Cruwear micarta Bushcraft/Proficient

[kennethsime]

I'd also be happy to hear about a budget (Chinese) run of the Proficient. I think the Bow River is a really great offering, and I'd be happy to pay up to $100 for a Chinese-made Proficient if the steel could compete with ESEE's 1095.

Chinese made would be a hard pass for me. I’ll leave my reasons aside to keep things shiny...

Yea I totally respect that. I think it would be a different project for sure.

[sal]

I'd also be happy to hear about a budget (Chinese) run of the Proficient. I think the Bow River is a really great offering, and I'd be happy to pay up to $100 for a Chinese-made Proficient if the steel could compete with ESEE's 1095.

Chinese made would be a hard pass for me. I’ll leave my reasons aside to keep things shiny...

Yea I totally respect that. I think it would be a different project for sure.

Hi Kennethsime,

I'm afraid I can't do that. 1st, we don't move a model from one maker to another unless there is a real problem with the maker. 2nd, All of the effort in design and production have been invested in producing the design. The maker has already made 3 variations, It would really be a stab in the back of a loyal maker. The Bow River was planned for China from the beginning.

Also, I'm trying hard to avoid politics on the forums in these troubled times, but I'm not real happy with China right now with COVID-19. I'm hiding and watching to see how it comes out?

sal

[cycleguy]

This happens to be my project and has been since the original "Bushcraft", That UK Ken asked us to make. Then the "Proficient", which was the result of Forumites asking for a more Modern version than Spalted Maple or G-10 with O1, but with Chris Claycomb's excellent handle design. So we made the Proficient with CPM-S90V and solid Carbon fiber. We jokingly called it the "NASA version", A real classic that I personally bought 10 of to use as gifts in the future, as it probably won't go more than one run.

Then Darby started talking about a version with more of an all around user with less expensive materials then the Proficient. That's how we ended up with Micarta and CPM Cruwear. We're currently involved in getting a quote for that version. I don't know if it will be much cheaper, but I'm with you on the version. The tooling for the Claycomb handle was expensive as was the actual machining. If we can make it and cost works out, I think it will be another Classic.

sal

Hi Sal,

How does one go about getting on your gift list? :)

CG

[kennethsime]

Hi Kennethsime,

I'm afraid I can't do that. 1st, we don't move a model from one maker to another unless there is a real problem with the maker. 2nd, All of the effort in design and production have been invested in producing the design. The maker has already made 3 variations, It would really be a stab in the back of a loyal maker. The Bow River was planned for China from the beginning.

Also, I'm trying hard to avoid politics on the forums in these troubled times, but I'm not real happy with China right now with COVID-19. I'm hiding and watching to see how it comes out?

sal

Sal, I appreciate your response.

Please excuse my ignorance, I thought the Bow River was essentially a "Chinese South Fork," as they were both somewhat similar Phil Wilson designs. When I requested a "Chinese Proficient," this comparison is what I had in mind. Perhaps I could have been more careful about my request; I didn't mean to suggest betrayal.

I am still looking forward to the Crucarta Proficient, and hope I can pick one up once it's released.

[Pancake]

I have to say, that this knife intriguing me so much, but on the other hand, it will be so expensive that it could be a no go for me. I have not have more opposite thoughts on a knife in a long time.
Hope that next Reveal will bring it.

[KnOeFz]

ok, bumping this thread got me all exited again :D

[Team Sick]

I'd vote for Elmax or 3v with Micarta handles, but would like to see it with a Convex grind.

[legOFwhat?]

Hi Kiku,

1. was answered

2. Weight reduction to be the same as the "live" blade. Also, trainers were originally all made with red handles so they are easily identified. Then customers were repeatedly asking for red knives with "live" blades so we honored their requests and made some red live knives.

3. We just got a quote back from the maker for a Curwear Proficient with Micarta handles. The price was not much lower than the S90V version. Sine the request was for a lower cost, we opted not to go forward. The majority of the cost is in the machining of the handle.

sal

May have to budget for an original then, would still like to get a Cruwear fixed blade someday :)

[curlyhairedboy]

oh man, that's a bummer. Still, it needs to make business sense....

[Woodpuppy]

What about a so-called “mid tech” version with bolt-on CNC machined scales?

[Skidoosh]

PD#1 Mule with burlap micarta is as close as I will get, works for me

[Burton Knut]

I didn’t realize the Crucarta version was an attempt to get the price lower than the S90V model. I thought it was just a better steal for a bushcraft type blade. I expected to and was ready to spend similar funds, any cheaper would’ve been icing on the micarta.

[ikaretababy]

I didn’t realize the Crucarta version was an attempt to get the price lower than the S90V model. I thought it was just a better steal for a bushcraft type blade. I expected to and was ready to spend similar funds, any cheaper would’ve been icing on the micarta.

Same. I'm really bummed out the project is off but I understand Sal's reasoning. I'd have paid the price even if it was up there. I know I can get a cruwear fixed blade from a lot of other makers but not with such a perfect handle design!!

[blueblur]

It’s really unfortunate to hear this won’t be getting the green light.

[Gsg9]

how loyalty kills a project, this would make a good case study for the economics classes
not being able to reduce prices doesn't seem to be a problem with the maker for Spyderco

here's what a chinese maker can offer for 30$, food for thought
also look at the pocket clip, Spyderco sends us to spend another 30$ for an aftermarket clip in order to support the local clip "industry"

https://youtu.be/ddvVco3_ClY

[Pancake]

how loyalty kills a project, this would make a good case study for the economics classes
not being able to reduce prices doesn't seem to be a problem with the maker for Spyderco

here's what a chinese maker can offer for 30$, food for thought
also look at the pocket clip, Spyderco sends us to spend another 30$ for an aftermarket clip in order to support the local clip "industry"

Proficient is not made in China, but in Taichung, Taiwan, and Taichung made Spydercos are a level above in fit and finish and in materials compare to Chinese made.
I think it's not fair comparing fairly simple linerlock with what, VG-10? to a Cru-Wear and micarta fixed blade.
I have some experience with fixed blade knife making and I'll tell one thing, handle shaping takes a ton of time. Even basic rounding off the scales and smoothing everything takes a lot of time. Making 3D sculpted handle takes even more time.

I would hope that this micarta Proficient could sell around 250-270€ and I would pay that price. But being almost the same price as S90V is a no go for ne

[sal]

Hi Gsg9,

Thanx, I understand your point of view, which is primarily get it cheaper, and I must admit that there are many that think the same way. But there is really more to the decision than just loyalty, though loyalty is an important value to Spyderco.

sal

[curlyhairedboy]

Sal, I know the PD#1 mule has been sporadically in stock - are there plans to keep that on deck for those interested in a Cruwear-adjacent fixed blade?

[bearfacedkiller]

Oh well. It is what it is. I had a feeling cost could be an issue. I had $300 ready to go but I also realize how much cash that is for a fixed blade.

[Gsg9]

Hi Gsg9,

Thanx, I understand your point of view, which is primarily get it cheaper, and I must admit that there are many that think the same way. But there is really more to the decision than just loyalty, though loyalty is an important value to Spyderco.

sal

Hi Sal,

I understand loyalty and respect your values, unfortunately seems to me that sticking with that particular maker killed this project, as there was no room for price reduction with that maker.

If machining is expensive in Taiwan it may be cheaper in China...

So for now it's a win-win: there's no micarta cruwear proficient and no further business(at least for this knife model) for that taiwanese maker.

The original request was to get it cheaper.

Maybe a better approach would have been to check first with the original maker(loyalty) and then if not possible with that one within a certain budget check for other options in order to achieve the original request and get the project done.