Underwhelmed with new offerings?

Yo Mama

Yo Mama

Joined
Sep 25, 2011
Messages
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I'm in a little funk I guess, I'm just underwhelmed with major manufacturers new offerings. Two things I've noticed:

1. Makers putting out same knife in a new color and steel - Ok, after you go past s30v or 154cm the difference in steel is minute. I'm starting to appreciate companies more that don't go crazy with the steels, and instead focus on quality control.

2. The crazy grinds - major manufacturers going crazy with design instead of function, the new Spyderco Magnitude is a perfect example, it looks like it got stuck in an angle grinder and dragged down the road by a toddler. What happened to clean grinds that function? (and 280 dollars for Taiwan made! for real!?!? with s30v steel??? come on, not thrilled here!!!)

I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, but the flashy stuff isn't catching my eye anymore like it used to. Now, I want a fun knife that works. Autos have me bad, specifically Protech, and the designs I've bought recently are more than a few years old. Emerson also got me good. Both have focused on 154cm steel, and maxed out it's potential. Emerson gets a lot of flack for doing this, but it's also what makes me love them more. I can honestly say for once in my life there is not one knife on my want list that Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, Cold Steel, Buck, or Kabar have come out with in the last year or two (minus the Para2 in s110v, because that was just awesome, and yes I know it violates my first issue but oh well!, and blurple is actually cool). It seems like they keep trying to throw out so many models hoping one sticks.

Am I the only one? Let me hear it folks.
 
my needs and uses have changed but i've also narrowed in on what i really want in a knife and what i really don't. from that perspective, my purchases are much fewer and farther between as i have some blades that hit high 90's for me. still looking for that 100 but it takes a lot more for me to buy now (one was the PM2 in s110v lol). i don't see it as a bad thing, the me of 20 years ago would love some of those new models so there's something out there for everyone
 
Does some of this maybe relate to the current flipper obsessed market? Seems like a lot of new product focus has been on flippers lately.
 
Like mentioned above, my tastes and wants have greatly narrowed, so my purchases have decreased. That and I'm a user vs a collector. I have my needs pretty much covered. Flippers don't do much for me either, so there goes the rest!
 
IMHO, a lot of the new models I consider to be techno-freak frankenknives. Just plain ugly and look like they would be a pain to use. I'll stick with my Ontario Rats, Kershaw and CRKT (along with my Rough Riders, Colts and Marbles for traditionals).

Rich
 
I just wish companies would pay attention to aftermarket upgrades and make knives that didn't need upgrades like for example the mini griptilian, why isn't the manufacturer filling the whole, I like the steel but man they could stand to upgrade to nicer scales that weren't gray.


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I just goggled that Spydie Magnitude, that is an ugly knife. Looks like it's trying to be some sort of BM 550.
 
I'm not much of a bearings and flipper guy. I pass on a lot of new models because of this. Truth is, I'm very happy with the folders I have at the moment.

I have been eyeing the Spydie Sprig. Might have to take that one out For a ride. Looks like a great camp blade.
 
I always see new knives I want. :)
You could give me a billion dollars (seriously, if someone would, that'd be great :D), and I could spend many happy years buying knives without ever getting bored of what's out there.

I'd also buy my own spaceship and have an astronaut on retainer.
Which would lead to the greatest thing of all: space knife. :thumbup:
 
I would be willing to go for more GEC traditional knives if they came out with more stainless steel. They have a wide range of finely finished attractive products, but that 1095 maintenance keeps me at bay. If the Northwoods had more stainless I would be on board with them as well.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
stabman said:
I always see new knives I want. :)
You could give me a billion dollars (seriously, if someone would, that'd be great :D), and I could spend many happy years buying knives without ever getting bored of what's out there.

I'd also buy my own spaceship and have an astronaut on retainer.
Which would lead to the greatest thing of all: space knife. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Lol, this is exactly how I feel. The only thing slowing me down at all is money, definitely not boredom.
 
Ummm, I don't think so. Kinda agree with the OP and others. A bit pricey....but it is NEW! and a FLIPPER!

SpidyMagnitude.JPG
 
Golly I hear You,

For Example:

I was a Case fanatic years ago, today I have (4) left. What I mean by that is exactly what you mention, Same Knife, Differing steels, Colors, 4 bazzillion handle jigging's. I no longer collect Case knives older than 1978 today for these reasons. This should be obvious to many seasoned collectors but often not recognized. It is all about maximizing sales/Profit in today's world, the Case Company is one of the best at this, They have been around long enough to see all the trends and adjust as necessary with their product. And although they are not alone, most Knife companys have gravitated to this type sales strategy in today's market.

Please do not get me wrong Case still produces a fine knife, but far from what they used too, and for different reasons.

Yes knife sales are in Business to make a profit, but not what many of us really want to hear. We want to think what we have in a knife is special for one reason or another, and in reality, IMO the only way one can achieve this is to purchase knives before collecting started ~ 1965 or so, I saw it. A big change, as as another member MyCough mentioned "Customs" will always fit but a significant price.

Otherwise we are always chasing our tails for the latest and greatest ?? What does this really mean? I have been there and purchased my grail a dozen times over and sold it at a loss. How many of you are reading this that cannot indentify with this comment, not everyone, but plenty.....

Folks, I am not bashing Case Knives, but attempting to communicate business practices today that far from just " Yesterday " Purchasing Knives will never be the same as in the earlier years!!

TinyDog
 
If it's any consolation the magnitude is collaboration piece with Peter Carey. I love and own many Spyderco knives, but I wouldn't put the Magnitude in the top ten of their, uh, unique looking knives. :D
 
I am a Spydie freak (generally), but not interested in anything right now. Not even the Peter Rassenti collab. I cannot get excited by the integral design of the Nirvana, although of course it has "mechanical" merit. But $432? Not me, baby...
 
Does the MAP pricing have anything to do with it? I know spyderco has a lot of designs (schempp bowie, Hungarian, nilakka, pattada etc.) that I would like to try but feel they are a bit over priced. In years gone by I feel like those knives would be 30-50$ cheaper, and as a result I would likely pick em up.
 
matt009au said:
Does the MAP pricing have anything to do with it? I know spyderco has a lot of designs (schempp bowie, Hungarian, nilakka, pattada etc.) that I would like to try but feel they are a bit over priced. In years gone by I feel like those knives would be 30-50$ cheaper.
Click to expand...

Not really.
Retailers can still discount by 40%.

As to absolute price, everything costs more now.
Go to the grocery store, and see what $100 gets you compared to just 5 years ago; it's sad. :(

In Canada, the big price jump in knives is due to the exchange rate; when our dollar was at par, knives were a LOT cheaper.
A whole lot.
 
Yeh you are probably right. Regardless of the cause the increased price has stopped me buying a lot of those borderline knives id like to try out. I know my income hasn't gone up at the same rate as knives!
Also I feel your pain on exchange rate. The AUD went from parity to 75c pretty rapidly!!
matt
stabman said:
Not really.
Retailers can still discount by 40%.

As to absolute price, everything costs more now.
Go to the grocery store, and see what $100 gets you compared to just 5 years ago; it's sad. :(

In Canada, the big price jump in knives is due to the exchange rate; when our dollar was at par, knives were a LOT cheaper.
A whole lot.
Click to expand...
 
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