The Spyder Spins its Web

[golok]

Considering the numerous models of Spyderco on the market, it is only natural that some are extremely successful, some moderately successful and a few simmering on the shelves.



I am curious how does Spyderco deal with those models which receive less than the usual enthusiastic response.



Suppose there is a substantial number of a particular model that's starting to cool off, how does Spyderco circumvent a financial pitfall?



I reckon Spyderco probably approaches any launch of a model by producing a set figure and thereby making it difficult to sustain a loss.



Is this when "culling" is carried out?



Now the second question, what approaches does Spyderco take in selecting a potential successful model?



Does it take cues from the popular knife trends prevailing in the market, or checking out the credentials of certain custom knifemakers and earmark them as potential winners?



Just taking my mind for a walk.





Edited by - golok on 7/17/2001 11:09:29 AM

[vampyrewolf]

for the successful models, they normally ask us, the Spyderco ELUs. WE offer suggestions and for the most part they are listened to and followed for models and options.

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[toothed]

Why don't they listen to some of us about a VG-10 Micarta Calypso Jr.?

[vampyrewolf]

It's only a price point that some of our ideas don't get anything done about.

We'd all like a G-10 delica, but that would just about double the price.

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[The Stare]

While it is understandable that a company would want to keep certain portions of its business private, I still wish we could somehow be given either production numbers, or at least say a percentage of total sales which a particular Spyderco knife's sales represents.

I think it quite likely that general public sales vary considerably from the conventional forum "wisdom." Several or many of us want a particular set of components in a model, and it makes so much sense to us. But, if a knife -- one of forty models, or something like that -- is only pulling half it's weight, say sales are only 1.25% of total sales, then that knife may be discontinued, despite our howls that it is the single best model Spyderco makes.

Given that so many non-knifeknuts think that $20 is a high price for a decent knife, it probably would be perceived as completely foolhardy for Spdyerco to issue a yet more expensive model of Calypso Jr, if sales of less expensive models aren't meeting expectations. Or something like that. We only see a small corner of the big picture, I fear.

Maybe somehow Sal will be able to share more info in future, that won't reveal what Spyderco needs to keep to themselves. That might be more likely to happen if we aren't quite so vociferous in telling Sal what we think, when that info is not solicited.

In that vein, I promise to nevermore mention multi-colored Calypso Jr FRNs.

Stare

[sam the man..]

In light of Spyderco's CQIs, new protos are shown at knifeshows, that's why my dear Golok, you oughta check out Bladeshow 2002 cos potential new knives are given feedback over here and if it gets a go-ahead, it'll be added to Spyderco's SKU. Think Sal mentioned about October as a cut-off date for next years SKU line-up. As for the culled models, I guess those Spydies which are in least demand would be the potential candidates... <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Speaking of which, some popular models have been discontinued. This adds to collector's sentiment and value. Take a visit to Golden, Colorado and you'll know what I mean.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[sal]

Hmmmmm. Sounds like one of those &quot;Golok&quot; questions.

Sounds like Stare is also watching some models closely.

The Market changes constantly both in demand and supply. Every new model is a gamble. We don't always make money on every model.

Some models are made for different reasons. The Military is a high tech lab rat. The Endura &amp; Delica are meeting the needs of a larger market.

For the &quot;collector&quot; market, new items are essential. New is tough to do continously.

We've tried many &quot;news&quot;; materials, designers, inventions, price points...the target is always moving, time is also always moving.

Mr Toyoda (founder of Toyota car co) said, &quot;The competition never ends. Even if you prepare and win today, you must prepare and win tomorrow&quot;.

&quot;New products&quot; takes shelf space and inventory money so the &quot;cull&quot; is required.

Selecting &quot;which&quot; new among the available new designs is always a guess. We can show concept knives at shows, get opinions from knowledgable dealers, ask questions of the forumites (as VW said).

We've not followed trends. We have created a few.

There is also all of the &quot;continual stuff&quot;. We're always looking for &quot;new&quot;. We have an active R&amp;D dept. CQI helps provide the ELU with a more reliable and safer performer.

Consistantly delivering reliable high performnce is not done by accident. We believe that effort is appreciated by a sufficient number of ELUs to keep us working and having fun in the knife industry.

Some thoughts to ponder.

sal