Anyone else concerned?

[sgt1372]

I've been a Spyderco owner for over 30 years, since the early 90's when I bought an Endura 1, Merlin 1 and SpyderCard. Still have the Endura and Merlin but sold the SpyderCard.

I have since become an avid collector of Spyderco and other knives. My Spyderco collection currently stands at 150, which is not a huge collection but it contains many unique and now hard-to-find models of all types; fixed, folder, bali and auto.

I have also been a member of the Spyderco Forum for some time but, while I have lurked and read various messages of interest on this forum, have never posted a message or started a thread here before because I am already an active member on Blade Forums and the Spyderco subforum there. So, I found no need to be actively involved here too.

However, I was recently asked by Sal to create the same thread here that I started on the Blade Forums, which he said that he would comment on after I did.

So, below is the opening message in the thread that I created there and, if you would like to view that thread in full, includuing Sal's comments there, you can find it here: Anyone else concerned?


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October 29, 2021

I've complied a pretty decent collection of Spyderco knives in a very short period of time but what attracted me most to buying Spyderco knives initially was its extensive line of "designer" and otherwise "unique" knives which set them apart from other brands.

As far as I can remember, the Ikuchi, Smock & Swayback were the last "designer" knives most recently released by Spyderco but Spyderco now seems to be focused mainly on making variations (exclusives, included) of established models, like the PM2, Endura, Endela, Delica, Resilience, Police, Rescue, etc.

There were also the Pattadese and Watu that were recently released but they were just knock-offs of the earlier Pattada and Chockwe (additions to the Ethnic Series) and not unique designs in their own right. There are also the Tuff and Slyze Bowie exclusives and the company's release of the SmallFly2 but they were just revisions of older models too. And, there is the anticipated 2nd Sprint run of the Ayoob, which again is yet another revision of an older model.

Of course, making what "sells" makes perfect business sense but there's nothing really interesting or exciting about this to me as a "collector."

Are there any NEW "designer" (or otherwise "unique") knives in the pipeline for Spyderco or is a rehash of older models all that we can expect to see for the foreseeable future?

If not, I guess I'll just resort to what I'm doing w/ZT and focus on collecting older vintage/discontinued Spyderco knives, as opposed to anything "new."

[sal]

Hi Sgt,

Thanx much. I'm curious as to the thoughts here and I'll chime in. I will also add my comments to the original thread in Blade forums. Future planning is always a balance, and the input of those paying attention to our company helps.

sal

[SG89]

Lately exclusives and sprints are king. I'm sure soon enough some new designs will be released. I'm not concerned at all. I've owned upwards of 225 spyderco knives. The new designs always bring a thrill, but so does hunting down an old discontinued design too. I think most of us that frequent this forum have more than enough knives to occupy our hands while we wait for something new to be announced. I am not concerned.

[Molle Ninja]

Not too concerned. I mean, who does it better?

That said, I’d like to see the Caribbean back in stock, with a refined pivot and detent. And a Spydiechef 2 with a steel lockface insert like the Swayback. Maybe some more Slysz designs. Maybe something with past collaborators like Jens Anso.

Would be cool to see some sort of annual “contest” for up and coming designers/makers to have a chance to win a production Spyderco run, based on popular vote, Spyderco judges, etc. Lots of talent developing out there.

[Soanso McMasters]

I’m new to Spyderco so my thoughts may diverge from those who’ve been fans for a long time. For a neophyte such as myself, there’s a lot to choose from, but I do feel like there is a lack of quality small knives on offering. I’ve now bought 16 Spyderco knives but I’ve also hit the wall on examples I’m interested in experimenting with.

I can say with all sincerity, Spyderco has a level of engagement with its supporters that I’ve not seen before, and it’s impressive and inspiring. I’ll bow out and subscribe to this thread and see what I can learn from those more experienced than I.

[DansGearAddiction]

In any other year(s), I might be wondering what is going on, but I can only imagine how the situation in the world have affected the releases and schedule over the last year and a half.

Travel is still heavily restricted in parts of the world (including Taiwan [Taichung] and Japan [Seki City]), additionally, supply, transport and labor all continue to be greatly affected.

In the current climate, just from a logistics standpoint, its probably safer to focus on things where the kinks have already been worked out or focus on your existing product. The Golden factory is probably least affected, but it was probably still affected and the "designer" products tend to come from overseas anyway.

