Online catalog needs to be more up to date

Jester · #1

Seriously, I just saw on eBay a new version of the UKPK (item 230361762270) with a drop point blade instead of a leaf blade. I came here to check it out and there is no mention of it on the online catalog.

Is there some other place I should be looking that actually has up to date information?

Paul 883215 · #2

Go to download catalog and then go to supplement.

Paul

The Deacon · #3

Our Forum Goddess, Kristi, wears a LOT of hats. Updating the online catalog is one of them. She's been busy. Specs should be pretty much the same as for the regular version, but you can probably knock a couple grams off the weight. NGK has a photo of one, and some specs, here.

5.56 · #4

Go here: catalogs

Download the 2009 supplement

Pneumothorax · #5

I hate to agree with this topic, but the online catalog does need to be updated more frequently. I am not trying to be negative, but the online cat is the face of Spyderco to people and making folks navigate to the PDFs is tedious. It's OK for us forumites because we are so committed to Spyderco that we would pretty much buy off of "back-of-the-napkin" pencil sketches. But for newbies or most regular folks who are just curious about Spyderco, I think it's not too much fun. I know there is a ton of work making and releasing knives, but the online catalog is essentially Spyderco's store front that needs to be kept current. Just my opinion - again, trying to be helpful - not negative.

ControlsGuy · #6

Even the Suppliment is out of date. The Persistence came out a couple of weeks after the Suppliment. It's not in there.

chuck buck · #7

yes, often i first look at the spyderco catalog but have to go to retail store sites to read current specs that may be inaccurate. this would be a major help i believe. - CB

Blerv · #8

I'd prefer they keep making knives and do the web updates when they can. I can check with my favorite online stores and see what's new. Some places like New Graham Knives has a "new knives" section.

This helps too:

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39005

Toad310 · #9

This is the "Online Age" I agree. Sounds like Kristi needs an assistiant.

jabba359 · #10

Toad310 wrote:This is the "Online Age" I agree. Sounds like Kristi needs an assistiant.

I know somebody that would love to work for Spyderco

!

Blerv · #11

I would think it's pretty difficult for smaller companies specializing in batch-type production to keep up with a current online catalog.

If they had 300+ employees and produced a few new knives per year (at 5,000ish knife batches plus normal production) it would be relatively simple. However, Spyderco is pushing at times 10+ models per year, many of which are brand new models that require story, specs, etc. Some of which (like the forum knife) are in lots of 300-1200 knives.

I do enjoy reading Spyderco's info. The stats are very handy and who doesn't love a hi-res picture or good story? I hope at some point they get info for the Manix2, Ladybug Hawkbill, etc up on the site but I would rather get them in my hand early than wait for the press release.

Most online/brick & mortar knife shops will prob keep you on a mailing list for new Spyderco's in stock if you ask them. That way you would also get coupon codes, etc. Hmm...I might just do that too...

Josh K · #12

I was really hoping for specs on the Manix 2 off the website, alas it still isn't there.

Oh well, I've got the knife, I'm happy. :D (Also the UKPK DK, Bob T slipit, FRN Stretch.... :D :D :D )

5.56 · #13

Dang Josh, you're really racking them up. Good deal man. :D

Josh K · #14

5.56 wrote:Dang Josh, you're really racking them up. Good deal man. :D

Wait till you see the preorder list. :eek:

Doc Pyres · #15

Blerv wrote:I'd prefer they keep making knives and do the web updates when they can. I can check with my favorite online stores and see what's new. Some places like New Graham Knives has a "new knives" section.

This helps too:

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39005

+1 on that! :)

araneae · #16

This is the electronic age. The web catalog should be a priority. The catalog and the info it contains sells knives for Spyderco. They will have a hard time selling a knife if the average consumer doesn't know it exists.

I know they are a small company, but its probably in their best interest to be done.

Toad310 · #17

Blerv wrote:I would think it's pretty difficult for smaller companies specializing in batch-type production to keep up with a current online catalog.

If they had 300+ employees and produced a few new knives per year (at 5,000ish knife batches plus normal production) it would be relatively simple. However, Spyderco is pushing at times 10+ models per year, many of which are brand new models that require story, specs, etc. Some of which (like the forum knife) are in lots of 300-1200 knives.

I do enjoy reading Spyderco's info. The stats are very handy and who doesn't love a hi-res picture or good story? I hope at some point they get info for the Manix2, Ladybug Hawkbill, etc up on the site but I would rather get them in my hand early than wait for the press release.

Most online/brick & mortar knife shops will prob keep you on a mailing list for new Spyderco's in stock if you ask them. That way you would also get coupon codes, etc. Hmm...I might just do that too...

A good webmaster can take care of this, no problem.

npueppke · #18

I agree with this too... it's alright if the catalog is a few days or a week out of date but after a model starts to get some exposure I think that people start to expect a company's products to show up on their website. I think that a company's website is hugely important to the image of that company because it is one of the first places anyone looking for information will go (and I think that other than being out of date, Spyderco's website is great).

v8r · #19

All things considered most of the knives Spyderco sells is probably their more mainstream knives(Delica,Endura etc).Most of the new knives are AFI models which are a lot more expensive.I work in retail, and trust me Joe customer wants the cheapest he can get.All the AFIs here know about new releases long before they are for sale,and have probably seen pictures of them.So my point is updating the web catalog is kind of secondary importance when the knives are not "bread and butter" models. :)

The Deacon · #20

v8r wrote:All things considered most of the knives Spyderco sells is probably their more mainstream knives(Delica,Endura etc).Most of the new knives are AFI models which are a lot more expensive.I work in retail, and trust me Joe customer wants the cheapest he can get.All the AFIs here know about new releases long before they are for sale,and have probably seen pictures of them.So my point is updating the web catalog is kind of secondary importance when the knives are not "bread and butter" models. :)

I'm sure that's at least one of the factors here.

This is at least the second thread on this topic in the past couple months. Kristi responsed to the earlier one, so I think we can assume they are aware of our feelings. Much as I'd personally like the online catalog to be current and accurate, my gut tells me Sal's a good enough businessman and has enough competent people working with him in the decision making process that, if keeping the catalog up to date was critical to Spyderco's bottom line, it would be done.

For those fairly new to this I'd just add, if you think this is bad, you should have seen the online catalog a couple year ago.