2010 Catalog Pdf is up!

[clovisc]

i think this catalogue was extremely, EXTREMELY well done. i'm not disappointed there weren't more "surprises," because sal and co have been amazing about giving out surprises early, via annoucements and bombshells on the forums... :D

here's what i loved!

-- PACKED with information, measurements, etc. -- but still easy to read and make sense of if you just want to "look at pretty pictures." it appeals and educates on the most basic visual level... and on a more complex technical level. great for knife knuts, and casual users! also, it's the best catalogue ever for drawing casual knife users into the world of knives, and showing them some of the fine points. (when i think back, spyderco's catalogues are what really helped me first start to understand the world of knives, and the merits of various steels, blade shapes, materials, etc.)

-- great, striking photos. i like how there are people in the catalogue... it creates a better cognitive link between an object, and it's use. the reader can better imagine the knife in a practical EDC setting. the picture of the rock climber holding a delica stands out as particularly excellent. i'd love to see more pictures of this sort! i've been sold on a lot of outerwear and fly fishing gear thanks to the patagonia and simms catalogues, which show people wearing and actually using (not simply posing) their gear in exciting outdoor environments.

-- similarly, i REALLY love the testimonials. again, they create a link in the reader's mind between an inanimate object, and its utility. it also helps promote the function of knives as "tools" instead of "weapons" -- here are great examples of practical use, none of them being like "the rock salt was perfect for splitting open that zombie skull."

-- love how spyderco used a page to organize and explain their charitable endeavors. i think it sets a good precedent for other knife companies... raises the bar a bit, and shows true class, and social commitment. now, i know ayn rand wouldn't approve (thinking of the off-topic thread here)... but i do! it makes me prouder and more likely to support a company if i better understand it's values and commitment.

-- huge kudos on the concept of creating an ultra-affordable, US-made FRN UKPK with a quality steel and a refined, legally-friendly design. i really think this is revolutionary... and sets a new standard. i really don't care if AFI's snub the hollow grind or the steel (there are fancy slippies for those folks!) -- it's great that spyderco is reaching out more to the everyman, and managing to promote domestic industry / production. i'll be proud to buy one of these, and give others as gifts.

even though i am fortunate enough to have a job that pays me well enough to live a decent quality of life, with occasional pocket money for spydies, i still really appreciate the lower price + high value/quality knives spyderco is making. i think that, like many consumers, i'm being very cautious about my spending now, having seen how the recession devastated many families and retirement accounts. most people are worried about economic stability now, and are holding back somewhat "just in case," or are rebuilding what was lost.

also kinda relieved there weren't TOO many new designs... as others have also said, i've got a lot of catching up to do!

-jason

[Blerv]

I got a cheap pack of SAK's for a gift from an inlaw. While they have MUCH better products than what I received, it reminded me how big of a deal the frn ukpk/uspk will be. American made too. What's not too love? :)

[AKWolf]

I really like the glossary !!!

[Whieee]

Love the catalog!

Don't love the fact that page 38 and up make my laptop melt. I'm looking at over 180% of CPU load for Preview.app. I think that's a bit... wrong.. considering I'm using a top-of-the-line MacBook Pro over here. There's something wrong with that PDF, but I cannot put my finger on it... yet.

[Blerv]

I don't know if people have done this but when it loads the PDF in your browser hit the save button. It may take 10 mins but then you can scroll along without lag. Flipping at 50% size then zooming in for the details worked best for me.

[gunmike1]

That's a good point.

However not to split hairs (knife pun). Hollow grinds If done right FAR outperform some FFGs. At least if you are comparing factory vs factory grinds (Adventura, Cento 3/4, etc) and specific tasks like shallow cutting.

Krein has done some ungodly high hollows (like a native Gunmike owns) that are crazy cutters. There is just a ton less material from mid spine to the edge over FFG.

As I said. This is probably redundant as you likely believe the same thing. I just wanted to get the thought out because it reminded me. Thanks.

My Caly Jr ZDP with a hollow grind way into the hole (and a resulting .005" edge) makes my Native seem downright thick. It really cuts great. I love FFG's, especially on middle to larger size knives, but a good hollow grind can cut excellent. Thickness behind the edge and blade stock thickness is more important than the grind a lot of times IMO.

Mike

[spoonrobot]

Very nice catalog, as always. The new measurement pictures are very helpful.

I will say that I am somewhat disappointed; most of the new models feature liner/frame locks, not something that appeals to me at all. Hopefully we'll see some more ambidextrous locks in the future.

[sal]

I mustr say that the credit for the catalog goes to Joyce. She has worked hard and long to make this happen. She just "squeezes in" a few catalogs (on time on budget) while performing her other responsibilites like advertising, charities, public relations, shows, etc.

All this with high ethical standards, high moral standards, and humility. We are fortunate to have Joyce as part of the Spyderco team/family.

sal

[gac]

I have not read all the posts on this thread but want to mention that I think the design of the catalog was real well done.

[npueppke]

+1 on the design, and especially the photography.

[sal]

Hi Jason,

Thanx for the detailed thoughts and kind words. We always appreciate honest comments on our work.

On another note, (which I will take off topic); I'm sure you know more about Ayn Rand than I do. I have read "Atlas Shrugged" and I'm currently reading the "Fountainhead".

I have met many minds in my life, many dead for scores of centuries before I was born. Thought and Social Psychology have always been an interest. To me, Minds are like steel; "all good, just different".

On our charitable endeavors, I think of then as "investments". We invest in medical research, we invest in our troops, our Save & Serve personnel, and even in whales.

I would guess that Mrs Rand would not disapprove of our "sharing". I would guess that she might even approve. I am sure she would not like our being "forced" to do so. Generosity is better taught than dictated.

sal

[Whieee]

I don't know if people have done this but when it loads the PDF in your browser hit the save button. It may take 10 mins but then you can scroll along without lag. Flipping at 50% size then zooming in for the details worked best for me.

Zooming out to about 50% makes it actually usable. I guess Preview.app on OSX 10.6 has some issues with complex layouts; the crashlog hints in that direction

@sal and team: Great job for 2010! Great catalog, nice new slipits, and lots more to come judging from the bombshell thread. Hope to see you in Amsterdam next March!

[sal]

Hi Jason,

Thanx for the detailed thoughts and kind words. We always appreciate honest comments on our work.

On another note, (which I will take off topic); I'm sure you know more about Ayn Rand than I do. I have read "Atlas Shrugged" and I'm currently reading the "Fountainhead".

I have met many minds in my life, many dead for scores of centuries before I was born. Thought and Social Psychology have always been an interest. To me, Minds are like steel; "all good, just different".

On our charitable endeavors, I think of then as "investments". We invest in medical research, we invest in our troops, our Save & Serve personnel, and even in whales.

I would guess that Mrs Rand would not disapprove of our "sharing". I would guess that she might even approve. I am sure she would not like our being "forced" to do so. Generosity is better taught than dictated.

sal

It looks like my Philosophical comments might have been out of line. It seems to have killed the thread. My apologies.

Jason, I was just "funnin" with you, no harm meant.

sal

[Blerv]

It looks like my Philosophical comments might have been out of line. It seems to have killed the thread. My apologies.

Jason, I was just "funnin" with you, no harm meant.

sal

I don't think anyone would argue against a sidetrack from you. Sound philosophy should decorate a forum as most forums have none what-so-ever.

If it helps I can mention muscle cars or make a sci-fi reference (or both). :)