Update on SpyderHawk and Ronin

Hi Knife11. I'm not sure what you mean. If it's a request for a PE hawkbill, the only way we could do that would be as a forum knife for the forumites. The public is not interested in a PE hawkbill, except for collecting. Forumites rarely purchase more than 200 pieces.

the SE cuts 4 times as aggressively for at least twice as long.

Have you ever used a Spyderco serrated knife? I will agree that most others company's serrations are not as effective as Spyderco's SE's, but I cannot agree that the plain edge will cut better and certainly it will not stay sharp nearly as long.

If we give you what you want (PE version), we die with the inventory that nobody seems to want exccept forumite collectors.

I am open to you opinions though, as always.

sal
 
I meant the handle actually almost everyone voted for G-10 and then you asked for a color choice...The knife is black FRN??? What happened?


BTW I think that is really great that you are here on the forums this is Customer Sevice second to none.
 
I have found several threads on the harpy XL, Spyderhawk, going back a couple of years, and Sal has always said that it would be an Endura handle. He did ask for input on colours, but it was always going to be FRN.

Quotes and links below:


06-15-2002 04:51 PM

The "SpyderHawk" (Thanx Roshi) is in the works as a test run. Endura handle / VG-10 blade. We'll make at least 1200 serrated pieces in the first run, then we'll "Hide 'n watch" reaction before we consider more of the same or variations.

I would prefer to avoid a black handle. Any input on colors?

sal
Click to expand...


06-17-2002 05:10 PM

yes. when I say Endura handle, I mean the current FRN hande used on our current Endura. The one with the L/R barrel clip. This will permit us to check out the market. There are many companies now making "pointy" hawkbills. There were none when we introduced our Harpy in the mid eighties.

sal
Click to expand...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200128&highlight=hawk

11-18-2000 05:55 AM

I have a proto on my desk that was designed for South Africa. It is based on an Endura handle (like the Matriarch). Still pondering production. If we do it, there won't be high numbers. We'll show it at the SHOT show to determine.

sal
Click to expand...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=146438&highlight=harpy

05-29-2000 08:55 PM

...We have a design, based on the Endura handle. Concept Model only at this time.

sal
Click to expand...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144759&highlight=harpy
 
As I remember, it wasn't actual 'voting', it was more like what would we(forum members) want/look for. Which should be understood as "we just want your input and opinions, but what we finally make is up to alot of other factors".
G-10 Spyderhawks would place the cost per unit probably over $120-130 or so retail. Quite possibly all the members who asked for G10(which didn't seem like almost everyone) would buy one and even the ones who wanted the economical route possibly would have as well. But if only about 200 units get sold from the forum at best, then there is a huge inventory as Sal stated that would be costing the company just to sit on in a warehouse, on top of the higher cost to manufacture them. It's a lose lose situation for the company and a win for about 200 forumites.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be disappointed, I too wished Spyderco did certain things in the past they didn't, but I realized they aren't some friend doing me a favor, they are a profit based company trying to stay afloat. And though it's obvious they value forum input, we have to put ourselves in their shoes when we ask for costly things. Alot of us work in an industry of some sort that deals with manufactured goods of some kind, so we should understand the risks of budget juggling, and the consequences of a bad budgetary decision.

take care,
Ken
 
This is the thread I'm talking about:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200128

My rough count of the first two pages was 8 to 4 in favor of the G-10.


I don't mind them making it in FRN but I want them to also make it in G-10 or Stainless. What bothers me is the idea that if we don't buy it the way they're selling it now they won't make it anymore. Why even get our hopes up? :rolleyes:

Ken you've hit it on the head...It's just disappointing!
 
Hi Knife11. As mentioned, we listen as best we can and respond as best we can.

How about reversing the risk? We really need to make about 1000 to 1200 minimum to cover tooling/machining costs of a G-10 or Stainless handle, even if we use an existing blade. Otherwise, we end up losing money on the "favor".

