Spyderco Forums

So, I think some of you alredy know that I live in Europe.
Prices of regular Spydies are higher then in USA and sprints are most of time even more expensive. Carbon fiber/S90V Shaman was like 300 Euros (330 USD). Most of the time I don´t care about sprint, mainly because of cost. Stretch was an exception, it was not that expensive, but I choose to not to get one and wait for longer version to come.

Sprints were always a touchy subject. There are more people wanting a knife then knives themselfs. One solution is make more knives, but as other have said, Spyderco is always at risk, if that sprint is going to sell well or not.


My opinion only: Sprints were always ok, until Micarta Cru-Wear Shaman. For some unknow reason, everyone and their grandmother suddenly want one (God knows why) and demand was too high. It just blew my mind, because regular Shaman was everytime in stock, not like some Taichung models like Spydiechef, that were at some point missing in shops for several months.......What #theheck was so special about that Shaman?! Shaman is the one to blame :D


On the other side, maybe I get one of REX45 models......Native Chief, or maybe Shaman?

I just saw the Shabazz video in this...agree with everything he said, especially the part about flippers being the lowest form of life in existence. I guess I look at it from a non collector perspective. I buy knives I like, and couldn’t care less that others have them or don’t. I couldn’t care less if everyone in America had one, as long as I liked it. They aren’t investments, so who gives a crap? So, please do make more of each individual run so that those who want to buy it can buy it over a reasonable amount of time, and not to feed the resale trolls.

Gamecock wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2020 1:37 pm

I just saw the Shabazz video in this...agree with everything he said, especially the part about flippers being the lowest form of life in existence. I guess I look at it from a non collector perspective.

Much as I have little use for "flippers" and have stated so here and elsewhere, that particular perspective is well wide of the mark.

If they were actually the lowest form of life in existence, the world would be a far better place.

blues wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2020 2:06 pm

Gamecock wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2020 1:37 pm

I just saw the Shabazz video in this...agree with everything he said, especially the part about flippers being the lowest form of life in existence. I guess I look at it from a non collector perspective.

Much as I have little use for "flippers" and have stated so here and elsewhere, that particular perspective is well wide of the mark.

If they were actually the lowest form of life in existence, the world would be a far better place.

Would be a lot better place. :D

I can think of more than a few who are MUCH worse.

blues wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2020 2:06 pm

Gamecock wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2020 1:37 pm

I just saw the Shabazz video in this...agree with everything he said, especially the part about flippers being the lowest form of life in existence. I guess I look at it from a non collector perspective.

Much as I have little use for "flippers" and have stated so here and elsewhere, that particular perspective is well wide of the mark.

If they were actually the lowest form of life in existence, the world would be a far better place.

Overstated to make a point...should read “lowest form of existence....in the knife community”.

Right up there with guys who steal knives off tables at the Blade Show. Or don't send a knife they've been paid for. Or...

Yep.

VooDooChild wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2020 1:12 am

JD Spydo wrote: I still say it's high time for some Sprint Runs in SE. I would bet that a C-111 Captain, ULIZE, or even an older KRIS model in SE would all sell quite well in SE.

I would also love to see some older fixed blades like the TEMPERANCE 1 and STREETBEAT in an SE Sprint Run.

Man youve done 3 post in the last 20 minutes saying something about the temperance 1. You must really like it. I never had a temperance 1 or 2 but I do have the jumpmaster 2. While Im sure there are differences it seems to me that the jumpmaster 2 is sort of like the continuation of the temperance line. Alot of things look very similar. I couldnt see a temperance sprint just because I think it would be too similar to the jm2, but you never know. On the other hand I think you should grab a jumpmaster 2, I think you would like it.

I haven't owned or used a JUMPMASTER 2 as of yet but it is on my "gotta have' list and I'm hoping to lay my hands on one within the next 2 to 3 months. I've never owned a Spyderco fixed blade that I didn't end up liking. But the TEMPERANCE 1 is truly the love of my fixed blade life. If I ever had a "Perfect" fixed blade for a wide range of uses the TEMP 1 after all these years still takes the #1 spot.

Sometimes with old Spyders I've had certain models where you could just say that they got it "perfect" from the "get-go". And the TEMP 1 will be my fav until they come up with one to top it. But I do love those JUMPMASTER models. I've held one and checked it over at a local Gun Show but I've not yet owned one.

VooDooChild wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2020 1:12 am

JD Spydo wrote: I still say it's high time for some Sprint Runs in SE. I would bet that a C-111 Captain, ULIZE, or even an older KRIS model in SE would all sell quite well in SE.

I would also love to see some older fixed blades like the TEMPERANCE 1 and STREETBEAT in an SE Sprint Run.

Man youve done 3 post in the last 20 minutes saying something about the temperance 1. You must really like it. I never had a temperance 1 or 2 but I do have the jumpmaster 2. While Im sure there are differences it seems to me that the jumpmaster 2 is sort of like the continuation of the temperance line. Alot of things look very similar. I couldnt see a temperance sprint just because I think it would be too similar to the jm2, but you never know. On the other hand I think you should grab a jumpmaster 2, I think you would like it.

I keep meaning to grab a Jumpmaster, but it never seems to happen. It isn't like I really need it, but it is a knife I would enjoy having. But I guess that statement applies to every purchase over the past couple of years.

I think they are quite different, similar only in being fixed blades of a similar size. The jumpmaster is total function and get things done. The Temperance 2 is much more refined.

But I should find some extra cash for a Jumpmaster -- it would be my first SE blade

sal wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2020 10:47 pm

I really can't speak to long term value but the last time I saw a "PIG" Police model for sale, they were $1.000. We sold them for $50 in 1984 and made 2400 pieces.

