UPDATED: BladeForums Special Edition Skyline interest thread

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And like I said, if I can get all 600 presold, I'm entirely down for discounting. No skin off my nose at that point, I just don't want to put the forums into a $20000+ hole because I priced these at just over cost and less than half sold.
 
What about N690 steel? Correct me if im wrong, but from my knowledge its a moderately priced steel with a decent edge holding capability and great corrosion resistance. I don't have any knives in N690 steel, but from what I've heard on the forums, its a decent steel.
 
I'm like others and having a hard time justifying $110 for a Skyline. I'm sorry but that seems like a big markup when I just paid $172 for a ZT 350 with ZDP blade that is supposed to have a production of roughly 500. I'm no math wiz but if your last post gives us any indication the knives will cost in the neighborhood of $35 ea your cost. I think you're going to have a much easier time selling them out if they are at a lower profit margin of $65-$80.
 
OvalmanPA said:
I'm like others and having a hard time justifying $110 for a Skyline. I'm sorry but that seems like a big markup when I just paid $172 for a ZT 350 with ZDP blade that is supposed to have a production of roughly 500. I'm no math wiz but if your last post gives us any indication the knives will cost in the neighborhood of $35 ea your cost. I think you're going to have a much easier time selling them out if they are at a lower profit margin of $65-$80.
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I'm just going to quote this in it's entirety, because wow, you have no frigging idea.

First, my cost isn't $35, and the rough estimate is way more than that and likely to be even higher when all is said and done.

Second, my cost is none of your business, unless you are going to front the money for 600 knives. Last I checked, I'm the one left holding the bag for any unsold ones, so that's a factor in final pricing.

Third, costs haven't even been provided for other steel options and handle materials and the figure I've provided is a rough estimate at this point.

So, please, pretty please, put the crystal ball away and save your price complaints for when I have solid figures to provide.
 
Spark said:
So, please, pretty please, put the crystal ball away and save your price complaints for when I have solid figures to provide.
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Forgive me for "guessing" on figures with the price of $20000+ you mentioned above. Honestly I don't see how you won't sell all of them if you offer them for sale outside Bladeforums since so many people collect Skylines. This is my final comment on this and I'll either buy one or not. If you didn't want people "complaining" or commenting on price you shouldn't have ever added any estimates to the original post until you had final figures.
 
OvalmanPA said:
I'm like others and having a hard time justifying $110 for a Skyline. I'm sorry but that seems like a big markup when I just paid $172 for a ZT 350 with ZDP blade that is supposed to have a production of roughly 500. I'm no math wiz but if your last post gives us any indication the knives will cost in the neighborhood of $35 ea your cost. I think you're going to have a much easier time selling them out if they are at a lower profit margin of $65-$80.
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you're right - you're no math whiz and from your post, you likely have little to no experience on the retail ordering side of things.
if selling half the order leaves him $20k in the hole, that puts his cost per unit closer to $80 each, which is not inconsistent with your example: a sprint run of the ZT350 at $172 since dealer's cost is generally half MSRP, which would put the ZT sprint run cost around $86 (or more if the dealer took a hit on his profit margin).

edit to add: I have no idea what Spark's actual costs are going to be, I'm using statistics and prior retail experience to provide my own WAG about the economies involved.
 
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I think $110 is a little too much for a skyline. I think $75 would be the most I would pay for a Skyline. $110 is approaching ZT money, blems are even less money. I bought my Blur s30v blem for $50, and I would pay up to $100 for a s30v knife. I don't see why we really even need a special steel, I think the Sandvik Kershaw uses is excellent, and maybe just FFG, deep carry pocket clip and Blue or Green G10 scales would be fine. I think I would be able to pull $85 off, maybe; but $110, count me out...

