2004 Model Survey

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
tique
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Posts: 283
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: East TN

#21

Post by tique »

From personal experience using them, and by what sells down here in the store, the ones I could live without are:
Stainless Endura/Delica, most customers like the FRN for lightweight and grip
Endura/Delica trainers
Blue Rescues in both sizes, perhaps even one of the other colors, really only need 1 color
Catcherman, folding filet knives are an odd bunch, and the people I have come into the store to buy filet knives prefer fixed 99% of the time
Bob Lum Tanto, not much of a need for these either, and a lot of folks are going away from Tanto blades, at least here
MeerKat Reverse S, Cricket, people seem to prefer a more conventional blade shape, or don't understand the concept
AL Salsa, cut it down to one color, and stick with plain edge on these
Pride, people wonder what the **** they'd do with a Spyderco without a lock
Jesters, stick with just black plain edge, axe the others
Ladybug, either come out with a plain edge black model, or axe them all as well
Fixed blades are pretty good, with the possible exception of the Lum Tanto again
SpydeRench, stick with plain edge only if you even keep that one


The best in the lineup that I hope never go anywhere are:
FRN Delica/Endura
FRN Native
Military
Police


And the Calypso Jr. LWT need to make a comeback, with S30V<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
kencando
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Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Albany OR USA

#22

Post by kencando »

Models I'd retire are:
Harpy and Merlin they're compromises for other models.
Pro-Grips-same reason as standards were D.C'd
Dragonfly's-handles just too small to grip
Bob Lum tanto's-no wow
Chinook-too heavy for folder
Meerkat-favor the Cricket
Vesuvius-handle chessy
Ladybug-Jester easier to open
I'd retire these models Other models are preferred and the new models lower the price of older ones. Why buy a Vesuvius when I'd rather have A.T.R. The new stuff is built on the foundation of old models but new models are more unique and exciting thus their desirablity. Farewell is hard to say only if your looking back, easy if your eyes are looking forward to the future.
charlie
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Posts: 248
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Santa Maria, CA USA

#23

Post by charlie »

My cut list for 2004:
C13PS ProGrip Stainless
C13PSBK ProGrip FRN
C28P Dragonfly Stainless
C28S Dragonfly Stainless
C28PBK Dragonfly FRN
C28SBK Dragonfly FRN
C29P Cricket Stainless
C29S Cricket Stainless
C29PBK Cricket FRN
C29SBK Cricket FRN
C64JPBK MeerKat
C64JSBK MeerKat
C64PBK2 MeerKat – Reverse S
C64SBK2 MeerKat – Reverse S
C71PTI Salsa – Titanium
C71PSTI Salsa – Titanium
C71BLP Salsa – Blue
C71BLPS Salsa – Blue
C71CBP Salsa – Cranberry
C71CBPS Salsa – Cranberry
C72P Pride
JBKP Jester – Black
JBKS Jester – Black
JGRP Jester – Lime Green
JGRS Jester – Lime Green
LBK Ladybug – Black
LBL Ladybug – Blue
LRD Ladybug - Red
<img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Collector #47
leroys_45
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Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Utah USA

#24

Post by leroys_45 »

Here's my cut list

C10P, PS, S-- If you want this kind of knife, get a Police
C11P, PS, S-- Get a SS Native or something a little smaller like a Dragonfly
C12SBK-- We have the Spyderhawk now
C13PS, PSBK-- Use up the materials you have now, and then come out with a revised handle utilizing the same basic blade shape
C45SBK, SBL, SOR-- I'd rather have the D'Allara Rescue
C46GPBK, GPSBK-- Nice knife, but does anyone really use it?
C64JPBK, JSBK, PBK2, SBK2-- It seems redundant when you consider the Dragonfly, Cricket and Salsa
C66PBK, PSBK-- I can't see why someone would buy one when presented with other options in the Spyderco line
C69 GS, GS2-- Please, please, please keep them in plain edge, but does anyone really like this design in SpyderEdge? The kind of person that buys and uses this knife will likely be a knife fanatic and won't much care for serrations on this kind of knife. I could be wrong, just a personal opinion.
C73GP, GPS, GPS2-- It just doesn't do much for me
JGRP, JGRS-- Yes they're cute, but are they really necessary? Why not a forest green instead?
LBK, LBL, LRD-- Given the choice, I'd definitely take a Jester
T01PS-- Plain or serrated, no in-between

There, I cut 31 and it wasn't too painful. There are others that I don't care for, but have definite market appeal.

