Spyderco Forums

It is what it is.

This last year I bought the most Spyderco knives in a long time - 3.
1) Worker Sprint
2) Manix 2 LW in CTS-XHP
3) Lil'Temp 3

Not a lot compared to some on here, but I think I'd not bought any new Spyderco knives in the 2 previous years. Some of that is due to finances, other reasons are I just don't get the chance to carry & use them as much as I use to. So while I am not happy about the price increase, I understand the reason behind it. If it's a knife I got to have I'll just have to save a bit more for it.

Side note - just saw a band the wife and I like (Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit) is playing around our anniversary with an opening act by another band we really like (Richard Thompson). We saw the main band a few years ago around our anniversary and tickets were around $60-$70 each. Well he's since gotten a lot more popular and the CHEAP tickets are starting at $170 each and climb to around $300 each for the good seats. So good for him doing well, but sucking for us on buying tickets. Definitely puts a crimp in my knife buying in the coming months, might even have to sell a few.

Not calling MAP pricing “price fixing” is like not calling multi-level marketing a “pyramid scheme”.

RamZar wrote:I've been buying fewer Spyderco knives since MAP enforcement of I think two years ago and now it'll be fewer still.

Same. This hobby is getting too expensive. Some time ago Spyderco was one of few knife makers with decent street prices... I had already stopped buying from other brands at that time.

Tbh I already have plenty knives. I don't really NEED new ones. Those high prices make it easy for me to spend my money on other hobbies.

black wrote:

RamZar wrote:I've been buying fewer Spyderco knives since MAP enforcement of I think two years ago and now it'll be fewer still.

Same. This hobby is getting too expensive.

Yep.. I agree on both accounts.. John :)

$$$ of living goes up each year. I will purchase as many Spyderco knives as I can. I bought my first Delica when I was in high school 20+ years ago. Yesterday I purchased the same knife but with s30v steel. Paid a good amount more but that is what you pay for the brand, reputation, and quality that you get. To me it's worth every penny. Others many leave but you'll always appreciate the Spydy hole.

There is a threshold where spending so much on another knife is an acceptable self indulgence
...and then its just not fun anymore.

Spyderco doesn't really even need to budget for marketing,
their consumers have done a lot to spread the name far and wide all over the internet
...does seem like a little slap in the face..bite on the hand.

Leaves a bad taste,
doubt it will produce much more revenue for them... in the end they'll sell a few less knives for few more dollars!
For that they risk damaging their relationship with a very enthusiastic fan base,
who may now become a little more interested in some other Brands!!

Honestly, for the type of variety in materials and design that Spyderco produces, they could probably charge a premium over the competition. Why? They're filling a niche that no other manufacturer is even touching.

Steel variety - nobody comes close.
Design variety - Name anyone else who would greenlight something like the Euroedge. (Okay, a certain chilled iron company might...)
Salt line - who's competing here in rust-free?

Now, this seems like a moot point when there's stuff on the market in M390 for 70 bucks, or s35vn for 30. And while collectors may get excited, those knives are really unique for bringing premium edge retention to the 'buy one knife and beat on it for a decade' crowd.

For me personally as a knife afi, Spyderco isn't competing solely on 'best steel/materials for the price'. The competition is full of m390, 20CV, titanium and carbon fiber. Spyderco is also competing on interesting novel designs, impeccable ergonomics, and breadth of coverage for a huge number of roles.

They may or may not be dominant in the Titanium-Framelock-Flipper market, but as a whole, the total Spyderco package isn't available anywhere else.

Does anyone know how Blade HQ is still selling at 40% MAP when every other dealer seems to be using the new pricing?
I'm certainly not complaining but it is curious.

jdw wrote:Does anyone know how Blade HQ is still selling at 40% MAP when every other dealer seems to be using the new pricing?
I'm certainly not complaining but it is curious.

are you talking about the knives that have the "login to see discount in cart".?

I didn't see any knives on bhq that weren't MAP that were supposed to be...

