When did Wal-mart start selling Spyderco knives?

[AJ]

I was in shock when I looked at the knife case in wal-mart and seen a spyderco knife!

It was the Native that they had for sale. I just did a search on the walmart site and see they have others too.


Wal-Mart Spyderco's

[Spoonrobot]

Here's a little tidbit (from the spyderco.com forums) on the Native currently sold in Wal-Mart's brick and mortar stores.

Hi NativeAmerican,

A company came to us in the mid 90's and asked us to design a knife that would appeal to the Wal-Mart customer.  They offered to build and inventory the large amounts needed to be able to work with Wal-Mart.

I spent a fair amount of time in Wal-mart watching customers of knives and speaking with them as to their preferences. The Native design was the result of that investigation.

No hump.  It was out first attempt at bi-directional texturing (which we've improved over the years), except for the "fugly" look some have. Large finger chil for control and safety.  Good size for general use.  The swedge "lightened" the blade.  Full flat was considered, but the customer base seemed to prefer the "sexy" grind lines of the current design.

I liked the name "Native" which stood for "Native Amerrican" as the design was born and would be built in the USA.

I felt it was unfair to use the name without somehow compensating the Native American concept.  So we set up a percentage of the knives to be sent to the Native American foundation in Denver.   We ended up sending $5,000 to the foundation after a few years production.   

The knife has presented its challenges but is still being made in the Golden plant.  We have been though 3 steel evolutions.

We do have plans to refine the design and "upgrade", but no final design is there yet.  Our plan was to go to liners and screw construction.  Although with Paul's comment, I guess I need more input on rivets vs screws.

hope that helps.

sal

Keep in mind that Wal-Mart's online store, just like their B&M stores, has a certain amount of leeway in what they purchase for sale. Apparently the online store has stocked Spyderco knives for a long time, even before the Native hit their B&M stores. As far as I know though, the knives on their website are not stock at any of their B&M stores.

[Sparkey]

FYI, WalMart also carries some crkt stuff...they've got the m16-edc model at all 3 stores near here.

[665ae]

The WalMart near me (in Michigan) carries CRKT, Buck, Spyderco, Kershaw, and a few others.  One thing I think is funny is that they no longer sell any Assisted Openers.  They've still got them on the display piece, but they all say "Not Available" next to them. 

[Sparkey]

I think they still have them here...they have the small pocket-type kershaws and a few of the clip knives (I can't remember the models) They also have a good selection of buck and gerber...I think I may invest the 19 bucks and get the crkt..anybody know anything about this particular model(m16-edc[w/zytel scales])? it seems like a good knife at a price that won't send me digging for change at lunchtime...

[Anthony]

I've been eyeing the M-16 line myself...I like the blade shape and the "flipper" is cool.  Problem is, I don't really need one, just want one to play with ;D

[Sparkey]

Nobody said I needed one either!