Now on the positive side, I want to say, keep all the trainers!!! The Endura and Delica trainers are needed as they each represent a size category of knives. The Gunting trainer is a must for any Gunting owner and the Temperance trainer is also a great all around training knife. I also really like my Spyderco kitchen knives and the SpydeRench, though I can see that they aren't that popular.
toothed
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Posts: 341
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am

#25

Post by toothed »

Protect the following models:
Police (Hey, we don't have an almite version yet)
Endura/Delica (How about a jigged bone PE Endura--even if it's only on one side? Sob, I miss the Wegner!)
Military (I'm still trying very hard to like this knife)
Civilian/Harpy/Merlin (The sweethearts)
Dragonfly (Might be the only small knife we really need)
Cricket (Okay, if you must have a toy...)

Others can be replaced every two years by new models and collaborations in the pipeline.

It is my personal belief that there is just too much redundancy in the small knife category. Too many models and iterations (colors). Yeah, I know that category was where Spyderco projected the market was headed. Perhaps in 2004 and beyond Spyderco production can swing back in the direction of more medium to large bladed tools. Just my two cents.
jim_l_clifton
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Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am

#26

Post by jim_l_clifton »

Guys,Notice most post what they would discotinue,Gunting is not mentioned by you all(thank GOD)just passed over!People this is an AWESOME blade,the Spydie videos are the BEST on the market!! I teach a 14yr old with the trainer,she loves it! With things the way they are,these Guntings are great!! Those of you that DON't know what the G is,ASK,read, ck. it out!! You all might be pleasently surprised!!
jim
spydaman
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Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Honolulu USA

#27

Post by spydaman »

Discontinue the following:
K04SBK Utility Knife – Black
K05SBK Small Utility Knife – Black
K05SRD Small Utility Knife – Red
K08P Santoku
K09P Paring Knife
Kitchen knife market saturated.

C14SBL Rescue 93mm Blue
I’ll bet blue knives aren’t selling much.

C17PSBK Catcherman
Most fisherman would prefer a fixed blade. Easier maintenance.

C45SBL Rescue 79mm Blue
Same – blue is weird.

C46GPBK Bob Lum Tanto – Black Blade
C46GPSBK Bob Lum Tanto – Black Blade
Sold well when new but now that collectors have got their fill I’ll bet demand is low.

C64JPBK MeerKat
C64JSBK MeerKat
C64PBK2 MeerKat – Reverse S
C64SBK2 MeerKat – Reverse S
Novelty item but again I bet demand is low.

C65P Lum Chinese Folder
C66PBK Frank Centofante Vesuvius II
C66PSBK Frank Centofante Vesuvius II
C68GPS Bram Frank Gunting
C68TR Bram Frank Gunting Trainer
C69GP2 Lil’ Temperance Trailing Point
C69GS2 Lil’ Temperance Trailing Point
C71PTI Salsa – Titanium
C71PSTI Salsa – Titanium
C71BLP Salsa – Blue
C71BLPS Salsa – Blue
C71CBP Salsa – Cranberry
C71CBPS Salsa – Cranberry
C72P Pride
C73GP Impala with Guthook
C73GPS Impala with Guthook
C73GPS2 Impala
FB01 Bill Moran Featherweight
FB02 Bill Moran Drop Point
FB03 Bob Lum Tanto
FB04 Fred Perrin
FB05P Temperance
FB05S Temperance
FB05TR Temperance Trainer
Same for all of above – probably sold well when new but I suspect that after the initial run demand dwindled.

JGRP Jester – Lime Green
JGRS Jester – Lime Green
LBK Ladybug – Black
LBL Ladybug – Blue
LRD Ladybug - Red
Small knife market is rough. Do these models sell well?


T02S SpyderSaw
I’ve used small saws and they don’t work well. If I were going somewhere and needed a saw I’d pack a bigger saw. And, for casual carry I wouldn’t carry a saw as EDC. Maybe keep this for another year for collectors but discontinue for sure the next year.

