Dodo flumoxes me.

[tr4022]

I am being serious here, not trying to be a wiseacre. Can someone explain why I should spend upwards of $200 for a carbon fiber Dodo? I mean, it's a cool-looking knife, no doubt, and it looks like it rides in the pocket very comfortably, but it seems like a lot of dough for what is immediately obvious to the naked eye over the Interwebz.

Again, I am asking you to educate me on what I'm missing, I'm not saying, "Man, are you guys stoopid for spending that kind of money on that crummy knife!"

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed.

Tod

[JacksonKnives]

Because Carbon Fiber.
Also, limited production numbers, and high demand demonstrated for previous models.

Not sure what the actual cost of production is, or what dealer cost is, but Spyderco tends to keep margins thin...

[uncleduncle]

I imagine it has to do with a few of these factors:
1) Rarity/Collectibility - It's a sprint run.
2) Parts - Carbon fiber scales, Ceramic ball bearing, CPM S30V steel.

It's probably the same reason the balance is so expensive. Cost to manufacture a knife increases with decreased production as well, so the less they produce, the more their overhead is passed on to the buyer.

[uncleduncle]

Because Carbon Fiber.
Also, limited production numbers, and high demand demonstrated for previous models.

Not sure what the actual cost of production is, or what dealer cost is, but Spyderco tends to keep margins thin...

You beat me.

[Brock O Lee]

If you value using your knives every day, then you have to decide if the dodo's blade shape makes any sense for your needs before you buy.

If you collect knives and value interesting designs and can afford it, get one by all means.

I cannot afford safe queens, and had an orange dodo. While its a unique and interesting knife, I found it had limited usability for me. Reverse S blades are specialised tools, and does not do food prep well (which I do a lot with my EDC's) so eventually I sold it.

[Blerv]

It's about $200 because its expensive to make. The Lionspy is way more expensive and less useful for me. That doesn't make it good or bad, it just makes it expensive :)

For most purposes a Delica will do everything a Dodo will. It won't be a Dodo though.

[Skywarp]

Because if you we're in the UK, you would have to pay upwards of $300. Be grateful for the opportunity to buy a great knife at a reasonable cost...

[SolidState]

It has to be held to be appreciated. It does well in a few different grips, and really has a wonderful capability as a defensive tool. It is also a **** of a box cutter. If you don't like it, don't buy it unless you can hold it for a few years and resell it at a profit.

[jabba359]

I can see how $200 seems pretty expensive. This particular knife is very well made with the best materials, but it was hard to justify from a utility standpoint. It is probably one of my least practical knives, at least for how I tend to use mine, and usually only gets carried when accompanied by a more "normal" Spyderco in my other pocket. As a cost to use ratio, it is likely to be one of my most expensive knives. But I still smile every time I pull it out, and it's tough to put a price on that.

[uncleduncle]

I recently got the Damascus Caly 3 and it ended up costing me around $300 Canadian. I only carry it when I dress up and go out. To me it's just a beautiful knife that gets to see use, but not hard use like my G-10 Caly 3.5 or my Dragonflies.

But I still see the cost easily justified if you look at the knife as a piece of art. You can buy a print from Ikea for $60 or you can get an original from a local artist for $200. Both of them fill the frame but you will probably take more pride in owning an original rare piece of art.

[linuxology]

Dodo has the ergonomic use for many. However it is not "one size fits all". I say you have to try it before you knock it.

[tr4022]

Thanks all for your responses. Interesting-looking little knife, but it's not for me. I was just curious if it had some super utility value not apparent to my inexpert eye. Sounds more like a cool, expensive little doodad. Again, not criticizing those who love it. Thankfully, we're not all the same. I'm sure I enjoy things that would leave some of you scratching your heads! :p

Tod

[JD Spydo]

It boils down to one simple marketing principle>> "It's Worth What Someone Will Pay For It"

Not at all trying to act like a "wiseguy" but that's really all it boils down to. I doubt if even 5% of my friends would ever pay over $100 for a pocket knife ( or any knife for that matter)>>

But that's the hallmark difference between Spyderco fans and those who buy your typical hardware/discount store knives. We are in a group small as it is that loves quality and uniquenesss so much we're willing to go that extra mile for something really done right.

Most of my Spyders will be passed down to my heirs/friends>> but most of the knives a guy buys at Rip-Mart will be in a landfill long before they ever become anyone's estate.

[Donut]

I'm stupid. :)

[IG-88]

The CF Dodo's price is on the high side that something everybody sees. Is it overpriced? Maybe... Compared to what I paid for the Orange Dodo ($110) and the CF DODO ($210) there is a $100 difference in price! This is for the upgrade from G-10 to CF and form Steel Ball to Ceramic Ball. The question for me is, is this upgrade worth $100 dollar. Its a lot but to me it is worth it, I'm a CF freak (even my Southard is CF now :) ) And I freaking love the white ball. So I'm willing to pay this, but I can understand that when you are not into CF, the upgrade appears very expensive.
And seen this is a popular knife and it is going to be extinct again for some time, a lot of people are willing to pay the extra, and Spyderco can develop new exciting knives with the gain on the Dodo. Win win for all :)

[Blerv]

Like JD said it's all in the eye of the beholder. A $9 Opinel is not a Para2 but they can accomplish many of the same jobs so economically that makes the Spyderco a silly purchase. Luckily we live in an age where people pay for what they want instead of solely what they need. They also buy more knives than they could ever wear out in a lifetime.

The Dodo is a cool knife. It took about 10 years to come back from extinction. My guess is in 5 years people will be nagging, crying and screaming for another sprint. It's a cycle that seems to repeat often with these quirky knives. For most everything I would prefer a Stretch but am glad to have acquired a Dodo just for the sake of having it.

[phillipsted]

I don't think that any Spyderco knives are "over priced". Some are more expensive than others, yes. But Sal has said numerous times that the production costs of his knives are directly related to the prices. I trust that this means that when a particular knife is more expensive - that it cost him more to manufacture. With Spyderco (more so that many companies) - you get what you pay for.

That's just my $0.02.

TedP

[gbelleh]

Having missed out on an original Dodo (which were selling for well over $200), the CF Dodo seems like a pretty good deal to me. An improved Dodo, with very nice CF, a cool ceramic ball, and an extremely high level of fit & finish for $185? Yes please.

But, no knife is for everyone. I have no interest in the South Fork, and certainly wouldn't pay its asking price just due to my preferences. YMMV.

[Bladekeeper]

I exempt knives from the usual profit basis eg I can and am getting a custom made by hand with a premium steel, mammoth and reindeer plus a leather sheath for around the same.
Could I get a custom maker to make a dodo esque knife for near the cost of the dodo no chance unless he was a very good freind even then could it be done ?
People buy a brand new car that loses thousands by driving a few hundred miles yet don't question this as its deemed a modern neccessity .
It's also relative if your living in a third world country earning $80 a month then its expensive otherwise its worth it or what everyone who has brought one is willing to pay.
In the uk its about $350 .

[bh49]

Can someone explain why I should spend upwards of $200 for a carbon fiber Dodo?
Tod

You shouldn't. The most knives, which we are buying are not "need", but "want". And it doesn't look like you want it.
Probably you would have a better idea, if you would be able to handle, which is unfortunately not an option in most cases.
Dodo is a special tool and this particular knife is upscale variant and a collector piece, so if you not need either, do not spend your hard earn cash.