OT - Mid-Tech madness...

[samosaurus]

Esteemed Spyderfolks,



Been doing a bit of reading on the "Mid-Tech" trend. A few good write-ups on how custom knifemakers are slowly going commercial by getting their designs mass-produced to lower cost and make their knives affordable and constantly available. But in my humble opinion, these folks are not the pioneer in giving the end line user production knives with custom finish quality at affordable price. On this note, I would like to state the Spyderco is perhaps one of the earliest companies that came up with the concept. Some collaboration pieces can be deemed as "Mid-Tech". Take the Lumto or Lum fixed blade itself as an example, can't fault the balance, fit and finish on this one! And other custom-collaborations are examplary of Spyderco's committment to give the knife user a go at custom-quality blades at production prices.. What is your take on this? I may be wrong.. Thanks for you input.



Sam



"have scars will travel.."

[AllenETreat]

Samo :

A new trend ; I don't know if ya' get BLADE
or Knives Illustrated in Malasyia. If you'd
like the two most recent issues "e" me :

AllenETreat@yahoo.com

AET <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

"All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke ( 1729-1797 )

[CKE]

I believe the "mid-tech" knives have to have some part finished by the actual maker. I have read some put the final grind on. I don't know if any of the makers helped Spyderco make the actual knives. Designs yes but with a mid tech you are getting a piece of the maker...albeit small. Take Care!!!

"everything else is just a jeep"

[Jazzman]

What CKE said. I believe that Onion's midtechs are cut out by Hinderer but actually ground and finished by Ken.
Matt

[Jurphaas]

To my opinion the term "Mid-Tech" is just a load of humbug! The type of knife since recently refered to by this (stupid) term is just a benchmade knife. Not a custom one of a kind exclusive, but one knife out of a series of simmilar design, size and price. They can be made by the maker or by co-workers he employs in his workshop. The maker will put his name to them but they have noting to do with "Tech"??? Just knives with water or laser cut blades, pre cut and finished handles and such. Has been done since years and years. They all cook with water and there is nothing new to it.

Clipits work!

[java]

As espoused by Rob Simonich, Mid Tech knives are designed to bridge the world between the high-end collector customs and the mass-produced knives. Rob found that his custom knives were in high demand by upper income customers who were eager and willing to pay for the knives at established price ranges. The main down fall was that production was very limited and the company maintained a wait list that exceeded two years on any given order. His goal with Simonich Knives was to continue testing new materials, expand production and manufacture semi-custom or "Mid-Tech Knives" on a larger scale, while still providing a high quality product with increased availability to consumers of all income brackets.

While I may entertain your ideas on Spyderco collaborations, Samo, I can’t fully agree that these are mid-tech in definition and spirit. There is supposed to be a bit of the maker in each "mid-tech" knife. Unfortunately and as evidenced by the confusion in this thread, the stated aim of the mid-tech models can be misinterpreted by us – the cool gadget and knife buying public – and misused or overused by the knife media and questionable retailers’ advertisements.(Does the argument about the term "tactical" ring a bell?) This is another area we can quibble over much the same as we do on the perennial question about what constitutes a custom knife. We owe it to ourselves as the "now enlightened knife buying public" to do our homework when buying into the mid-tech label. Caveat emptor, as always – but sign me sign me up for a Raven or Bitter Root any day.

java

[Jimd]

Java: As espoused by Rob Simonich, Mid Tech knives are designed to bridge the world between the high-end collector customs and the mass-produced knives. Rob found that his custom knives were in high demand by upper income customers who were eager and willing to pay for the knives at established price ranges. The main down fall was that production was very limited and the company maintained a wait list that exceeded two years on any given order. >>>

Yes, this is precisely why "Mid-Techs" were born. Most makers who use this procedure are being very honest about it with their customers. The customers, in turn, realize what they're buying, and are totally happy with it.

Rob Simonich even admitted that his Mid-Techs were just as good quality as his customs.

As you pointed out, the Mid-Techs are the only way that many of us can even think of being able to afford a knife from our favorite makers, while still getting the quality we want.

Java: While I may entertain your ideas on Spyderco collaborations, Samo, I can’t fully agree that these are mid-tech in definition and spirit. There is supposed to be a bit of the maker in each "mid-tech" knife. >>>

Again, Java, I have to agree with you. Spydercos are what they are: great quality, factory-produced, production knives. They are nowhere near custom or even Mid-Tech caliber. But then, they weren't meant to be anything more than they are. For the money, they're an excellent buy, and fill their intended purpose perfectly.


Java: Caveat emptor, as always – but sign me sign me up for a Raven or Bitter Root any day.>>>

Yes, I definitely plan on buying a Raven at some point. Excellent knife for heavy-duty cutting.





Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com

[samosaurus]

Great opinions guys! I am just touching on the similarity of the concept. Anyway, I believe that the custom makers are doing good to make their work available to majority of the knife lovers from various income brackets.. Its a noble concept..

Hey Al, thanks for the offer! I just read the Nov, Dec and Jan's issue of Blade.. Interesting articles on the "Mid Tech" trend.. Very educational!

Sam

"have scars will travel.."