A REVEAL-ING LOOK AT SPYDERCO’S NEW PRODUCTS
If you follow Spyderco closely, you may have already been aware of the release of the Endela Lightweight Wharncliffe before receiving this edition of the byte. It was the first product to be unveiled using our newly revised “Reveal” process. With this method, new Spyderco products are now announced to the public digitally through our social media platforms and the Spyderco Smartphone app. The timing of these digital “Reveals” is driven by the actual on-the-shelf availability of the product. When you learn about it, the initial inventory of that product is already in-house and ready to ship to our dealers and distributors or consumer-direct to you through Spyderco.com.
We receive product shipments from our worldwide network of manufacturing partners all the time; however, predicting exactly when we will receive a specific item—especially a new knife that is being produced for the first time—is extremely difficult. It’s even more challenging due to the far-reaching supply-chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For these reasons, and after careful consideration of customer comments and feedback, we decided to restructure our “Reveal” process.
With this new process, there will not be a set schedule for digital Reveals. When a new product is in-house and ready to ship, we’ll announce it. Digital product Reveals will then be periodically consolidated into printed Reveals to supplement our annual catalog and support trade-show events. On occasion, we may also choose to showcase special new-product announcements in the printed Reveal format.
We understand that many passionate Spyderco enthusiasts enjoyed the “sneak peek” approach we used to use in our new-product marketing. While seasoned Spyderco fans understood the process and were content to wait patiently until the new product was released, many people new to the Spyderco community didn’t fully grasp this tradition. That misunderstanding was exacerbated by modern social media trends that demand rapid—if not instant—gratification. Based on that shift of mindsets and expectations, we decided it was time for this change.
For loyal, long-term Spyderco enthusiasts, please accept this change as yet another example of our commitment to C.Q.I. (Constant Quality Improvement). For those new to Spyderco, please know that we listened to your feedback and altered our practices to better serve your needs. And to everyone in the Spyderco community, thank you for your continued passion, interest, and support.