Meerkat Versions...

[YoungCutter]

Hey, just got the 2002 PDR today, it's fantastic, nice pics and well put together.

But I was wondering... in the catalog it lists the Meerkat in both AUS8 and 440C... upon closer examination of the pictures I noticed one blade was "straight", while the other had a slight reverse "S" curve ala Spydie Cricket. Is the one with the Reverse S curve in AUS8 to keep the prices the same for both models?

Which do you think would be better overall?



I lubba da Spydies :)

[SpyderNut]

Young Cutter,

If you notice on the Reverse S Meerkat, it has AUS-6 steel instead of the Modified Drop-Point style which sports the 440C steel. The Reverse S style is made in Seki City Japan while the Modified Drop-point is made at the Golden Colorado plant. I don't know if the steel difference had much to do with the overall pricing of the knife, but I will say that maybe the Reverse S style uses AUS-6 because it has better structural attributes in blade configuration possibilities. Another idea might be that the Seki plant uses AUS-6 while the Golden plant sees 440C as a 'better' steel for that design. A good question, though. I have asked myself the very same thing. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

~Spydernut

&quot;When in doubt, get the Visa out.&quot;

[Carlos]

I think it may be partially tied to country of origin. AUS-6 is a Japanese steel, and 440C is made in the US. To ship steels made in the US for example, to Japan to be made into a knife, then shipped back as finished knives to the US, adds a whole 'nother layer of costs (including tariffs).

It makes the most sense from manufacturing terms to use Japanese steel in the knives made in Japan, and US made steels for the US made knives.

Using a Japanese steel for US manufacture probably would still add a layer of cost, but it would only be be going one way (Japan--&gt;US, rather than US--&gt;Japan--&gt;US) as most of the finished clipits stay in the US, so not as cost prohibitive.

Edited by - Carlos on 1/10/2002 9:22:26 PM

[sal]

In addition to what Carlos said, we have inventory in 440C at the right thickness.

The Meeerkat wasn't planned for US production. It looked like spring 2002 for delivery from Seki. Jeff wanted to intro the model last year, even if in smaller production. So we began making them here, but we can't make enough here.

sal

[YoungCutter]

Ahh, so the fine 440C version is going away soon? I guess I better hurry up and score one! Thanks for the warning Sal

I lubba da Spydies :)