Spydercos' "designer" products are always some of the most interesting releases and I can't wait to see what comes down the pipeline when the time is right.

[Thunderpants]

Has Spyderco done anything with Tommaso Rumici? His Viper Dan is a design masterpiece. He's also done great designs for Lionsteel (H1 Skinner) Oberland Arms (Sepp), Fox Knives (El Capitan) etc.... Me, I'd love to see a Rumici/Spyderco collaboration.

[Soanso McMasters]

How about Elijah Isham?

[Granoo Fink]

How about Elijah Isham?

He did a collaboration with Kizer Knives, they called the knife 'Soze'.
If it was still available, I'd instantly buy a knife called 'Kizer Soze', just because of the name...

[RamZar]

Spyderco certainly churns out quite a volume of “new” models but they’re almost all just variations (different steels, handle materials & colors) on old boring themes.

There have been 107 “new” models so far this year (a record and the year isn’t over yet) out of which 59 are Exclusives/Sprints (55%). The remaining 48 are not exactly “new” models but mostly variations of regular production models like different steel, blade shape, coated, plain edge or partial/full serrations, etc. I think only Pattadese and Kapara are really new designs/models.

Spyderco is catering a lot to dealers (exclusives & MAP) but it also has a passion for quality and steel aficionados.

[ChrisinHove]

New models/collaborations are certainly exciting in a way that new variants/sprints often are not.

I certainly don’t consider design evolution as stagnation, however, so I completely disagree with the OP about the Watu, for example.

[WRB]

I really like and look forward to the new stuff from designers and the like. The new stuff is the most exciting to me.

That being said, the recent Watu, Tuff, and Slyze Bowie are some of my favorite purchases. I also really like the BHQ Rock Lobster and the Viele Phoenix. So I can't say I'm unhappy with the way things are currently going, either. The CruCarta PM2 is a homerun in my book and if they do something similar with the Shaman again (or Military... I'd go nuts) I'll be quite happy.

But my perspective is one of a new Spyderco user/collector. I could see the rehashes of older models being a bit less exciting if I had already had the chance to purchase them in the past or already owned them. Either way, I hope to see some new and weird designs in the future. It seems like the weirder the design the more likely I am to like it.

[Mzen]

This last year was especially deflating as a European Spyderco fan. I have been looking forever for something exciting to use as a warehouse knife, but it is either too expensive (case in point: Spyderco Shaman S30V going for €235/$270 over here, for example) or I get excited about some cool new variant which inevitably turns out to be a US dealer exclusive, thus becoming impossible to get.

The one amazing thing we got in both price and usefulness was the Salt UKPK, but that's more or less it. I might end up trying out the Tenacious or Resilience in S35VN, just wish those had the quality of the US made stuff.

I get that Covid-19 is going on and the reliance on older models is more of a necessity to keep things rolling, but in that case, I feel that more time and effort should be spent on improving older models and providing more evergreen choices.

Evergreen Shaman with CruWear or Z-Wear and G10 scales (a man can dream), a screwed Manix 2 LW instead of a pinned one, I would even take one of those in good ol' S30V (I'm aware this one is under consideration, I just wish it was prioritized over more exclusives).

Hopefully something cool will come out of the new reveal, instead of the usual sprints and exclusives that mostly serve to fill up the warehouses of eBay scalpers.

[Ramonade]

Phillipe Jourget is making great things in my opinion. However, he works with CKF sometimes, I don't think it's something that would work even though I WANT to see what is possible !

I have not much more time on the Spyderco band Wagon than Soanso McMasters (1 and a half year, smth like that), but all I can say is that I would be interested and buying such new releases.
Once I knew Spyderco enough, I did tend to look in their past, would be just perfect to be looking forward a bit.

PS : Living in France, Exclusives are not easy to have, a $164 Chief would certainly cost me around 300, with shipping and and more than possible taxes. Actual new production runs from Golden or Taiwan is something I'm more than happy to wait for.

[archangel]

I own a few collab knives that I will never let go again. Yes, Sal, Eric & Michael are exceptional designers! I can't stress this enough! But there are many knife designs out there that are SO MUCH outside the box of standard ideas and shapes. Some (many) are crap, but a few are so cool... and since I collect exclusively , the collab program is THE chance to add some odd yet cool designs that still have a bug and a hole. It would break my heart a little if they stopped producing new models.

