Too many Sprint Runs, Dealer Exclusives and Limited Editions?

RamZar

RamZar

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Mar 3, 2013
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It seems like we've been seeing a lot more Sprint Runs, Dealer Exclusives and Limited Editions the past year and of those more produced per model.

Is that too many as in diluting the limited aspect of these?

Even among many custom makers you see their customs and various production and mid-tech collaborations.

In looking at Spyderco and Zero Tolerance which I track I see that to be true. Even many of the "new models" are just variations of old/existing ones.

In 2016, Zero Tolerance delivered 27 new models 21 were Sprints Runs, Dealer Exclusives and Limited Editions. Only 6 of 27 were brand new models.

In 2016, Spyderco delivered 52 new models 16 were Sprints Runs and Dealer Exclusives. Only 16 of 52 were brand new models.


Zero Tolerance 2016
  1. 0095BW
  2. 0220
  3. 0450CF
  4. 0456
  5. 0804CF
  6. 0909
  7. 0450SIG
  8. 0450CFZDP
  9. 0770GRYBW
  10. 0770ODBLK
  11. 0900BLU
  12. 0452CFM390BLU
  13. 0801BRZ
  14. 0630CF
  15. 0900GLD
  16. 0808ML
  17. 0808GLD
  18. 0630ORBLK
  19. 0562ORBLK
  20. 0808BLU
  21. 0392BLKGRN
  22. 0392WC
  23. 0392PURBLKWC
  24. 0606CF
  25. 0606BLK
  26. 0999
  27. 0392BLUBOWIE

Spyderco 2016
  1. Stretch Lightweight HAP40/SUS 410 Burnt Orange FRN Sprint (Japan)
  2. Myrtle CPM-S30V Titanium/Marble CF (Taiwan)
  3. Tighe Stick CPM-S90V Titanium (Taiwan)
  4. Manix2 CPM-S110V Blue G-10 (USA)
  5. Native5 Lightweight S35VN Black Blade SpyderEdge Black FRN (USA)
  6. DragonFly2 Lightweight HAP40/SUS 410 Burnt Orange FRN Sprint (Japan)
  7. Vrango CPM-S30V Titanium/CF Inserts (Taiwan)
  8. Snap-It Salt H-1 PlainEdge (Japan)
  9. Snap-It Salt H-1 SpyderEdge (Japan)
  10. Mamba CPM-S30V CF (Taiwan)
  11. LadyBug3 Lightweight HAP40/SUS 410 Burnt Orange FRN Sprint (Japan)
  12. Rock Salt H-1 Orange FRN Sprint (Japan)
  13. Pattada N690Co Black G-10 (Italy)
  14. Lil’ Lum VG-10 Black G-10 (Japan)
  15. WolfSpyder CPM-S30V Green G-10 Ray Mears (USA)
  16. Cook’s Knife VG-10 Black Corian (Japan)
  17. Military CTS-204P Green G-10 KnifeWorks (USA)
  18. ManBug Lightweight HAP40/SUS 410 Burnt Orange FRN Sprint (Japan)
  19. Native5 CPM-S110V Dark Blue G-10 (USA)
  20. Military 52100 CF Sprint (USA)
  21. Domino CTS-XHP Red/Black Weave CF (Taiwan)
  22. Nirvana CPM-S90V Titanium (Taiwan)
  23. ParaMilitary2 CPM-M4 Natural G-10 BladeHQ (USA)
  24. Positron CPM-S35VN Orange G-10 KnifeCenter (Taiwan)
  25. Military CPM-S110V Blue G-10 (USA)
  26. ParaMilitary2 CPM-M4 CF KnifeWorks (USA)
  27. Mule Team 24 Maxamet (USA)
  28. Endura4 VG-10 Lightweight Zome Green FRN (Japan)
  29. Delica4 VG-10 Lightweight Zome Green FRN (Japan)
  30. Sage 5 Compression Lock CPM-S30V Textured CF/G-10 Laminate (Taiwan)
  31. Native5 40th Anniversary Damasteel DS93X Thor Martensitic Damascus Fluted CF Sprint (USA)
  32. Manix2 CTS-XHP Lightweight Brown FRCP KnifeCenter (USA)
  33. Introvert VG-10 Black G-10 (Japan)
  34. Ouroboros VG-10 Black G-10 (Japan)
  35. ParaMilitary2 CRU-WEAR Gray G-10 Sprint (USA)
  36. SpydieChef LC200N Titanium (Taiwan)
  37. Magnitude CPM-S30V CF (Taiwan)
  38. Manix2 Maxamet Lightweight Stone Gray FRCP (USA)
  39. Junction PSF27 Black G-10 (Taiwan)
  40. Jumpmaster2 H-1 SpyderEdge Black FRN (Japan)
  41. ParaMilitary2 CPM-S30V Pink G-10 (USA)
  42. Rubicon2 CPM-S30V CF/G-10 Laminate (Taiwan)
  43. Advocate CPM-M4 Titanium (Taiwan)
  44. Bread Knife MBS-26 Polypropylene (Japan)
  45. Native5 LC200N DLC ComboEdge Lightweight Red FRN Never Summer (USA)
  46. Manix2 CPM-S30V Black/Red G-10 106.7 KBPI (USA)
  47. Tenacious 8Cr13MoV Black PlainEdge Green G-10 (China)
  48. Tenacious 8Cr13MoV Black ComboEdge Green G-10 (China)
  49. Tenacious 8Cr13MoV Satin PlainEdge Blue G-10 (China)
  50. Persistence 8Cr13MoV Satin PlainEdge Blue G-10 (China)
  51. Para3 CPM-S30V Black G-10 (USA)
  52. Efficient 8Cr13MoV Black G-10 (China)
 
I don't think there can ever be too many sprint runs or dealer exclusives. It really puts some fresh blood into the system.
 
