Spyderco Forums

Shike wrote:All that been said I am more into the knife and not the box, but I agree the box should be at least sturdy.

That's really my point too, Shike.

Columbia River boxes would be my prime example, simple, sturdy, reasonably attractive, and "environmentally friendly" for those who care about that.

We're not talking breakfast cereal here, where an eye catching box can have a major impact on sales. Bright colors and shiny finishes are of less importance than just remaining presentable. Even more so today, when at least some obsess about their environmental impact.

Thanx much for all of the input. I'll share your thoughtrs with the sales and marketing departments that create the boxes.

sal

Caly E wrote:I'm not a part of the CC but I have a a few new boxes. The only one's that have ticked me off are the Hossom's but I'm over it. I just need to find way's to obtain all the wonderful new models. If newbie bung-holes wanna judge the knife by it's box than all I gots to say is late 80's & 90's Toyota's.

Most posting in this thread are not newbie bung-holes.
As for the box IMO the new ones are a little to bright for me and much cheaper looking.I would prefer a more subduded box,classier looking IMO.As heavy duty as possible.BM,CRK and CRKT boxes come to mind.The boxes Chris Reeve uses would be great.

I have to agree with Paul.
Actually, boxes were always somewhat odd looking to me. Even the gray ones made me think why are they so cheap looking. Cigarettes come in better package. Sure, i buy a knife, but the first thing i see is that box. Plus, i keep my knives that are not carried in them. Most are in really bad shape from the day they arrived. So, yes, my vote for better looking and better made boxes.

J Smith wrote:Most posting in this thread are not newbie bung-holes.

Though I never said they were, thanks alot Mr. Smith.

Caly E wrote:Though I never said they were, thanks alot Mr. Smith.

Sorry but it does read that way.

SSB wrote:Like the ones offered by MTM for ammunition & such.
Except with a foam lining for individual knives.
There may well be a market for these.
I know they would be more expensive than cardboard !
Maybe Spyderco could offer them as an accessory?
& i agree with Deacon the older boxes were better!
Just my 2 cents worth!
regards,SSB

Now that's a good idea! i wouldn't mind paying a little more for a nice plastic
box. after all you cant always carry all your :spyder:
Anyone already using boxes like this?

I would have to agree with most in this thread. I also store some knives in their original boxes. I am afraid that the new boxes will not age as nicely as the older white and gray ones. I also happen to not like the newer ones. They in my opnion are getting too large, fray easily, and are not as user friendly as the older ones. The price for these cannot be that much money, especially when you look at it from a first impression standpoint.

J Smith wrote:Sorry but it does read that way.

I must have a different reading style. Sorry it reads like that. I was simply making reference to other comments on first time buyers and how they might turn there back on a SUPERIOR product due to packaging. I would not take that tone with anyone on here unless your name is tomahawk.

As a collector, I keep all my boxes. I often see knives for sale on eBay and forums with a picture of the knife only, the first question to the seller is "does it include the box." Having a good strong box adds value to the knife.

I have a considerable amount of the gray boxes and about a dozen of the new current style boxes. About half of them appear to be almost falling apart. The gray boxes are much better in sturdiness. If I had a choice, I'd exchange the newer boxes for the gray ones in a heartbeat. If I see to identical Spydercos for sale, I'll opt for the one with the gray box.

While I agree that the older grey boxes are sturdier, I've been very lucky so far with the new red/black boxes. Actually, most of the grey boxes I've gotten from my local knife shop have been pretty beat up, with the ends ripped, like someone tried to open the box by tearing at it instead of sliding out the tray-part. The knife shop says that it's the Customs inspectors. I'm not sure why I haven't seen the same problem on the red/black boxes yet. Maybe new Customs inspectors? Or maybe, being thinner cardboard, the new box trays are easier to slide out without tearing the ends? Maybe the red box :spyder: I get come directly from Japan to Korea, so they don't travel far enough to get crushed? Regardless, I'd definitely like to have sturdier boxes, grey, red, whatever.

I realize some people think the packaging is largely irrelevant and just want to get using their knife. Fair enough. But I feel differently. I think good boxes, packages and wrappers are an essential part of the excitement and enjoyment of getting a new 'toy', the look of the package, the feel of it as you open up different layers to get to the 'treasure' inside. The Japanese and Koreans definitely feel this. I've never seen such elaborate and skillful wrapping of gifts and cards as I have here in Asia. Even something as simple as a 'Thank you' note comes elaborately folded and enclosed with traditional paper and cord. It is a sign of respect to the receiver. I think the quality of its knives shows that Spyderco already has great respect for its customers. But better packaging would really raise the quality and enjoyment of the :spyder: experience to new heights. :)

The Deacon wrote: We're not talking breakfast cereal here, where an eye catching box can have a major impact on sales. Bright colors and shiny finishes are of less importance than just remaining presentable. Even more so today, when at least some obsess about their environmental impact.

+1 on that too!

I like the boxes to be sturdy for long miles shipping...
I don;t care if they are black white red or gray as long as they are strong enough from preventing the knife slipping out of the box. We pay for high quality knives. Shipped arround the world the boxes should held up tossin& turnin' SAL.... imho

I actually like the new box. I think it looks classier and it's made of recycled material which is a good thing also.

The construction is identical. I think the issue with it is the sleeve is larger then the old one. This leads to it being crushed easier.

I personally like the printed design on the grey boxes, but I so far haven't had any problems with new red boxes, grey and red both come pretty beat up.

I think it would be cool to have a tin like Altoids, robust, easily stored or stacked, and for those that throw out the boxes, it would give a container to be used for something else !!!

I think it would be cool to have a tin like Altoids, robust, easily stored or stacked, and for those that throw out the boxes, it would give a container to be used for something else !!![/QUOTE]

ding ding ding we have a winner!

On a side note.....

I also really like the Fair and Proper warranty info on the back of the grey boxes. The new boxes don't have that.

Frankly, I find the gray boxes rather boring. I much prefer the looks of the new boxes. The normal way that I receive the boxes in the mail, is with bubble wrap around the knife and plain shipping paper around the box. I have yet to receive a damaged red box.

This is certainly a weird problem to me. My red/black boxes have held up better through international shipping than the older grey boxes have. Therefore, my experience is that the new boxes are actually sturdier than the previous ones. What mail carrier do you guys use?

I just don't hope that any upgrades to the boxes, and the subsequent price increase, lead more people to complain about 'those expensive spydies'.

So this is what's it comes down to eyh? Sal & crew have given us all the features, variations and sprints we wanted, that we now turn to the boxes? :D

Wouter

Caly E wrote:I must have a different reading style. Sorry it reads like that. I was simply making reference to other comments on first time buyers and how they might turn there back on a SUPERIOR product due to packaging. I would not take that tone with anyone on here unless your name is tomahawk.

No problem.
I would not turn my back on a knife because of the packaging.The problem is that many use the boxes to store their knives and I can see how that MIGHT make the difference between someone standing in a knife shop trying to decide between knives that are very close to the same specs.
Picture a salesperson showing some one a Delica and a BM mini grip,the customer is torn between the two and the deciding factor for them is looking down a the counter and seeing the plastic bag and cheaper looking box of the Spydie compared to the nicer heavy duty box of the BM with the black cloth slip top baggy for the knife and the form fitting foam liner.