Peter Herbst experts please?

[JD Spydo]

I am really in a quandry trying to figure out this order of succession with the C-53 Peter Herbst model. I personally have 2 of the Ti versions and my lady friend has 2 of the Aluminum handled versions. Now where I am confused is which blade steels did they use in all of them. I thought that the only blade steels that they used were 440c & ATS-55. My lady-friend has just got a VG-10 blade steel version in a trade.

That was news to me. I had never heard of a VG-10 model. Also it really confuses me as to how rare the Ti version is ( factory firsts) but yet there is very little demand for it in the current market. This knife has always been an enigma for me. The Herbst has very few fans but the fans it has are fanatical to say the least. I was shocked that Deacon didn't even seem to know a great deal about it. Maybe this is one for someone at the GREAT SPYDER FACTORY?> :confused:

[Stevie Ray]

Hi JD,

Here's what I've seen:

- The Ti was done with 440C (the factory firsts are hard to come by)
- 1st Spydie aluminum scale run was done with ATS-55
- Last batch Spyderco did was in VG-10 (remember when SFO was clearing them out for $39.99 !!)
- I don't have any production numbers, but they were super easy to come by 18 months ago.

Great knife, but you're right, it was not a big seller. I've managed to hang on to my Ti and one of the ATS-55's, but I finally traded the VG-10 knife.

[donovan]

Also it really confuses me as to how rare the Ti version is ( factory firsts) but yet there is very little demand for it in the current market.

Why do you say that? I've seen them bring pretty good prices on Ebay.

Jack

[zenheretic]

I

Also it really confuses me as to how rare the Ti version is ( factory firsts) but yet there is very little demand for it in the current market. This knife has always been an enigma for me. The Herbst has very few fans but the fans it has are fanatical to say the least. I was shocked that Deacon didn't even seem to know a great deal about it. Maybe this is one for someone at the GREAT SPYDER FACTORY?> :confused:
No demand? Ever bid for one on Ebay? The last Ti one went for over $250 just a few days ago....but yes the fans of this model are fanatical. A sleek design that only appeals to a few...but since you feel there is little going for it in the current market, I will do you a favor and unburden you of yours...no in fact I demand you sell me your Ti's for $100. ;)

I'm not surprised that the Deacon had little to say, I believe he doesn't really care for that lock design so he never bothered to look in his crystal ball, read the tea leaves, cast the bones, or actually sit down and research the stats about it. :p

[JD Spydo]

I think you all somewhat misunderstood what I was saying about the Ti Herbst. I know they do bring a fairly decent price on Ebay. I guess the point I was trying to drive home was the fact there seems to be some conflict about the "cult status" and popularity ( or lack of) of the knife considering just how rare it is.

CASE & POINT: Take the Carbon Fiber Civilian. One recently on Ebay went for $560. I know where I can get one for much less than that with one or 2 phone calls. But if you were to give me 24 hours to come up with a Ti Herbst I wouldn't know where to begin ( other than the 2 I own) to look for one. With that said I don't think anyone would argue with me that the Ti Herbst is one of the utmost rare Spyders out there. Now I could come up with a Spyderco Gunting a lot easier than I could a Ti Herbst. I think we all know what the Guntings have been getting on ebay here of late. I got my last Ti Herbst on Ebay about 2 months ago and got it for $202. Now I have seen at least 4 Guntings go for way more than that just recently with one bringing over $700.

I guess you could say that my overall point was that given the ultra-rarity of the Ti Herbst ( factory first of course) it really doesn't get the high dollars that many other discontinued Spyders enjoy. And NO!!! I am not under any obligation to sell one of mine for a lousy $100 :rolleyes: