Spyderco Forums

Woodpuppy wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 4:45 am

kennethsime wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 15, 2020 10:35 pm

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...

kennethsime wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 11:26 pm

Woodpuppy wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 4:45 am

kennethsime wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 15, 2020 10:35 pm

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 wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:07 pm

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

sal wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 18, 2020 4:49 pm

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 wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 20, 2020 3:16 pm

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

Burton Knut wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 21, 2020 7:01 pm

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.

Gsg9 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 23, 2020 5:29 am

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"

sal wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 23, 2020 10:34 am

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