New and Advanced Knives

[Patriot777]

Hey everyone. Been monitoring the different knife stores online/emails and it seems that Benchmade is always in their emails for new upgrades and new style knives, which frustrates me a little, as it doesn’t seem that Spyderco has advanced to new styles, etc. Spyderco is my favorite knife, and on any one day one of them is in my pocket, but it seems like the only thing that changes is the type of steel or the color. Yes, there has been one or two new models that have came out, but they were based on older models from years ago, at least that’s what I see. I’d like to see Spyderco go totally off the charts with something new and just send a punch at Benchmade (can you tell I am not a Benchmade fan). I want them to make a knife so cool that when I pull it out of my pocket people ask me who made it. Okay, the challenge has been thrown on the table.

[Jesla]

As far as I know there is no rule/law that says you can only support one brand…. verity is the spice of life…. That’s why there Fords/Chevys, Budweiser/Miller, Levi’s/wrangler, Pepsi/Coke etc…

[Catchadroppimgknife]

Perhaps it will be more so when the new Golden facility is finished?

[apollo]

Perhaps it will be more so when the new Golden facility is finished?

I doubt that will be the case. The new golden facility is already going to be used to produce X number of variations off ALL current US based models so there will be new models but not allot in at least the short run.
Let alone that it will probably see a tsunami off exclusives run true there aswel.
On top of that at the amsterdam meet most really “new” designs had taichung written all over them but taichung is at max capacity so unless they kill off some current models or the maker also enlarges his factory i guess we should be glad witch just more variations off popular models and less new ones for the near future at least.

[Evil D]

It's frustrating but I'll also take quality over quantity every time and in this specific case with these two brands I think that's the case.

IMO the only other brand that's comparable to Spyderco in terms of price to performance ratio is Kershaw/Zero Tolerance.

[Patriot777]

It's frustrating but I'll also take quality over quantity every time and in this specific case with these two brands I think that's the case.

IMO the only other brand that's comparable to Spyderco in terms of price to performance ratio is Kershaw/Zero Tolerance.

[WilliamMunny]

Maybe they already made the best knife or two, Manix/the whole military line and they only thing to improve is the steel. Haha

[vivi]

Mayne they already made the best knife or two, Manix/the whole military line and they only thing to improve is the steel. Haha

to be fair they discontinued the best version

[Patriot777]

Agree. In the end it reminds me of Disney and how they remake the same movie over and over and over, just changing the actors, color etc.

[JoviAl]

Mayne they already made the best knife or two, Manix/the whole military line and they only thing to improve is the steel. Haha

to be fair they discontinued the best version

I dearly wish they could bring that back for a sprint or exclusive.

[mark greenman]

as it doesn’t seem that Spyderco has advanced to new styles, etc...I’d like to see Spyderco go totally off the charts with something new

The thing is Spyderco has done all sorts of crazy unique models over the years. More than anyone really.

One of probably 50 off the wall examples:



The issue is that a field becomes more understood and refined, designs tend to converge on a couple of 'optimums.' All smartphones are Iphoneish, the wide variety of handgun manufacturers have converged now on striker fired polymer frame 9mms, etc.

Spyderco has been constantly refining pocket knives for 40 years now, and certain design features have been proven to be ideal in terms of knife performance and ergonomics.

-Thumb hole
-fairly broad FFG blade
-4 way pocket clip
-G10 or FRN handle
-Contoured/curved grip
-Compression or backlock

The result is if you have all those features, you end up with most models that are very similar to one another.

[Evil D]

Maybe they already made the best knife or two, Manix/the whole military line and they only thing to improve is the steel. Haha

I'm not saying that's the case with Spyderco but I do think that's a real outcome sometimes. It's like with any band that eventually breaks up, you can look across their entire discography and see where they peaked and where they started to decline. Not everyone can keep churning out better and better ideas, eventually the well runs dry.

I also feel like Spyderco are a little gun shy when it comes to new models, it seems like they've become more hesitant to take chances on bold designs that end up getting discontinued after a year or less of production. This has happened in the last with their own in house designs and with collaboration designs. It can't be cheap to bring out a new model, so when they bring out a Bodacious in "plain S30V and black G10" I just see that as testing the waters. I think other brands are so much higher volume sellers that they can afford to have a model flop now and then because they make their bank on their bread and butter models. I think Spyderco do this too, with their Delicas and such, but can't afford to do it as often as larger companies.

[JoviAl]

Maybe they already made the best knife or two, Manix/the whole military line and they only thing to improve is the steel. Haha

I'm not saying that's the case with Spyderco but I do think that's a real outcome sometimes. It's like with any band that eventually breaks up, you can look across their entire discography and see where they peaked and where they started to decline. Not everyone can keep churning out better and better ideas, eventually the well runs dry.

I also feel like Spyderco are a little gun shy when it comes to new models, it seems like they've become more hesitant to take chances on bold designs that end up getting discontinued after a year or less of production. This has happened in the last with their own in house designs and with collaboration designs. It can't be cheap to bring out a new model, so when they bring out a Bodacious in "plain S30V and black G10" I just see that as testing the waters. I think other brands are so much higher volume sellers that they can afford to have a model flop now and then because they make their bank on their bread and butter models. I think Spyderco do this too, with their Delicas and such, but can't afford to do it as often as larger companies.

