Marketing Question - need advice.

Well, I gave my wife a nice little Case sliplock trapper once... she used it to dig potatoes (sob!). However, we've had a Frost's Mora knife in the camp kit for three decades now, and I gave my sister-in-law one, too, which lives in her daypack. So my suggestion would be a simple fixed blade, 3-4", in good steel (G10, Sandvik stainless or carbon, doesn't matter -- I don't know many women who are into sharpening), an attractive but functional grip and a cute type of sheath (floral design?) as functional as the ugly black ones that come with most Mora blades, but prettier. I had a great-uncle from Norway who had a gorgeous little fixed blade with an ivory or walrus tusk grip, and a matching hard sheath, nicely carved. Something like that, maybe a variation on the Moran knife you make. It would also do to dig potatoes.
 
Great to see you taking this area seriously, Sal.

Apologies if I repeat anything already stated, but I haven't had time to read the full thread. Just thought I'd chuck in a couple of thoughts.

Firstly, and I know this has been mentioned, the design should be simple, inoffensive and not patronising(ie. pink!).

But the real resistance I've encountered is the 'What do I need a knife for?' question.

So how about packaging a knife such as the dragonfly with a booklet of suggestions/instructions for getting the most out of 'Her' knife. You could pick out individual applications for your ad campaign which would be aimed at the most likely (ie. practically minded) non knifeknut demographic.

The emphasis here is that the 'product' you are selling is not just the hardware, but, importantly, the *know how*. To take the idea even further it could be multimedia based, which would add to the percieved value of the package, and allow you a lot of flexibility in leading new customers from the entry level "Girl's knife" to other parts of your line by touting them as practical solutions for more specialised problems. It might be worth examining your existing line to see what previously unthought of qualities they might have, and then concentrating on winning hearts and minds rather than throwing development money at a new model. Havivng said that, there probably are specific ergonomic problems that you'll want to address such as longer nails, smaller hands and less strength, as well as aesthetic considerations.

This approach could also be supported by specifically promoting maintenance and sharpening services(ala BM Lifesharp). you may be able to persuade non-knife women to buy a knife, but a sharpmaker too? Not to mention getting them to wade thru Joe Tamalge's (sp?) sharpening FAQ (no offence-I found it very helpful!)

You could also support this idea with a "Know how" website and/or forum. I think that would be appreciated by both men and women, as I know that its taken me a lot of trial and error and blood to learn how to use a knife properly, and I'm still learning. I was thinking of suggesting a know how forum as it happens.

Hope this makes sense and is of some use to you. I think its a sound concept, but whether its viable is up to you.

All the best

Dom

PS You could even emphasise the cultural perspective. People too often forget that women and their knives have played a major nuts&bolts role in the development of civilisations across the world. Sort of a Girl Power version of your "All God's critters have knives" slogan!

PPS Wouldn't recommend getting the Spice Girls involved, though...

[This message has been edited by Little claw (edited 23 November 1999).]
 
A great deal of useful informtion. A lot to digest. I especially appreciate the ladies that took the time to offer suggestions.

We'll have to study this for a while. I will probably be back with more Q's when we get it sorted.

I appreciate your time and effort, thank you all.

sal
 
Sal,
I know this post is a bit late, but here is how my wife answered the question: (By the way, my wife is as un knifenut as they come)

As to what could be added to a small tool: She said a mirror. She likes my swisscard but said a mirror that opened like a compact would be great.

As to a knife that she would carry, her answer was simple: she said if she thought it was ugly she wouldn't carry it. Unfortunately Sal, she said she found the hump ugly. She found contoured handles ugly, she said she would prefer a sleeker more straight handle and blade, almost a folding letter opener. She wouldn't use the pocket clip but also wouldn't want it lost in her purse. She thought something with a lanyard clip of some sort. She said her purse had numerous little hooks inside that she could clip things to. The last thing she mentioned was colored handles so that can match different outfits.

Hope this helps.

Walter


 
Hi Sal-
Personally, I wouldn't add anything to a knife to make it more attractive for a woman. What I have found is that women shoppers are usually buying for the menfolk in their lives. They say they don't have any need to carry a knife. I agree with Silverwing in that an article written by a woman, telling women how usefull a knife can be, is a very good idea. I don't think that a lot of ladies actually realize how usefull carrying a blade is. I carry my Spur on me at all times. I wear it in my bluejeans (which I think I was born in
smile.gif
. I carry a Ladybug in my purse as it is lightweight and a Leatherman Supertool in my car (only because I haven't received my Spyderwrenches yet (HINT....HINT). My daughter, Autumn, carries a delica and uses it for everything. Comments from the ladies shopping in our shop have been that they don't like the pointy tip (looks scary) and they don't like the bright pink knife. I would suggest something like the Spur or Pro-Venator because of the somewhat rounded tip), Fall colors (Teal, Maroon, Rust, etc.), notches above the thumb hole, carbon fiber or titanium handles (light weight), and about 30% serrated to 70% plain edge. I like the Kraton in the handle....good grip. Hope this helps. Will Santa have mine ready for Christmas? LOL
Patti @ IDB
 
SAl,
For my wife; Fashion Colors (I have no idea what they are) Mirror polished blade to check her makeup, if it breaks a fingernail it's going in the garbage.
 
Sal,
I've got it, I've got it. I've got it! No kidding, I've got it!

A Spydie Card that doubles as a Makeup Mirror, or to be more accurate, a makeup mirror that just happens to be a Spydie Card.

Forget the Fashion colors, my wife says a Gold tone frame, (Silver doesn't work with her skin tone...huh?)

Of course the mirror part, should have no tone to it at all.

