Elmax Para 2

[Chopping Broccoli]

I broke down and ordered an Elmax Para now that they unbundled the package deal. Not too thrilled to support BBS but the Para 2 collector in me could not resist.

[JNewell]

That D'fly was a home dye job, IIRC? If it is, it came out really well.

[salmonkiller]

Wow, that's an interesting turn of events. Props to BBS for a good decision.

I put one in the shopping cart and calculated tax and shipping. I'm in California and the boost was pretty brutal. Brought it up to about $230 and we still hadn't gotten to insurance issues. Just a little past my tipping point for a Foliage Green knife. There's a lot of competition out there.

Ouch! That's more than a gut punch.Keep the hands up and no hitting below the belt.This BBS store BS is a low blow in this judges eyes.On a serous note....I really ponder how much other dealers who regularly monitor the forums see this as an opportunity to keep raising the bar price wise on future exclusives/sprints.I wonder if they scratch their heads and say wow!Sorry but I not buying the ticket to this boat before it leaves.You know if another run is commissioned and mutiple batches are produced then those who are crazy enough and impulsive enough to pay secondary market prices feel?If you feel that it's worth it then buy it and then you won't have to chase the dragon on fleabay.I usually feel pretty good about the sprints/exclusives and enjoy getting the chance to try out new and exciting steels.I don't purchase sprints/exclusives and the secondary market.I buy then from the dealer or I fold.I am out on this one!This particular BBS BS kind of feels like a low blow and I may need some time in my corner.There are more rounds to go and I am pretty sure there will be some more unannounced and exciting Golden sprints/exclusives in the later rounds of 2014.I hope you all enjoy your Elmax Para 2s as Elmax is a nice balanced stainless.The BBS Elmax Para 2 should make a quite nice and expensive user.People who have collected all the Para2 models/sprints exclusives to date will most likely purchase this one regardless..The collectors club might look more economical to some collectors if the BBS BS model becomes more common.

[gbelleh]

I definitely wouldn't worry about others following BBS's lead. Whatever BBS does is their business. Honest business owners, including knife dealers, who have true passion for their products and for customer service are not going to suddenly follow the lead of another, when doing so would go against their beliefs and values. And if they do follow another down a path they know goes against their nature, any short term gain wouldn't be worth sacrificing the integrity they've worked to achieve. BBS seems to have always been about maximizing profit more than building relationships and providing value. That's their choice, and we choose to play along with them or not. But they are hardly a shining example of how to run a successful business, and will have very little influence in the marketplace.

[RadioactiveSpyder]

That D'fly was a home dye job, IIRC? If it is, it came out really well.

You are correct sir! Here's the link for the dye job for it:

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... -Dragonfly

Sadly, this Dfly is on the down and out as I tried to flush out the lanyard tube to the scales more properly and ended up fully damaging the lanyard tube beyond repair. Now I'm trying to track down a good source for some replacement tube (haven't gotten the calipers out yet to measure the dimensions). Cheers, Radioactive :)

[bearfacedkiller]

I really had a hard time with this one. It is no where near the value of my 204p model but in the end the para2 is my favorite model and green is my favorite color so I pulled the trigger. Can't wait to carry it with my foliage green dragonfly. It could have been a more tempting steel but in the end I would have bought any Para2 in foliage green. Now I can choose between the dark green 204p model with the BRG Dragonfly or the Elmax model with the foliage green dragonfly. Two awesome carry combos.

[DougC-3]

You are correct sir! Here's the link for the dye job for it:

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... -Dragonfly

Sadly, this Dfly is on the down and out as I tried to flush out the lanyard tube to the scales more properly and ended up fully damaging the lanyard tube beyond repair. Now I'm trying to track down a good source for some replacement tube (haven't gotten the calipers out yet to measure the dimensions). Cheers, Radioactive :)

Beautiful dye job -- too bad about the lanyard tube, but I'll bet you can make it as good as new. This is probably a dumb question, but haven't I read a thread where someone was just boiling their knife? I'm not up on how stainless the pivot and lock parts are, and I know that stainless is stainless only when there's nothing around to stain it. But I guess at least on some knives, the blades and pivots could be removed without separating the scales.

Edit: sorry, overlooked the comments about this in your dyeing thread...

[PayneTrain]

If we are going to be quick to criticize, we should also be quick to praise. That's great news.

I'd like to know what sparked the change before I start giving any credit. Was it feedback from the public like this (which I doubt they value very high), or did they find out they did something they aren't allowed to do on some level? What makes me suspicious are the emails offering to refund the Lil Matriarch for those who paid for it and didn't want it. I don't believe it's genuine on their part, as it doesn't fit with their "screw the customer" business model.

[hawaiihunter]

Ehhh, don't want to get one, Elmax doesn't seem like a big jump over s30v.

[JNewell]

I'd like to know what sparked the change before I start giving any credit. Was it feedback from the public like this (which I doubt they value very high), or did they find out they did something they aren't allowed to do on some level? What makes me suspicious are the emails offering to refund the Lil Matriarch for those who paid for it and didn't want it. I don't believe it's genuine on their part, as it doesn't fit with their "screw the customer" business model.

