Spyderco MSRP Increase for 2021?

[MFlovejp]

It’s a luxury hobby after all, and I’m thankful every day that I can afford this form of functional entertainment. I try to pay it forward by ensuring that everyone I care about has a quality knife that’s kept sharp. It can’t be reiterated enough (as it often is on this forum) that value is in the eye of the beholder. Just my unsolicited two cents.

[aicolainen]

As an overseas customer, I'll have to say that I'm not very concerned about the cost of the knives I like and choose to keep. Even with all the added cost, you end up with a well made knife that is usually still fairly priced for what it is, and that will serve you well for a long time. No issues there.
But as a curious enthusiast who wants to get new (and even old) models that looks promising, to hold them in my hand and get a feel for it before I decide what to keep or not, things get complicated, and expensive. So what I really envy is the low risk aspect of buying a knife within the US. Not so much the street price of each item.

And Sal, as always I'm looking for the like button. The wisdom and integrity shines through in your words.
If increased knife prices in 2021 ends up being a concern even worth mentioning in the year to come, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

[standy99]

The older I get the less I spend on cloths and entertainment as I see a camping weekend more attractive and spending way less that a weekend out on the town. So a few $$s saved for a knife purchase or two.

Everything in life goes up each year and I won’t begrudge Spyderco for doing so.
(So many things go up in price but the quality goes down but Spyderco has always bucked that trend in my book)

[Cl1ff]

I’m really young, like barely voting age, so a lot of recent events have become great learning experiences for me.
The divided election, world pandemic, environmental concerns, and so on.
I haven’t been around long enough to notice a difference in prices which would cause me to dedicate more energy worrying about it than those other things.
Maybe I’m actually just calling everyone old lol :p
I hope 2021 will be more loving.
Nobody ever saves anything by hating the other person. They save it because they love it.
I’ll be saving up for more of the Spyderco knives I love

[Evil D]

I’m really young, like barely voting age, so a lot of recent events have become great learning experiences for me.
The divided election, world pandemic, environmental concerns, and so on.
I haven’t been around long enough to notice a difference in prices which would cause me to dedicate more energy worrying about it than those other things.
Maybe I’m actually just calling everyone old lol :p
I hope 2021 will be more loving.
Nobody ever saves anything by hating the other person. They save it because they love it.
I’ll be saving up for more of the Spyderco knives I love

Lots of people hold on to the memory of getting whatever knife for $60. I wish everything stayed the same price but inflation is what it is. This same thread happens every year and the same exact things are said year after year.

[ChrisinHove]

I wouldn’t want an effective pay cut so I don’t expect the Spyderco crew or suppliers to take one by prices not keeping up with inflation.

We’ve been conditioned by decades of exporting manufacturing to the Far East & China to expect static or decreasing prices, however.

[The Meat man]

Lots of people hold on to the memory of getting whatever knife for $60. I wish everything stayed the same price but inflation is what it is. This same thread happens every year and the same exact things are said year after year.

I wouldn’t want an effective pay cut so I don’t expect the Spyderco crew or suppliers to take one by prices not keeping up with inflation.

We’ve been conditioned by decades of exporting manufacturing to the Far East & China to expect static or decreasing prices, however.

I'm not saying that these annual price increases aren't a business necessity for Spyderco, but I also wouldn’t say it is "just keeping up with inflation" when the price increases are more than double the inflation rate.

[ChrisinHove]

Lots of people hold on to the memory of getting whatever knife for $60. I wish everything stayed the same price but inflation is what it is. This same thread happens every year and the same exact things are said year after year.

I wouldn’t want an effective pay cut so I don’t expect the Spyderco crew or suppliers to take one by prices not keeping up with inflation.

We’ve been conditioned by decades of exporting manufacturing to the Far East & China to expect static or decreasing prices, however.

I'm not saying that these annual price increases aren't a business necessity for Spyderco, but I also wouldn’t say it is "just keeping up with inflation" when the price increases are more than double the inflation rate.

That’s a fair point, but do we really know what the increase in costs are for Spyderco? Their specific labour, materials and site overhead costs might be very different from national aggregated figures.

[Gsg9]

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



Para2 Maxamet from 250 to 265.

This hobby is getting more and more expensive, which is a a good thing :D because the more expensive it gets the easier is to give up. This year was decent for me with only the Swayback and a couple of Millies from the seconds sale.

If something really interesting shows up next year I will probably end-up buying it anyway.

