I can hold back no longer!

[HiLandR]

I am designing a knife. I have contacted Spyderco and they have confirmed their interest in my concept. I am finalizing the sketches this weekend. Here is the legal release information I just got, so now we begin! I'm so excited at the possibility of having one of my designs made.


I've done benches, here is my Aksarben Village Bench:

Sketch:


Constructed:


And Towers:

Sketch:


Constructed:


My Letter from Spyderco!


But never a knife. For confidentiality reasons, I cannot post the images yet. Once I get the approval, I will gladly get some sketches up!

[69Mach351]

Sounds cool guy. Can't wait to see sketches and hopefully a real version.

[HiLandR]

By the way guys I know that we have several knife makers on the board. I wanted to go with somebody that could do larger orders. If this goes well I would love to continue to make other projects with other people!

[Hibidi-Shibidi]

Holy shit. This is awesome. I expect first access privileges. lol.

[HiLandR]

Originally Posted by Hibidi-Shibidi

Holy shit. This is awesome. I expect first access privileges. lol.

Absolutely.

[zef]

I'd like to buy one of the limited edition versions that has the KCSR logo etched on the blade.

[HiLandR]

I'd love to show you guys my scribbles but I must be confidential.

[The Lox]

Sweet, can't wait to buy one!

[HiLandR]

I got the lion's share of the sketches completed over the weekend. I am now labeling them up and I hope to finish the set and send it off by mid week!

[HiLandR]

Today it goes into the mail. I'll post up here when I hear anything! Wish me luck!

[rambler]

cool ! I am excited to see the drawings and final design once you can release it!

[Camaro84]

This is badass. Hilander I work in a fab/weld shop. For your other projects you should check us out

[HiLandR]

I got my first response to my scribbles.

Mr. Gordon,

Greetings from Golden!

I did find your sketches awaiting me upon my return from the OKCA show last week. They are beautiful. I will discuss them with the owners at one of our upcoming R & D meetings in the next 2 weeks.

Many Thanks for the efforts.

Can't wait to hear how they are received!

[HiLandR]

still no news!

[SiCO]

This is awesome! I am a huge spyderco guy. When its done, can I just have you hold me one at their outlet store in Golden? I will definitely pick one up.

[HiLandR]

Originally Posted by SiCO

This is awesome! I am a huge spyderco guy. When its done, can I just have you hold me one at their outlet store in Golden? I will definitely pick one up.

I have no idea really how it goes from here. they gave me two weeks for R&D to decide if it was a go or not. That two weeks is almost complete. After that I presume we will see some negotiation, then design and modification followed by production.

[Praetorian]

I can hit up a few guys that already work with Spyderco...but most designers have knife experience is the main thing....bankable names in the industry like Brad Southard who's stopped taking orders and designed this gorgeous piece (http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=788). I don't know about their internal designers...whether they focus more on design backgrounds or people who've been making knives for years...but any and all external designs I know of are from makers who've garnered a following.

They take in design considerations all the time, but follow through and all that is a bit tougher...I'm not entirely sure where you are with the design process, what papers have been signed and so forth, or even if negotiations are on the table for name privileges and what your profit share is gonna be (we're talking single digit cents on the dollar, just a heads up).

Good luck dude! Spyderco is a major volume brand in the industry!

I'm interested to see where this goes. If anything, it might be helpful to meet the team in person. They'll be at BLADE Show here June 5-8 down in Atlanta. I'll be there like always as well .


EDIT: Talked to a maker that has a collab out with Spyderco and he said the following:
"If they displayed interest at all, he is already in a small select group. But he should understand that there is still a chance for the project to no go through. Spyderco is also notoriously slow. My flipper took over 2 years from the prototype to seeing a product hit the shelves."

Good luck man!

[HiLandR]

Great note lad! Thanks for posting. I expected two years IF they decide to make it, no worries. I would love to see what your buddy developed! I would love to continue on with the design of other pieces if they like this one. I have a few others up my sleeve. I would love to post it up in here but will wait until I am given the freedom to do so.

[HiLandR]

Well shit. This blows!

We are not in a position to make use of your designs at this time. I think you will have good success if you continue your search amongst the factories. They are always looking for (and many really need) new blood. Look in one of our industry rags on the newsstand for their names.

Many Thanks for the submission.

--
Peter Jhones


So who wants to see it?

[JDLM]

Toss it up

[BrixDaddy]

Lets see it!!

[HiLandR]

[TAILWAG]

I can produce knives if you need me to...

[HiLandR]

When I asked for more input as to why they declined, I got this, which I still don't really understand:

We have developed a clientele that heavily leans towards ergonomics and performance. Something along the lines of a pen would be looked at as an immature design. If you look at a long time-span of knife designs, you’ll find many, many designs are copies of “other” things; “gal leg”, Eiffel tower, guns, swords, pens, telescope, etc., especially in the older “advertising” knives. Yours would be placed into that category by our customers. However, it is far enough away from that venue to be accepted by other manufacturers’ customers, and is certainly clean and “stand alone” enough that other manufacturers might have interest in pursuing your “flow/art”. To perhaps say it another way, We feel it looks like it was designed by a designer. Its’ good, but would not present well as a tool, nor ergonomically. A good piece of art is exactly what some manufacturers are (or at least should be) looking for, but our clientele would probably generally warm to it. I’ll admit it is a guessing game, but the Glesser’s (the owners) have their investment on the items we chose, and it is their final call be it a close call or long call. I’d be glad to talk about it more if you want to give me a call. However, this industry is not like any other you have encountered. I would be the first to give appreciation for your work, but we don’t think it would work for us.

[chaseme]

Looks like they prefer function (utilitarian) over form. Basically saying your knife would be too "pretty".

Pretty rad looking though.