Polliwog - BladeHQ sprint

[dsvirsky]

Not sure what makes this worth $30 more than the dodo exclusive . . .

At a guess, two years' worth of Spyderco price increases.

[gspam1]

Any tricks to removing the scales on a ball bearing lock? I dye the scales on every Jade knife I have. Besides being unattractive, they show dirt immediately. I like M4, but wish Blade HQ would drop the jade obsession.

[Notsurewhy]

Not sure what makes this worth $30 more than the dodo exclusive . . .

At a guess, two years' worth of Spyderco price increases.

I don't think that accounts for nearly 20% difference. And didn't the dodo exclusive come out this year anyway?

Similar size, same materials, same lock. I think seki g10 prices are the culprit. For some reason it seems far more expensive to use g10 there than Taichung or Golden. Labor costs? Material availability? Who knows, but it's disappointing. It's probably why there seem to be fewer g10 seki models in recent years.

[VooDooChild]

Not sure what makes this worth $30 more than the dodo exclusive . . .

At a guess, two years' worth of Spyderco price increases.

I don't think that accounts for nearly 20% difference. And didn't the dodo exclusive come out this year anyway?

Similar size, same materials, same lock. I think seki g10 prices are the culprit. For some reason it seems far more expensive to use g10 there than Taichung or Golden. Labor costs? Material availability? Who knows, but it's disappointing. It's probably why there seem to be fewer g10 seki models in recent years.

First is inflation.
Second the dodo exclusive was 2 years ago. Theres been a 10% map increase since then.
I dont like it, but $30 is within the noise.

[bearfacedkiller]

I think it is that the Dodo is made in Golden and the Poliwog is made in Seki. That Japanese G10 ain’t cheap.

[Josh Crutchley]

I think it is that the Dodo is made in Golden and the Poliwog is made in Seki. That Japanese G10 ain’t cheap.

Is there a reason some models are made by certain makers? What's stopping them from making the Poliwog in Golden?

[dsvirsky]

Received mine yesterday and I have to say, I'm a little disappointed. Overall fit and finish are fine, but the hollow grind is so shallow it almost looks like a flat grind, leaving it quite thick BTE. My original SS Poliwog has what I would consider Spyderco's standard hollow grind and a reasonable BTE thickness.

[Evil D]

I think it is that the Dodo is made in Golden and the Poliwog is made in Seki. That Japanese G10 ain’t cheap.

Is there a reason some models are made by certain makers? What's stopping them from making the Poliwog in Golden?

Maker relationships, factory capacity, maybe even materials availability, and cost.

[Danke]

OK so down the rabbit hole, all below are Blade HQ jade models. I don't have them all but I do have a range.
2016 PM2 M4 steel USA $159.99
2018 Lum Tanto HAP40 steel Japan $219.95
2019 Dodo M4 steel USA $154.95
2020 Rock Lobster M4 Steel Japan $229.00
2021 Smock M4 Steel Taiwan $182.00
2021 Native Chief M4 steel USA $169.00

The pattern seems pretty clear. If anything the Poliwog is a bargin compared to the other Japan models.

I am not sure if MAP applies to the exclusives since those are only sold through the one location. There's no competition.

[SG89]

Exclusives are exempt from MAP. But yes it's clear to see the seki/Taichung models cost more. For a variety of factors. Best value is usually the Golden made exclusives and sometimes they are cheaper than the base model too

[sal]

Hi Gspam1,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[Mendozamike89]

It's a little pricey but I do like the design just not the jade ..I'm surprised it's not sold out honestly...I might get it for the m4 And design because I don't think it will be back. Honestly

[psylence]

Received mine yesterday and I have to say, I'm a little disappointed. Overall fit and finish are fine, but the hollow grind is so shallow it almost looks like a flat grind, leaving it quite thick BTE. My original SS Poliwog has what I would consider Spyderco's standard hollow grind and a reasonable BTE thickness.

BladeHQ site says it has flat grind.

[dsvirsky]

BladeHQ site says it has flat grind.

Well, that would explain it. Thanks.

[WRB]

No hollow grind? I don't plan on buying at this price but I'd be pretty upset if I did and missed that detail.

[yablanowitz]

Yep, flat saber grind instead of hollow saber grind. Not that it makes a huge difference at this scale.

[VooDooChild]

I got mine. I like it. Its a weird little knife but its cool.

[Kid]

Got mine today and I like it. Great ergonomics especially for a small knife, better than my lil native. And it’s definitely cool and weird! Only 3 left!

[steelcity16]

Got mine today and I like it. Great ergonomics especially for a small knife, better than my lil native. And it’s definitely cool and weird! Only 3 left!

Post pics!

[steelcity16]

I got mine. I like it. Its a weird little knife but its cool.

Post pics! Want to see the "flat grind". Shows a saber grind on the BHQ page.