Spyderco MSRP Increase for 2021?

[Evil D]

Rather than repeating the same, non-constructive response, perhaps some members should consider not continuing to read this thread. Everyone has a right to their opinions and if we've learned anything here, it's that Sal cares about getting honest, constructive feedback. If this topic comes up annually, it's because it's still a concern for some people. As I said previously, if this doesn't affect you, great; but it's having an effect on a lot of us.

We've all got different angles on this, but it's helpful in all aspects of life to think about the other people in the world, even if you don't agree.

For the record it does effect me, and I do care that it effects others. Maybe you're right, after a few more years of these threads maybe it'll stop.

[James Y]

I’m really more concerned how the price increases will affect how non-afi’s purchase Spydercos. The average knife user out there who has found Spyderco knives extremely useful in their work and activities; and (depending how hard a life it’s had) when a particular knife is ‘used up’, look to buy another of the same or similar. I’m fairly certain that most people who buy and use Spyderco knives are not members of (or even browse) knife forums, and aren’t those who collect sprint runs. If they feel the prices of the common base models become too prohibitive for them, they may well look elsewhere.

Of course how afi’s feel is important. But realistically, we probably only make up a small percentage of total Spyderco knife users.

Jim

[Sharp Guy]

....but with other knife companies coming up with knives in M390, 20cv and other better steels at much much better price points (less than $100)....

Where are these other knives made? If it's China imagine all the outrage if Spyderco decided to move all their production there because they couldn't be competitive manufacturing elsewhere.

I know Kershaw has a couple nice USA made models that use M390 or 20CV for very reasonable prices. Off the top of my head that's all I can think of. I know there's a lot of competition out there but I consider Benchmade and Zero Tolerance to be Spyderco's primary competition. Their prices have been increasing substantially too

[standy99]

The same is said on other hobby threads every year also.

Fishing forum in Australia Rods, reels and lures go up each year also by nearly all tackle shop suppliers. (Never saw a $500 reel many years ago now there are $1500 reels and the technology is not really $1000 better as some of the old gear is better built like old Penn reels made in the US)

Price for servicing and parts for boat go up every year also.

Luxury watches your looking at two price rises a year on average 6%


I know Spyderco is paying a lot more to ship anything overseas compared to 6 months ago.

[Menipo]

Yearly price increase for Spydercos is already as certain as death and taxes.
If it's not MAP it's MSRP, if its not MSRP is MAP or simply dealer's increases.

You guys in the States shouldn't really complain.

Here, in the expensive Socialist Republic of EU, Lamnia already bumped up the prices for certain models, a Pacific Salt 2 LC200N was 133EUR, now the price from January when is supposed to come back in stock is listed as 159EUR. That's almost 20% increase, don't tell me guys that inflation was 20% because I won't believe it :D

In US is still listed as 101.50$, in EU 159EUR = 195$ = LOL

I used to buy a lot from Lamnia but now I have shifted to Knivesandtools because Lamnia is adding insult to the injury. On top of having a very long catalogue but a very short stock, their prices lately are absolutely ridiculous. Just an example: I want to add a classic Police 3 to my collection. The price of Lamnia is 179.55 EUR (218,96 USD). At Knivesandtools it costs 154.85 EUR (188,84 USD). In the US it costs 143,50 USD ... :mad:

[Peter1960]

I'm sorry my European brothers, I learned the hard way that nobody cares about the price level in Europe. The dissatisfaction keeps coming up on the forums year by year but don't hope for a satisfying result ...

Last year I only bought a Spydie on the secondary market because what is too much is too much (European dealer price level).

[nerdlock]

....but with other knife companies coming up with knives in M390, 20cv and other better steels at much much better price points (less than $100)....

Where are these other knives made? If it's China imagine all the outrage if Spyderco decided to move all their production there because they couldn't be competitive manufacturing elsewhere.

