What's the Deal with Sprint Runs?

H

Harpoon1

Joined
Apr 3, 2011
Messages
147
With regard to sprint runs, is there usually some kind an agreement with who commissions the run, other than if Spyderco does the run, not to build anymore? At least not before a certain amount of time has passed?

More to the point, for example, why don't they do another run of the Para 2's with S90V? It seemed to be wildly popular and they should have no problem selling another 500-1000 units. Maybe it's a problem with a group collectors not wanting to see their "investment" devalued?

What gives?
 
Sprint Runs are limited editions on Spyderco's money. So many are built, and when they're gone there are no more. If they make more of a given Sprint, it devalues them which upsets the collectors as well as the speculators. How would you feel if you managed to snag two of only 400 made, thinking to sell one later for enough to recover your cost, then having the maker crank out another 1200 pieces and dump them on the market? For that matter, how about if you only snagged one and were thrilled with the rarity, then a thousand more showed up?

Dealer or distributer exclusives are commissioned by someone under an agreement with Spyderco not to do that particular combination for anyone else. If the same dealer or distributer decides they can sell more of their exclusive, they can commission another run. I know that Moteng did just that with the ZDP-189/black FRN Calypso Jr.
 
Didn't ford get sued over making the ultra rare "blackjack" edition Roush twice. I'd assume the same could happen to any maker who ruined the rarity of a item.
 
Aside from the points yablanowitz made consider that even if it might be desirable from the perspective of the company and the customers to make another run of a certain sprint knife there are other things that can get in the way. Materials may be less available and/or more expensive, manufacturing capacity may not be sufficient, etc.
 
Might also want to look at this page for Spyderco's definitions of Sprints and Exclusives. Either way, there'd be nothing to prevent Spyderco from doing more PM2's in S90V, they'd just have to be different in some other way - scale material, scale color, coated blade.
 
Harpoon1 said:
To be clear, I am acknowledging a distinction between a dealers or distributors "exclusive" run and a regular Spyderco "sprint" run.

So, these sprint runs are one time only, ever? There will never be another Para2 with S90V made by Spyderco, or for that matter, any of the other Sprint run combination that have been use, is that right? That seems to be what your implying.
Click to expand...

It's hard to say, anything can happen. Will we see more S90V Para2s? My guess would be no, we'd be more likely to see another model in that configuration first.
 
NightMare Silverado said:
Didn't ford get sued over making the ultra rare "blackjack" edition Roush twice. I'd assume the same could happen to any maker who ruined the rarity of a item.
Click to expand...

There is no legal reason that Spyderco couldn't launch a second portion of a sprint run. A lawsuit for a second sprint run would be a legal loser; it would probably be dismissed on a motion before a trial even began. On the other hand, Spyderco's business ethics and regard for its customers are such that it is very, very hard to imagine this happening. It might be worth noting that another manufacturer did do this with a limited edition last year and nothing much happened - the only difference was that the second run didn't have a "limited edition" banner on the blade...other than that, the knives were identical.
 
I personally would love to see more Para2's in Carbon Fiber than in S90V. I'm sure it's a great steel, but a basketweave CF Para in CTS-20cp would be nice as well...
 
Yup, there is no reason that Spyderco couldn't release a G-10/S90V Paramilitary for those craving the steel. That is, other than the steel being a pain in the butt to work with and the usual risk of being stuck with a bunch of expensive knives that no one wants to buy.
 
What I'm saying is its making a run of 800 numbered orange/ZDP then making another numbered run of Tge exact same knife could cause problems. Ford was sued for the loss in value of the cars because they threw another numbered run out.
 
yablanowitz said:
Yup, there is no reason that Spyderco couldn't release a G-10/S90V Paramilitary for those craving the steel. That is, other than the steel being a pain in the butt to work with and the usual risk of being stuck with a bunch of expensive knives that no one wants to buy.
Click to expand...

Care to cite any examples of where someone has been "stuck with a bunch of expensive knives that no one wants to buy".

Recent examples of the PM2 w/ S90V were going for $150+ over the original street price. If you could even find one! Same goes for the Manix2 w/S90V. Looks like at least a few people know how to "work with" it.:D
 
Spyderco doesn't number their sprints. Collector club subscriptions get numbered regardless of whether they're regular production or sprint.

The other company did sell an "X of Y" limited edition then turned around and made a whole pile more, and they were sold at a lower price. No one sued that company, and if they'd tried, they would have gotten nowhere.

NightMare Silverado said:
What I'm saying is its making a run of 800 numbered orange/ZDP then making another numbered run of Tge exact same knife could cause problems. Ford was sued for the loss in value of the cars because they threw another numbered run out.
Click to expand...
 
Harpoon1 said:
Care to cite any examples of where someone has been "stuck with a bunch of expensive knives that no one wants to buy".

Recent examples of the PM2 w/ S90V were going for $150+ over the original street price. If you could even find one! Same goes for the Manix2 w/S90V. Looks like at least a few people know how to "work with" it.:D
Click to expand...

There have been quite a few over the years. One fairly recent and very prominent failure was a Para 1 sprint in CPM-D2 that sold so poorly that it was disco'd at firesale prices. There have been quite a few others.
 
....................There have been quite a few others.
Click to expand...


Roger that, I stand corrected then!

OTOH, then why are all the ones I'm interested in long gone.:D

Having said that, if the first run is so successful they're sold out before hitting the street, I would think that's a pretty good indication and safe bet to do another run. Just saying..........
 
Harpoon1 said:
Having said that, if the first run is so successful they're sold out before hitting the street, I would think that's a pretty good indication and safe bet to do another run. Just saying..........
Click to expand...
Not saying you're wrong, but exotic steel lovers are fickle and other steels have already caught their eye.
 
Because you have excellent, well-tuned tastes in knives! :D

Harpoon1 said:
Roger that, I stand corrected then!

OTOH, then why are all the ones I'm interested in long gone.:D

Having said that, if the first run is so successful they're sold out before hitting the street, I would think that's a pretty good indication and safe bet to do another run. Just saying..........
Click to expand...

Very possibly...it will be interesting to see whether S90V continues to be a sure-fire market-killer with new, genuine competition from BU and Carpenter.


The Deacon said:
Not saying you're wrong, but exotic steel lovers are fickle and other steels have already caught their eye.
Click to expand...
 
The Deacon said:
Not saying you're wrong, but exotic steel lovers are fickle and other steels have already caught their eye.
Click to expand...

Fickle indeed. Peculiar thing, this always chasing a "better" steel. It would seem there are more than a few of us here that enjoy sharpening knives almost as much as using them. Yet we keep looking for "the" new steel that will hold an edge forever and never needs sharpening. Go figure!:eek:
 
JNewell said:
Very possibly...it will be interesting to see whether S90V continues to be a sure-fire market-killer with new, genuine competition from BU and Carpenter.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

When K390 hit's the streets, everything else will immediately be turned into "junk";)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top