In the long term I wonder how would these trends evolve, how many LC200N Pacific Salt 2 Spyderco would sell in Europe at at 159EUR at 175EUR at 200EUR and so on...

Because in the long term with labor and materials and shipping costs and tariffs increases somebody has to cut something from somewhere in order to remain competitive, you can't just bump-up the prices and hope for the best.

[Evil D]

I'm not saying that these annual price increases aren't a business necessity for Spyderco, but I also wouldn’t say it is "just keeping up with inflation" when the price increases are more than double the inflation rate.

It's just something I can't change. I'm sure we all buy less knives because of it. People need to make a living, companies need to make a profit. If anything I wouldn't mind knowing that the Spyderco employees are seeing a wage increase as prices increase, but really that's not any of our business. We can all speak with our wallets, I just see this thread every year and we could just bump the same thread from the first year MAP was implemented and everyone just say "same" because it's really all the same comments and nothing changes.

[araneae]

Lots of people hold on to the memory of getting whatever knife for $60. I wish everything stayed the same price but inflation is what it is. This same thread happens every year and the same exact things are said year after year.

I wouldn’t want an effective pay cut so I don’t expect the Spyderco crew or suppliers to take one by prices not keeping up with inflation.

We’ve been conditioned by decades of exporting manufacturing to the Far East & China to expect static or decreasing prices, however.

I'm not saying that these annual price increases aren't a business necessity for Spyderco, but I also wouldn’t say it is "just keeping up with inflation" when the price increases are more than double the inflation rate.

Exactly. Prices are increasing well above inflation rates annually, at a time when many are seeing wage stagnation or job loss. If it doesn't affect you, that's great, but just calling it inflation isn't accurate. We still don't know what the Spyderco price increase is going to be. 2021 inflation is forecast at 2.2% for the US.

The bottom line is, that for a lot of people, it means they aren't buying Spyderco knives. It also means that some people who use their knife as a tool, not a hobby, are forced to take their knife dollars elsewhere. Calling this a "luxury hobby" might be accurate for some, but remember that to most people, a knife is a tool.

I got into Spyderco in college, while I was working part time, scraping up money for non essential things. I used my knife at work, and learned what made it special through use. At $90(?) for a Delica in 2021, I'm imagining that's a harder leap to make than it was in 2000.

Yes, this comes up annually pretty much the last 5 years, but it's because of the outpaced price hikes that the discussion happens. I think it's worthwhile discussion and I appreciate Sal participating.

[Evil D]

How are we comparing this to inflation? Averages? Does the price of all things increase the same amount? Does the price of steel increase faster than the price of milk or gas?

I dunno guys. It's just beating a dead horse. I guess the feedback that everyone is unhappy needs to be out there so you guys keep at it.

[Doc Dan]

All I know is that my pay has not kept up with the increase in Spyderco prices so I have had to slow way down on buying them.

[TkoK83Spy]

How are we comparing this to inflation? Averages? Does the price of all things increase the same amount? Does the price of steel increase faster than the price of milk or gas?

I dunno guys. It's just beating a dead horse. I guess the feedback that everyone is unhappy needs to be out there so you guys keep at it.

It really is beating a dead horse, happens every year with this thread. Everyone says their not buying as many knives, or none at all...but you still see the same people posting about getting this new knife, this exclusive or sprint run. Yes, it's not convenient but if you're deep into this hobby, I'd like to think you're fairly financially stable and that a couple bucks extra isn't going to make or break a deal for you.

[Evil D]

How are we comparing this to inflation? Averages? Does the price of all things increase the same amount? Does the price of steel increase faster than the price of milk or gas?

I dunno guys. It's just beating a dead horse. I guess the feedback that everyone is unhappy needs to be out there so you guys keep at it.

It really is beating a dead horse, happens every year with this thread. Everyone says their not buying as many knives, or none at all...but you still see the same people posting about getting this new knife, this exclusive or sprint run. Yes, it's not convenient but if you're deep into this hobby, I'd like to think you're fairly financially stable and that a couple bucks extra isn't going to make or break a deal for you.

Exactly. I shift around my expenses, maybe you skip out on that Starbucks everyday or fast food or whatever and make it happen or you don't.

[Mushroom]

I see nothing wrong with people expressing their dissatisfaction with price increases. Stop paying attention to the thread if you think it's beating a dead horse. It's that easy.

[nerdlock]

Fair points on all sides.

