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Assisted Opening knives... Where's Spyderco?
- Thread starter timcsaw
- Start date
Sal Glesser
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- 11,676
Hi Timcsaw,
We've thought about it, Eric even designed a few pieces, that we've not produced. Kershaw has even agreed to license Spyderco with their patent.
Originally there were legal issues because we are in Colorado. Colorado mirrors Federal law on knives and assisted openers are not legal to import, so their legality in Colorado was in question. We try to be government friendly. (City, County, State & Federal)
Ken's a good friend of Spyderco's and he came to us first with his idea. We recommeded Kershaw because they really needed a designer and they were located in Oregon where manufactuer of spring loaded knives was permitted. They also had Kai behind them to be able to finance the operation of a large production as well as any legal questions that might arise..
The second issue was manufacturing capacity. We would have to make them in our Golden facility, which was at full capacity making what we were already making. We did not have the expertise and financial backing to do the idea justice. As it turned out, Kerhsaw did good by Ken and Ken deserved the reward for his efforts. As we do some shifting in our Golden made products to be able to make autos, I don't think the trade off would be worth it.
Third, at this time, it is a fad. We've not jumped on fads just to be able to sell more knives.
sal
We've thought about it, Eric even designed a few pieces, that we've not produced. Kershaw has even agreed to license Spyderco with their patent.
Originally there were legal issues because we are in Colorado. Colorado mirrors Federal law on knives and assisted openers are not legal to import, so their legality in Colorado was in question. We try to be government friendly. (City, County, State & Federal)
Ken's a good friend of Spyderco's and he came to us first with his idea. We recommeded Kershaw because they really needed a designer and they were located in Oregon where manufactuer of spring loaded knives was permitted. They also had Kai behind them to be able to finance the operation of a large production as well as any legal questions that might arise..
The second issue was manufacturing capacity. We would have to make them in our Golden facility, which was at full capacity making what we were already making. We did not have the expertise and financial backing to do the idea justice. As it turned out, Kerhsaw did good by Ken and Ken deserved the reward for his efforts. As we do some shifting in our Golden made products to be able to make autos, I don't think the trade off would be worth it.
Third, at this time, it is a fad. We've not jumped on fads just to be able to sell more knives.
sal
- Joined
- May 19, 2006
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For what it's worth, I too believe AO's are a fad. I also think they will be illegal in short order. The line between an AO and an automatic is a VERY fine one. Sooner or later, it will be erased.
Honestly Sal, some of the attributes I love about spydercos are their consistency and reliability. I love some of Kershaw's knives, but since I am no fan of AO's, I really don't buy them anymore. I got a needs work and promptly traded it off.
Keep doing what you are doing and you will definitely withstand any passing fads.
best,
Brett
Honestly Sal, some of the attributes I love about spydercos are their consistency and reliability. I love some of Kershaw's knives, but since I am no fan of AO's, I really don't buy them anymore. I got a needs work and promptly traded it off.
Keep doing what you are doing and you will definitely withstand any passing fads.
best,
Brett
yablanowitz
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I agree. Let's hope the line is erased when the government figures out that fighting crime by outlawing tools just doesn't work, and repeals the Switchblade Act.
And yes, I know that is wishful thinking.
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I agree. Let's hope the line is erased when the government figures out that fighting crime by outlawing tools just doesn't work, and repeals the Switchblade Act.
And yes, I know that is wishful thinking.
I am COMPLETELY with you. I think outlawing switchblades was just one more example of reactionary, bs legislation. Kind of like not allowing nailclippers on airplanes.
I will wish right along with you.
Brett
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2007
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- 945
A waved Endura or Delica is faster to get into action anyway. With assisted openers you still have to get it out of your pocket and then give the blade a push. Plus they usually have some kind of safety to keep them from opening accidentally, which you also have to disengage before getting the blade started on its way to opening. I'll stick with my D4W.
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Spyderco's round hole opener is the only "assist" I need.
Paul
My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
Paul
My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
I don't think AO are a fad. If anything 'waved' knives are going to be much more of a fad/gimmick than the AO will ever be. The sheer number of AO knives being made right now is very impressive. I think the only thing that will stop it's growth is legislation, legislation I hope never comes.
I think Sal and company are missing a big audience with this omission from the line up. Go to the Kershaw forum sometime and search for Spyderco. What you will find is Spyderco is held in the highest of regards "BUT they don't have AO so I don't think I would get one". Kershaw moves alot of knives.
Sal you like innovations... how about Waved and AO. I have my waved Delica half open sometimes, like when I am trying to show off (naturally). A little extra kick would really make the deployment fail proof.
Don't flame me, don't blindly support the brand, and think about it and I bet you will find some truth in what I am saying.
-Mat
I think Sal and company are missing a big audience with this omission from the line up. Go to the Kershaw forum sometime and search for Spyderco. What you will find is Spyderco is held in the highest of regards "BUT they don't have AO so I don't think I would get one". Kershaw moves alot of knives.
Sal you like innovations... how about Waved and AO. I have my waved Delica half open sometimes, like when I am trying to show off (naturally). A little extra kick would really make the deployment fail proof.
Don't flame me, don't blindly support the brand, and think about it and I bet you will find some truth in what I am saying.
