect on what really matters in this life, and when you say that you can't count the number of Spydercos purchased "in a full blown panic", maybe one's priorities get a little out of whack. Thats the way it is for me, anyway.

:thumbup:
 
Noodle--- I agree. My goal of obtaining ONE folder and ONE FB was met.
The Para Military is my folder and my Busse Nuc is my FB. The rest are getting sold. I want the Balance.
 
I can no longer collect spyders for the sake of collecting Spyders. My lowered income coupled with medical bills saw to that. I do try to buy the ones that fit my needs that are a clear step up in performance or quality though.

To be honest though that's been difficult. The Manix 2 CF/S90V is a good example.

We have a knife a bit shorter than i like, but in a lock that should be immensely strong, which won't develop blade play.

Plus S90V steel? Full Flat grind! Yeah, I think that's reason to buy one for me.

And that's how I evaluate new knife buys. :)
 
I can no longer collect spyders for the sake of collecting Spyders. My lowered income coupled with medical bills saw to that. I do try to buy the ones that fit my needs that are a clear step up in performance or quality.

To be honest though that's been difficult. The Manix 2 CF/S90V is a good example.

We have a knife a bit shorter than i like, but in a lock that should be immensely strong, which won't develop blade play.

Plus S90V steel? Full Flat grind! Yeah, I think that's reason to buy one for me.

And that's how I evaluate new knife buys. :)
 
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Hi Harry,

There are many knife markets that we serve. I would guess that it would be very difficult to try to own all of the variety of knives that we make for all of the various markets we serve.

Our Military models (autos, jumpmasters, etc.) are created to serve the requests received from those customers.

The entire "Slipit" line is the result of meeting a "legal question" and possible future legal questions.

Some like custom collaborations, which we try to keep new and intersting.

We make some real workhorses with excellent, tough materials for beating hell out of. (Endura, Delica, etc.)

Now and then we make a true collector knife.

We make small knives for carry and use in urban environments. We make blades for saving whales, knives for troops in the middle east that are not regular items for distribution. We make knives with special steels for "steel-heads". Knives based on regional designs (ethnic series). We also try to do humanitarian things with our knives (Aids, Cancer, Alzheimers).

And we try to do it all with quality, safety, ergonomics so you can experience carrying, cutting edges and good geometries, good quality steels, interesting locks, all with gusto performance.

We're not much in the way of businessmen, but we are knife afi's, working hard and serving many markets;.

sal
 
Harry Callahan said:
I love Spydies but there's just no way (financially or otherwise) that I can continue to aquire fifteen to twenty new models (plus sprint runs) per year.

It's sheer madness. :confused:
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I have to be honest, I've never tried to catch every new Spyderco knife. The thought never occurred to me.

However, I will say that I love Spyderco's business model. They have a core set of knives that make up their best sellers, and rarely change. These knives have been available for years, and you expect that they will remain available for years to come. These are what the average buyer will see and purchase.

They also produce the sprint runs, continual new knives, special editions, limited editions, etc. And these are also great. It allows them to continually bring new options out, and see how they do. Some of them will do amazingly well, and eventually earn a spot on the core lineup. Most will go for a year, maybe a few years, and eventually be discountinued, so another new option can be brought to market.

As I see it, everybody wins. ;-)

Well, maybe not someone who's trying to acquire every single knife model Spyderco produces. . . anyone who's that crazy is going to have their work cut out for them. My guess is that there's only a few people who shoot for that goal, though. Most of us will keep our Spyderco collection much more modest, cherry picking those knives that best fit our needs.
 
Mr. Glesser,

Speaking as a humble user and collector, I just wanted to thank you for the work you do and the fine products you produce. It's such a pleasure for me to see what new products your company offers and though I don't have the means to acquire all the models I would like, your knives are always at the top of my list.

I'm particularly taken by your "ethnic" models. It seems to me like they might not be the highest selling models you produce but they are very interesting and unique. Plus, I find them to be a great ice breaker when I pull one out in front of a NKP. Once I explain the storied history of the Khukuri or Barong, it likely seems like less of a weapon and more like a tool or even objet d'art to the uninitiated. Anyway, I'm glad that a company that out there is producing them and I'm even more glad that it is your company, Spyderco. I'm sure I will not be the first or last to thank you for your efforts and integrity.
 
slimshaneee said:
Spyderco does keep their bread and butter knives going. Military, Delica, Endura, Dragonfly. Which probably keep hooking the new Spyderco-ists.

A Delica is what snagged me :D
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Ditto, me too. The Delica has been great, and I carry a Dragonfly at work. Looking forward to the new Dragonfly (VG10/G10). Don't forget the Police in their enduring line. A favorite among LEO/MIL.
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Harry,

There are many knife markets that we serve. I would guess that it would be very difficult to try to own all of the variety of knives that we make for all of the various markets we serve.

Our Military models (autos, jumpmasters, etc.) are created to serve the requests received from those customers.

The entire "Slipit" line is the result of meeting a "legal question" and possible future legal questions.

Some like custom collaborations, which we try to keep new and intersting.

We make some real workhorses with excellent, tough materials for beating hell out of. (Endura, Delica, etc.)

Now and then we make a true collector knife.

We make small knives for carry and use in urban environments. We make blades for saving whales, knives for troops in the middle east that are not regular items for distribution. We make knives with special steels for "steel-heads". Knives based on regional designs (ethnic series). We also try to do humanitarian things with our knives (Aids, Cancer, Alzheimers).

And we try to do it all with quality, safety, ergonomics so you can experience carrying, cutting edges and good geometries, good quality steels, interesting locks, all with gusto performance.

We're not much in the way of businessmen, but we are knife afi's, working hard and serving many markets;.

sal
Click to expand...
When I read Harry's post, I was thinking that a great deal of Spyderco's rapid pace has something to do with a group of people following their passion...and along comes Sal and says as much. There's the business model, which needs to address sustainability; the sustainable business operations in turn allows for Sal and Eric to passionately pursue research, collaboration, development, and production. I don't think anyone at the top in the Spyderco family has too much time on their hands, or suffers from boredom. We all need to keep busy in life.....and life is better when we are engaged in doing something we enjoy. Much of Spyderco's "high productivity" is just the result of passion. I think these guys really like what they are doing........and along comes another new release. ;) As well, Spyderco uses their marketing model as means to refine and "discover". I like their "never a dull moment" approach.....it makes for "gusto performance". :)

Personally, I can't afford to collect many......but I enjoy the scenery; and the few that I do own do seem to cut pretty good. :D And no one yet has asked to me leave because I didn't buy the latest release.;)

- regards
 
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Spydie models: Too much of a good thing?
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Nope. One of the primary reasons I like them as a company so much.

I don't buy them all, but there's always something new and interesting to look forward to. Keeps it fun.
 
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