Also appreciated are overseas customers chiming in, I think they already have said pretty much how several times expensive this brand is on our shores, with customs, duties and all.

I'm sorry if to some, it may sound like beating a dead horse, but this is a forum after all, where ideas no matter how redundant as long as they do not attack anyone are open for discussion.

What I am afraid of, is that these price increases will come to a point where it is no longer appealing for the average Spyderco afi to simply buy the production models of a particular knife, especially if the steels are s30v and VG10. These are very good steels and always will be for general purposes, 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), it is no longer practical for the average customer to pony up $150 or higher for S30v steel. Soon it may come to the point where the customer will just wait for the "sprint" or the "dealer exclusive" version and altogether leave out buying production knives.

This brings in another problem, since these are pretty much limited runs and aimed at collectors. The average Spyderco fan will then have to compete with the scalpers, bots, and flippers just to get their value for their money's worth. More often than not, they will lose to these scum. And will have to resort to even more extreme secondary market pricing just to get a knife that suits their needs.

I know many here will scoff and say, "I don't collect exclusives" or "I'll just stick to the production versions" of these knives. Well and good for you. But then, those in this camp do not represent the general demographic of Spyderco Afis. Majority of afis are in this hobby for the different steels that this company offers in their knives. I know many people do not buy the production line anymore because for the price, they know that they can get better steels. This is why almost every dealer exclusive Spyderco drops sell out within the first 5 minutes, while production versions languish on store inventory, because people see value for their money's worth.

I'm worried that someday, if the focus on the dealer exclusives getting the better steels will continue and the main lines will still continue to stick to VG10 and S30v but with increased pricing, even hardcore enthusiasts will be forced to look somewhere for their knife needs. For example, a standard production Para 3 DLC is at the moment, $151 at knife stores. The DLT Exclusive Para 3 DLC CruWear costed only $13 higher. Which has more value for the money? If I added $13 more I get a much tougher and well balanced steel, in a better colored G10 scale. Would I pay the increased price? Yes, I will definitely (and I did). Will many customers do the same? Judging by how fast it sold (after many crashes), a big YES. Would it be a big success if it was made for production? You already know the answer.

I hope Spyderco would, in line with increased pricing, offer their better steels also in their production versions. I am happy that K390 is being offered in the Seki line. But how awesome would it be for the K390, or even 10v to be offered in a production Shaman or Manix 2? I am omitting the Para series since K390 is already in the BBS inventory. But you do get my gist. I am aware that this exclusives program builds a good working relationship with their dealers, but at the cost of the majority of Spyderco customers who will not have access to these better knives because of the limited quantity.

Again, I am aware of production costs, employee welfare, and the economics of inflation and all.

It is my hope that my post will not be misconstrued in any negative way but rather as an opinion piece of a very avid Spyderco fanatic who loves the brand so much and at the same time, would like to offer a differing viewpoint with regards to this pressing issue.

[James Y]

How are we comparing this to inflation? Averages? Does the price of all things increase the same amount? Does the price of steel increase faster than the price of milk or gas?

I dunno guys. It's just beating a dead horse. I guess the feedback that everyone is unhappy needs to be out there so you guys keep at it.

It really is beating a dead horse, happens every year with this thread. Everyone says their not buying as many knives, or none at all...but you still see the same people posting about getting this new knife, this exclusive or sprint run. Yes, it's not convenient but if you're deep into this hobby, I'd like to think you're fairly financially stable and that a couple bucks extra isn't going to make or break a deal for you.

Exactly. I shift around my expenses, maybe you skip out on that Starbucks everyday or fast food or whatever and make it happen or you don't.

I do that. I allow a little knife fund to accumulate. I buy very few luxury items as it is.

That said, for the past several years, I’ve been buying far fewer knives anyway, and find the compulsion to acquire more has waned significantly. In 2020 it was only two. I’ve gone years before without acquiring any. Even though a new model catches my eye from time to time, I usually wait on it and, for the most part, end up never buying one. Now my knife hobby is mostly enjoying what I already have. So the increases won’t really affect me much.

That said, I pulled the trigger on the Ladybug HB Salt the other day, because I didn’t want to pay more than the $50 or so current price for such a tiny knife, as good as it may be.

Jim

[SG89]

I always wonder which models suffer most from price increases... The collaborations? Japanese G10 models? Or the FRN knives? Do the Value line or Byrds benefit? (example: can't afford Endura maybe try Cara Cara?)

[araneae]

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.