Spyderco Forum Exclusive

[BOHAWG]

Have you guys been reading the latest threads around here? Someone asks an opinion on a sprint or something like that, and you get everything from

"I just want orange G10"

to

"how about CPM REX 121 with double stone washed Ti bolsters, mammoth ivory scales with platinum bug inlays and neon yellow G10 liners with a sunburst machined Ti frame lock with 6 way wire clip, oh and how about a compound grind hollow/flat on one side with chisel side on the other, partially serrated tanto tip with a wave hook flipper automatic assisted opening bali".

Some people would vote up something realistic and doable, while some people just seem to swing for the fences and dream. If something like this were to happen, it would take Spyderco themselves setting the ground rules, like saying "it's going to be a choice between these 3 knife models, these steels, these handle options, etc" and we get to mix and match and vote on the final product.

I totally agree!

[yablanowitz]

Speaking of the forum knife when do we start getting information on that? Is release topically summertime?

There is no such thing as an annual forum knife here. If I recall correctly, there have been three forum knives since I joined in 2006, a Lava and a couple of Natives. The Lava was pay up front, the Natives have been feeding frenzy release. Both sold out the first day, and a lot of folks who wanted one didn't get one. I prefer the "pay up front and wait a few months to get it" approach myself.

[yablanowitz]

IMHO...The only way it would work is for ONE person or organisation to fund the project, assuming that the model is one chose by as many people as possible...no variances, no options...just the one model and material type, be it steel, grind, scales or lock...

Then, the knife would be offered up for sale, and hopefully enough people buy to make it feasible from a profit margin point of view...

Assuming that Spyderco did such a small run, I would be keen to borrow enough money to do 500 flat grind VG10 PE Enduras with white FRN handles...but the prospect of Tammy Wynette whispering in my ear the words...d...i...v...o...r...c..e came to mind... :D

Yep. Someone puts up all the money, orders a batch of whatever he thinks people will buy, then hopes he can sell enough of them to cover his cost. If he guesses wrong, he's stuck with 300 copies of his dream knife. If he's really wrong, he's stuck with 600 copies of a compromise that wasn't what anyone really wanted.

If you stick to a Golden model, it may take longer but you can probably get a smaller run. Go with an Endura and it will be at least 600 pieces and may even be 1200 to get the Japan maker to do it.

[DougC-3]

I would be in for a Para2 with an M4 blade, as I'm sure many would be, and the quicker the better, while this model is so hot. I think we forum members got a great deal on the S110V Native5, but I don't think we should expect anything like wholesale. I think it might be frowned upon for Spyderco to drastically undersell their dealers... or maybe not so much, on a single, small run item like this?

[The Deacon]

The thing is, we aren't a dealer, so we would be getting them for wholesale. I haven't done the math, but don't you guys think that we could agree on something like an M4 para for a really cheap price? Also, do you know how many knives 30k gets?

Per unit cost would be a combination of the model and features. Minimum order cost would be a factor of that, plus the minimum order requirement. Spyderco's Japanese makers require a 1200 piece order. Golden would be more flexible, but even there it could depend on external factors like the minimum quantity of steel they can order. Minimum order quantities, and even the question of whether they'd accept a non-recurring order, are unknown for makers in other countries.

As long as its a popular model like a para 2 or manix 2, who wouldn't be interested in one of those models with an exotic steel or something of the sort for a good price. Even if we have to compromise on things, in the end who could resist something like that?

I wouldn't and, while I realize that I'm only one person, I have to guess there are at least a few others with little or no love for those particular knives, a preference for more rust resistant steels, or both. Plus, given how seldom the "plain vanilla" versions of some of the US models become available, there'd be a question of lead time. A long lead time might very well limit interest in even the most popular model. How many people would be willing to put up money today for a knife they may not receive for 2 years? It may also limit Spyderco's interest in committing to build N knives for $N when they have no idea what material, labor, and other costs may be by the time it actually reaches the production queue.

[Doc Dan]

I think that if this were actually going to get off the ground there are two types of knives to consider: 1] select some perenial favorite, such as the Dragonfly or the Delica, using special blade steel and handle material, etc. (my choice) or 2] select a specialized knife of some sort (Native, Caly, etc.). The first would most likely have a higher volume and the second would probably sell smaller lots faster. Having worked in a similar industry, what many companies do is take an already highly popular model and do a special run of units with special features.
Perhaps it is time for a Delica upgrade, anyway.