Oh and I must add: I have not been concerned until now. Hadn't even realised. I am now, since you Sal did not dismiss the idea that the program might end, but said that you'd first wait and see the reactions. Sounds to me like you are considering it.

Please don't.

[standy99]

New steels and new colours are a monthly even weekly occurrence.

New models are enough over time to keep my interest though rarely any I seem to want as gravitating to fixed blades more than folders.

Have loved the new release of Steels in the mules this year

I would like to see a lot more involvement with the fixed blade community of custom makers. Plenty of great makers nowadays worthy of a Spyderco collaboration.

My last knife was one of Chad Kelly,s (aka “Xplorer”) newer models The Osprey. He also just released the Kestrel.

[aicolainen]

Considering Spyderco’s long history and an enormous back catalogue of retired models, of which I still regularly learn about past gems I wasn’t already aware of, I still consider myself being quite new to Spyderco.

Though my knife drawer looks increasingly like a collection, I still consider myself a user, so my interest and focus is on models that suits the different use cases I identify. As a consequence I tend to prefer Spyderco’s in-house designs and user collabs with passionate specialists like Surfing Gringo and hopefully before long also Fireman.
Not saying there isn’t great designer knives, Marcin Slyzs was very central in pulling me into the Spyderco brand, but in general it’s the less fancy designs that has kept me here.
As a newcomer I hope we’ll see Spyderco finding a nice balance where they’re able to reintroduce old designs that the newbies weren’t around for, as well as new designer collabs to keep the veterans happy.

[Wandering_About]

Not concerned, myself. Working in production/manufacturing, these are wild times to get product out. I have been seeing some standard line items coming back in stock, which is good, to me. The exclusives/sprints/collabs are fun, but not necessarily the reason I buy Spydies.

Let's keep in mind that Spyderco currently has steels like S110V, K390, and even Maxamet available as regular production. Quite amazing if you ask me! I'm much more a steel nerd than anything else, so steels excite me more than new models.

I do enjoy seeing the interesting collaboration knives and the more exotic designs, but in the end I tend to just keep buying variations of PM2s and Para 3s and "normal" stuff like that. They are great designs, for me, and they are available in some amazing steels in regular production and there are sprints and exclusives in even more interesting materials, if you care to try to catch them. I have a pretty fair collection of other models but chasing different models is not really my thing, personally.

[kobold]

Collabs and collecting knives is cool and all, but I want mostly users, not safe queens. Sure, the two are not mutually exclusive I am just saying that once the std production models are in good supply and well maintained CQI -wise, then more exotic designs should be more like the icing on the cake.

I am more concerned about the Millie in S90V, K390, MC and Maxamet.
Chaparral with new handle materials (green elder burl), more of Sage 2, the return of GB1 (it's a collab!), a fluted Ti Native Chief, CBBL Shaman, PB washers in LW models would be all awesome.

Also new models like the 3.5" mid-sized Native! :-)

[Jim Malone]

From Europe as well.....frustrating to see small batch exclusives from USA based knife retailers as well. Pretty unobtainable here in Europe. Would like to see the return of the past in new models and designs instead of the "safer" let's do another exotic bladesteel and handle colour rehash of the PM or Para 3. I don't mind VG10 or S30V they all work for me, i wear a Spyderco 24/7 but really cutting stuff is less than 1% (plastic wrappers and shipping boxes mostly). Due to the Quality of VG10 it takes months/ years before i have to sharpen my knives so going for a new expensive bladesteel because it will increase my blade life with 17% is a non issue for me. I rather have new designs because handling and carrying is done way more then using it as a cutting tool. But as a return on investment i understand that filling the extruder with a different shade of frn pellets is cheaper then designing a brand new bladeshape
or when you can just send a few plates of supersteel and use the CAD drawings of the PM for your lasercutter....but for me that's not what Spyderco stands/stood for. I'm looking around for new knife designers as well. I used to almost feel guilty when i bought a non spyderco knife but it seems my loyalty has deminished in the last years because it feels like Spyderco doesn't want to take risks anymore and management has fallen for lean and mean manufacturing and looks for maximum profit instead of beeing different and cutting edge.
Maybe they had a a change in management, i don't know, maybe Eric has different views on the future of Spyderco? Something changed imho that's for shure.