I don't see any need to criticize and find fault since it doesn't actually matter what their motive is in any case. What matters is that they fixed it. This thread would benefit from following Sal's request in the sticky at the top of the forum:

After listening to comments, discussion and much thought (which requires time becausae I'm sometimes slow), I have a request.

>snip<

We have always tried to "leave shiny footprints" where ever we go. I personally have tried to avoid negative comments towards other companies. (No, I'm not perfect either :o ) I think it serves to keep thoughts about Spyderco and other companies more positive than negative.

If you would like to be closely associated with Spyderco, which we greatly appreciate, it would be our wish that you consider leaving shiny footprints rather than hostile feelings, where Spyderco is concerened.

thanx much for your cooperation and kind understanding.

sal

[Bladewacked]

I don't see any need to criticize and find fault since it doesn't actually matter what their motive is in any case. What matters is that they fixed it. This thread would benefit from following Sal's request in the sticky at the top of the forum:

Good call!

[Nate]

FWIW, I decided to email them, more out of curiosity about their decisions than anything else. I posted the email in the "Why BBS" thread a while after I sent it. I can't say whether it had a direct impact on the reversal of policy as they did not reply, but I know it was sent before they made the change on their Web site...

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... post949130

[Cujobob]

The additional amounts charged by BBS for their hard-to-find knives and exclusives pales in comparison to what custom knife dealers do.

[PayneTrain]

I don't see any need to criticize and find fault since it doesn't actually matter what their motive is in any case. What matters is that they fixed it. This thread would benefit from following Sal's request in the sticky at the top of the forum:

I know, and I was waiting for that. But it does indeed matter when deciding where my money goes, a lengthy process second only to Spyderco's. I should have omitted the commentary, but I'd still like to know why they changed their offer so quickly. BBS seems to have zero public relations, so we're really left to our own assumptions which seem to be overwhelmingly negative. I, and I assume a lot of us, would really like to know who these people are and why they do what they do because it is so different and counterintuitive. I'll refrain from making another negative assumption of them as I should have before hearing their side. I do respect you JNewell and value your opinion, I really do. But I disagree that only the what matters and not the why.

[JNewell]

I know, and I was waiting for that. But it does indeed matter when deciding where my money goes, a lengthy process second only to Spyderco's. I should have omitted the commentary, but I'd still like to know why they changed their offer so quickly. BBS seems to have zero public relations, so we're really left to our own assumptions which seem to be overwhelmingly negative. I, and I assume a lot of us, would really like to know who these people are and why they do what they do because it is so different and counterintuitive. I'll refrain from making another negative assumption of them as I should have before hearing their side. I do respect you JNewell and value your opinion, I really do. But I disagree that only the what matters and not the why.

It's ok. :) As long as something I'm interested comes to a result I can live with, I really don't care how the other side got there. It's just a one-time commercial transaction, not marrying someone or becoming a parent. :D

[gbelleh]

Yep. This will be my second knife purchased through BBS. The other was the blue Para 2. As long as they keep offering Para 2 exclusives, I'll probably buy them. But probably nothing else. Not really worth worrying about too much.

[DougC-3]

You are correct sir! Here's the link for the dye job for it:

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... -Dragonfly

Sadly, this Dfly is on the down and out as I tried to flush out the lanyard tube to the scales more properly and ended up fully damaging the lanyard tube beyond repair. Now I'm trying to track down a good source for some replacement tube (haven't gotten the calipers out yet to measure the dimensions). Cheers, Radioactive :)

Beautiful dye job -- too bad about the lanyard tube, but I'll bet you can make it as good as new. This is probably a dumb question, but haven't I read a thread where someone was just boiling their knife? I'm not up on how stainless the pivot and lock parts are, and I know that stainless is stainless only when there's nothing around to stain it. But I guess at least on some knives, the blades and pivots could be removed without separating the scales..

Edit: Sorry... just read the rest of your thread about the dye job and found out you did that (put the whole knife in the dye pot) with your Manbug, had problems removing dye from the metal parts, etc... still, I think I read of someone dyeing a larger knife whole and not mentioning the cleaning trouble. Could have been because it was a different color, or easier to clean a big knife.

[JNewell]

This knife must have originated under a strange star. Consider this: I had an inquiry out to a dealer about their CC knives. The price turned out to be $300 for a CC-numbered knife. I don't think anyone here is enthusiastic about paying MSRP, but for $300 BBS was at least offering a regular production Para2 and another knife. Or, for $200 BBS will sell a non-numbered regular production Para2. Paying $100 over MSRP for just the CC-numbered knife really isn't something I'd rush to do. :)

Yep. This will be my second knife purchased through BBS. The other was the blue Para 2. As long as they keep offering Para 2 exclusives, I'll probably buy them. But probably nothing else. Not really worth worrying about too much.

We are fortunate to have a lot of dealers who offer great service and attractive discounts. It is a very competitive marketplace, which is good for buyers.

[ZL1]

Seems like another great Para 2. Not the color for me though!

[hank_612]

I wonder what hardness this one will be. I have two elmax mules and they were done at around 58-9. I think 61-2 would be better.