I know Kershaw has a couple nice USA made models that use M390 or 20CV for very reasonable prices. Off the top of my head that's all I can think of. I know there's a lot of competition out there but I consider Benchmade and Zero Tolerance to be Spyderco's primary competition. Their prices have been increasing substantially too

Hi SG,

It is Kershaw that I am particularly referring to.

I don't think that Spyderco would really need to move production to China. That was not my point. Majority of dealer exclusives are made in Golden and they are extremely successful in generating profits for their dealers.

My point is that given how successful dealer exclusives are with their better steels for not much markup, there is not much value anymore in paying increased prices for the production models of Spyderco if all they had to offer was VG10/s30v. I'm pretty sure a lot of customers wouldn't pay for a production s30v PM2/Para3 at an increased cost than what they are being offered at today when they can get same quality knives with better steels at the same, or lower prices from other companies.

Or - they could add more to the standard production knives to add more value for the money the customer spends. What do I mean by this?

For the sake of discussion (and I hope I won't get tarred and feathered here) Benchmade, the direct competitor, offers better packaging with foam lined knife box to prevent any damage from transit, as well as a small cloth pouch to almost every knife they sell which is a very nice touch as you are getting basically a free item with every purchase. Things like that add value to a knife purchase and could justify increased cost. Maybe Spyderco could include free stickers or some sort of swag with every knife they ship in order to add value to the increased cost. It would go a long way with customer satisfaction and value for money.

Again, just my thoughts and opinions here, no hate towards the issue of increased pricing, just love for the brand and hoping that the issue of value for money might be considered.

May everyone have a blessed new year ahead!

[jtoler_9]

Or - they could add more to the standard production knives to add more value for the money the customer spends. What do I mean by this?

For the sake of discussion (and I hope I won't get tarred and feathered here) Benchmade, the direct competitor, offers better packaging with foam lined knife box to prevent any damage from transit, as well as a small cloth pouch to almost every knife they sell which is a very nice touch as you are getting basically a free item with every purchase. Things like that add value to a knife purchase and could justify increased cost. Maybe Spyderco could include free stickers or some sort of swag with every knife they ship in order to add value to the increased cost. It would go a long way with customer satisfaction and value for money.

Again, just my thoughts and opinions here, no hate towards the issue of increased pricing, just love for the brand and hoping that the issue of value for money might be considered.

May everyone have a blessed new year ahead!

When I got into Spyderco, you could go to the SFO in Golden CO and if you spent let’s say $150.00, they would give you a free spyderwrench. They were always doing some type of awesome promo back then. Ahh the good old days. How’s that for added value? Perceived or otherwise, Spyderco was king.

I discovered Spyderco by accident, when my family moved to CO. I stumbled into SFO not really knowing what it was, and my decade plus love affair with the company began. My primary concern with annual price hikes is that I believe there must be a ceiling to this stuff. I have no idea where it is. But when it hits, what will happen to this hobby? Having said that, I see another vendor charging $425 per knife and beyond and they seem to sell out all the time, so maybe the sky really is the limit here.

All I can share is my personal experience. When I fell in love with Spyderco, I used to buy anywhere from 50+ blades a year. Since MAP hit, I don’t think I’ve purchased a new blade since.

[nerdlock]

Or - they could add more to the standard production knives to add more value for the money the customer spends. What do I mean by this?

For the sake of discussion (and I hope I won't get tarred and feathered here) Benchmade, the direct competitor, offers better packaging with foam lined knife box to prevent any damage from transit, as well as a small cloth pouch to almost every knife they sell which is a very nice touch as you are getting basically a free item with every purchase. Things like that add value to a knife purchase and could justify increased cost. Maybe Spyderco could include free stickers or some sort of swag with every knife they ship in order to add value to the increased cost. It would go a long way with customer satisfaction and value for money.

Again, just my thoughts and opinions here, no hate towards the issue of increased pricing, just love for the brand and hoping that the issue of value for money might be considered.

May everyone have a blessed new year ahead!

