C123GBL Sage 3

[TazKristi]

Just Released! http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=621

[sbwings]

I had originally planned on getting the Sage series in the order released, but with this announcement, I may have to reconsider. Maybe I'll go 3, 2, 1. Decisions, decisions!

[Monkeywrangler]

Thanks Tazkristi, this one will have to go onto the budget for us. May be a while before I can buy, but I do want one!

Just a question Taz, if I buy one from a dealer, does Spyderco still make the donation to the Alzheimers Foundation? Or is that only for Sages bought thru the SFO?

MW

[JNewell]

Cool lock...great tribute...love that blue

[Diesel55]

Finally! I have been anxiously awaiting this release for months. :D

[The Mentaculous]

Ooooh snap! I've waited months for this!

[Spydesense]

:D woohoo!! :D

[D1omedes]

Man, I want this knife so bad but it will have to wait for a bit. Thanks for the heads-up, Kristi! :)

[iwolf81]

This looks like a great package! How is the bolt lock different from the ball lock? Also, is the whole knife made in the US or just the blade?

Thanks,
Ira

[jackthedog]

I might have to jump on this one. The Sage is a great knife, but doesn't quite fit my hand. I'd like to try this new version. Looks great.

[The Mentaculous]

This looks like a great package! How is the bolt lock different from the ball lock? Also, is the whole knife made in the US or just the blade?

Thanks,
Ira

The Bolt Action lock is completely different from the CBBL. While the CBBL wedges the captive ball bearing between the tang and backstop, I believe the bolt lock inserts a metal bar into a notch in the tang of the blade and against the stop pin. Similar in principle I guess, but completely different mechanisms.

As for country of production, it is entirely produced in Taiwan, with the blade steel being shipped from the US to the Taiwan facility. In case you don't know though, the Taiwan Spyderco's have a reputation for impeccable fit and finish and craftsmanship, and many rank them as the best.

[SmoothOne25]

I CANT WAIT! the other new stuff will have to go on the backburner for a while. :D

i hope it ships today. (no email yet:() probably not on a friday. if not the earliest is tuesday.

[vicbastige]

I've had a order with KC for some time....could it really be????

[SmoothOne25]

I've had a order with KC for some time....could it really be????

kc sent mine friday :)

[Spydesense]

kc sent mine friday :)

What?!? Did you get an Email saying that it was shipped today? Maybe they are working late and are gonna ship mine tonight. :rolleyes:

[vicbastige]

kc sent mine friday :)

When did you place your order? Might give me an idea of timing.

Congrats....and pictures the second it arrives!

[SmoothOne25]

When did you place your order? Might give me an idea of timing.

Congrats....and pictures the second it arrives!
sorry bro wrong email. this is the sage 3.
Subject: Order information from Knife Center of the Internet
Date: 10/7/2010 11:21:12 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: orders@knifecenter.com
Reply To:
To: *********@aol.com

tom added it to kc's p/o list. he added me to the list...
pics monday NOT tomorrow . ks ships overnight shipping mon/thu but when they ship friday i dont get it till monday. its wierd. sux

btw: ambitious is also out for sale (and on the way). taz will anounce it soon im sure ;):)

[SmoothOne25]

What?!? Did you get an Email saying that it was shipped today? Maybe they are working late and are gonna ship mine tonight. :rolleyes:

yeah maybe you were in line after like ten people. your 11 and they only got ten in at first and im just in front of you. they will ship it soon im sure. kc is amazing. pics to hold you. :)

[vicbastige]

Thanks 125. I should not be too far behind you. Ordered before the new year.

[Spydesense]

Mine shipped today from KC!!!

[The Deacon]

Mine ships today from NGK. :)

[Venerable Dawg]

For those of us that pre-ordered at Yourcornerstore.com, my knife was shipped yesterday at a total price of $114, sans shipping $108. It's late and not the color I ordered, but it's ok. Some constructive feedback for Spyderco:

-when you change advertised colors on model, please announce in advance so customers can make timely decisions (i.e. we shouldn't be discovering color changes in your catalog, if you are going to change the color from the description, make the announcement up front).
-when models are going to be delayed, (e.g. from the end of the year to the end of January), post it prominently with a sticky so that those of us who have pre-ordered are in the loop. It's fine if Sal says it somewhere, but that's not transparent. Make it transparent on this forum for all to see. Thanks.

Dawg.