That is an interesting point. I often lament new models initially coming out in S30V as it rusts like crazy using it outdoors in the tropics, but it does make a lot of business sense if it’s reasonably easy to work with and reasonably priced.

[vivi]

Mayne they already made the best knife or two, Manix/the whole military line and they only thing to improve is the steel. Haha

to be fair they discontinued the best version

I dearly wish they could bring that back for a sprint or exclusive.

Surely I'm biased, but I feel like a st nicks 4v or something else spicy would sell out very, very fast.

[Mushroom]

as it doesn’t seem that Spyderco has advanced to new styles, etc...I’d like to see Spyderco go totally off the charts with something new

The thing is Spyderco has done all sorts of crazy unique models over the years. More than anyone really.

One of probably 50 off the wall examples:



The issue is that a field becomes more understood and refined, designs tend to converge on a couple of 'optimums.' All smartphones are Iphoneish, the wide variety of handgun manufacturers have converged now on striker fired polymer frame 9mms, etc.

Spyderco has been constantly refining pocket knives for 40 years now, and certain design features have been proven to be ideal in terms of knife performance and ergonomics.

-Thumb hole
-fairly broad FFG blade
-4 way pocket clip
-G10 or FRN handle
-Contoured/curved grip
-Compression or backlock

The result is if you have all those features, you end up with most models that are very similar to one another.

I agree that they have in the past but this isn't really the case anymore. They used to be industry leaders in that regard but they've fallen way behind a few other brands in terms of actual new models over the past few years.

Compared to the number of simple model variations they've been making, entirely new models feel exceptionally rare these days.

Mayne they already made the best knife or two, Manix/the whole military line and they only thing to improve is the steel. Haha

to be fair they discontinued the best version

I dearly wish they could bring that back for a sprint or exclusive.

Not for nothing but I can't help but feel like this is one of the reasons why they don't make new models anymore. At some point to move forward they're going to have to stop looking backwards. That is not to insinuate that they can't learn from the past but it also doesnt mean they have to keep repeating it.

[JoviAl]

Mayne they already made the best knife or two, Manix/the whole military line and they only thing to improve is the steel. Haha

to be fair they discontinued the best version

I dearly wish they could bring that back for a sprint or exclusive.

Surely I'm biased, but I feel like a st nicks 4v or something else spicy would sell out very, very fast.

… in no small part because of you and me

[Naperville]

I am a knife fanboy, not a Spyderco Les-George RMJ Hinderer Cold-Steel... fanboy. I certainly like what Spyderco produces. I'm here not on other sites but I get sales literature and I see new things. Then I pull out the knives that I have and I'm doing fine!

For example, I saw an SOG folder and thought, that looks familiar and I already had a Cold Steel in the same steel, same blade profile. What the heck....

Relax and look at what you own. Look at your purchasing plans. You must have 5 to 10 knives that you really want. Remain calm.

You guys should have a positive outlook on Spyderco's upcoming knives. I know they have something in the works, they always do. I've missed out on things due to funds...you cannot possibly buy everything that is brteathtaking and awesome. Maybe some of you can!

Spyderco has collaborations and their own design staff. Spyderco probably has plans for new knives for the next 2 to 3 years, and if the market comes up with new steels, Spyderco will test it, buy enough for production, and move into manufacturing.

Lets not forget who Spyderco is. Or Benchmade for that matter. No major manufacturer turns out a knife in 2 weeks, it takes quite some time I would think. At least 9 months to 2 years from initial idea, pen to paper, to placing it in the queue.

There is nothing wrong with buying another brand either. I am sure that the staff at Spyderco understand they do not have the answer or solution to every immediate need.

Shop around. But don't look down on Spyderco's prospects...they are humming along just fine.

[Naperville]

It's frustrating but I'll also take quality over quantity every time and in this specific case with these two brands I think that's the case.

IMO the only other brand that's comparable to Spyderco in terms of price to performance ratio is Kershaw/Zero Tolerance.

Zero Tolerance? Nah.... I liked the 069 in S90V, and 0452??? full TI, but the issue with the 0452 in CF is that if you grasp the knife even slightly wrong while under pressure the blade does not flip open....THEY GOOFED. They cancelled the best knife the full TI 0452. And all of their new knives are 3.5 inch blades and smaller and I am not into them.

[Naperville]

As far as I know there is no rule/law that says you can only support one brand…. verity is the spice of life…. That’s why there Fords/Chevys, Budweiser/Miller, Levi’s/wrangler, Pepsi/Coke etc…

As far as I know there is no rule/law that says you can only support one brand…. variety is the spice of life…. That’s why there are Fords/Chevys/Toyotas, Rum/Craft Beer, Carhartt/Round House, RC Cola/Coke etc…

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I think Spyderco can expand their ethnic series to make new variations and get more regional designs. Another Navaja, Scimitars, etc. With all due respect I disagree with those who want to see Spyderco make disposable utility knives and replacable blades. Gross. Eww. Yucky. Wasteful.