Proposal: Spyderco Midtechs

[Evil D]

I dunno about the midtech thing, or if this is along those lines but I would pay large sums of money to have them custom build me any model in the catalog with the materials I want. This doesn't have to be anything extreme like introducing different locks to models that never had them (like a compression lock Military for example), or adding bolters to knives that never had them. I just mean give me any handle material I want, with or without liners, any clip style I want, and any steel Spyderco has ever used, in whatever factory style grind I choose. Give me those options, and I'll rain down money on Golden Colorado.

[Cliff Stamp]

I was refering about how Spyderco would handle that part....

All it would take is hiring someone who does tuneup's. There are lots of people who specialize in doing that to knives. Say you want a Strider but with a slightly different blade grind, washer switch, new handle scales, etc. . It might not be possible to order that from Strider, but there are lots of people who will take one and do anything you want to it. All Spyderco would have to do is hire someone like that and let them handle all of the "custom" orders, or turn out a line of "tuned" blades.

[sal]

Hi Blerv,

It's an interesting concept. It would not be possible or practical to use our regular production people to do that. We have sort of a custom shop capability with Nate, who is exceptional. Nate has his own mini-shop for his repairs, but is mostly working with Charlynn on customer service.

As Cliff suggested, it would take a custom guy with a mini-shop to perform the tasks. Really wouldn't be much different than a custom shop. It would have gto be done without disrupting production. At this time, it would be very difficult, We can discuss the concept again in a couple of years when the new facility is complete, new machines are in and operating, etc.

sal

[Zenith]

Just my 2 cents, but at around $400 I start to look for customs rather than mid-techs as a knife user and collector.

At the time of this post I can find, Pat and Wes Crawford, Mel Pardue, Greg Lightfoot, Bob Dozier, Brad Zinker, Jim Matthes for under $400 at one online retailer, never mind if I pick up the phone and start calling some local knife makers.

[elena86]

If Chris Reeve is midtech I am sorry to say but Taichung is not midtech.We allready pay 250+ for a few high end spydies but I think those prices include some sort of " collab fees ".I'd rather pay 300+ for a midtech in house designed spydie, such as Delica or Para 2.But IMHO midtech is mostly about very tight tolerances a la CRK.A combo between CRK tolerances and Spyderco designs and steels would be awesome.I'd pay 500+ for such a knife :)

[The Deacon]

I wouldn't mind paying a premium price for a premium knife. OTOH, my definition of a premium knife is probably different from that of most here. I'd also have to think this would be limited to models made in Golden, and the only one of those that remotely appeals to me is the Native V and even there, my interest would be minimal unless they were offering a version of it that looked like one of these, in which case I'd be fighting to be first in line to buy one.

[TomAiello]

I think the Deacon is on the right track here.

I'd love to see "upgraded" Spyderco knives that were upgraded in handle materials and such for more "classiness" rather than upgraded in functional characteristics (like the steel). I love the philosophy behind things like the s110v LW manix--super steel, very functional, priced reasonably. I think that a "semi-custom" should be something along the lines of "classy and artistic" rather than "even more functional."

Spyderco has "functional and high value" nailed. The nicest "classy" spydies are things like the ironwood sage or the damascus japanese series. I'd love to see a dressed up semi custom option for more Golden knives.

[sal]

Those are very nce Paul. That could be an interesting goal.

sal

[Donut]

I was listening to a "talk show" type of thing on the internet and they defined Midtech as a model that is produced in small quantities, such as a run of 100 or less. Under that definition, some of the smaller or newer companies that are production oriented could be classified as Midtech.

It sounds like everyone in this thread is talking smaller runs than that with higher attention to detail on that smaller run.

[Blerv]

It sounds like everyone in this thread is talking smaller runs than that with higher attention to detail on that smaller run.

That was kinda the initial thought. I love the active discussion though :). Not a fan of the "Build-A-Bear" approach compared to the "here's a run we made to our liking". Whether it's small run of Odin's Eye Dama-Natives or antiqued copper scaled stonewashed Manix2's. Just something a tad different.

Sprints are great as-is. Often people will buy them and expect heightened quality over standard production models. If it's possible to create a different category without disturbing the others, call if whatever ya want. As Cliff said, even if they farm a few out to an independent (like Serge Panchenko ), I'll line up for one.

[ChrisinHove]

Isn't that a little like what Cuscadi (and others, I'm sure) already do : a preened and pimped production knife?

Nice idea, anyway.

[Johnnie1801]

Isn't that a little like what Cuscadi (and others, I'm sure) already do : a preened and pimped production knife?

Nice idea, anyway.

I think having a factory custom directly from Spyderco would be far more popular than from other sources.

just wondering if anyone knows, does a pimped knife by Cuscadi or other sources still have a warranty? They have obviously been taken apart so the warranty would be voided, no? Do Cuscadi have their own warranty service?