I haven't looked through their entire inventory so I may have spoken out of turn but this one jumped out at me.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco- ... ife--33040

jdw wrote:I haven't looked through their entire inventory so I may have spoken out of turn but this one jumped out at me.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco- ... ife--33040

Someone at BladeHQ made a mistake on the Military and transposed the MSRP of Military S110V and S30V.

https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Spyderco-Military--759

I'll email them so that they can make the correction.

I tried adding that item to cart to see what would happen and it said item unavailable

Dear Sal
The only reason I make comments here and Bladeforums is the fact that you make an incredible product and basically started the pocket knife business.
I am not counting the traditional knives. Innovating takes alot of guts and tenacity to make it through the growing period and surviving. I think it has to do with growing up in Brooklyn back then and fashioning a Shiv from a penny nail and protecting yourself. I think alot of the guts comes from your life experience as a New Yorker. You are very blessed to have Eric who obviously has the skill and understanding the public's desires in design and function.
When I started collecting I could not get used to the Spyderco deign and would not get one. About 1 year before I started collecting I went to Paragon Sports in Manhattan and picked up a knife for about $100 and just used the heck out of it. I somehow snapped off the tip so I put it away in a box.
Years later I noticed the knife and now would recognize the emblem and lo and behold it was a Spyderco Centofante 3. It broke the ice for me and I now have about 40 Spyderco's. I plan on being a lifelong customer but the map price jumps it will be more prohibitive.
In closing i very much appreciate the fact that you read and answer most comment that are important. As they say You are a scholar and a gentleman.
Looking forward to being part of this forum
Thanks for all the enjoyment you have managed to give us over and over
Sincerely
Mike J

black wrote:

RamZar wrote:I've been buying fewer Spyderco knives since MAP enforcement of I think two years ago and now it'll be fewer still.

Same. This hobby is getting too expensive. Some time ago Spyderco was one of few knife makers with decent street prices... I had already stopped buying from other brands at that time.

Tbh I already have plenty knives. I don't really NEED new ones. Those high prices make it easy for me to spend my money on other hobbies.

I refuse to buy any more brand new Spydies this year on principle alone. Last year I bought about 10 new Spydies. 2018 will be zero. Everyone has their breaking point, and I don't need any new ones.

I’m going to buy every Spyderco knife I want this year. MAP will have literally zero effect on my buying habits. I stopped buying Benchmade and have never bought a ZT - MAP had zero to do with those decisions. I hope other people will feel like I do, continuing to buy Spyderco’s resulting in an ever greater proliferation of interesting Spyderco’s to study, purchase and appreciate.

David

Here is a quick breakdown... Obviously there are many models I don't have listed. I just don't consider most of these a good deal anymore.

Spyderco Pricing

———————————

Model - 2017 - 2018

Chaparral FRN - $80 - $87 - (still good deal)

Sliverax - $150 - $167

Shaman - $150 - $181

Salt 2 - $83 - $90 - (still good deal)

Sage 5 - $137 - $150

Para 2 (black blade) - $137 - $150

Military (black blade) - $167 - $187

David Lowry wrote:Here is a quick breakdown... Obviously there are many models I don't have listed. I just don't consider most of these a good deal anymore.

Spyderco Pricing

———————————

Model - 2017 - 2018

Chaparral FRN - $80 - $87 - (still good deal)

Sliverax - $150 - $167

Shaman - $150 - $181

Salt 2 - $83 - $90 - (still good deal)

Sage 5 - $137 - $150

Para 2 (black blade) - $137 - $150

Military (black blade) - $167 - $187

Though I see your point, I have already made 2 new purchases this year, both from dealers offering additional discounts bringing the price below MAP and making it closer if not lower than 2017 pricing.

True. I'm just saying that there is a tipping point. Each person is different, but we all have a point in which we say 'naaah'. At $150 I was really looking at the Shaman. At $180, it is now priced out of my interest. Hopefully there are more people that still really want it, otherwise Spyderco will have to discontinue or lower the price.

For me, the entire market is getting blown way up price wise. I'm going back to basics and searching for really awesome knives that are under $100. There are still tons out there, just not as many with Spyderco, BM, or ZT. Other companies are picking up the slack, and so we continue this ebb and flow.

My thoughts exactly, David.