We make sprints because some of our customers like and appreciate them. We make exclusives because some of our dealers and distributors ask us to.

The number will more than likely increase due to the larger demand.

sal

Thanks Sal for listening and giving your customers what they want. Your response is unprecedented (for me) in regards to the business owner/customer relationship.

I wonder if Spyderco would consider doing repeat runs if a Sprint looks like it's selling out quickly. I don't know how the logistics and risks compare for a second run compared to a larger initial batch. If there's a reasonable chance that everyone who's interested would be able to purchase through normal channels in due course, that would take the heat out of the discussion and also be less of an incentive to people who buy solely in the hope of reselling at a profit.

aesmith wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 21, 2020 9:55 am

I wonder if Spyderco would consider doing repeat runs if a Sprint looks like it's selling out quickly. I don't know how the logistics and risks compare for a second run compared to a larger initial batch. If there's a reasonable chance that everyone who's interested would be able to purchase through normal channels in due course, that would take the heat out of the discussion and also be less of an incentive to people who buy solely in the hope of reselling at a profit.

Then it wouldn't be a Sprint run

Wasn’t there an issue some time ago, with an orange military sprint? Where Spyderco started to offer one for reg production, called it safety orange, and then everyone got mad because they felt that the original sprint was then de-valued?

Ankerson wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 16, 2020 3:26 pm

They could do serial numbers instead...

They would know were they all went step by step...

In the end we would see a lot more in the customers hands at normal prices before the flippers etc got them....

At least they would have a much better chance going were they are supposed to go with the people in the supply chain knowing they are being tracked.

"They"? Who is "they"?

Are you volunteering Spydercos time and resources to keep track of all those serial numbers or are you volunteering your time and resources to keep track of all those serial numbers?

It is amazing how many people complain about not getting a hold of sprints/exclusives. That's literally a part of the design of sprints/exclusives; not everyone gets one. I didn't get any of the Rex-45 sprints or any of the M390 DLT exclusives, even though I tried, yet I'm not moaning and crying. I did however get a hold of 2 Cruwear exclusives from KC that I EDC. There is no production knife company putting out half the steels Spyderco uses, along with their amazing heat treatments, and all people can do is complain. Maybe Spyderco should shut down everything that's not a basic S30V model so everyone can feel special.

I love Sprint Runs, Flash Batches, dealer Exclusives, all those limited-edition fancy knives. It's so cool to see the different colors, blade shapes and coatings, steel types... I remember before the Native came in a black-coated plainedge variant, I bought the black-and-orange Exclusive and swapped it into a black handle and was very happy that I had an all-black plainedge to match my serrated one.

The prices on the secondary market don't bother me because, at this point, I have all the awesome cutting tools I need -- anything more is just... fancy toys and pocket jewelry, and while toys and jewelry are nice they aren't necessary. If I want a fancy toy I can save up and buy it, or wait a couple years til the hype dies down and the prices are better.

That said -- it'd be even cooler if there were enough knives in a Sprint Run for everyone who was interested to be able to buy some. :) And the original poster does bring up a good point -- smaller Sprint Runs were designed for a smaller knife community back then, maybe the larger community today can support larger Sprint batches? At least for the popular models? If so, it could be a win-win-win all around, for both Spyderco and its customers.

semfi1345 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 16, 2020 4:02 pm

If they were to up their minimum numbers, I believe the number of sprint runs would dramatically reduce and I'd rather see all the crazy new stuff coming out regularly than just 1 or 2x a year. Even though exclusives weren't the topic, how many of these small shops would be able to afford the upfront cost of 2K-3K knives? Some would but I imagine most wouldn't be able to, again, reducing some awesome exclusives being put out.

^ This is the one reservation I have about larger batch sizes.

Dazen wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 16, 2020 5:00 pm

All Spyderco needs to do is put out a statement with all Sprints saying they reserve the right to do another run if the Sprint sells out in “x” amount of time. That way if the Sprint sells out in minutes they can do another run, if it sells out in a couple days they can do another run, and if it takes a month don't do another run.

If the Sprint is that popular it’s a win for everyone Spyderco, dealers and us!

^ This sounds like a possible cool solution?

I'm not one of Spyderco's accountants though, I'm sure all y'all over there in Golden will do the right thing for the company -- just throwing ideas around. :) Thanks very much for all you do for the knife community with your willingness to try cool new innovative stuff -- from pocket clips and fully serrated edges, to awesomecool steel types like Maxamet, to crazy blade shapes like on the Matriarch -- we definitely appreciate it! :spyder:

sal wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 16, 2020 1:17 pm

Hi Shane,

Welcome and thanx for posting. I'll present your suggestion to the management team.

sal

Sal, thanks for being open and responsive - it really reflects well on you and the company.

I just want to second what OP said... it’s VERY cool that you guys can bring us so much variety, but I feel like these one-time sprints often lead to more disappointment than excitement. Especially with steels that are suited to be heavy users like M4 and Rex 45 - it’s a shame for them to be collectors items, while many who would actually use them either miss out or have to pay inflated secondary market prices.

I think Nick Shabazz made some great suggestions - keep collectors happy by making limited sprints with aesthetic differences, but with knives that should be used as tools, keep the option open to make more depending on demand. That will also make people less afraid of damaging theirs. I’m carrying an M4 Manix 2 today, which is one of my best users... but knowing that it isn’t simple and easy to replace somewhat reduces the joy of using it, and that’s a shame.

Just my 2 cents. Thanks again for listening!