When I got into Spyderco, you could go to the SFO in Golden CO and if you spent let’s say $150.00, they would give you a free spyderwrench. They were always doing some type of awesome promo back then. Ahh the good old days. How’s that for added value? Perceived or otherwise, Spyderco was king.

I discovered Spyderco by accident, when my family moved to CO. I stumbled into SFO not really knowing what it was, and my decade plus love affair with the company began. My primary concern with annual price hikes is that I believe there must be a ceiling to this stuff. I have no idea where it is. But when it hits, what will happen to this hobby? Having said that, I see another vendor charging $425 per knife and beyond and they seem to sell out all the time, so maybe the sky really is the limit here.

All I can share is my personal experience. When I fell in love with Spyderco, I used to buy anywhere from 50+ blades a year. Since MAP hit, I don’t think I’ve purchased a new blade since.

Thanks for sharing your experience. A few thoughts.

$150 back then isn't the same as $150 now if you adjust for inflation values. Back then, $150 might have gotten you several knives already, given that they would be willing to give away a (now rare) Spydiewrench for your purchase. Indeed, that puts a cherry on top of your purchases back then, and certainly adds value. Amazing that you got a free wrench when nowadays people will pay top dollar to find one in decent condition.

If we are talking about CRK here, that $425 and higher gives you a knife with a fit and finish so far beyond Spyderco's CQ, no offense here, and I am saying that as a Spyderco fanatic. Plus, it's an apples to oranges comparison really. Different markets - CRK has definitely focused on the high-end market.

It seems that several opinions here are already pointing to lost sales due to the increases in pricing. You're right, when will we hit the proverbial ceiling and what will happen afterward? Will only the flippers and the scalpers get the best versions of the knives and leave the majority of customers with production models that have increased prices, but no added value and even uneven CQI issues (pac salt lc200n)? Will avid Spydie afis turn to other brands? I hope not. But only time will tell I guess.

p.s. to add to my earlier comment - the Hogue Deka is priced similarly to the Para3/Pm2 but offers a fully ambidextrous lock, G-10 handles, and most of all 20CV. And it's made in the US.

[PineChaos]

Not sure if anyone actually answered the question yet, but the answer is yes.

[vivi]

It seems that several opinions here are already pointing to lost sales due to the increases in pricing. You're right, when will we hit the proverbial ceiling and what will happen afterward? Will only the flippers and the scalpers get the best versions of the knives and leave the majority of customers with production models that have increased prices, but no added value and even uneven CQI issues (pac salt lc200n)? Will avid Spydie afis turn to other brands? I hope not. But only time will tell I guess.

We're currently hitting my ceiling. I've spent over $200 on a cutting tool once, and don't plan to do it again.

A lot of models are right around that or just over it. For example, if the Chinook 4 cost $120-150 I would have bought one. At $200-220 I said no. It's one of those models I want to try and think I like, but I don't think it would break into my top 3, so I can't justify $200 for something I'd carry here and there.

I've been wanting a new Military for a while. At $208 for a base model DLC Military, I said no. I paid $120 or so for my last new Military. If it weren't for the seconds sale I probably still wouldn't have one in my collection. I don't expect I'll ever be willing to pay over $150 for an S30V Military.

A lot of Spydercos fixed blades are pretty expensive, so I say no. When I can get an A2/1095/O1 micarta scaled LT Wright / Landi / BRK for 1/2 - 1/4 the price, I can't justify the spydie.

I've been buying up Cold Steel SRK's and plan to buy a Recon Tanto for ****s and giggles. At $35-45 a pop that's a lot of value.

I love Spyderco and I'll always be a fanboy, but when my hard limit is $200 per knife, that excludes a lot of their offerings.

I'm not saying the knives that cost that much aren't worth it for the materials and machining that go into them, just that for me, that's the line.

I can fill any cutting tool role for under $100, whether I want a high wear resistant EDC folder, full featured multitool, machete, hatchet, chef knife, sword or saw. Because this is a hobby not 100% based on "needs," I've doubled that $ limit for no practical reason.

