To "use" or "not to use"?

[sal]

I have this constant confusion going on about our knives.

We use premium steels, often costing 2 to 4 times as much as "other" good steels to buy and process. The reason for the added expense is to provide a product that will provide safe, reliable high performance.

We make custom G-10 for added strength and secutiry.

We use steel in our handles that others use in their blades.

We are constantly testing, breaking, dulling, rusting our products to ensure that you get our best.

We pay little attention to looks behind ergos and function. The"Spirit" of a Spyderco is best experienced in useage.

Kinda like a Ferrari with "0" miles. 90% of the appreciation is found in the personal act of cutting with the knife, feeling the ergos, not noticing the knife in you pocket, trusting the performance, etc.

I would be interested to know what is attractive about a "fugly" knife if you don't use it?

sal

-------------------------------------------

The entire "business chain" from; raw materials, manufacturing, marketing, selling, distributing, shipping, warrantees, insurance, credit, etc. ALL EXISTS to service the ELU (End Line User). Remove the ELU from the equation and the entire business chain falls like a house of cards. We all work for you!

[JD Spydo]

Well Mr. Glesser on this one I can only speak for myself. A lot of the Spyders that I have I also try to get used models so I can have the best of both worlds. The ones the I personally consider premium like for example the Lil' Temperance I have one for my permanent collection that I probably won't ever use but I also got 2 used ones ( leaf blade & trailing point) that I take great pleasure in rotating for EDC purposes. Another example is one of my all time favorites ( and I think yours too) is the big C-44P&S Dyad. Although I had 5 of them NIB I just had to wait to get one that had already been used before I could bring myself to actually put it to work. :spyder: :cool:

This I can say and I think that I am speaking for a lot of us here on the Spyder Forum: We respect your work so much Sir that we just have to have some for the very long haul. Don't change any strategy, Don't change material qualities, And PLEASE!!! Don't ever shortcut any of your great engineering applications and I can assure you that there will be many of us who will stay on the "Collecting & using" regimen we have been on for years. :spyder:

[Hannibal Lecter]

I have this constant confusion going on about our knives.

We use premium steels, often costing 2 to 4 times as much as "other" good steels to buy and process. The reason for the added expense is to provide a product that will provide safe, reliable high performance.

We make custom G-10 for added strength and security.

We use steel in our handles that others use in their blades.

We are constantly testing, breaking, dulling, rusting our products to ensure that you get our best.

We pay little attention to looks behind ergos and function. The "Spirit" of a Spyderco is best experienced in useage.

Kinda like a Ferrari with "0" miles. 90% of the appreciation is found in the personal act of cutting with the knife, feeling the ergos, not noticing the knife in you pocket, trusting the performance, etc.

I would be interested to know what is attractive about a "fugly" knife if you don't use it?

Firstly, contrary to popular opinion, I do not in any way consider Spyderco knives "fugly" (with the possible exception of the Dodo, but one has to draw the line somewhere... :p ). Quite the contrary; I consider them genuine masterpieces of the knifemaker's art.

Personally, though I do little actual cutting with my Spyderco knives (instead relegating my SAK for the mundane chores), I am gratified to know in my heart that if ever the need arises, they will perform, and exceptionally well at that.

There is also a distinct pride of ownership in a thing of beauty.

There. I said it. Beauty.

There is simply something special about your knives that inspires us to desire them, to run our fingers over them (preferably the duller edges), to open them, to possess them, to keep them close at our sides.

I prize my Spyderco knives far beyond any other few knives I possess from other manufacturers; this is irrespective of actual monetary cost.

The bottom line: I own Spyderco knives because if and when I need a knife badly, I will need one that will perform flawlessly. I do not generally use my Spydies for everyday cutting because I would rather inflict such abuse on a lesser blade (like my SAK) and replace it periodically.

Sal, though I realize fully that you design your blades to perform (form following function), you must realize that we love your blades aesthetically for their visual appeal.

My ravings might not be much of an answer for you, but I hope it puts our respect for your designs and craftsmanship in the forefront of your mind.