C10TR Endura Trainer
C11TR Delica Trainer
I believe the market is to narrow for these to exist for more than a year or two. Probably time to get rid of them.

C12GS Civilian G-10
I say get rid of the present version and bring back the aluminum handle version. Not a very practical knife and more people collect these than use them so you might as well give them something that is worth collecting
maazar
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Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Texas USA

#28

Post by maazar »

Sal , we need to keep the trainers for the delica and the endura , i see a lot of post to axe those. The problem guy with that is if you are not part of mbc or any type of training program , they are not to important but for the elite group that use them on an every day basis we sure luv em '
SO PLEASE KEEP THE TRAINERS THEY ARE VERY UNIQUE IN OUR INDUSTRY ...
Steve Drayton
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Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Central Coast NSW Australia

#29

Post by Steve Drayton »

Have already posted on BF but will here to. Glad to hear the positive news about the Gunting a fantastic tool. Also just wanted to mention about the trainers, I use the Endura and Delica trainers when I teach and they are invaluable tools the realism with safety is essential to me nothing else does the job anywhere near as well
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JBE
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Posts: 1531
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 12:00 pm
Location: Louisiana

#30

Post by JBE »

Keep the blue Rescue (the 93mm) as blue is the true EMS (Emergency Medical Service) color for who this knife was intended...Oh..and Sal, if you ever need a tester/guinea pig for the Rescue series let me know <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

"I'd come to realize that my job was less about saving lives then it was about bearing witness"...

Edited by - Medic2110 on 5/8/2003 2:00:59 PM
M M
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Posts: 35
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Germany

#31

Post by M M »

Keep the Gunting its the best sv tool on the market.... I carry it daily...
and I love it

M M
User avatar
bigcat
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Posts: 507
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: maryville, tennessee USA

#32

Post by bigcat »

Keep all knives with both a thumb and a finger stop, such as the pro-venator, harpy, standard, gunting, chinook(orginal), etc. Get rid all knives that combine the choil and handle as a finger grip, such as the rescue knives, native. dragonfly.
And get rid of knives with no thunb or finger guards, such as the bob lum chinese folder. nuf said.

bigcat
WorkForALiving
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Posts: 28
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: NJ USA

#33

Post by WorkForALiving »

Sal--(If I may be so bold as to call you by your first name.)

ITEM 1
I bought a Salsa and gave it away because I hated it. You can discontinue the whole Salsa project as far as I am concerned.

ITEM 2
Here is a list of what I have purchased in the last few months and kept. Take this list as a vote of confidence:

Delica FRN Plain
Ladybug Red
Ladybug Blue
Endura SS
Police CF Plain RH
WTC
Calypso Junior SS
Delica CF RH (tomorrow's purchase!)
Pachucko
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Posts: 558
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Texas USA

#34

Post by Pachucko »

Sal, please keep the Gunting, and the Chinook. Thanks.
gadfly
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Posts: 153
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Bala Cynwyd, PA USA

#35

Post by gadfly »

Sal,
In reviewing your list, I have some comments:

Discontinue For 2004 List.

In general, I'm not a fan of Stainless Steel Scales!

I love G-10 and Carbon Fiber Scales.

I think trainers are useful, but not very marketable

I don't like guthooks!

I like the following are knives:

C12GS Civilian G-10 Noooooo, a thousand times
No!
C17PSBK Catcherman Keep.
C36GPE Military CPM-S30V
C36GPSE Military CPM-S30V
C36GSE Military CPM-S30V
C45SOR Rescue 79mm Orange
C46GPBK Bob Lum Tanto – Black Blade
C46GPSBK Bob Lum Tanto – Black Blade

C64PBK2 MeerKat – Reverse S
C64SBK2 MeerKat – Reverse S
C65P Lum Chinese Folder

C68GPS Bram Frank Gunting
The Lil' Temperance Leaf is one of my
favorite knives!
C69GP Lil’ Temperance Leaf
C69GS Lil’ Temperance Leaf
C73GPS2 Impala
FB01 Bill Moran Featherweight
FB02 Bill Moran Drop Point
FB03 Bob Lum Tanto
FB04 Fred Perrin
FB05P Temperance
FB05S Temperance
FB05TR Temperance Trainer
FB09P Ronin

T01P SpydeRench
T01PS SpydeRench
T01S SpydeRench
T02S SpyderSaw

K08P Santoku


One way or the other, you pay for your tools!
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jyork
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Posts: 363
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Minneapolis, MN USA

#36

Post by jyork »

Ok time for my 2 cents worth. As for my perspective. I use and collect my Spydercos. I work in an office environment with some harder use on weekends and trips.

