Re: Are sprint runs too small?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:16 pm
I suspect that retailers use the Sprints as an advertising tool to rope in future customers. For example, I recently bagged two Sprints from Smokey Mountain and from St. Cloud. I got what I want, had a good experience, and next time I'm looking for an off-the-shelf knife, I'll look to them first. So whether it's planned or serendipitous, carrying a few Sprints can help increase overall sales for a retailer. I could be totally wrong about this, but it makes sense to me.StuntZombie wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2020 11:06 amMake Spyderco the only source for the initial purchase of any sprint run knives.
Wartstein wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:20 pm
Thanks for the explanation! I´d have two questions, if I may:
1.) It was new to me, that Spyderco may reproduce a run of a dealer exclusive after a certain amount of time.
My question: Has this ever been the case?
2.) A certain sprint run is produced only one time in its exact particular configuration.
My question: To what degree would another, later sprint run of the same model have to differ from an already existing sprint run? Would rather minor changes (like just handle color for example) be different enough to make a new sprint run of the exact same model in the exact same steel?
Some random, theoretical examples, to explain what I mean:
- Existing sprint run: Endura, HAP 40, burnt orange handle
Would an Endura, Hap 40, but BRIGHT orange handle differ enough to justify a new sprint run?
- Existing sprint run: Shaman, Cruwear, brown Micarta
Would a Shaman, Cruwear, brown TeroTuff differ enough to justify another sprint run?
Wartstein wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:20 pm
Thanks for the explanation! I´d have two questions, if I may:
1.) It was new to me, that Spyderco may reproduce a run of an exclusive after a certain amount of time.
My question: Has this ever been the case?
I can't remember if it's ever been done.
2.) A certain sprint run is produced only one time in its exact particular configuration.
My question: To what degree would another, later sprint run of the same model have to differ from an already existing sprint run? Would rather minor changes (like just handle color for example) be different enough to make a new sprint run of the exact same model in the exact same steel?
Yes, a handle color would work, but we will often change something else as well like the steel.
Some random, theoretical examples, to explain what I mean:
- Existing sprint run: Endura, HAP 40, burnt orange handle
Would an Endura, Hap 40, but BRIGHT orange handle differ enough to justify a new sprint run?
- Existing sprint run: Shaman, Cruwear, brown Micarta
Would a Shaman, Cruwear, brown TeroTuff differ enough to justify another sprint run?
sal wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 1:39 pm
I have had similar thoughts. Perhaps Spyderco can "promote" very popular Sprint runs into Limited runs which are much greater quantities, but still below a standard offering. I would imagine that there would be only a few Sprints to get upgraded to Limited status. The the progression, based on quantities, would look like this Flash Batch, Sprint Run, Limited Run, Production. Exclusives are dealer/distributor specific and not part of this.Wartstein wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2020 2:00 pmI hope not (too) off topic, but honestly: I never understood why a knife is more desirable just because it is produced in a limited run...?
Sure, I maybe get the "thrill of the chase" and maybe the momentarily relief if one has something in hand of which they were uncertain to get it at all in the first place.
BUT: As soon as I actually own a sprint run it does not bother me or even makes me glad for others if every third other person owned it too.
For example I would enjoy my beloved HAP 40 Endura not less at all if I could spot it in the pockets of other people all the time...
So: Imho sprint runs should be made till everybody who wants one actually has one , even if this would mean a second run (and I know: technically that would not be a real sprint run anymore, but that would be totally fine with me)
Just my 2 Euro-cent of course...
JRinFL wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:00 pmI have had similar thoughts. Perhaps Spyderco can "promote" very popular Sprint runs into Limited runs which are much greater quantities, but still below a standard offering. I would imagine that there would be only a few Sprints to get upgraded to Limited status. The the progression, based on quantities, would look like this Flash Batch, Sprint Run, Limited Run, Production. Exclusives are dealer/distributor specific and not part of this.Wartstein wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2020 2:00 pmI hope not (too) off topic, but honestly: I never understood why a knife is more desirable just because it is produced in a limited run...?
Sure, I maybe get the "thrill of the chase" and maybe the momentarily relief if one has something in hand of which they were uncertain to get it at all in the first place.
BUT: As soon as I actually own a sprint run it does not bother me or even makes me glad for others if every third other person owned it too.
For example I would enjoy my beloved HAP 40 Endura not less at all if I could spot it in the pockets of other people all the time...
So: Imho sprint runs should be made till everybody who wants one actually has one , even if this would mean a second run (and I know: technically that would not be a real sprint run anymore, but that would be totally fine with me)
Just my 2 Euro-cent of course...
Collectors would object, and flippers would complain the loudest, but users and fans would applaud, I think.
While none of these have appealed to me strongly enough to purchase, I think they're pretty awesome!
Yes. Just in reveal 4, the first 2020 reveal, there are at least ten sprints, all of which are current models. So, are the sprint parameters changing? Are there plans to do another Sprint of the Shaman in a premium handle material and premium stainless blade steel? There have been quite a few tool steel sprints and exclusives, but just the one S90V / Carbon Fiber sprint, which I missed out on. If not a sprint, can we get an upgraded stainless steel and G10 version of the Shaman as regular production, just like there are blurple G10 / S110V versions of most of the rest of the Golden lineup?sal wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:03 pmI think that the situation is not quite so simple. Some distinctions:
A Sprint run is a run made by Spyderco that is a remake of an earlier design, usually discontinued, that has been changed in some way to distinguish the run from earlier models. It might be a color change, a handle material change , a steel change or some other distinction. We generally use original tooling to make the model. We usually make 1200 pieces of a Sprint run. At this time, we are planning on making larger runs of Sprints to accommodate the larger current market. We usually make about 4 Sprints per year, and we've been making Sprints for decades. It affords the opportunity for someone to acquire a version of a Discontinued model that is no longer available.
...
Let me know if you have any questions?
sal