A Stretch heavyweight would be a VERY nice knife

KardinalSyn · #21

The reason why I have been putting off buying the Stretch for a long time is the finger choil design and FRN handle. I missed the CF version. This thread has given me much food for thought. Thank you for doing what you do and doing it so well.

Zenith · #22

I scored my grail Spyderco the day the day before yesterday. I can fully understand the love for this knife. It is as if it was designed for my chores. It just needed a thinner relief edge.

It had two previous owners that took care of it. Though I take care of my knives. I use them with love.

#23

Ankerson wrote:Hi Sal,

I don't think it's odd the way you do things because it's the end result that really matters and you get it right more often than most IMO. :)

Jim

Hi Jim,

Thanx for the kind comments.

I guess it depends on what "end result" you're seeking. I was meeting with one of our Seki makers last week (in Seki) and he started out the meeting by saying, "Meetings with Spyderco are always different. With other customers we talk about price first and then discuss quality. With Spyderco we always talk about quality first and then price". It was an interesting comment to think about.

If the "end result" is maximum profit, then we will probably found lacking. But if the "end result" is uncompromised product, satisfied customers, happy crew and happy suppliers, then we'd probably score higher.

sal

TBob · #24

sal wrote:Hi Jim,

Thanx for the kind comments.

I guess it depends on what "end result" you're seeking. I was meeting with one of our Seki makers last week (in Seki) and he started out the meeting by saying, "Meetings with Spyderco are always different. With other customers we talk about price first and then discuss quality. With Spyderco we always talk about quality first and then price". It was an interesting comment to think about.

If the "end result" is maximum profit, then we will probably found lacking. But if the "end result" is uncompromised product, satisfied customers, happy crew and happy suppliers, then we'd probably score higher.

sal

I learned years ago from a mentor that the customer defines value, not the bookkeeper. Starting with good requirements and quality then working the cost issues inherently puts the customers first. There are plenty of "Walmart" knife makers out there. I see Spydercos as more like purposeful custom knives (high quality w/great materials) but for ordinary folks' budgets. My EDC is the Stretch CF w/ZDP-189 which I see as the ideal all-purpose knife (Kristi might call it an obsession :-) ), but the Stretch FRN w/ZDP-189 puts the same great blade within reach of a broader customer base. Your Edge-u-cation insert in the FRN version explains that knife's purpose very well. Thanks for sticking with that approach.

Ankerson · #25

sal wrote:Hi Jim,

Thanx for the kind comments.

I guess it depends on what "end result" you're seeking. I was meeting with one of our Seki makers last week (in Seki) and he started out the meeting by saying, "Meetings with Spyderco are always different. With other customers we talk about price first and then discuss quality. With Spyderco we always talk about quality first and then price". It was an interesting comment to think about.

If the "end result" is maximum profit, then we will probably found lacking. But if the "end result" is uncompromised product, satisfied customers, happy crew and happy suppliers, then we'd probably score higher.

sal

Hi Sal,

I can see that quality and performance are put at the top of the list from the way that your products perform, in that Spyderco is at the top of the heap these days IMO.

With all the R&D that you do it really shows in the end products also.

The maximum profit types really come up short on the end performance wise from what I have seen so the customers also come up on the short end.

Jim

kbuzbee · #26

Ankerson wrote:I don't think it's odd the way you do things because it's the end result that really matters and you get it right more often than most IMO. :)

I think Jim nailed this. My thoughts exactly!

(now let's see a SB Stretch, Sal!)

Ken

#27

OK Ken, What would make it SB?

sal

chuck_roxas45 · #28

kbuzbee wrote:I think Jim nailed this. My thoughts exactly!

(now let's see a SB Stretch, Sal!)

Ken

sal wrote:OK Ken, What would make it SB?

sal

I love it!

Blerv · #29

Super Blue Stretch! Start the mob chanting!

Donut · #30

I'll grab my lantern and pitch fork. :D

TBob · #31

Hard to imagine any steel beating ZDP-189 overall.

kbuzbee · #32

sal wrote:OK Ken, What would make it SB?

sal

I'll play.... A nice Super Blue blade......

. (ah, Blake beat me to it!)

Cheers!

Ken

Papa_K · #33

As of last week, I've got two Stretch versions now: BRG FRN/ZDP-189 and Black FRN/VG-10 (my latest Spydie).
I think the desire some may have for a more robust knife at this size comes at least partially from the light weight. It is relatively thin and light.
Adding some G-10 handle scales would be very nice.

VG-10 is a personal favorite, but as far as alternate sprint steels, if any, I'd prefer staying with stainless - I don't know what that could be for a Japan-made model that's already available with ZDP-189.
On the non-stainless side of things, I hear the Super Blue chanting getting louder. (If it's a sprint, I'd probably hear about it after it's all pre-sold out anyway.)

#34

kbuzbee wrote:I'll play.... A nice Super Blue blade...... . (ah, Blake beat me to it!)
Cheers! Ken

Same color? No additional muscle?

sal

Blerv · #35

I think a brown FRN one would sell like mad just because of the color. You folks would know internally what colors do best though.

Anything to minimize the risk and increase the chance of seeing one :) !

shotcaller88 · #36

super blue with g-10 please!

kbuzbee · #37

sal wrote:Same color? No additional muscle?

sal

Any color is fine. I guess if I were picking, I'd go for a burgundy Micarta, but we're really splitting hairs once it has the Super Blue blade in it. FG G10? Fine! Black? Silver? Tan? Sure!

And, of course I'd love to see a wire clip on it, but I'm like the wire lip's biggest fan soooo....

However you want to build it, Sal.

And no, the regular thickness is just fine. I'm not chopping down trees with it.

I'll take 2 please!

Cheers!

Ken

chuck_roxas45 · #38

Oh man super blue stretch. Wooot!!!

kbuzbee · #39

I'd even say throw bolsters on it for Paul, but he doesn't like carbon steels iirc, so, I guess not

Ken

KardinalSyn · #40

I am in for a G10 / Super Blue steel version. If it comes out, will be my first stretch.