I don't know if it as easy as asking if it is "diluting" the populace. There will be some that will be more popular, less appreciated, not sell, and some that can't be kept in stock.
What this shows a company is where they can lead other knives, or give them a jump off point.
ZT knows that a harpoon might sell better than a Wharncliffe, and that stonewashed Ti sells better than a Black/Purple combo. They were able to figure this out with the least amount of tooling changes.

Spyderco can do the same, except they also have the option of seeing where their user base is happy with the myriad of alloy options amongst platform changes. This also allows for different models with the same alloy to perform differently.
- Take the HAP40 Delica and Endura/Stretch for example. The Endura/Stretch can take advantage of the toughness of HAP40 more readily than the Delica can, but not due to handle length or blade length but due to the thinness behind the edge (delica@.020-.025ish and the endura/stretch@.045ish).
Delica = slicer
Endura/Stretch = more a "Brutish" work knife
There is plenty to be learned from such a wide swath of materials and shapes to choose from when you limit the other variables.

Do you think ZT will be producing a New model that is a Wharncliffe after so many have hit the sales floor?
What about Spyderco?
They are probably looking into the potential of Maxamet, and G10/frn versions of their current offerings to drop the price a bit once they become a bit more commonplace.
 
I know with Spyderco and Zero Tolerance some of their Sprints Runs / Dealer Exclusives / Limited Editions now are in stock for a lot longer time period. Part of it is that the marketplace just has way too many great knife makers. Also, it's partly due to higher numbers of these being produced. Then again, some models are just derivatives of others with slight color changes.
 
It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of collecting all the various flavors of a particular model. I'm a Spyderco guy and have lots of Millies, PM2's and Kopa's. Probably a couple of years ago I gave up due to getting older and thinking jeeze I've got too many! As long as we knife knuts keep buying them the companies will continue producing them.
 
I hope this trend continues...I like seeing updated versions of my favorite blades. The ZDP version of the ZT 0450 was my favorite this past year....
 
Okay, of those new models for 2017 we'll see here soon, a full production 0392 damn well better be one of them.

Anyway, let me get back on topic: NJBillK has an incredibly wise perspective on the matter. I couldn't agree more, but to add, I'll say that I love the limited editions because I constantly get a chance to buy the sort of "better" version of a knife. I am familiar with the PM2 in black g10 and s30v. I don't really want it. But an s110v with blurple scales is highly tempting! But I don't want the s110v blurple to then be the stock configuration, as you might suggest, because part of the pull comes from the very idea of owning the upgraded version of the standard--so, to me, it is a matter of relatively.

That being said, I absolutely do not care for the "exclusivity" of a knife. I seriously don't care that I might have X knife and my fellow knife lover cannot also enjoy the blade; in fact, I hate that idea. And it has only given companies reason to change the colors on a knife and charge a premium for it simply because it's "limited edition"

And overall it provides variety, and variety is the spice of life. So to a certain degree I'll say I'm pro-limited editions


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Knife makers are trying to maximize profits, just like any business. If it generates additional sales, or allows them to sell for a higher price, then it will continue.
 
spyderco does these correctly. not too many for them. i like the ability to pickup different knives in different steel and carbon fiber etc. and the prices are always really good too, not many of them are over 250$

ZT tho charges an arm and a leg for sprints, but they may do them in less quantity. i like that they did m390, zdp189 i dont really care for the blue ano on the few but whatever, at least it changes it up, especially since some models were cloned, at least i know if i get a m390blu it hasnt been cloned yet. but the price is quite a bit more.
 
I like the trend. It gives one hope that you'll see That Knife... The one you loved the design of, but if only it was in this steel instead...

ZT and Spyderco seem to be the biggest here, but I think they are taking a fundamentally different approach... ZT does more of a collector approach, Spyderco does more of a different materials approach so there are a lot of variants of the same design.
 
I think there are too many limited/sprint run series.
I absolutely dislike this trend, as it creates unhealthy price bubbles. No one is beneficial except the retailer.
 
RamZar said:
I'm a lot pickier than a couple of years ago! :)
Click to expand...

I mean...your house is just so large, and it can hold just so many safes...
I've been amazed by your collection photos (and general information) over the last few yrs... Very, very nice.

In short, I do agree with your general premise that perhaps these things are being "over-done"....and yet, I really love my ZT 801BRZ (I have two), but don't care much for other 801 variants.
 
While we were involved in 4 or 5 ZT sprint runs this past year we never got an exclusive. I like the exclusives and sprint runs because ZT and Spyderco are giving some of their hard working dealers a little bit of a perk. Selling knives is a very tough business and it can be hard to get people to find you. When you bust butt all year round and are not just half way trying to sell knives out of your basement, it is nice when these companies do a little something extra for you. When it is a sprint run or exclusive, it gives you a chance to earn customers that otherwise may not know about you. I hope we see more of it in 2017!
 
I don't like the trend of insanely high prices,like the zt606 and 999 -500-750 for limited run production knives is just way to high.i don't care how high tech they are.and even higher spiked prices on the secondary market is even worse...
 
More M4, HAP40, CPM Rex 76, and other high alloyed tool steels.
That would sell me on more sprints.
Oh, and no choils on knives that are 4" or under blade length.
 
I love the idea of some of the Classic well known, well made models in a variety of steels..

My only issue with the runs are so limited that I have buying them is that:

1) They're already sold out by the time I see them
2) I don't have the money when they're in stock

I say keep 'em coming though
 
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