There is nothing a $400 knife will do for me a $100-200 knife won't. I don't care about NASA level precision machining and things like that. I just want a nice tool with a comfortable handle, an efficient grind and a good heat treat.

I can appreciate the manufacturing prowess it takes to put something like the Nirvana or Drunken on a production line, but for my money I'll take a Pacific Salt.

[Brock O Lee]

Unfortunately most mid-range Spydies are now over the price limit that I am prepared to pay to get to my door in Aus. I am afraid we are in the same sinking boat with the other international mates from Europe and elsewhere who have commented on this thread.

I feel fortunate that I could build a medium sized and diversified collection pre 2018, which should last me for decades to come. Most bases are covered, with redundancy.

I still appreciate the new models and steels from afar, but as it stands I don’t need to buy 99.9% of them, and I’m okay with that. I may still make a rare exception here and there for a laugh. I still need a taste of K390, so there is that...

[sal]

It is a very interesting discussion, but it really gets down to numbers. We have been in business long enough to know what it takes for us to stay in business. I will also admit that we have on a few occasions almost lost our business. We're a pretty transparent company. We pay what we have to pay to get the quality we require. We add what we need to add to continue. Most of the funds coming in go to improvement or crew. If the price of a model gets too high, then sales drop off and the model is discontinued. We have to accept that. Sometimes we might bring it back as a sprint due to requests from you.

Export has always been a problem. We've tried a distribution center in Europe more than once. It just didn't work out. We don't just charge as much as the market will bear, pricing is carefully considered to make it as low as we can. Some models we keep in the line even if the margins and the quantity say no, but the model serves a particular market like LEO's.

We extend our best effort to offer quality in design, performance, construction, innovation, variety and customer service. Prices reflect costs.

As I said, I'm always open to suggestions, but you can be sure that any "added value" by any company is built into the price.

sal

[mitchwalcott]

I noticed a price difference for the new Atlantic Salt with LC200N. Most sites have it listed for $99.40. I found that GP Knives now has it listed for $123.90:

https://www.gpknives.com/spyderco-atlan ... 9fsgr.html

I am curious if this is one of the price increases, or simply a misprint from GP Knives.

[kobold]

It is all relative. Overseas american products are more expensive.

Eg a $210 Military will turn into a $360 Military if I am buying it myself from DLTtrading. Meanwhile the living standard and incomes are an order of magnitude below the American. It means even second hand knives are unaffordable to the large majority (in reality a Swayback equals 20-30-50% of total monthly income (let alone disposable)).

[Menipo]

It is a very interesting discussion, but it really gets down to numbers. We have been in business long enough to know what it takes for us to stay in business. I will also admit that we have on a few occasions almost lost our business. We're a pretty transparent company. We pay what we have to pay to get the quality we require. We add what we need to add to continue. Most of the funds coming in go to improvement or crew. If the price of a model gets too high, then sales drop off and the model is discontinued. We have to accept that. Sometimes we might bring it back as a sprint due to requests from you.

Export has always been a problem. We've tried a distribution center in Europe more than once. It just didn't work out. We don't just charge as much as the market will bear, pricing is carefully considered to make it as low as we can. Some models we keep in the line even if the margins and the quantity say no, but the model serves a particular market like LEO's.

We extend our best effort to offer quality in design, performance, construction, innovation, variety and customer service. Prices reflect costs.

As I said, I'm always open to suggestions, but you can be sure that any "added value" by any company is built into the price.

sal

First things first. Happy New Year to all forumites and especially to you, Mr. Glesser!

One of the main reasons that encouraged me to participate actively in this forum was precisely to see that we are blessed to have you as an active member. Thank you very much for that.

I am not going to be daring or stupid enough to tell a successful businessman who has built an empire how to run his business. Take my words simply as a personal reflection.

