Folder Survey ’23 - RESULTS

[JRinFL]

These are results of the sub-group of people who take polls and knew about this poll. Useful, yes, but not exactly representing the wider Spyderco buying public. Sales numbers are the final word on what people actually are willing to spend money to acquire.

Still it is good work by Bolster and, I think, worth the effort.

[Bolster]

These are results of the sub-group of people who take polls and knew about this poll. Useful, yes, but not exactly representing the wider Spyderco buying public. Sales numbers are the final word on what people actually are willing to spend money to acquire.

Quite right. While the poll surprised me with its large number of participants, as mentioned earlier, the results most likely generalize to a larger group of enthusiasts (of unknown size) who frequent forums. (With the caveat that there was no random selection--those interested enough to respond, responded. Same issue with most internet surveys.) The amount it generalizes to the entire knife market is unknown. I wouldn't go so far as to say it doesn't reflect the wider market at all, but neither would I say it is an accurate reflection of the wider market. It's mostly a pencil sketch of the forum-visiting Spyderco aficionado.

Sales numbers are indeed the final word, but a slow and costly way to gain knowledge.

... I wonder... what is the officially least popular spyderco? It should have as many of these traits as possible. Over 4" or less than 2"; short but chunky wood or metal handles that are large relative to edge length; full solid liners; big forward choil; slipjoint or frame lock; super heavy serrated thick blade; costing hundreds of dollars; made in China; for food preparation; very low edge retention; kind of corrosion prone; very easy to sharpen.

LOL, well played! I don't think Spyderco makes that knife!

[JRinFL]

These are results of the sub-group of people who take polls and knew about this poll. Useful, yes, but not exactly representing the wider Spyderco buying public. Sales numbers are the final word on what people actually are willing to spend money to acquire.

Quite right. While the poll surprised me with its large number of participants, as mentioned earlier, the results most likely generalize to a larger group of enthusiasts (of unknown size) who frequent forums. (With the caveat that there was no random selection--those interested enough to respond, responded. Same issue with most internet surveys.) The amount it generalizes to the entire knife market is unknown. I wouldn't go so far as to say it doesn't reflect the wider market at all, but neither would I say it is an accurate reflection of the wider market. It's mostly a pencil sketch of the forum-visiting Spyderco aficionado.

Sales numbers are indeed the final word, but a slow and costly way to gain knowledge.

Still a useful snapshot of what forumites are thinking at the moment. Thanks again for doing all of this.

[jwbnyc]

Thanks for putting this together B.

[Bolster]

I know this isn't possible, but it would have been interesting to see how answers differ between users on this forum and the Spyderco sub forum on BF.

Possible! And: Good question! I took a look and made notes:

Comparing Spyderco Forum (SF) to BF's Spyderco Subforum (BF):

Q1: Virtually identical.
Q2: SF reports average 16% serrated, BF reports average 11% serrated.
Q3: Very similar.
Q4: Similar, a bit more preference for no choil at BF (28% SF : 33% BF)
Q5: The most difference seen in the dataset is here. SF slightly prefers Backlock over Comp; BF heavily prefers Comp over Backlock. CBBL in third place for both.
Q6: Mostly similar, main difference being more BF’ers in the heavier 4-5 oz range (13% SF : 24% BF)
Q7: Mostly similar, main difference being more BF’ers liking thick blades (5% SF:11% BF)
Q8: Overall similar, main difference being SF'ers happier with FRN/FRCP than BF'ers (17%:8%)
Q9: Main difference here being more SF’ers wanting max edge in handle (43% SF:38% BF). That surprised me a little, because Spyderco has lots of big-handle-small-blade knives, yet the SF folks wanted more “max blade” knives than the BF'ers did.
Q10: Very similar
Q11: Very similar overall, main difference being a few more in the >$300 category at BF.
Q12: Very similar overall, main difference being 13% of SP are OK with China cf 8% at BF.
Q13: Very similar.
Q14: SF puts interest in ER 3 points higher than BF. (Very similar.)
Q15: CR 50:49% (Very very similar)
Q16: Sharpenability 46:46% (Very very very similar!)

And: Apologies to the Blade Forum folks for labeling them BF'ers. Just noticed that when I pressed the Submit button. No slur intended, I assure you!

[aicolainen]

I know this isn't possible, but it would have been interesting to see how answers differ between users on this forum and the Spyderco sub forum on BF.

Possible! And: Good question! I took a look and made notes:

Comparing Spyderco Forum (SF) to BF's Spyderco Subforum (BF):

Q1: Virtually identical.
Q2: SF reports average 16% serrated, BF reports average 11% serrated.
Q3: Very similar.
Q4: Similar, a bit more preference for no choil at BF (28% SF : 33% BF)
Q5: The most difference seen in the dataset is here. SF slightly prefers Backlock over Comp; BF heavily prefers Comp over Backlock. CBBL in third place for both.
Q6: Mostly similar, main difference being more BF’ers in the heavier 4-5 oz range (13% SF : 24% BF)
Q7: Mostly similar, main difference being more BF’ers liking thick blades (5% SF:11% BF)
Q8: Overall similar, main difference being SF'ers happier with FRN/FRCP than BF'ers (17%:8%)
Q9: Main difference here being more SF’ers wanting max edge in handle (43% SF:38% BF). That surprised me a little, because Spyderco has lots of big-handle-small-blade knives, yet the SF folks wanted more “max blade” knives than the BF'ers did.
Q10: Very similar
Q11: Very similar overall, main difference being a few more in the >$300 category at BF.
Q12: Very similar overall, main difference being 13% of SP are OK with China cf 8% at BF.
Q13: Very similar.
Q14: SF puts interest in ER 3 points higher than BF. (Very similar.)
Q15: CR 50:49% (Very very similar)
Q16: Sharpenability 46:46% (Very very very similar!)

And: Apologies to the Blade Forum folks for labeling them BF'ers. Just noticed that when I pressed the Submit button. No slur intended, I assure you!

You go above and beyond, again!

[Xplorer]

Thank you for doing this Bolster!! The results of your efforts are quite interesting.

Most of what I see in your results is what I would expect from people taking a poll on this forum, but there were a few surprises.
1. I expected opinions about the importance of corrosion resistance to be more well defined. I thought there would be a strong group representing each extreme and not as much in the middle, but the results look like views are all over the board.
2. I am a little surprised that sharpening wasn't a higher priority but I think that's one of the unique things about the group of people here at the Spyderco Forum. Fear no steel! as my friend Shawn (BBB) would say.
3. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well micarta polled. It's my favorite but I didn't realize how many others prefer it as well. Also a little surprised to hear you (Bolster) don't have a micarta handled knife (I have a plan to change that ;-)).

I look forward to watching the conversation(s) that your poll inspires.

Thank you again for your effort here Bolster!!