[paladin]

Has potential to be an epic PITA for those dedicated to make it happen. From where I sit, Spyderco is as close as anybody to the "have it your way" market in the pocketknife business as possible. I am amazed at the variety of their offerings. At least they don't have the philosophy of "We will build a knife for you in your favorite steel, as long as your favorite steel is AUS 8." This is a great thread!

[NoFair]

PM2 in CPM-M4 with coyote handles would probably sell quickly (not my favorite, but I'd probably get one). 3V and ground thin would also be fun..

Lil'Temp Leaf or original Starmate in CPM-M4 would probably also sell pretty quickly. Funding and logistics is probably the problem here

[kbuzbee]

They more or less act like a boutique idea factory without asking for money.

When did that happen, Blake? Seems like I have a small fortune spent on Spydercos How are you getting them free?



Ken

[Blerv]

When did that happen, Blake? Seems like I have a small fortune spent on Spydercos How are you getting them free?



Ken

Haha :p . yea I'm a sponsored forum poster. It's an Olympic thing, Ken .

[kbuzbee]

Man! I never get those memos!

Ken

Well, congrats on being state sponsored....

[Revival]

I say if this ever became realistic, we should do a poll to narrow things down. First we vote for the knife. Then vote steel. Then vote color etc. I think there are too many variables and too many opinions to make everyone happy.

[Donut]

I would like to do it.

I don't think voting will work because we never agree.

Something that is sure to sell like a S90V/G-10 or S110V/G-10 Para 2 or Military might work.

Maybe we could start off with something cheaper, like a ZDP FRN Hawkbill Plain Edge Manbug.

[klug932000]

There is no such thing as an annual forum knife here. If I recall correctly, there have been three forum knives since I joined in 2006, a Lava and a couple of Natives. The Lava was pay up front, the Natives have been feeding frenzy release. Both sold out the first day, and a lot of folks who wanted one didn't get one. I prefer the "pay up front and wait a few months to get it" approach myself.

Oh darn I thought it was one a year, thanks for the info. Any idea how far ahead of time we would hear info on something like that? Like the recent mule was a few weeks, it's always nice to plan ahead for these unavoidable expenses.

Also I like the idea of paying before release

[klug932000]

I also think price will have a lot of effect on how many people will order. Maybe start by having a poll on what people think is the most they would spend.

[free2game]

I think you could do it with a round of voting and nominations, then you could try something like a kickstarter like goal system, to where if there were enough preorders the order would go through and we'd get the knives but it it doesn't meet the goal, your money would be refunded.

[Donut]

Does anyone know the smallest run that Golden or Taiwan has done?

I can't believe I left K390 off my idea list. =\

[jalcon]

A pm2 M4 would obviously be a no-brainer and be sold out faster than you could refresh your browser.

[DougC-3]

Not to muddy the water too much, but some random ideas...

A really cool thing to do would be revive a discontinued model like the Caly Jr or Lil Temperance or you name it.

I would prefer a Millie, Para2 or Manix2 BUT if it's to be a Delica, I would much prefer one like the Kahr Arms Delica (already have a couple of the standard ones):
http://www.kahr.com/kahr-branded-produc ... eblack.asp
If it's decided to do it on the cheap, this is different enough that it could be done in std FRN and VG-10.

Other knife ideas -- since it's to be a sort of forum knife, maybe it should be something sort of different, like a Lava (not blue, black or light gray). I know, the blade is short and the handle is long, but your hand is the same size regardless of how long the blade is :D
Or maybe the Junior...

I would jump at an excuse to buy a Sage3 (not blue).

Has anybody said anything about putting any writing on it? None would be OK with me, or if possible something on the handle... or minimal on the blade... or maybe a Spyderco bug in the middle of a web that covers the whole blade :cool: :D

Color preference: anything but blue, black (UNLESS THE BLADE IS BLACK TOO), light gray, white, or orange (sorry). Preferably earth tones like OD, foliage, ranger green, light tan, charcoal, coyote...

Or, since it's a forum knife, MoonGlo, toxic green, translucent, natural G-10, etc would be cool.

[klug932000]

A web design on the blade sounds really cool, I honestly don't mind a cheaper steel as if its real unique ill only use it for light chores.