Spyderco Forums

What will be Spyderco's biggest challenges in the next decade?



Will it be trying to stay with the leaders of the industry? Will the most serious challenge come from cut-throat imitation makers? Or will the price war pose a graver threat?



I am merely asking these questions because I have seen some of the finest and biggest companies in any industry hitting rock bottom when they misread the signals from their most valuable supporters - the customers.



There have been times when trends in an industry may be clearly heading in a certain direction but at the last moment due to a sudden change in technology or a new breakthrough, customers' preference shift quite dramatically.



Firms which have been resting on their laurels will find themselves shuffling nervoulsly in financial quicksand.



In view of the abovementioned potential scenarios, how will a company like Spyderco with its excellent track record hope to tackle the unexpected. Is it sufficiently prepared to expect the unexpected?



I am particularly curious to know what will the second and third generation of Spyderco products look like.



As I have said before, I have always been impressed with Spyderco's performance. Not only in its customer service, but also its relentless search for the best in materials and the optimum combination of human ingenuity and available technology.



The fact that Spyderco's fame has outreached many of its competitors in so short a time speaks volumes for its staying power.



In view of the ever changing faces of the technologically savvy and the commercially strong, has Spyderco look deep into its own crystal ball and prepare for the exciting challenges as it heads towards its own final frontier?

Well, here's my take on it. I expect Spyderco to continue in the forefront of the industry. It's major challengers will remain other "big name" manufacturers. I would not expect knock-offs to pose more than an annoyance. Currently Spyderco customers know, and care, what they are buying, and are not satisfied with look-alikes. Could they be satisfied by a Benchmade, etc.? Sure. But a $5 "Endura"-rip-off? Unlikely. Performance is what counts and only those companies who deliver can hold a consumer base. As to the fickleness of the consumer, that it exists is certain. However, as I said, the "cutting-tool consumer", to coin a phrase, is performance oriented. There will always be fad knives, but ultimately "How well does it function?" will be the question. As long as Spyderco continues to dedicate itself to researching the best designs, materials and techniques, as long as their form continues to follow their function, they will remain leaders. I haven't seen or heard anything from Sal to make me suspect a change in philosophy.

I think the biggest challenge will be expanding at the right speed. It would be easy to develop too many models and suceed in the short term and slow down manufacturing. I've seen companies do this and end up failing. Spyderco needs to keep expanding to stay competitive however. I think spyderco's greatest strength is listening to the customers, so I think they'll be fine.

-William Callahan