[Blerv]

For those of us that pre-ordered at Yourcornerstore.com, my knife was shipped yesterday at a total price of $114, sans shipping $108. It's late and not the color I ordered, but it's ok. Some constructive feedback for Spyderco:

-when you change advertised colors on model, please announce in advance so customers can make timely decisions (i.e. we shouldn't be discovering color changes in your catalog, if you are going to change the color from the description, make the announcement up front).
-when models are going to be delayed, (e.g. from the end of the year to the end of January), post it prominently with a sticky so that those of us who have pre-ordered are in the loop. It's fine if Sal says it somewhere, but that's not transparent. Make it transparent on this forum for all to see. Thanks.

Dawg.

Did they charge your card before or after it shipped? As it's limited (but regular) production there is no reason to place a preorder really.

Most of the time "preorders" are processed after stock is received. I personally place 95% of the blame on the vendor for not contacting the customer with:

"Dear Customer, we announced this as black G10 but it is blue g10. Are you still interested?"

The fact that we see prototypes and hear forum talk prior to the catalog launch is very rare and unnecessary from the manufacturer. It's like getting pissed because spyshots of the new Mustang running the Nurburgring look nothing like the car that is finally released.

Just my opinion though, which is worthless. :)

[Venerable Dawg]

I preordered because I thought it would sell out when finally shipped and wanted it as early as possible. As far as the analogy to a spy shot, don't understand. The description from all vendors was dark blue. I assume they are using data they receive from the manufacturer. No matter. Just glad that it's on the way.

[Blerv]

I preordered because I thought it would sell out when finally shipped and wanted it as early as possible. As far as the analogy to a spy shot, don't understand. The description from all vendors was dark blue. I assume they are using data they receive from the manufacturer. No matter. Just glad that it's on the way.

Sorry about the color. Not trying to pour salt in the wound. :( I'd call them up and say, "Um light blue? Thanks I'll take my money back and you can pay return shipping."

My only point was the ultimate link between the consumer and Spyderco is the vendor. Some suck; some actually take customer service seriously. If I was sending someone a light blue knife that I described as dark blue, regardless of who told me...I would make sure my customer knew. It's my @$$ on the line.

PS: The reference was regarding proto pics which were black. Obviously this reference wasn't relevant.

[JNewell]

There was never a change in the color...

Timing is always uncertain, except when dealing with YCS, in which case you can pretty much count on being at the back of the line.

[The Mentaculous]

I'm freaking loving this knife. Been EDCing it the last 2 days since I got it, and the more I use it, the more I like it! Thanks once again to everyone from Spyderco--you hit it out of the park again!

[jackknifeh]

At first glance I felt the camel hump in the blade to make room for the hole was goofy looking. It may still be goofy looking but I have come to really like the hole. My first Spyderco was an Endura (3 I think). Then in advertisements the larger hole was mentioned and I thought "what could be so great about that?" Of course the first time I stuck my thumb in the bigger hole I thought "this is great!"

The Sage III doesn't have that hump and that's good. You still seem to have made room for the hole. Good job. I don't think that's the only knife without the hump.

Jack

[The Mentaculous]

At first glance I felt the camel hump in the blade to make room for the hole was goofy looking. It may still be goofy looking but I have come to really like the hole. My first Spyderco was an Endura (3 I think). Then in advertisements the larger hole was mentioned and I thought "what could be so great about that?" Of course the first time I stuck my thumb in the bigger hole I thought "this is great!"

The Sage III doesn't have that hump and that's good. You still seem to have made room for the hole. Good job. I don't think that's the only knife without the hump.

Jack

It does have a slight incline, like the Manix 2. Personally, that's my favorite type of thumb ramp, although I like the "hump" or a humpless knife, but you're right that it doesn't leave much room for the hole.

I believe Sal said that the Sage design was based on a mix between the Native and Caly 3--the Native being completely humpless, but also having a slightly hidden hole. I think the slight incline instead of a hump is the best of both worlds--I like the way it positions my thumb in a saber grip.

PS-I'm a big fan of the bigger hole as well. I just find it easier to manipulate. But just as with the "hump", different variations work with different designs.

[Venerable Dawg]

There was never a change in the color...

dark blue to light blue is a change of color, vendor description to delivered product.


Timing is always uncertain, except when dealing with YCS, in which case you can pretty much count on being at the back of the line.

Maybe, I got mine about a week later and $18 cheaper than KC $108 vs. $128. I'd wait the week for the $18.

Dawg.

[JNewell]

After your earlier post, I did some research and as far as I can tell, Spyderco has never advertised the Sage 3 as "dark blue." In fact, the 2011 printed and pdf catalog doesn't even give the color - it just shows a picture of the knife with blue scales. The web catalog says "blue."