With deepest respect,

H

[JD Spydo]

Oh!! by the way Mr. Glesser did I mention that we need a Spyderco Magazine to keep us up to speed and to keep us fully informed on our hobby. Quarterly publications will be good for starters. I think you were out of town when we ran the "Journalism Spyder Style" thread. Check it out! We are sure that you will agree. :D :D :spyder:

[Burnett]

I would be interested to know what is attractive about a "fugly" knife if you don't use it?

I have (for instance) a Manix on order. I will probably never use that knife for heavy duty or 'survival' purposes. It is much more likely that I will use it for smaller cutting tasks, but I could do that with an FRN Delica just as well. Still I want that Manix! Maybe it's just like with the Ferrari: you don't have to drive 300 km/h to enjoy it, knowing that you could do that if you wanted is also part of the fun of driving one. Maybe it's the same with owning high(er) end Spydercos.

[Senate]

Sal, when you number products (C01, C02 etc...) you'll always find people to collect them... (whatever it is, knife, matchbox, milk pack...)
and when you collect you don't want to use because using means a great probability of damaging/breaking/losing the item :)

[Simple Man]

Sir, You make a product that performs far beyond it's actual use, not for lack of want of use, but there is a limited amount of matter that need to be separated throughout the day. You can only drive a Ferrari as fast as conditions permit (congestion, laws, daily living constraints-think EDD), therefore most have to be appreciated in other ways.

To really boil it down, there is just so much stuff I need to cut in a day, most of what I do cut could probably be handled with a SAK. At that rate, I would never "use up" any Spyderco, much less my Millie. Yet I don't limit myself to just a SAK or just the Millie because of the appreciation I have for the engineering, performance, and function over form that Spyderco puts into its product.

To use your Ferrari comparison again, to use a Spydie to it's full potential would be the same as driving the Ferrari WAO to commute, to go to the grocery, pick up the kids, etc. Part of the enjoyment is pride of ownership, "....feeling the ergos, not noticing the knife in you pocket, trusting the performance, etc." not just cutting for cuttings sake, but knowing it will do the job when called upon.

Of the 7-8 Spydies I own, I have carried and used each of them yet none would be considered heavily used or abused. I have EDC'd a knife of some sort for 17 years now (Spydies for the last 7 or so) and I have yet to use any to their full (breaking) potential.

Guys, PUUUULEZZZE don't let my wife read this, I'll be a goner for sure. :)

[greencobra]

Sal, I'll bite on this one. Simply speaking, I think you're wondering why anyone would collect and not use. Why buy a gold coin and then not drop it down a vending machine? I buy Spyderco's and won't use them because I think most are works of art. I don't feel that way about the Kershaw I own. I carry it when I have to and toss it aside each night. My 14 Spyderco's are in the boxes, lined up on their own shelf in my safe. I'll take them out and handle and look when I get the urge. I don't think that makes me any less a good customer than the person who goes the EDC route. If you look at my forum join date, I think Jan or Feb of this year, I never owned one until then. I've bought 14 in a couple months and that's compulsive and obsessive and called collecting. In fact the dealer I buy most of them from is going to ship n/c to me now.

As far as using premium materials, I wouldn't change anything. If I wanted to buy junk I'd collect the stuff with plastic handles from China with pictures of Elvis and Roy Rogers on them. I can appriciate quality. The Delica FRN LTWT I use for knife aerobics while I'm at the computer has been opened & closed hundreds of times in a couple weeks. It shows no signs of blade wobble, lock wear, etc. and will replace the other knife for EDC. As JD said, continue on this path.

[sgt]

Mr. Glesser,

I carry and cut with all my Spydercos, even the dicontinued ones. I have an unmarked Little T and I even carry and use it.

I used a military to open a lot of heavily duct-taped cardboard boxes during a search warrant service resulting from a violent crime last week. One my investigators with a competitor's knife couldn't keep up with the combo edge of the military. It scuffed the black coating a bit but I bought it to use and use it I do. I don't abuse them but I will use them for the purpose they were made.

I'm never without a knife from your fine company. They're not fugly... heck, they just have character.