-Mat
i myself really like assisted openers. after buying a few kershaws, im a big fan because kershaws speedsafe system works very well. i would love an assisted opening spyderco that has a kershaw speedsafe system or something. i wasnt a fan of assisted opening till i bought the kershaws like the needs work, mini mojo, cyclone, g10 speedbump, and leek. i like that extra push that makes sure the knife is completely opened for you.
i also like the kershaw flipper knives like the junkyard dog 2. the flipper design allows the blade to be opened fast like a switchblade.
i dont think they are a fad either, cause kershaw knows how to make them right. i thin their assisted opening models are pretty popular, and i think they will remain so as long as they continue making well designed, reliable assisted openers.
i also prefer assisted opening to the wave as well, as ive also experienced more failures with the wave than any of my assisted openers.
i also like the kershaw flipper knives like the junkyard dog 2. the flipper design allows the blade to be opened fast like a switchblade.
i dont think they are a fad either, cause kershaw knows how to make them right. i thin their assisted opening models are pretty popular, and i think they will remain so as long as they continue making well designed, reliable assisted openers.
i also prefer assisted opening to the wave as well, as ive also experienced more failures with the wave than any of my assisted openers.
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This is the main reason I picked a Spyderco over a Kershaw at first. I've learned more reasons since then.
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I don't think anyone here is going to flame you, but a few points worth keeping in mind.
1. high production doesn't negate something being a fad. there are a million things that were loved and highly produced that are no longer 'hip' or in vogue.
2. Spyderco certainly has thought through this issue and Sal's response proves that.
3. The market will probably only bare so many AO's. Why force a trusted brand, with a very loyal following, to follow the footsteps of another? If you want an AO, buy a kershaw. No harm in that and I am sure Sal is fine with that also.
4. Many people DON'T like AO. I personally don't. I have no need for my knife to quickly flip open and neither do 99% of knife owners. If I really want a fast knife and need it, I'll buy a Microtech. I like a simple, sturdy and reliable knife. How many AO's fail or don't snap open? I have experienced this. AO isn't all that cool in my opinion and I don't see any benefit for me.
All this is very personal. I don't have any real problem with them, but I also don't see that they are all that cool. Give me a reliable, sturdy non-AO knife any day.
Best,
Brett
1. high production doesn't negate something being a fad. there are a million things that were loved and highly produced that are no longer 'hip' or in vogue.
2. Spyderco certainly has thought through this issue and Sal's response proves that.
3. The market will probably only bare so many AO's. Why force a trusted brand, with a very loyal following, to follow the footsteps of another? If you want an AO, buy a kershaw. No harm in that and I am sure Sal is fine with that also.
4. Many people DON'T like AO. I personally don't. I have no need for my knife to quickly flip open and neither do 99% of knife owners. If I really want a fast knife and need it, I'll buy a Microtech. I like a simple, sturdy and reliable knife. How many AO's fail or don't snap open? I have experienced this. AO isn't all that cool in my opinion and I don't see any benefit for me.
All this is very personal. I don't have any real problem with them, but I also don't see that they are all that cool. Give me a reliable, sturdy non-AO knife any day.
Best,
Brett
A well thought out answer Brett, that's what I am looking for, a discussion. My flame concern may have been misplaced, it's just that the loyalty to Spyderco is sometimes so fierce people feel the need to 'defend' Sal.
Adding AO expands like line up. Many people DON'T like waved knives, but the addition of them doesn't detract or hurt the rest of the line up. To me AO is a proven technology with a large audience that Spyderco isn't reaching. Spyderco doesn't jump on fads, but this is more like satifying the requests of it's customers than jumping. I think a pole would reflect that. Would you buy a Spyderco with AO?
Spydie hole + AO. I like that idea... I think I am going to walk away from this thread, seeing that the idea has already played out at Spyderco I am not going to win any friends here.
-Mat
Adding AO expands like line up. Many people DON'T like waved knives, but the addition of them doesn't detract or hurt the rest of the line up. To me AO is a proven technology with a large audience that Spyderco isn't reaching. Spyderco doesn't jump on fads, but this is more like satifying the requests of it's customers than jumping. I think a pole would reflect that. Would you buy a Spyderco with AO?
Spydie hole + AO. I like that idea... I think I am going to walk away from this thread, seeing that the idea has already played out at Spyderco I am not going to win any friends here.
-Mat
Assisted opening is a cool feature. It is pretty fun to use and a novelty by itself.
However, Spyderco is a different breed. Any Spyderco deploys as fast as any AO or switchblade (except that it doesn't need the extra safety).
Spyderco is tough and reliable. Spyderco knives have no use from an assisted opening.
However, Spyderco is a different breed. Any Spyderco deploys as fast as any AO or switchblade (except that it doesn't need the extra safety).
Spyderco is tough and reliable. Spyderco knives have no use from an assisted opening.
Sal Glesser
Moderator
- Joined
- Dec 27, 1998
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- 11,676
Hi Killdozer,
We're always open for discussion. I don't think the discussion should be an argument. Eric and I talk about AO's quite often.
sal
We're always open for discussion. I don't think the discussion should be an argument. Eric and I talk about AO's quite often.
sal