[Surfingringo]

Interesting idea and I'm sure it is doable and could even be profitable. The part I would be dubious about were I in Sals shoes would be whether i really wanted to complicate my life in order to earn the privilege of doing business with the smallest, most OCD, hardest to satisfy segment of the market. There's certainly a market there but that's an apple I'd be checking for worms before I went to taking bites out of it.

From a personal point of view I would not buy one. I am more than satisfied with the current level of quality and would much rather own a millie, a native and a pm2 than one fancy pm2 with polished liners and stonewashed blade, etc. Again not putting down the idea, just adding my 2¢.

[ohcyclist]

Deacon is on to something. Aesthetic/artistic upgrades would be very interesting and highly collectable. Love the angle.

[jabba359]

Deacon is on to something. Aesthetic/artistic upgrades would be very interesting and highly collectable. Love the angle.

That's sort of why I brought up Benchmade's Gold Class. They do a small run with aesthetic upgrades (wood, Damascus, etc.) and it lands somewhere in the middle between a normal production piece and a custom. They list in the $350-1500 range (most fall in the $600-800 bracket). Here's the description:

Erasing the lines between custom and manufactured, it is a matter of satisfying the ultimate desire. Whether it is embellishing existing designs to loftier heights, creating entirely new ones, or even crafting a one of a kind experience from a collector’'s wish list, the Gold class clearly sets the new standard of knife manufacturing.

[Laethageal]

Interesting idea and I'm sure it is doable and could even be profitable. The part I would be dubious about were I in Sals shoes would be whether i really wanted to complicate my life in order to earn the privilege of doing business with the smallest, most OCD, hardest to satisfy segment of the market. There's certainly a market there but that's an apple I'd be checking for worms before I went to taking bites out of it.

From a personal point of view I would not buy one. I am more than satisfied with the current level of quality and would much rather own a millie, a native and a pm2 than one fancy pm2 with polished liners and stonewashed blade, etc. Again not putting down the idea, just adding my 2¢.

I do understand your point on being satisfied with current products as I feel the same with my current type of use and financial situation.

On the other hand, some have enough wealth to go on chasing such products and we even read a few comments of people who would do it. If it can fill a need some customers have, be lucrative and mabe even bring some new customer that are only into high end knives, why not?

[Surfingringo]

Interesting idea and I'm sure it is doable and could even be profitable. The part I would be dubious about were I in Sals shoes would be whether i really wanted to complicate my life in order to earn the privilege of doing business with the smallest, most OCD, hardest to satisfy segment of the market. There's certainly a market there but that's an apple I'd be checking for worms before I went to taking bites out of it.

From a personal point of view I would not buy one. I am more than satisfied with the current level of quality and would much rather own a millie, a native and a pm2 than one fancy pm2 with polished liners and stonewashed blade, etc. Again not putting down the idea, just adding my 2¢.

I do understand your point on being satisfied with current products as I feel the same with my current type of use and financial situation.

On the other hand, some have enough wealth to go on chasing such products and we even read a few comments of people who would do it. If it can fill a need some customers have, be lucrative and mabe even bring some new customer that are only into high end knives, why not?

No argument from me. I'm not saying that it shouldn't happen or that I'm against the idea, just that I wouldn't be a buyer. I imagine these threads are probably a good way for spyderco to gauge interest from us on various ideas so I usually try to leave my thoughts regardless of which side of the fence they fall on. :)

[AJBest]

This seems to be the trend in the knife industry. I would probably buy-in to this, but I feel as it has been mentioned, the Taichung models are essentially mid-techs. I own the Slysz Bowie and it is so nice and near the custom version (I do not own the custom though). I still appreciate all models from the tenacious to the Bowie.

[nirvanero]

It would be interesting to see some "high-end" variations ala BM gold class. I really love the Damasteel in my 710 but it could be something just like a nice G-10, ceramic or titanium CBBL instead of the usual one. Just an idea, I guess most users would be happier with more PM2 in stock!

[The Mastiff]

I don't suppose I'm the target customer for this type thing but I do like the look of the wood gripped, bolstered model. I'm the type that would buy the stripped down car with the largest engine available. The plain Enduras with Super Blue or ZDP are my kind of knives. More performance in the same package and for as low as possible markup. I have never seen a Benchmade Gold class that I would spend the money on even if I was Bill Gates rich. Selling an $140 knife at $4-500 no matter the changes just isn't something I would buy though.

A current example of Mid Tech is the line put out by Tim Britton recently. He buys them from somewhere, finishes them to his standards and sells them ( Shiny footprints translation). I suppose they are nicer than the Aus 8 knife kits knives he used to sell on the local circuit here with reground blades with his signature ( sold me one as a BG42 custom years back at a local show. I still have it here. :) ) Tim Britton Handmade knives http://www2.knifecenter.com/brand/447/T ... ade-Knives

He is a custom maker and has been for decades and has his own shop. He can do nice work when he wants. I'm not sure mid tech is the correct term for what we are talking about. It's more along the lines of Buck's custom shop and does what is described here.

By the way I don't think any maker will want to mirror polish S30V or anything with that much, or more vanadium. :)