What makes for Sprint 'buzz'?

J

jswa2

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Jan 27, 2015
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Hey there Spydie-fans,

I've been thinking lately - as I've been considering purchasing a 52100 Manix - what is it that makes some Sprints more buzz-worthy than others?

Lets measure (if we can call it that - I'm not pretending that this is scientific) buzz simply as a percentage over original sales price as witnessed in the immediate (post-sold-out) resale market: then some of the recent Sprints look like:

Red M390 Para2: super high buzz (orig. price + 40-60%)
Natural M4 Manix: pretty high buzz (orig. price + 20-30%)
Carbon Cruwear Manix: meh buzz (orig. price + 0-10%)

We could talk about how these knives are different models, or have tool vs. stainless steel, or whatever, but I'm not convinced that that's the whole story. Let me say: I'm not into knives to try to make money (I have too much fun, you know, cuttin' stuff - not to mention too limited a budget!), but I am interested in the psychology of design and what makes for a successful product in our hobby.

So, all that said: whaddya'll think? What do you prize in a Sprint? What, to quote Jeremy Clarkson, gives you some fizz when considering a Sprint??

Thanks (and again -- no science intended! just good-humored interest and avid observation).
 
The ones highly sought after will be variants of a popular design. Practical as in a user and not something that will only be collected. Top that off with a steel that is new and in demand ( M390 or Cruwear for instance). If it has an exotic chemistry and there is something unusual about it ( Maxamet has chemistry and unusually high hardness going for it) or just has a great reputation for knives ( CPM M4 like most HSS are good cutlery steels and fairly sexy because of the chemistry and performance). Some knives are double whammys. The 52100 P2 has the platform as well as the reputation of the steel for ease of sharpening and high edge stability. Top that off with the fact that nobody did anything like that before ( any folder in 52100 I know about)

Sometimes just the color can put it into the high demand category. An unusual blade variant of a long time best seller will sell fast too.That was the wharncliff Delica.

Even popular options like carbon fiber that usually is a selling point can work against the product if the price increase is considered too high for the improvement. That is more emotional than any actual math based formula on the part of the buyers.

I have gotten to the point I can pretty much tell which ones will be in high demand.....Usually. :)

Joe
 
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Two very small notes. I believe all the knives you mentioned are actually exclusives, not sprints. Also I believe it's James May who talks about fizz, not Clarkson.

I think it's an interesting idea too. I also think you can look at how long they are available instead of just secondary market prices. For example, the natural M4 Manix 2 sold out in about a week. I think the DLT M390 PM2 sold out in a few days if I recall. The DLC M4 Manix 2 sold out in about 35 minutes, and I'm sure that helped lift prices of the natural M4 on the secondary market as well.

Models that took a really long time to sell out and that are recent sprints or exclusives likely won't have built up much secondary market demand. If a week or month ago you could easily have bought one at regular price, why would you suddenly be willing to pay way over that used. Vs say you couldn't get your order in on the jade Lum Tanto and you really want one, maybe you'll pay more for a second hand one because you didn't get a chance new. Or it was 5 years ago that it was released and you just got into knives recently, so you never got a chance at it new.

I don't know though, what causes a $220 HAP40 jade Lum Tanto to sell out in about 15 minutes, and a CF/Ti Military to be reduced in price by almost $100 down to $200, and still be in stock weeks after the price drop? Or one in CTS-204p at $170 to be available for weeks/months? I also find it interesting that the 52100 Manix 2 came out, while the 52100 PM2 is still available months after it was released. Though I suppose the planning for the knife probably happened long ago.

I do find the reaction to the DLC M4 Manix2 vs the DLC 52100 Manix 2 to be interesting. I realize M4 is a super steel, but I don't think 52100 is some crap steel. The M4 sold out in minutes. The 52100 has been out for about 3 weeks now and is still available.

To answer your question, for the most part I personally look for knives that are on sale. That usually means they were a sprint or exclusive that didn't sell well, a disco'd knife, or a regular production one (as those are the only ones that go on sale on amazon, jet, woot, etc). I really don't "need" any of the knives I buy, realistically the fluted CF Native 5 is the perfect knife for me (and the one I carry most). But other ones are just neat or good looking, etc. I personally can't quite justify their prices in my mind, but on sale or clearance, etc, I guess I can. The latest is a Vrango. It's really neat looking to my eye, but I'm afraid I'll carry it as little as the Dragonfly (lot of knife for the size, but I'm rarely size-constrained). $135 is not chump change to me for something I may not carry/use much, but I definitely would not have bought it at the original price...
 