I do find lots of retailers describing the knife as "dark blue," but that is the retailers' responsibility, not Spyderco's. Your beef is with your retailer, and your "suggestion" for Spyderco in the original post (portion bolded below) is inaccurate and should be directed to your vendor.


dark blue to light blue is a change of color, vendor description to delivered product.



Maybe, I got mine about a week later and $18 cheaper than KC $108 vs. $128. I'd wait the week for the $18.

Dawg.


For those of us that pre-ordered at Yourcornerstore.com, my knife was shipped yesterday at a total price of $114, sans shipping $108. It's late and not the color I ordered, but it's ok. Some constructive feedback for Spyderco:

-when you change advertised colors on model, please announce in advance so customers can make timely decisions (i.e. we shouldn't be discovering color changes in your catalog, if you are going to change the color from the description, make the announcement up front).
-when models are going to be delayed, (e.g. from the end of the year to the end of January), post it prominently with a sticky so that those of us who have pre-ordered are in the loop. It's fine if Sal says it somewhere, but that's not transparent. Make it transparent on this forum for all to see. Thanks.

Dawg.

[Venerable Dawg]

After your earlier post, I did some research and as far as I can tell, Spyderco has never advertised the Sage 3 as "dark blue." In fact, the 2011 printed and pdf catalog doesn't even give the color - it just shows a picture of the knife with blue scales. The web catalog says "blue."

Both Knife Center and Your Cornerstore accepted pre-order and provided a pre-order description e.g. "Dark Blue G-10 handle, plain" . Presumably the pre-order description is from Spyderco. So my beef is with Spyderco, not the vendor.


I do find lots of retailers describing the knife as "dark blue," but that is the retailers' responsibility, not Spyderco's. Your beef is with your retailer, and your "suggestion" for Spyderco in the original post (portion bolded below) is inaccurate and should be directed to your vendor.

No, my beef is with Spyderco. It appears to me that the vendor is taking its MSRP and description from the manufacturer. If there is a change to the description of the final product, vendor isn't going to know about it until the manufacturer tells them. To wit, New Graham says "blue" not "dark blue" but didn't pre-order as the others did. I just think it would be helpful if descriptions from manufacturers to retailers change that they do so at the earliest opportunity to ensure up to date information for the consumer pre-ordering. Retailers aren't mind readers. In my opinion, the manufacturer, not the retailer, is in the best position to know when a design change is made and to communicate that change in the most timely manner possible. Agree to disagree.

Dawg.

[Blerv]

Dawg,

It's unfortunate and not to make a mountain out of a mole hill but the vendor is 100% to blame as far as we can tell.

1. Advertised a knife and listed on a site with "BUY" tab w/o full knowledge
2. Never contacted the buyer when the product ARRIVED and was clearly not "dark blue"

If they received a call from Spyderco saying it was light blue instead of dark blue (assuming it was ever told to them), they could refuse the order. If it was simply mailed to them, they could return it due to incorrect information. If this was their assumption based on everyone else assuming and listing accordingly...the joke was on them. It's easier to copy/paste another shop's listing than to type it yourself on your shopping cart...it's been known to happen.

It's not your fault, it's your dealer's! If it is Spyderco's fault the dealers should determine this because they are the middle-man. If they don't put blame back on the company and lazily route the products to the customers THEY accept full responsibility.

Whoever has the hot potato when it goes off is to blame. Whoever doesn't have a chair to sit in when the music stops...loses. We learned this when we were 12. ;)

[JNewell]

There isn't much I, or anyone else, can say to you about this. False and unreasonable statements do not become true, no matter how often you repeat them or how deeply you believe them. I thought that the problem was with the vendor, rather than the manufacturer, but I have to conclude that the problem lies somewhere else entirely.


Both Knife Center and Your Cornerstore accepted pre-order and provided a pre-order description e.g. "Dark Blue G-10 handle, plain" . Presumably the pre-order description is from Spyderco. So my beef is with Spyderco, not the vendor.



No, my beef is with Spyderco. It appears to me that the vendor is taking its MSRP and description from the manufacturer. If there is a change to the description of the final product, vendor isn't going to know about it until the manufacturer tells them. To wit, New Graham says "blue" not "dark blue" but didn't pre-order as the others did. I just think it would be helpful if descriptions from manufacturers to retailers change that they do so at the earliest opportunity to ensure up to date information for the consumer pre-ordering. Retailers aren't mind readers. In my opinion, the manufacturer, not the retailer, is in the best position to know when a design change is made and to communicate that change in the most timely manner possible. Agree to disagree.

Dawg.