Item # Description Discontinue For 2004
C07S Police Stainless -----Discontinue- don't like serrations on this one.
C07P Police Stainless ------Keep
C08S Harpy Stainless ------Discontinue- had one two heavy for carry.
C08SBK Merlin FRN ------Keep
C10P Endura Stainless -----Keep
C10PS Endura Stainless ----Keep
C10S Endura Stainless -----Keep
C10PBK Endura FRN -----Keep
C10PSBK Endura FRN -----Keep
C10SBK Endura FRN -----Keep
C10TR Endura Trainer ----Discontinue
C11P Delica Stainless ----Keep
C11PS Delica Stainless -----Keep
C11S Delica Stainless -----Keep
C11PBK Delica FRN -----Keep
C11PSBK Delica FRN -----Keep
C11SBK Delica FRN -----Keep
C11TR Delica Trainer ----Discontinue
C12GS Civilian G-10 ----Keep - love this knife
C12SBK Matriarch ---Discontinue- don't see a point with Spyderhawk
C13PS ProGrip Stainless ----Discontinue
C13PSBK ProGrip FRN ----Keep
C14SBK Rescue 93mm Black --Keep 2 my preference blue and orange
C14SBL Rescue 93mm Blue--Keep 2 my preference blue and orange
C14SOR Rescue 93mm Orange--Keep 2 my preference blue and orange
C17PSBK Catcherman--Discontinue- but I'm not a fisherman. If sales warrant keep it
C28P Dragonfly Stainless --Discontinue- as far as I'm concerned don't like dragonfly series handles, great design just doesn't fit me. Like navigator/meerkat shape better.
C28S Dragonfly Stainless
C28PBK Dragonfly FRN
C28SBK Dragonfly FRN
C29P Cricket Stainless ---Keep Keep Keep
C29S Cricket Stainless ---Discontinue-serr don't work this small for me.
C29PBK Cricket FRN --- Keep
C29SBK Cricket FRN---Discontinue-serr don't work this small for me.
C36GPE Military CPM-S30V ---Keep
C36GPSE Military CPM-S30V---Keep
C36GSE Military CPM-S30V---Keep
C41PS Native Stainless--- Discontinue
C41PBK Native FRN ---Keep get rid of swedge
C41PSBK Native FRN---Keep get rid of swedge
C45SBK Rescue 79mm Black--Keep 2 my preference blue and orange
C45SBL Rescue 79mm Blue
C45SOR Rescue 79mm Orange
C46GPBK Bob Lum Tanto – Black Blade---Discontinue- no use for tanto
C46GPSBK Bob Lum Tanto – Black Blade---Discontinue- no use for tanto especially serr
C63GP James Keating Chinook II ---Keep
C63GPS James Keating Chinook II
C64JPBK MeerKat ---Keep
C64JSBK MeerKat ---Keep
C64PBK2 MeerKat – Reverse S ---Discontinue because of cricket
C64SBK2 MeerKat – Reverse S---Discontinue because of cricket
C65P Lum Chinese Folder ---Keep
C66PBK Frank Centofante Vesuvius II ---Discontinue- not impressed with 1st one
C66PSBK Frank Centofante Vesuvius II ---Discontinue- not impressed with 1st one
C68GPS Bram Frank Gunting ---Keep has uses
C68TR Bram Frank Gunting Trainer---Keep has uses
C69GP Lil’ Temperance Leaf ---Keep
C69GS Lil’ Temperance Leaf ---Discontinue
C69GP2 Lil’ Temperance Trailing Point---Discontinue
C69GS2 Lil’ Temperance Trailing Point---Discontinue
C71PTI Salsa – Titanium ---discontinue $$$ reasons
C71PSTI Salsa – Titanium---discontinue $$$ reasons