[i.v]

mr. glesser, if you read this, i hope you'll be happy to know that personally, i trust my spyderco's completely, i have spent 3 years of combat active service on the israeli military, many knives failed me over the first year & a half of service until i picked up a delica & a s30v native, i used them, used them hard, still use them & have complete confidence in them & i have you & all the other folks at spyderco to thank for.
even now, in my civilan life, i coose to carry & use spyderco, in the form of the cricket & salt1 (a numbered salt which i'm not afraid to use).
i'm probably not answering your question because i use all of my knives but thank you anyway, for making spyderco knives so good i buy them from across the globe.

[Fisher of Men]

Sal (if I may call you that),

Thanks for the question. This is a great question.

I don't consider Spyderco knives to be "fugly" at all :) . I like how they look. I'm a very "form follows function" type of person. For this reason your company wins BIG with me.

I don't have any "safe queens". I buy a knife brand new and I start using it. Don't get me wrong, I like to keep them clean and nice, but I use the crap out of them. I see no reason to pay good money for a knife and not use it.

I'm the same way with cars. I like old Muscle Cars, and Corvettes. If I could afford to buy a brand new Corvette, I would (safely) drive the crap out of that car. If the horsepower is there, I will use it. Same with knives......if the knife is there (whether I paid $35 or $150 for it) I will use it.

I would like to see more G10 on your smaller knives like the Delica and Calypso Jr. I like the quality of G10 but I cannot carry your larger knives to work as I work in an office environment.

I would also love to see more knives with black blades. I really can't explain this it's just a personal preference. Plus I like how the black coating always feels smooth. I don't care if the black finish gets scratched up or not. A used looking knife to me is like my wedding ring with scratches on it. If my ring was always clean and shiny it would look like I just got married or that I never wear it.

I do love the blades and the steel that you use. I love the stainless handles too. I would suggest that maybe you make some kind of 'texture' available for the stainless ones as to aid in gripping it because it can get a bit slippery at times.

To sum up, I have no plans on using your knives as "safe queens". I'm just not like that. I love your knives and I would like to see more G10 in your smaller folders like the old C05. Thanks for such a good company.

If I've come across as a jerk earlier please forgive me as I can be a bit anal at times. I mean well, I just need to learn from my mistakes and not make them again.

EDIT: One last thing I forgot. To me 'saving' knives is like not using your 'Good' China. You never know when you are going to die and you cannot take anything with you. I say, use the 'Good' China. Use your good knives! :)

Thanks for the question.

May God bless you and yours.

Cheers,
Fisher of Men (David)

[KeithM]

I use my :spyder: s, some more than others.

Fugly is in the eye of the beholder. Take the Dodo, for example. I recently got one. It might be the fugliest knife you've ever made. BUT, I now actually like the way it looks because, having used it, I better appreciate the unique design.

I could understand someone getting a Dodo or other :spyder: just to look at and appreciate from a design standpoint.

[jestyr]

i collect spyders, usually about one ever other month, but there isnt a one of them that hasnt seen some pocket time.

[hardkiss]

i have been a spyderco buyer and user for about 8 years now..my first was a spyderedge Q..my thirst for more spydercos has intensified 100 folds and the need to have more is strong..since the past 4 months my collection has jumped..another calypso jr micarta, mini dyad micarta, pro grip, i repurchased Q that i lost years ago, kopa, mop delica, 2 dragonfly's (ss and Yellowhorse), viele 2, impala w.guthook, meerkat, etc etc..there are some designs that i personally do not like and i would problably never get..i used to use my knives for every day use but now i consider myself a collector the using aspect has fell off some..i keep another piece w.me so i don't have to cut w.any of the other ones that i have..oh ya..also a spyderench was acquired..i am a HUGE fan of the spyderedge spyderco's and i wish some of the new models were so..kopa, the viele the future R the almite Walker..i have all the boxes practically for all of them..i will continue to use and enjoy my SPYDERCO'S..

[b-elliott]

To expand on the Ferrari example, I think a big part of the joy of owning one is seeing the looks on peoples faces as you drive next to them or walking up to it in the parking lot and see people admireing it. :D

I also think that because your focus is so tight on making a usable knife that they end up so much different than anything else that they are unique and unique sometimes = colectable.

