Solving the issue of things we ask for
- Doc Dan
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Solving the issue of things we ask for
One way to solve the problem of all of us asking for all sorts of knives in different configurations would be to have a custom shop like Buck and Benchmade have. I am not saying Spyderco should do this. I am only saying this is one way to make people happy. They could start out simply by offering a few options on a few Golden knives and see how it goes: two choices of steel, choice of scale materials, choice of color. All of this would come at a premium, of course.
For example, I can get a Buck 110 standard with 420HC and ebony Diamondwood scales for $45. I can custom order that same knife with choice of standard brass or nickel silver and blue diamondwood scales for a bit over $100. I can opt for S30V steel for a bit more money. You have to book and pay in advance so they are not left holding the bag for unsold special knives.
I doubt this is a huge income producer for Buck, but it makes some and keeps people happy who want something a little different.
I do not know if it would make sense for Spyderco to do that. It might not. So far, Spyderco has balked at the idea. But, if they were not to lose money, then why not? But, then there would be the hiring of extra people, but jobs are a good thing these days. I'd pay extra to get the custom knife of my dreams.
For example, I can get a Buck 110 standard with 420HC and ebony Diamondwood scales for $45. I can custom order that same knife with choice of standard brass or nickel silver and blue diamondwood scales for a bit over $100. I can opt for S30V steel for a bit more money. You have to book and pay in advance so they are not left holding the bag for unsold special knives.
I doubt this is a huge income producer for Buck, but it makes some and keeps people happy who want something a little different.
I do not know if it would make sense for Spyderco to do that. It might not. So far, Spyderco has balked at the idea. But, if they were not to lose money, then why not? But, then there would be the hiring of extra people, but jobs are a good thing these days. I'd pay extra to get the custom knife of my dreams.
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- kennethsime
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
I think this has been discussed a few times, and two issues come up pretty quick.
One, the cost of the unit will go up quite a bit, as in your example. This shrinks the market a bit to people who are willing to pay such a premium.
Two, the Golden Factory is already at capacity, making lower-margin efforts like this low enough priority that it's not likely to happen a anytime soon.
That sad, I'd sure be a fan. Still waiting on my Ranger Green, K390 Military 2. :-)
P.S. I do really enjoy Buck's custom options. I'm fairly certain an Elk antler-handled 113 Ranger in S30V is in my near future.
One, the cost of the unit will go up quite a bit, as in your example. This shrinks the market a bit to people who are willing to pay such a premium.
Two, the Golden Factory is already at capacity, making lower-margin efforts like this low enough priority that it's not likely to happen a anytime soon.
That sad, I'd sure be a fan. Still waiting on my Ranger Green, K390 Military 2. :-)
P.S. I do really enjoy Buck's custom options. I'm fairly certain an Elk antler-handled 113 Ranger in S30V is in my near future.
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Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
I don’t think Spyderco will ever have a custom shop, they are way more interested in Sprints that most people can’t get, and dealer exclusives. Buck however seems to be able to have a custom shop, and they have the Buck of the month, dealer exclusives, and limited editions. I’m sure Buck’s margins are just fine with the custom shop, you really are paying a premium for it, and in most cases I think it’s worth it over a production model.
I ordered a custom shop 110 in 2020 as a birthday gift for someone and it was an impressive knife. Being a big fan of the 110 I’ll probably be ordering one for myself this year.
I ordered a custom shop 110 in 2020 as a birthday gift for someone and it was an impressive knife. Being a big fan of the 110 I’ll probably be ordering one for myself this year.
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=86574
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=82653
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=80885
Also your thread - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=69195
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=85703
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=65828
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=78971
In one of those threads, Sal says it is unlikely because it would be too distracting from their regular production. With prices on the rise as is, I would personally rather Spyderco do what they can to avoid additional costly ventures such as a custom shop.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=82653
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=80885
Also your thread - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=69195
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=85703
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=65828
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=78971
In one of those threads, Sal says it is unlikely because it would be too distracting from their regular production. With prices on the rise as is, I would personally rather Spyderco do what they can to avoid additional costly ventures such as a custom shop.
-Nick
- TenGrainBread
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
Something like this takes a lot of planning and resources spent just on the daily logistics of it, not to mention space, tools, employees, etc... To put it bluntly, there's almost no way Spyderco wouldn't lose money on it. Even if they break even or make a small margin, they could be using those resources to focus on regular production and product development, which make them much more money than a custom shop would.
Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
Hmmm, other knife companies seem to be able to do it, same for some gun manufacturers, but for some reason Spyderco won’t be able to do it and make money.
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
If you have the money there are plenty of custom knife makers and modifiers who can do pretty much anything you want (including custom blade steels for production models).
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
It’s probably doable, but it’s a question of priorities.
To do it effectively would probably require them to rethink production, logistics and workflows. And probably comes with some big investments too.
Basically it has to be something they feel strongly about. Something that in sum will improve their ability to offer a better combination of configurations to users and collectors without hurting efficiency and cost.
