custom shop...

[Dazen]

I think the UKPK would be a great platform to do the custom shop. Maybe offer SPY27 and one or two other steels, a premium and a tool steel. Have a handful of different color G10’s/FRN’s, and maybe CF or Ti, to choose from. Maybe even have some different blade shapes like Leaf, Drop Point and Rescue that can be done in PE, SE and CE.

I say the UKPK because it is made in Golden and wouldn’t interfere any dealer exclusives except HH, which isn’t even in the US.

[Sumdumguy]

A UKPK would take me out of the buying pool. I'm not interested in a slipjoint.

[BobABQ]

Eric said that he has been discussing the concept of a custom shop with the factory and many seem for it.

sal

Wow, that would be cool.

[w3tnz]

When I think of a custom shop I imagine a knife off the shelf that is further worked on to take it to the next level, rather than the build-your-own-knife from standard parts model being suggested.
This would require additional time and skill from the makers but not additional parts; things such as regrinding blades, polishing internals, breaking and chamfering edges, file working, maybe with a special custom shop blade etching to finish it off. I can see it being done in golden where they would have direct oversight and the talent to do this and sold direct in smallish quantities at a much increased cost.
I’m not sure that’s what people here are asking for but thats what I think a custom shop would be.

[BornIn1500]

For example Manix 2:
Blade steel: S110V, S30V, S30V DLC, BD1N, Maxamet, SPY 27
Hardware: Silver, DLC
Scales: Black, Blue
Clip: Black, Silver

And nothing more, no XHP, no titanium-blue-unicornfartanodized clip, just these option that are in ,,stock,, at factory.

I think having a variety of colors for scales is most of the fun of customization. I don't think many people would have an interest in only a black or blue handle selection for an increased custom shop price.

[JustinB]

Eric said that he has been discussing the concept of a custom shop with the factory and many seem for it.

sal

WHAT! This is groundbreaking

[curlyhairedboy]

Man, I could see dropping a whole bunch at a custom shop for damasteel options, even if they had to wait for a critical order minimum.

[Doc Dan]

Starting with the Native 5 makes sense to me. I would rather have a Manix, but I think the Native 5 is more popular. The PM2 also is popular and might be a good place to start.

[JustinB]

I am really interested to see if this does happen, and how it would be run. I am guessing just keep it limited to production steels and handle colours, at least in the beginning right?

[gdwtvb]

Since everyone has an opinion, here's mine.

First, there needs to be enough options to give a large number of potential finished products. For example three steels and three different handles only gives you an option of 9 separate products. If you are just picking one option of nine, it really doesn't feel like a custom.

I don't have a background in manufacturing so I'm not sure how many of these ideas are actually feasible, but I'd like to see:

1. Non-standard handle materials, Bone, stag, wood, etc. in addition to variety of colors like purple, red, green, blue G10, and Titanium.
2. clip options, drilled only for the desired type of carry, or the option to go clipless.
3. Blade options, at least all the major options covered. Basic like S30V, corrosion resistant; LC200N, a super stainless, and a tool steel.

I think The little native is the obvious choice for this one because I think there is a slipjoint version in the plans.

Grizz

[SubMicron]

I think that a Spyderco custom shop should be more than just different colors. While of course there should be options for all of that, the exclusive/dealer model exists and will no doubt continue.

The core of the custom shop, I feel, should revolve around first principles...

At Shot Show 2020, while he was sitting with BladeHQ, and now on YouTube, while trying to quote Sal, Eric said: "The edge is the most important part of the knife. The blade is there so you have something to hold the edge. The handle is there so that you can control the blade."

Along with making a good handle joke, he mentioned that "the steel is the soul of the knife"

I agree.

I hope that the custom shop isnt just about handles.

The custom shop that I'd want to see is one that's about exemplifying the properties of extraordinary steels in conjunction with an optimized heat treat that further exemplifies Spyderco as a knife maker.

Think of hard and durable steels with exceptional edge retention such as REX-45, 4V, and others that could be ground thinner behind the edge in order to dramatically improve cutting performance.

Options for higher hardiness and/or a task oriented heat treat on steels that can deliver the best results, could be developed and made available.

Steels like M390/20CV/CTS-204P which have a lot of soul, but thus far have delivered lackluster gains in performance, seemingly have an extraordinary amount of potential with a further optimized heat treat and thermo cycle. It would be exciting to see this composition at about 64 HRC and optimized for edge retention.

While steels like S125V and REX-121 may be cost prohibitive for production, in a custom shop situation, what price would it need to be? Sal in the past has mentioned some new ultra high carbide steel. These are all things that could more easily be introduced to market.

The whole upper limit of what a folding knife can be, could be redefined.

Spyderco's advantages in the market, over any other knife maker are the proprietary locking mechanisms in conjunction with the trademark and design. Stacking that along with all of the steels that Spyderco works with becomes an obvious force multiplier. The custom shop would be one more.

Through a custom shop, simple things like screws, blades, and other parts could more easily be kept in inventory. Synergies can be achieved by making these available to purchase thus augmenting Spyderco's percieved service after the sale. This would open the door to unpenetrated segments of the market across the entire production line up.