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i truly think it depends if you collect or just trying to resell them!if you look on the exchange hear you will get an idea of what people are looking for,i would be the odd ball though'as i hardly ever sell my knifes,buy the way i own the PM2/52100 because i love its steel and not because it was an exclusive,but thats just me..
 
Yeah so like it's been said.
A) Start with a well developed popular model; or a long disco'd fan favorite. The PM2 is a perennial fav and the Lum Tanto or Meerkat have built up want knocking at the gates.
2) Pick a newish steel with a buzz but one that is also user friendly when it's time to sharpen. Something that takes a patina but you can still sharpen without power tools like M4 or HAP40.
  • Pick a colour or material for the scales that will have a visual pop or a physical draw. CF is a neat material but execution can be blah. Orange is popular, Jade G10 is fringey enough to have a draw.
 
kniferelatedname said:
Two very small notes. I believe all the knives you mentioned are actually exclusives, not sprints. Also I believe it's James May who talks about fizz, not Clarkson.
Click to expand...

^^ Thanks for that!

Personally, I am neither trying to collect nor re-sell -- just interested in the psychology of desire as it applies to my hobby. Thanks for the input, y'all!
 
I think price is a big deal. I imagine they still have blue S90V Millies over at BBS.
 
jswa2 said:
Personally, I am neither trying to collect nor re-sell -- just interested in the psychology of desire as it applies to my hobby.
Click to expand...
I also find it interesting what sells vs what doesn't. I don't collect in the sense of having every variation, etc, but I mean I suppose I collect in the sense that I have like 10 pocket knives but only need 1. I have resold a couple knives, but only to people I knew. I find buying them at a discount helps, because I sell them for what I paid and don't feel bad about it. A barely used S110V PM2 at $110 is a deal for the person buying, and I don't feel like I took a bath just to find out I prefer the Manix 2 to the PM2.
 
I think anyone who wants to know what is going to be popular should ask me. If I plan on buying it, don't bother. If I'm not interested, buy two of them. Also just wanted to say the 52100 Manix is a really great design. I've only had it for about a week but I think its going to be one of my favorite folders.
 
lol Willy wall. I agree with the above. I've had my share of pm2's and a couple manix. From what I noticed it's mostly whatever the hot steel is. Right now imo if it's m4 or m390 it's the cats meow. I liked my cruwear manix and pm2 just as much as m4 but it was harder to sell on exchange then my cf m4. I just ordered a pm2 in 52100 and it doesn't seem to get much hype for some reason. I am also surprised how the kw Millie cf/ti has dropped in price and is still available. Also the m390 para3 is priced fair I think compared to their pm2 odd.
 
See Ive been thinking about getting the s90v/154cm composite manix 2 since its at cutlery shoppe for 199, everywhere else is 240. Only reason ive been hesitant is because they have the solid s90v with frn for 119. so i guess the buzz really depends how rare the steel is and who else offers it. Im still kicking myself in the head for canceling my Maxamet Pm2 order last year about a week before they started shipping..

Never giving up my carbon cruwear though. :D
 
As far as the 52100 not selling out, i think its all about price point. Some people don't see 174 in a basic carbon steel and would rather spend that much on M4 or maxamet, even if it doesn't come with carbon fiber. I bought it purely for the unique patina options though. it has a special consumer niche that might not appeal to all.

I watch the exchange pretty throughly and what ive found is its better to buy cheap and sell high than to buy high and try to sell higher. The satin M4 Manix was 134 and sold for around 180-190. The DLC Manix was 154 and sold for around the same price as the satin m4 manix. the cruwear manix was 164 and has even less of a price change so i think the initial price of the knife might have a bigger impact on the after market value. (which might turn some buyers away)

long story short. Cheaper = more bought = more demand and higher room for price inflation.

the 220 BHQ tanto slices my theory to shreds though. pun intended.:confused:
 
Hype isn’t rational. The heart wants whatever the head(big) disdains. I can probably double down on willywall’s initial statement.
 
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