Why was the Ronin discontinued?

[LONE WOLF]

It seemed like an awesome knife, and was one if not the only defensive fixed blades from spyderco. It was also one of the only full tang models. The Yojimbo seems like a good folding version, but sometimes one might like the extra speed and strength of a fixed blade, with the same awesome shape and size of the Yojimbo.

[anorexicpillow]

i dont know but i would love for spyderco to make more fixed blades cause i want one

[Yojimbo]

Probably because the Ronin ( wich i love) was not a great seller, and it was a Janich/Snody design. Plain mathmatics, if new models wan't to be developed and sold, the least profitable have to go (although in our vieuw, as "knifeknuts" they are great).

I guess the Ronin made place for the Kumo

Sad but true.

The problem is that if you really wan't a knife, you should not wait till it's discontinued.

Once a model doesn't show up anymore in the next years catalog it's time to buy those who you like and are discontinued.

Or pay big $ a few years later. :D

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: Same reason all great spyderco knives are discontinued, poor sales with the lowest common denominator end line user. Why else would the Lil' T be discontinued while the endura is still going strong? $$$$, baby! A business won't last 20+ years by making decisions emotionaly. I'm sure Sal loves all the knives he decides to axe. :spyder:

[anorexicpillow]

but wouldnt there still be a lot of them that they could have in the back for sale if someone were to want one?

[Qship]

I understand there were production problems, because the knife handles are individually hand shaped, which causes enough variation to make the sheaths less than interchangable. There was some talk of a molded handle, but I guess that never happened.

Some Spydercos are still available on line, and Mike Snody makes a few from time to time.

Mike Snody catalogs a Damascus model at $240
http://www.snodyknives.com/MS_Knives_KO-1480.htm

It took me about a year to get a pair, but now Snody is so backlogged that he is not accepting orders. Sometimes you can find a Snody made Ronin on e-bay for two or three times list. Mine went in the safe, and I now carry the Spyderco version. It's a great knife.

Qship

[Stormdrane]

but wouldnt there still be a lot of them that they could have in the back for sale if someone were to want one?

They put what they have left up for sale in the 'Specials' section when they've discontinued a knife. I got lucky and got a few SPOTs before they were gone. You'll have to search around places like ebay to find discontinued models once dealers' supplies run out. Of course that can also increase the value of a knife once the supply dries up.

[jaislandboy]

Love the Ronin's beautiful handle with those "beefy" micarta slabs and the blade's wicked performance (as per the good Dr. Snubnose and his meat tests)! :cool:

[Dr. Snubnose]

All good things must come to an end :( Sometimes waiting till a knife is just discontinued but still available can be a god send...as was the case of the Ronin...which Spyderco sold off at $79...what a bargain...I would have paid double that for one...the point is because of the discontinued price I was able to buy two :D ...The Ronin like it's brother the Yojimbo are incredible knives I love both of them and carry them daily....Doc :D

[dialex]

Spyderco is known for making folders rather than fixed knives. Just a small part of their offer is based on fixed blades and they have a limited production capacity. Therefore, when a new model is supposed to be made into production, an older one shall go. I fully admit that the Ronin is a great knife, but I think it's place will be taken by the Kumo, which doesn't seem to be a bad knife either.