Obscurity becoming a "Demand Increaser"

[The Deacon]

Ebay pricing cannot be used as an indicator of "popularity".

Despite what a few here think, very, very, true.

The total number of users is not expanded.

Well, at the most, it may have expanded at about the same rate as the population, but certainly not to any significant degree.

In none of these cases are the number of orignal buyers increasing.

Again I would add the "significantly" qualifier, but I think you hit pretty close to the mark there again.

Also, Spyderco has shown a willingness to re-hash the past, when it serves a purpose (Sprint Spurs, Chinese (although MIA), Goddard, etc).

And I'm sure that in all those cases considerable thought was given to their potential for profitability.

I am still looking for a titanium scale, ball lock Worker with polished Cowry blade. Break out the SKU!

Sounds about as likely as my chances of ever seeing a Sprint Run of full flat ground Odin's Eye Damasteel C83 Persians with undented lockbars. :o :D But it's nice to dream, as long as you can deal with the reality that it IS just a dream.

For those who disagree, the option exists to take the same route that AG Russell, Moteng, and Lone Wolf have taken in the past and commission a run. :p

[sal]

Many good points, but if we're going to make a product to lose money on, it should be a whale rescue blade or a free knife to a soldier.

However, the "Sprint" runs do offer a degree of satisfaction in a way that doesn't make it too much of a gamble.

"Sprints" are an older design, but upgrades in steels and changes in handle materials. No major tooling changes or new tooling. That way a person that never got an opportunity to get one first time around, can get one. Someone that wants the upgrade as well, can get one, and the new version doesn't hurt the value of the original becaue it is different.

BTW JD, JD Smith has agreed to a Sprint.

sal

[bh49]

BTW JD, JD Smith has agreed to a Sprint.

sal

This is the great news. :p :p :p
May I ask when? Any details?

[mikebandw186]

i agree with the Deacon on most of his points, but i think one thing we are forgetting is that some of these knives can only be found on ebay. so that is the only real monetary value that can be assigned to some of these collectible knives. So, in essence, the seller has a monopoly on his knife, and can set whatever price he wants, ie. the guy that wants $450 for a gunting and trainer, or the guy that wants $1500 for an evolution set.

the thought that the market can control the price works to some extent, but not when the knife is impossible to get elsewhere.

just like trying to find a certain older car, some might call it a classic, to others it might just be a mode of transportation. some might try to get $60,000 for it, and to others it may only be worth 500 bucks. but the people that want these things will pay handsomely to get them.

I saw a Mini Dyad today for $79.00 BIN. the last one i saw went for almost $200. funny how these things work

[fellyjr]

Despite what a few here think, very, very, true.

Well, at the most, it may have expanded at about the same rate as the population, but certainly not to any significant degree.

Again I would add the "significantly" qualifier, but I think you hit pretty close to the mark there again.

Paul, I wonder what you've been smokin', because you are obviously not in touch with reality! :rolleyes:

[catamount]

Many good points, but if we're going to make a product to lose money on, it should be a whale rescue blade or a free knife to a soldier.

However, the "Sprint" runs do offer a degree of satisfaction in a way that doesn't make it too much of a gamble.

"Sprints" are an older design, but upgrades in steels and changes in handle materials. No major tooling changes or new tooling. That way a person that never got an opportunity to get one first time around, can get one. Someone that wants the upgrade as well, can get one, and the new version doesn't hurt the value of the original becaue it is different.

BTW JD, JD Smith has agreed to a Sprint.

sal

Sal, does making the clip ambi involve too much tooling change for a sprint run? I'd also love to see the JD Smith with a full flat grind.

[Chucula]

Ebay pricing cannot be used as an indicator of "popularity".

I am surprised people are arguing with this. It only takes two people to get exorbitant prices. Auctions reflect the interest of the hundred or so people who saw the auction, not the entire online community. There are also many other factors that contribute to how people react/bid on an auction, such as pictures used and descriptions. If someone puts up a rare knife with bad pictures, it will probably not sell as well as a more common model with superb pictures.

If you want to accurately see popularity, I think you would need sales figures. Statistically, using only one sample (one auction) tells you nothing because of all the variables.

my 2 cents :)

EDIT: and back to the original topic, i would agree with those who invoked supply and demand. Both have decreased but supply has decreased faster than demand, so it seems like demand is up.

[Brad S.]

Is the Dodo considered to be Obscure? If so which model... Blue PE, Blue SE, Black PE, Black SE. I have just come across a couple of these the last few days and am wondering if I should snatch any up.

Brad