Bummer really,

-orangish ducktape
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“Simplicate, and add lightness”
-Colin Chapman
 
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1066vik said:
you're right - you're no math whiz and from your post, you likely have little to no experience on the retail ordering side of things.
if selling half the order leaves him $20k in the hole, that puts his cost per unit closer to $80 each, which is not inconsistent with your example: a sprint run of the ZT350 at $172 since dealer's cost is generally half MSRP, which would put the ZT sprint run cost around $86 (or more if the dealer took a hit on his profit margin).

edit to add: I have no idea what Spark's actual costs are going to be, I'm using statistics and prior retail experience to provide my own WAG about the economies involved.
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You're correct in I didn't correctly look at the post. However previously owning a hobby shop I do have a little knowledge of ordering and markup of items but that is neither here nor there and doesn't really pertain to the conversation. In the end Kevin can do whatever he wants with his idea at whatever cost. It just comes down to if people are willing to pay the price and at the price he "suggested" in the OP he has a few people willing to buy. :)
 
orangish ducktape said:
I think $110 is WAY too much for a skyline. I think $75 would be the most I would pay for a Skyline. $110 is approaching ZT money, blems are even less money. I bought my s30v for $50, and that is probably the maximum I would pay for a s30v knife. I don't see why we really even need a special steel, I think the Sandvik Kershaw uses is excellent, and maybe just FFG, deep carry pocket clip and Blue or Green G10 scales would be fine. I think I would be able to pull $85 off, maybe; but $110, count me out...
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Well then good news, because I already said if you guys can get all 600 presold, I'd be more than happy to take 20% off. That puts it at $88 or so based on the initial estimate Thomas gets me.

If I have to sit on 300 pieces though, you'd better believe I'm not going to discount them. I'd much rather keep the site open, instead of owing Kershaw tens of thousands of dollars for unsold knives.

So, everyone can complain that $110 is too high, or they can help me out when I get final figures and promote the everloving crap out of this, get the knife at a discount, and EVERYONE wins. Which would you rather do?

EDIT: I just quoted your post and are you seriously manually putting in a signature with every post? Seriously?
 
I'm pleased I don't have to organise this. Already seems like a pain in the buttocks for the guy running it.
 
If I was putting this on... it would drive me to drinking... more than I already do. Good luck on this. I'll check back in when there is a way to send in snail mail payment.
 
I'll prolly be flamed for this but why not a blue cm154 blade and silver/gray g10 handles? That's REALLY different!!!
 
Well, why not just figure out what the design is going to be, and what the price is going to befor 600. Then collect the money from everyone and then go ahead and make the production order. If I knew what the final price was and exactly what I was getting, I don't mind fronting the money and waiting for my knife. What's wrong with that?


powernoodle said:
If I could wave a magic wand, this knife would have blue G10 (ala Spyderco Para 2 and Manix 2), with FFG S30V. Very modest BF marking, if at all. And if it says "Kershaw Mafia" on it, I don't really want it.

I agree with the general sentiment that $110 is pushing it, considering that it starts out as a $37 (retail, shipped) knife. I also know that fancy steel drives the price up somewhat, Mr. T has some retooling for the FFG, and that Mr. Kevin would be putting some serious capital at risk. We can do the math at 600 units.

Depending on the final product, I would commit to maybe 3x at $85, or 1x at $110. But seriously, $110 is really pushing it for an entry level knife as small and simple as a Skyline.

Hey, maybe we could get Nutfancy to autograph these for us with his Dremel. Just kidding.

Thanks Kevin and Thomas for giving us some fun with this.
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I am definitely in for one, no matter the outcome of the voting or design. I bought a gold membership to support the site without any intention of selling anything and any profit from this would definitely go towards supporting the site. Besides, in what world do you live where you're getting a small group collaborated knife with upgraded steel, factory manufactured scales in a color they don't normally offer, and a 1 of 600 knife for under a hundred dollars? The fact that the foundation design is that of a budget folder is irrelevant. The skyline was chosen because it's a damn nice folder with broad appeal, not because it was inexpensive.
 
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