Thoughts on CRK price increases

You might have the math wrong on the increases. AFAIK prices went as follows:

- Large Models (21, Inkosi, Umnumzaan) to $450 (from wherever they were)
- Small Models (21, Inkosi) to $375 (from wherever they were)

Example: Large 21 with Micarta inlays was $510 now is $550.

To my knowledge inlay pricing did not change, it's +$100 for micarta and normal wood, +$150 for premium wood, +$200 for Damascus.

 

The only thing that went up is base model pricing, all the upgrade pricing remained the same as far as I know. So if a base model went from $410 to $450 (for the Large 21) a model with Micarta inlays would be $100 on that ($510 to $550). I'm not sure where the $485 number is coming from, it might be a price point from the previous increase and you're only seeing the large jump compared to that?

 

With so much demand they can mark them up however high they want. And honestly they are worth it.

 

Like everything else, it's inevitable that CRK's will/has gone up in pricing. It's hard to tell from the outside looking in why prices go up. Most think it's because of greed, but there are factors that are unseen. The cost of staying in business is not cheap. With things like, utilities, insurance, taxes, labor, upkeep on equipment, advertising and such it's impossible to keep prices at a stand still.
I have a side business and before I can put any profit in my pocket, I've got a little over 5 grand that has to be paid first before a dime goes in my pocket. As those costs go up, I've got no choice but to increase my rates if I want to keep doing the side work.
In all, I'd rather see the prices go up and know the quality/service remains the same rather than see a sub standard product produced for the sake of price fixing.

 

This post really hit the mark for me.

I see so many products and services where the business is trying hard to maintain pricing and the quality suffers as a result. I don't want substandard quality at any price, but most especially from businesses that I purchase from EXACTLY BECAUSE I know what quality I can expect!

This effects many businesses in a negative way, but the one where I personally experience it most often is in the hospitality industry: restaurants and lodging.

And it's also the reason that in so many businesses, Customer Service has become "Customer NO-Service!". Because quality employees and high customer service standards cost money.

 

I am sure they have thought long and hard before making any price increases. I like most prefer to pay as less better than more, but still think they are worth the money.

 

The funny thing about the price increase is that they increased the most popular model the most while less sold models didnt increase as much or at all.

Just mentioning PJ variants.
Lg 21 was 410 went to 450 increase by 40
Sm 21 was 350 went to 375 increase by 25
Zaan 425 went to 450 increase by 25
Lg Inkosi stayed same at 450
Sm Inkosi stayed same at 375


As you can see the increase is not proportional but rather targeted. Inkosi dont sell as well as 21’s and if you increase them they might have even less sales. Keep in mind that the standart Inkosi and 21 are now same price however the Inkosi has dual lugs which cost another 25 to add on the 21.

Additionally the 21 Micarta specifically used to be 485 in 2016 and went to 510 just last year and again increase this year to 550 so in less than a year and half it went up by 65. Furthermore, i believe (not sure) but the micarta is cheaper in material cost than the wood inlays. Additionaly, the standart wood inlays that are same price and come with a leather pouch while the micarta does not.

I know i am just listing facts at this point but you can see a pattern and it was also snuck in right after Benchmade and Spyderco’s price increase announcement.

I totally understand price increases as materials and economy just requires it in order to remain in business so long as the price increases are same across the border of the models. However, seeing above numbers it looks more like targeted specifically the most sold models. I doubt that anyone will disagree that out of the plain jane models the 21 has most sales and in terms of inlays the micarta 21 has top sales.

 

Price will be at most levels what the market will bear. I watch mostly the secondary market and the CRK increases have filtered through fairly quickly. Good for sellers not so much for buyers.

One question I would ask, is there a seasonality to CRK knives on the secondary market?

 

I see it as a simplification of the overall pricing structure. Large knives are $450, small knives are $375. I don't think the Inkosi is a poor seller given the current liquidity on the secondary market.

 

I didnt mean poor seller overall i meant its sales are less compared to the 21.

 

They will sell what the market will bear I guess. Sadly, for me, it has crested over what I will bear. I have no doubt they are worth it; just not to me. I have 4 and have been eyeing 2 more but probably won’t buy new now, and may just move on to another brand and see where that takes me. But I do love mine and will watch the used section more closely now.

 

I guess I'm surprised they held the old pricing as long as they did. Costs increase and it has to be covered somehow. I mean, I can't keep my rates the same forever either.

 

According to what Tim mentioned to me while meeting him at the IWA show in Germany last weekend, the sales or lets say the demand for the Inkosi is currently higher than for the 21. But this just as a sidenote. My understanding is that the Inkosi, as being introduced just recently (in CRK terms ), is priced according to what they need to earn money with it. The "old buddy" 21 hasn't seen price increases for a few years and what they did is basically just pulling the 21 up to the price level of the Inkosi.

 

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I'd love to see all of the sales data. Just curious to see what sells the most or what types of Sebenzas (wood inlay vs CGG vs micarta vs UG) sell the best, etc.