Why don't you start a thread asking for a G-10 handled Large Harpy. Let's estimate a MSRP of $125. per unit. Let's say that these could actually be purchased for $100. Everyone interested would send me $100 for each piece. When I receive enough to invest in the run, I will begin (500 would be a good indicator). If I do not receive enough in a 3 month period, I will destroy the checks.

Forumites often offer the "dream list" rather than a realistic model.

In reality, any one of a number of custom makers could make a large Harpy in G-10 or Stainless handle, if you really wanted one. Prices would probably exceed %350 per unit.

When I ask for input on a potential model, it's just that, I would like input. If the input says "I want a Ferrari for the price of a Chevrolet", I have to assume that there is more "dream" than "reality" in the input and try to respond accordingly.

I'm sorry if you are dissapointed. If simply asking for something made it happen, it would be a grand world.

sal
 
I understand you point and I for one don't hink that 100 is to much to spend I'm sure other feel the same but probably not enough other to make it worth your while. I'm used to buying more expensive knives my last spyderco was a chinesse folder and the one before that was a Endura but that was my first knife and I was only sixteen. I'm on the look out for the new knives you have coming out this year. Thanks for the reply I'm sure there are others who will benifit from this as well. :D
 
Thanx for the support and understanding. Perhaps in the future we may cultivate a large enough number to make exotic short runs. I know it's great fun for us to do them......but they cannot lose money.

sal

________________________________

"honesty is a commitment to a decision"
 
G-10 would be nice, but I have no problem with the functional qualities of the FRN handles on other spyderco knives. I am just amazed that you are actually making the knife at all. Its also a lot easier to drop 50-60 bucks on a knife than double that. I will buy one as soon as they hit the street.
 
Sal, I support the idea of short runs of exotic models on a pre-paid basis. I would certainly commit to a Spyderhawk with a G-10 handle. Holding a check that long sounds a little awkward, though. I would rather the check be acknowledged and deposited, and if the run did not work out, receive credit toward a purchase from the factory store. I LOVE the G-10 Harpy I was able to purchase from fellow forumite Allen Treat! :)
 
Sal,

I understand the need to produce a product at the price point that your experiance shows will sell. I was not happy with the FRN choice but hey... it's not my company. I would rather you put out a few models that I don't like in order to make it possible for you to make the ones I do like.

I love the Spyderedge on hawkbill blades and will commit to 5 units in G10 or SS now. Where and when would you like the deposit sent? I can wait a few months on this to see if it is possible. Worst case I am no worse off than I am now.

I will not purchase a knife with a FRN handle as they feel "wrong" to me in the hand and "cheep". These are not qualities that I think of when I think of Spyderco Knives. I have only kept 2 models with FRN handles, 2 of the 2002 Forum Vesuvius and 2 of the Gray Matriarch. I've dumped all of the other ones.

I was wishing for a SUPER SIZED Harpy rather than a SUPER SIZED Merlin. That is my problem... not yours. Thanks for making quality knives at reasonable prices. Thanks for the clip. Thanks for the HOLE. Thanks for everything.
 
I would also be willing to commit to a plain edge and SpyderEdge SS or G-10 version of the Spyderhawk.

That being said I will definitely buy one of the FRN versions as soon as they are available, when might dealers have them?
 
I'll thrown-in for a couple of G-10 SpyderHawks if they're to become a reality...just let me know who to send the deposit to.

And that being said, I'll be pleased with the FRN model until then.
 
SPYDERHAWK CF PE ??
Now you've really got me wanting!!

That certainly is a dream model, for now I
thank Sal for even getting this big hawkbill on
the market.

I'm in for at least one of each variation!

Keep it comin SPYDERCO!!
 
Count me in for at least three of the G-10 Spyderhawks, if they ever become a reality - and I'm willing to back that with a check. The G-10 is my favorite Harpy, but the FRN Merlin is still a great little knife that does stand up to pretty hard use. The Spyderhawk will replace it as my recommendation for a whitewater rescue knife, as I have full confidence in its ability to perform when the chips are down, having used the Merlin several times in this capacity. For pure, long lasting cutting ability, the SE far outshines the PE. Thanks, Sal!!!!
 
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