I wasn't kidding about her breaking a finger nail, so if you could design it to open like a checkbook, (there isn't an automatic knife made, that's faster than my wife with her checkbook.) Not, really necessary, just a thought.

Think about it, it could work. Feel free to use this idea. If you really like it, and feel compeled to say thanks, a Jess Horn C27, would be a nice gesture.

PhilL
 
Walt, PhilL - Great idea on the mirror. An obvious must that we didn't think of. Thanx much. Don't know about a Horn C27, though. haven't seen a "loose" one for some time.

A special "Thanx" to all of the ladies that offered their opinions. "Need more input", especially from ladies.

Don't think of it as a knife, but more of a ladies multitool that has a small knife blade included.

sal
 
Sal,
You are welcome! I hope you can use it.
No C27 huh? I could really use that. It was worth a shot. Thanx, are nice, knives are nicer, I could e-mail you a list of alternatives, just in case you feel words aren't enough ;-D

PhilL
 
I know this is an old thread but I just thought of someting. As I am sitting here in front of my Lime Green iMac, how about a translucent Dragonfly or Cricket? I know Swiss Army may have beaten you to the punch but Spydercos could really be ten times cooler.

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Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!
**Blazing Saddles**
 
Hey Flatfoot - 10x for bringing this subject up - otherwise I wouldn't have seen it. by far the best thread I read in the Spyderco forum in a long time.

I have my thoughts on the subject - but most of them are already well represented here.

I will chance one last note for Sal:

Do you realize what it would take to get the information you have here from ,marketing experts/ focus groups/ ,market research???

By God - this is the best forum I ever saw on the web and it actually works both ways - this is the information age for you - sharing info is not making you loose something but rather making everybody - you included gain.

waiting for the "Spydergal" to be announced
smile.gif


BTW - looks like you used the instruction idea with the Spyderench?
 
Hello Sal,

I asked my wife what she would like to see on a tool and she mentioned the following:
a nail clipper or cuticle clipper along with small screwdriver, scissors, nail file, blade and microlight.
 
I recently bought my Fiance a Spyderco. She needed a "user" that was comfortable in her hand and didn't have a large intimidating blade (a previous line of work had shown her what knives can do in the wrong hands and not suprisingly had left a negative impression). After much sifting thru the knives I already had and scouring catalogues, we settled on a J Horn LW. Result? She's delighted (and I'm relieved the C27 was too small!!)
smile.gif
 
The Neeley designed Timberlite folders used a transparent handle material years ago. Not sure how well it held up. But their release mechanism was novel at least.

L8r,
Nakano
 
Put a -big- diamond on it; and it'll be irresistable.

;P

Outside of that?

Small, light, non-threatning appearance. Nice colours, delicate design (whatever tt means!?) Easy to use (simple locking mechanism)

 
I don't know whether or not this thread is still germane, but for what it's worth this is my actual experience from a few years ago when my daughter, who was then around 15, wanted her own pocket knife. She had always been exposed to knives, since I had many around and collected them from my travels even since I was a kid myself. So she was no stranger to knives, nor was she inexperienced about handling or the safe use of knives. That being said, I gave her her choice of the scout-type and the SAK types. Her mom had an SAK executive on her key ring, and this seemed to be the type of knife a woman in general could see carrying, since it was small, inconspicuous, and generally useful with a number of functions (scissors, etc.) My daughter chose a small liner-lock, that happened to be the first one I had ever purchased, which I gladly handed down to her. It happened to be a little Spydie, from years ago, black-checked handles, no hole, but a small horizontal file-worked opening stud. It was marked Seki, Japan and was half-serrated. I had bought it at Paragon in NYC because the blade was under three inches in length, and I could conceal it open in my hand, the blade extended with the spine down by index finger, for walking home late at night after work. It was my first one handed pocket knife, and a revelation. My daughter felt the same way I did when she first flicked it open and then closed it one handed. I think any woman who tries this method of opening and closing a knife, will come to see it useful advantages, so a one-handed knife is my first recommendation. Secondly, the feature of a second function, a scissors, a diamond file, etc. would make the knife multifunctional and increase its probably usefulness for a woman, justIMO. Multiple colored handles would also be a selling feature. In conclusion, I suggest a one-handed opening small Swiss-Army type that could be carried on a key-ring, with a least two functioning elements, a small one handed spear liner-lock, and a scissors or file, working off of the same springback.



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Dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
 
Glad to see this thread still going. Going with the ladys tool (I like the "Spydergal" name idea
smile.gif
), I would include:
-center punch (for "locked in car" emergencies
-diamond file (the one on my Spyderench works great on my nails
-whistle, or some other type of noise maker
-magnet
-light (proton or saphire)
-small standard screwdriver ( for use in removing staples also)
-anodized aluminum handle with fall colored
Kraton inserts
-scissors

Fellow members, I have read all of your suggestions and picked out the ones that I would find most usefull. It'll definitly be interesting to see what you come up with, Sal
smile.gif

Patti
 
Hey Lokelani and Sal,

"Spydergal" is a registered trademark protected by international law and numerous treaties.

Just kidding
smile.gif


Seriously Sal - I would consider it an honor if you use it as the name for the new project - and should think a first pre - production Ti version to be a good way of saying 10x
biggrin.gif

 
Small, colorful, mother of pearl, plain edge, large hole so it is easier to open with fingernails, thin (unobtrusive) handle.

Must have a pleasing feminine blade shape.

Later,
John

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Absentem qui rodit amicum, qui non defendit alio culpante, solutos qui captat risus homimum famamque dicacis, fingere qui non visa potest, commissa tacere qui nequit: hic niger est, hung tu, lamnia lammina lamna forumites, caveto!
 
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