For me I do use them, but I'm not one of those people that diggs or prys with thier knives or uses it for any purpose that I don't think it was designed to do. Actually I work in an office and rarely have an oppertunity or occasion to abuse them even if I wanted to. I do own 20 spyderco's and naturally gravitate towards useing the ones that aren't as rare or that I could easily replace if I lost them. I'm also one of those people that likes gadgets and I buy knives becasue they have different locks, materials, blade shapes and steels just to play with them. FYI I also collect (I define collecting as owning more than I could reasonable use or justify owning) flashlights, lighters, camping equipment and small tools that end up making my pockets buldge like a chipmunk. I'd guess that your sales are helped quite a bit by people that can't bring themselves to use your "Fugly" knives that they find so attractive.

Ps. Thanks for all the work you put into those "Fugly" things. Even if we don't use them, we do notice and apprecitate the quality.

[J Smith]

I carry and use all my knives except a couple that were gifts but every now and then I carry them and use them lightly,they mean alot to me and I just don't want to mess them up.
I have stoped buying knives to live in a display case,the real joy of collecting them is to be able to handle and use them.

[butch]

We use premium steels, often costing 2 to 4 times as much as "other" good steels to buy and process. The reason for the added expense is to provide a product that will provide safe, reliable high performance.

We make custom G-10 for added strength and secutiry.

We use steel in our handles that others use in their blades.

We are constantly testing, breaking, dulling, rusting our products to ensure that you get our best.

and for this i thank you
the fact that i can pick up any spyderco and index it for use in a sec or 2
i have 2 "safe" queens and i have still used 1 of them as dress knife (rootbeer native)
if i think i can find a new :spyder: i have no qualms in using the **** out of a knife it is after all a tool and once you use a great tool you dont even bother buying crap any more
i know that i never have to worry about my :spyder: s failing me

[4 s ter]

Sal

I appreciate the elegance of a simple, functional design. It was an FRN Endura that first attracted my attention to Spyderco. When I finally handled one I found it fit my hand well, was easy to open one-handed and had a large SHARP! blade in a light, easy to carry package. Before this I had carried a Buck 110 in a belt sheath for years (OK - decades ) The functionality of the Endura won me over.

Why do I have so many Spyderco knives that I never carry and have never even cut anything with? - because I want to :D I'm not sure there is a good explanation for the "collector" mentality. Why do people collect stamps and never use them to mail a letter? They're only little pieces of paper with some ink or glue on them. Why do people collect Waterford crystal, only to lock it up and never use it drink from or stick a bouquet of flowers in? It's only glass (with extra lead).

Maybe it's a genetic carryover from the "hunter/gatherer" society. I just know I'm still hunting Spyderco knives and gathering as many as I can afford. And I know could use every one of them confidently.....if I really needed too.

David

[twizted]

My Manix is not in display , since I got it last week-end, I cut rope, water rubber ose, it went in the wall to remove nails, and so on ! in june the Manix will be going on military training for 2 months in mud, water, dust, sand, and I will perform different duty with it.

The reason why I bought a Manix(pocket chainsaw) is the way it was design and the component in it fabrication, I consider you knife to be use like a ferrari and some like a HUMMER. It depends on the person and the reason why they want to use them.

If someday you make a fixed blade in the same spirit of the Manix I will buy it !

p.s. For the community of spyderco fans t-shirts will be good idea !!

[Yojimbo]

Dear Mr Glesser, i buy your knives because they are "fugly tools". Although each have a different function ( say Yojimbo versus Assist), i wan't a knife at hand to perform to do a specific task. I know that when i buy a :spyder: it will do the things i want it to do should the need arise. I compare Spyderco knives sometimes like Glock and Heckler&Koch firearms. Designed round a specific task and if the task needs it to be ugly, so be it. I just wan't to have a knife at my side that will perform when needed. I like the added security you built in your knives, in the used materials, steel and lock. Maybe it could be considered "over engineering" but i don't care.

What i do is trying to preserve the origional integrity of your knives as long as possible, i will not cut with it, unless needed. I will never abuse one, because i wan't it to function when i NEED to abuse one. I don't like the blade scratched when it doesn't NEED to be scratched!

I threat the knives with the respect they deserve. But i am not afraid to use them when i NEED to.

:D