Car companies (at least some premium brands) are great at this, where basically every car can be configured individually without affecting production time or efficiency, but it’s of course a totally different economy of scale.
To do it effectively would probably require them to rethink production, logistics and workflows. And probably comes with some big investments too.
Basically it has to be something they feel strongly about. Something that in sum will improve their ability to offer a better combination of configurations to users and collectors without hurting efficiency and cost.
Car companies (at least some premium brands) are great at this, where basically every car can be configured individually without affecting production time or efficiency, but it’s of course a totally different economy of scale.
- spoonrobot
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
I've never really been impressed with the custom shops I've seen. 2 maybe 3 steel options and then some handle and screw colors. It seems like dealer exclusives are a better investment. Specifically to Buck - look at how the SK Blades Marksman came out compared to what you could get at the custom shop. There's a wide gulf between what people say they want and what they actually buy.
Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
I would posit that the other knife companies that do this have much smaller catalogs and don't punch out anywhere near to the variation of models and new steels or the sprints and special editions.
That's what I like best about Spyderco. I don't need to worry about getting a PM2 with a particular scale colour or steel because I know at least twice a year something new and cool will surprise me.
That's what I like best about Spyderco. I don't need to worry about getting a PM2 with a particular scale colour or steel because I know at least twice a year something new and cool will surprise me.
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
I'm grateful for companies like spyderco who acknowledge their customer base like they do. Good ideas are discussed, practical ones persued, the rest dismissed. As much as I would like a custom shop, I believe cost would bleed into the big picture. And the value of the spyderco brand would decrease. If spyderco decides to go that route I would like to see the mules be their platform. And it's supporters fund the project to avoid price increases on their products. Pledges to cover some of the steel acquisition and the costs of heat treat. After the batch is completed the final numbers are tallied thru spydercos algorithyms. Once the set start up amount has been achieved the project gets green lit. And the proper steps forward are taken. It's spyderco who has the final say on what products they bring to the market. Are certain projects worth the time and resources to persue gets discussed at meetings I'm sure. Just my 2 cents. Carrying the para 3 cutlery shoppe exclusive in xhp today.
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
With Golden already at or over capacity and Spyderco focused on expansion of US capacity, I can not see this happen anytime soon. I’m sure they would like to do it someday, but there are bigger fish to fry right now. Not to mention COVID has changed everyone’s plans for 2020, 2021, and who knows how much longer.
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
Maybe they should model a custom shop on Victorinox's.
Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
If the bottleneck is the production capacity, then, obviously, another, new, Golden factory is needed.
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
Sal indicated that Spyderco is already planning on added capacity at Golden on another thread.
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- Tucson Tom
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
A factory in Tucson would solve (or create) problems for me.
Honestly for Spyderco to set up a custom shop would be a pretty big business decision. They don't (I am pretty sure) have staff sitting around on their hands right now, so they would have to hire new people and set up some new side of the business. It wouldn't just be something they could just "start doing" with existing resources. At least that is what my crystal ball tells me.
Honestly for Spyderco to set up a custom shop would be a pretty big business decision. They don't (I am pretty sure) have staff sitting around on their hands right now, so they would have to hire new people and set up some new side of the business. It wouldn't just be something they could just "start doing" with existing resources. At least that is what my crystal ball tells me.
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
Yes, I think a custom shop should exist. I think it could be done in a way that doesn't affect the sprint run business. I don't think we will ever see it. Oh well, you can't have it all.
- The Mastiff
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
The things we ask for pretty often have to do with wanting to try new steels and that wouldn't be solved by having a custom shop with 2 or 3 steel choices with different finishes if it's like Buck's. I haven't ordered a Buck custom since they ran out of BG 42 probably 6 to 8 years ago. If it was a select-O steel custom program I'd probably order some but if it's the same steels over and over my interest lessens.
I have to take Sal at his word that it's not in Spyderco's best interests business wise. If he doesn't do it it's for good reasons. Look at how accommodating they have been with the mule team program as well as the numerous models that they have run that started as requests from the forum. I'd rather they keep the company healthy than attempt to accommodate my every whim. That is what custom knife makers are for.
I have to take Sal at his word that it's not in Spyderco's best interests business wise. If he doesn't do it it's for good reasons. Look at how accommodating they have been with the mule team program as well as the numerous models that they have run that started as requests from the forum. I'd rather they keep the company healthy than attempt to accommodate my every whim. That is what custom knife makers are for.
Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
I distinctly recall Sal once saying that Spyderco is actually a small company, compared to, say, Benchmade, Kershaw, and some other knife manufacturers. So simply building another, second Golden factory is not as simple snapping one’s fingers. Added capacity at Golden will be great.
Jim
Jim
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Re: Solving the issue of things we ask for
How many of you want your Custom Shop Special Order One-Of-A-Kind knife built by new hire day labor? Probably none. You'll want YOUR special knife done by the experienced people who are currently doing prototypes and concept models. It's not like Spyderco needs those guys to develope new models.
If you think making those custom knives is simple and easy, why not just make your own?
If you think making those custom knives is simple and easy, why not just make your own?