US Spyderco Meet

[cabfrank]

I understand. I wish it was easier for you, and less expensive.

[Red Leader]

I haven't voted yet so I don't know where the responses are, but I think I could get behind it only if it made sense for them. They have their hands full trying to satisfy the needs/wants of the 'hardcore' group, the collector group, and the general public. I wonder if Sal can give us any insight on how much by rough percentage those groups contribute to Spyderco's general market populations. I'll wager not, but if I had to bet, it is moreso the layperson that keeps the companies afloat buying Delicas and such, so I'm down for whatever event would be an investment in keeping the business alive and well.

[Red Leader]

For an Amsterdam seconds sale they'd have to ship all the knives to Amsterdam, sort them, then ship back what didn't sell. Not easy.

A meet is also not easy and we would even be very happy if they would even bring only a few boxes to the amsterdam meet and even set a limited amount of knives per person to buy. (Believe me if they only bring some of the standard plain edge golden models all will be gone in an hour!!!) Every year we see the thread from the second sale and people going home with 10,20,30 spydies and pay peanuts. Heck we even be happy to get to buy 1 second spydie and pay double you guys pay at second sale for effort to do it as for us here in europe double would still be insanely low a 60-70-80€ Second g10 s30v Manix for example is a crazy good deal because its almost 200€ here. Sure there is the online second sale sometimes but 1 its not the same and 2 i tried everytime and even when i finally get in there everything even close for me to be worth paying for the shipping costs is gone and the only thing i have is a broken keyboard…

This post hits home...we have it so extremely good. Thank you for the perspective.

[apollo]

I understand. I wish it was easier for you, and less expensive.

Thx i really apreciate it!
Life as a Spydieholic is indeed not the easiest outside the US. At the moment at my local dealer i see about 8 new spydies releasing in the nearby future and i am struggling how i need to pick 1 of those 8 to buy as even that will hurt my wallet allot.
For example i would love to buy the Starmate as i see it as one of the most nostalgic and beautiful models. But it costs 430€ so basicly its as much as my Nirvana did and then at the same time my heart looks at the new salt manixes and screams no no no forget it and pick a Manix in stead.
When i check out the dealers in the US there are times some models are so beautifly priced i think darn if i would live there i could pay 50$ more i would have 2 for the price i have 1 here.

[apollo]

For an Amsterdam seconds sale they'd have to ship all the knives to Amsterdam, sort them, then ship back what didn't sell. Not easy.

A meet is also not easy and we would even be very happy if they would even bring only a few boxes to the amsterdam meet and even set a limited amount of knives per person to buy. (Believe me if they only bring some of the standard plain edge golden models all will be gone in an hour!!!) Every year we see the thread from the second sale and people going home with 10,20,30 spydies and pay peanuts. Heck we even be happy to get to buy 1 second spydie and pay double you guys pay at second sale for effort to do it as for us here in europe double would still be insanely low a 60-70-80€ Second g10 s30v Manix for example is a crazy good deal because its almost 200€ here. Sure there is the online second sale sometimes but 1 its not the same and 2 i tried everytime and even when i finally get in there everything even close for me to be worth paying for the shipping costs is gone and the only thing i have is a broken keyboard…

This post hits home...we have it so extremely good. Thank you for the perspective.

Thanks! I do want to point out 1 small thing for every spydie i can afford i never feel bad about its pricings here even with the local prices Spydies are worth it still.
But yeah some models sadly have prices out of my reach here while if i would have lived in the US they would still be an option to buy.
So i hope many US fans read this and start to feel happy again about Spyderco's prices. Sal and co really do max effort for all us.

[RustyIron]

Maybe.
It's all about location, location, location.

[Evil D]

I voted maybe, because the US is a huge continent and it would depend on where it happens.

[cabfrank]

apollo, I have mentioned this before; if it would make financial sense to buy something here and ship it, I would happily facilitate that. I don't know the shipping costs and risk involved of loss though.

[Red Leader]

Thanks! I do want to point out 1 small thing for every spydie i can afford i never feel bad about its pricings here even with the local prices Spydies are worth it still.
But yeah some models sadly have prices out of my reach here while if i would have lived in the US they would still be an option to buy.
So i hope many US fans read this and start to feel happy again about Spyderco's prices. Sal and co really do max effort for all us.

It's a good thing for all of us to remember. I have also had a mental renaissance regarding the importance of intellectual property and how it relates to appreciating good made in your home country. For me, that can justify the price.

[cjk]

Yes ! Or if not a pass only in a room at Blade Show ? I’m not sure if they have space to provide just a thought . MG2

Doing an experimental one at bladeshow next year in Atlanta would be fabulous and might not take much extra coordination. There are conference rooms for meetings and a lot of the Spyderco folks would be there anyway.
Offer "tickets" via the forum kinda like how CAP passes were offered in the past. It'd also make for a more structured forum member meet up.

[Mushroom]

I completely understand that traveling isn’t always easy but part of what makes events like this special is the effort people put in to be there. It's not meant to be convenient for everyone. It’s meant to be a meaningful curated experience for those who really want to be part of it. (In my opinion... )

Giving access to anyone attending BLADE Show would definitely fill the seats but it would come at the cost of the camaraderie and connection that is so valued during the Amsterdam meets. Not saying it couldn't work but I do believe it should be kept small with limited spots to attend in that setting.

[northmanscall]

Lets not forget about customs and taxes when importing knives.

[lionesser]

Since clear interest has been established, Sal mentioned, it would likely be able to be hosted at Golden. Hopefully, he will chime in at some point.

[sal]

Thanx Lionesser,

The thread is certainly worth the discussion. Golden would be the most practical, at least for a first US Meet.

sal

[fixall]

The wife and I have just been waiting on an excuse to visit Golden. Make it happen, guys!

[Mushroom]

I think Golden would be the most appropriate location for a US Spyderco Meet.

[Manixguy@1994]

I think Golden would be the most appropriate location for a US Spyderco Meet.

I have to agree, Golden have be more opportunities to explore the Spyderco experience. Blade Show would be cool in some aspects but would be lacking the historical background and products that would be available . Dan

[WilliamMunny]

Have one anywhere state side would be pretty great.

How do the invitations typically work for these?

[VandymanG]

Location would bee important for me. East coast would be a no. Best place I think would be somewhere in Golden. Even that would be tough for me to get there but it might be doable.

Would be great to have 3rd party manufacturers there also, like Halpern, Lynch Northwest, AWT, etc…. With just Spyderco accessory parts. Also companies that make hardwood pieces for scales and have mosaic pins. Could have a class on how to make wood mosaic pinned scales for mules with basic tools and more advanced tools. The companies could sell their tools, wood, scales, pins, parts, etc… I don’t know just throwing out ideas.

Maybe it’s too close to being like Blade Show? But I’ve never been, because I have trouble with crowds even small ones, so I have no idea.

[apollo]

Location would bee important for me. East coast would be a no. Best place I think would be somewhere in Golden. Even that would be tough for me to get there but it might be doable.

Would be great to have 3rd party manufacturers there also, like Halpern, Lynch Northwest, AWT, etc…. With just Spyderco accessory parts. Also companies that make hardwood pieces for scales and have mosaic pins. Could have a class on how to make wood mosaic pinned scales for mules with basic tools and more advanced tools. The companies could sell their tools, wood, scales, pins, parts, etc… I don’t know just throwing out ideas.

Maybe it’s too close to being like Blade Show? But I’ve never been, because I have trouble with crowds even small ones, so I have no idea.

Unless you empty out Spyderco's production buildings i do not think they have enough space to do such a thing...