I think that you manufacture your products with the fundamental objective that they are used. And Vivi has already admirably explained what happens if the price of an object of use reaches certain limits. Objects that are not meant for real use are a different story. I know you are a big fan of cars, so let me give you 4 wheels example. I may be willing to pay $ 250,000 for a Bentley Bentayga to show off to my friends when they come to my farm to hunt pheasants, but I wouldn't pay $ 150,000 for a Porsche Cayenne if I need a 4x4 for daily use on that very same farm when there is a Toyota Land Cruiser that provides the same (or better) service for half the price.

I couldn't agree more with you that at the end of the day everything gets down to numbers. But the numbers are always the result of business decisions. For example, (I used the KnifeCenter database), Spyderco offers products in 40 types of steel. Benchmade offers 12 and CRK 2. And I'm not criticizing it. The variety of steels that Spyderco offers is probably one of its hallmarks. But it is a business decision that produces certain consequences (and not others). To use another example, I'm sure I'm wrong, but I tend to think that workhorses are subsidizing other more expensive models to produce. And, if that is the case, it has implicit risks. I find it difficult to pay 100 dollars for an Endura or a Delica VG-10 when there are knives of a not too inferior quality (let's put it that way) 40% cheaper on the market. I don’t need a Cayenne to get the work done if a Land Cruiser can do it perfectly.

As I said at the beginning, please don't get me wrong. It is very easy to make observations to the cowboy who is on the back of the rodeo horse (on how he should ride) when one is sitting comfortably in the stands. I offer you my point of view with the sole aim that things go as well for you in business as they have done so far. Above all, because I wish you all the best. But also, and if you allow me to be a little selfish, because your success guarantees that we, Spyderco junkies, have our dose guaranteed ...

[standy99]

Spyderco is like my pool
You can sit on the side and just put your feet in.
It has a shallow end for people to play in.
A medium level that’s a bit bigger and deeper.
Then there is the deep end.

Some people can swim well so they have the whole pool to play in. Other get to find the part of the pool that suits them.

Everyone sees the pool and wants the whole pool to play in but in reality you have to find the part of the pool that suits you.

CRK is just a deep end with no steps and I have swam there but I like my Spyderco pool better as it’s easy to get in and out of

And a lot of other companies are creeks and rivers that aren’t as safe as a pool as you never know the where the bottom is and rapids, we have all been down the rapids over the years

Lastly there is the Beach, with sharks and box jelly fish and all those nasty things trying to rip you off and scam you.

Swim where you feel safe.

Hope my analogy helps

[Doc Dan]

I never want Spyderco to skimp on quality. If I have to pay more, I will suck it up and do it. I might not buy as many, but I will still buy.

[Doc Dan]

It is a very interesting discussion, but it really gets down to numbers. We have been in business long enough to know what it takes for us to stay in business. I will also admit that we have on a few occasions almost lost our business. We're a pretty transparent company. We pay what we have to pay to get the quality we require. We add what we need to add to continue. Most of the funds coming in go to improvement or crew. If the price of a model gets too high, then sales drop off and the model is discontinued. We have to accept that. Sometimes we might bring it back as a sprint due to requests from you.

Export has always been a problem. We've tried a distribution center in Europe more than once. It just didn't work out. We don't just charge as much as the market will bear, pricing is carefully considered to make it as low as we can. Some models we keep in the line even if the margins and the quantity say no, but the model serves a particular market like LEO's.

We extend our best effort to offer quality in design, performance, construction, innovation, variety and customer service. Prices reflect costs.

As I said, I'm always open to suggestions, but you can be sure that any "added value" by any company is built into the price.

sal

I never want Spyderco to skimp in quality or go Chinese. If I have to pay more, I will. However, I have a serious question and please take this with the spirit intended because I simply do not know the answer. We have a car company over here that has as many different models as there are foreign makers to compete against. The only reason they survive having so many different parts and etc. is that the government props them up. Now, Spyderco is not propped up by the government. So, my question is: Does the fact that Spyderco has so many different models out at any one time have a negative impact on the bottom line?

[TkoK83Spy]

You overseas guys are nailing it, and I do feel badly for the hardships it takes and costs you guys to buy even 1 knife.