C71BLP Salsa – Blue---Keep
C71BLPS Salsa – Blue---Keep
C71CBP Salsa – Cranberry---Keep
C71CBPS Salsa – Cranberry---Keep
C72P Pride -----Discontinue
C73GP Impala with Guthook ---Discontinue
C73GPS Impala with Guthook---Discontinue
C73GPS2 Impala---Keep
C75P Kiwi ---KEEP KEEP
C77SBK SpyderHawk---Keep

JBKP Jester – Black ---Keep all jesters and Ladybugs. But bring back plain edge ladybugs
JBKS Jester – Black
JGRP Jester – Lime Green
JGRS Jester – Lime Green
LBK Ladybug – Black
LBL Ladybug – Blue
LRD Ladybug - Red

FB01 Bill Moran Featherweight---Discontinue
FB02 Bill Moran Drop Point---Keep
FB03 Bob Lum Tanto ------Discontinue
FB04 Fred Perrin---Keep
FB05P Temperance---Discontinue
FB05S Temperance---Discontinue
FB05TR Temperance Trainer---Discontinue
FB09P Ronin---Keep

T01P SpydeRench---too many keep one prob combo edge
T01PS SpydeRench
T01S SpydeRench
T02S SpyderSaw ---keep and give a chance

Personal opinion but since I got my ceramic kitchen knives I am totally unimpressed with my spyderco kitchen knives--- Discontinue all
K04SBK Utility Knife – Black
K05SBK Small Utility Knife – Black
K05SRD Small Utility Knife – Red
K08P Santoku
K09P Paring Knife
Tom Percy
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Posts: 151
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Canada

#37

Post by Tom Percy »

It's always hard to see any of the products discontuned. What might be nice is to see of our favourites cycled back in, in about 5 - 10 years.
With mixed feelings, here is my list to discontinue for 2004:
C12GS Civilian G-10
C12SBK Matriarch
C17PSBK Catcherman
C41PS Native Stainless
C41PBK Native FRN
C41PSBK Native FRN
C45SBK Rescue 79mm Black
C45SBL Rescue 79mm Blue
C45SOR Rescue 79mm Orange
C63GP James Keating Chinook II
C63GPS James Keating Chinook II
C75P Kiwi
C77SBK SpyderHawk
JBKP Jester Black
JBKS Jester Black
JGRP Jester Lime Green
JGRS Jester Lime Green
FB09P Ronin
K04SBK Utility Knife – Black
K05SBK Small Utility Knife – Black
K05SRD Small Utility Knife – Red
K08P Santoku
K09P Paring Knife
C72P Pride
Gary
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Posts: 231
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Massachusetts USA

#38

Post by Gary »

Yikes... cutting about 30 of your kids... that's tough! There's some great suggestions above. I only have a few suggestions: Cut (poor choice of words) the Wrench... it is cumbersome and multi-tools have become a mass market driven by price rather than quality. Ditto for the new saw... tough to sell it at twice the price of a Gerber. Dump the Meerkat (I've got my 2) but remember the locking mechanism for a future knife. The small serrated blades don't "cut" it. Consolidate into the 93mm rescues. Cut the kitchen knife line, but salvage the Santoku (it's the best ever). Consolidate the SPOT line (but stay with it).
Jeepers... good luck with your decisions. But then, your decisions are one of the things that make your company so great! I would find it interesting to know which knives are money makers and which knives are not. Does your profit margin change much between models or is profit more related to quantity? By the way... to me "profit" is a positive word. Without it the future comes into question.
Profits to you and Spyderco...
and thanks for listening to your customers.
Gary
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JBE
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Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 12:00 pm
Location: Louisiana

#39

Post by JBE »

Sal,has any final decisions been made as to which models will be (pardon the pun here) cut?

"I'd come to realize that my job was less about saving lives then it was about bearing witness"...
radioflyer
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Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Tulsa, OK USA

#40

Post by radioflyer »

Please don't get rid of the Delica FRN, Endura FRN, and Salsa Titanium, and maybe a cheaper single color of Salsa.

Thanks Sal for including us in your decisions!
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