Why so much with G10?

Hawk45

Hawk45

Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
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Why does spyderco charge an extra $65 for the same knife with a G10 handle? G10 scales only cost about $5.

Example:
Endura FRN $60
Endura Foliage G10 $125
 
the G-10 Endura is also FFG. I am not sure how much more FFG blades are to make than the hollow ground but the G-10 is not the only difference.
 
Hawk45 said:
Why does spyderco charge an extra $65 for the same knife with a G10 handle? G10 scales only cost about $5.

Example:
Endura FRN $60
Endura Foliage G10 $125
Click to expand...

First you have to understand that they've already paid off the FRN mold, which is cheaper in the long run. The mold may initially cost $300-500,000 but if you're stamping out a lot of knives it'll be cheaper.

Next you have tooling costs, setting up additional steps for the full flat grind, shaping the G-10, etc.

Spyderco's G-10 is also more expensive then regular G-10 due adding about 30% more fiberglass then normal.
 
I have wondered the same thing. Flat grinding doesn't seem like it would take the $60 after $5 for the scales. Basically the same blade shape. Hmm.
 
Yeah but I can get I ffg g-10 tenacious from Spyderco for much less...is that just because of steel and country of origin?
 
rwasham said:
Yeah but I can get I ffg g-10 tenacious from Spyderco for much less...is that just because of steel and country of origin?
Click to expand...

Probably. I can't say for sure.

Personally I always thought the G-10 Endura/Delica's ran a little high. For the same price I can generally pick up a nice Military.

I don't know if the liners are nested or whatnot, that would certainly add to the price. The only thing I can think of is the G-10 must cost more to machine in Japan. Perhaps it's more of a specialty? What G-10/Japan models are produced?
 
Sal did mention a while back that just the labor to put a piece of G-10 into the mill and remove the finished piece from the machine costs more than molding an entire FRN handle (once the tooling is paid for). Yes, VG-10 costs more in US dollars than 8Cr13MoV, yes Japanese labor costs more in US dollars than Chinese labor. I don't know if the Tenacious uses Spyderco's custom G-10, but I do know it is a liner lock which costs less to manufacture than a backlock such as the Endura and Delica.
 
Along with what Josh and yab mentioned you have to consider economies of scale. If you don't know that means, google is your friend. Thus endith the lesson.
 
Hawk45 said:
Why does spyderco charge an extra $65 for the same knife with a G10 handle? G10 scales only cost about $5.

Example:
Endura FRN $60
Endura Foliage G10 $125
Click to expand...

Some people throw away the G10 scales and add their own. Try that with the FRN. ;)
 
There's also the fact the liners for the FRN version are nested. No need to fit the scales perfectly to them, all they need to be is flat and a hair smaller than the cutout in the scale. Liners on the G-10 version are flush, which means they must be "mated" to the scales and to the backstrap. Speaking of the backstrap, the G-10 version uses a metal one which again is more expensive to make than the FRN versions molded backstrap.

Paul
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These threads are always interesting.

Sal has said that there is a fixed ratio between what it costs them to make a knife and what they sell it to dealers for. In other words, the price is determined solely by manufacturing costs. They don't jack up the price of any particular model because they think they can get it.

Actual retail will vary, because individual dealers are free to set their own prices.
 
Full skeletonized steel liners, steel backstrap, full flat grind blade, and G-10 probably add quite a bit to the cost of materials and labor. It does bring the Endura and Delica up a couple notches in the look and feel department from the FRN versions.
 
I am starting to like FRN better anyway ,lighter, cheeper !!!!! Whats not to like?????

FRN Caly 3, in anything but ZDP.... (that ryhms)


Sixheads
 
Another obvious factor; economies of scale.

Never been a big fan of FRN frankly, but I'm coming around. The Delica in FRN is really sweet in hand, (have a foliage and a wave), but the feel/grip/finish of my G-10 Delica is a notch above.
 
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