[Venerable Dawg]

There isn't much I, or anyone else, can say to you about this. False and unreasonable statements do not become true, no matter how often you repeat them or how deeply you believe them. I thought that the problem was with the vendor, rather than the manufacturer, but I have to conclude that the problem lies somewhere else entirely.

I remain unconvinced that multiple vendors are making up their own colors or descriptions or that they are in a better position than a manufacturer who originated the description to update when a change is made. So, if you think that I am the "problem", that's your prerogative.

As it so happens, I am satisfied with my Sage 3. I just wish the description had been updated prior to the Catalog. No matter. I enjoy the knife and am looking forward to my next Spyderco, the Dragonfly ZDP.

Dawg

[Blerv]

I still stand that the vendors are the problem. The catalog is the formal announcement and the ONLY one that counts. Also that the vendor is the last chain of communication and in your case dropped the ball.

Then again, the vendor in question hardly runs a spectacle of customer service but that's not why they are popular. ;)

[sal]

C'mon guys,

No problem. I'll take responsibility. My apologies to those that were disappointed in the color or thought that we should have been more specific.

The blue color was my choice based on available material. To some, it is dark blue, when compared to a light sky blue. To others, no.

Our website shows the color. This forum is certainly a good reference for the customer if there is a question on any model or the company. We try to provide as much inormation here as we can, for the customer as well as the dealer and distributor.

Few vendors can spend the time and effort to focus on each detail of each mode they sell. That's why we make ourselves available for you.

sal

[Pinetreebbs]

Being just a man, If I need to differentiate color beyond the primary colors I consult my wife. She oil paints and like most women she has an encyclopedic knowledge of color. She is able to discern subtle differences between each color and knows the manifold names for all shades and hues. IHO, the color of my Sage III is a marine blue. If I had to describe the color I might have said, dark blue, but there are so many shades of blue it makes my head spin. To be sure, some are so dark they appear black others almost white. My Sage III is a thing of beauty, great lock, Spyderco quality and a great blade. :D

[The Deacon]

One of the risks of electing to be "first kid on the block" to own a new model is the danger that your preconceived notions of what it "should" look like, and/or feel like will not be met. If you can't accept that possibility, you really should hold off on purchasing until photos and reviews have been posted by those who can.


For those of us that pre-ordered at Yourcornerstore.com, my knife was shipped yesterday at a total price of $114, sans shipping $108. It's late and not the color I ordered, but it's ok. Some constructive feedback for Spyderco:

-when you change advertised colors on model, please announce in advance so customers can make timely decisions (i.e. we shouldn't be discovering color changes in your catalog, if you are going to change the color from the description, make the announcement up front).
-when models are going to be delayed, (e.g. from the end of the year to the end of January), post it prominently with a sticky so that those of us who have pre-ordered are in the loop. It's fine if Sal says it somewhere, but that's not transparent. Make it transparent on this forum for all to see. Thanks.

Dawg.You elected to shop by price. You elected to pre-order. You made an assumption of what "dark blue" meant. Your assumption was incorrect. The dealer you ordered from could not notify you of anything because they never see any of the knives they sell. Their address is VT, but everything they sell is drop shipped directly from Moteng in CA. Spyderco has been very forthright about how difficult it is to provide ETAs on new models and AFAIK, has never suggested that dealers should take pre-orders.

[JNewell]

Back on topic...I am really liking this knife. It is unexpectedly smooth opening and closing, and the one I've got doesn't stick when unlocking. I really like the blue - possibly surprisingly, it is a little different from my Manix 2 blue sprint, but probably within the range of variation expected for a product like this. We are not art directors spec'ing PMA colors. :) I think this is the best Sage yet, both as a knife and as a tribute to a less-well-known knife giant. Kudos to all, and thanks. :spyder:

[Venerable Dawg]

One of the risks of electing to be "first kid on the block" to own a new model is the danger that your preconceived notions of what it "should" look like, and/or feel like will not be met. If you can't accept that possibility, you really should hold off on purchasing until photos and reviews have been posted by those who can.

You elected to shop by price. You elected to pre-order. You made an assumption of what "dark blue" meant. Your assumption was incorrect. The dealer you ordered from could not notify you of anything because they never see any of the knives they sell. Their address is VT, but everything they sell is drop shipped directly from Moteng in CA. Spyderco has been very forthright about how difficult it is to provide ETAs on new models and AFAIK, has never suggested that dealers should take pre-orders.

Dark blue is dark blue. And what was in the catalog wasn't dark blue. To each their own. It's still a great knife. And I'm glad I bought it. And again looking forward to the ZDP Dragonfly.