950-1401 and 950-1401BK Rift Exclusives

[GhostAlpha0]

A new CS exclusive -- Layered Black/Orange Textured G10, S30V Black Blade.

I didn't know this was in the works! What a beautiful knife, I'm so excited!

 

[RamZar]

Very nice. It's a Shop that sells Cutlery exclusive with S30V blade!

Benchmade 950-1401BK Osborne AXIS Rift - Layered Black/Orange Textured G-10 Scales - CPM-S30V Plain Edge Blade BK1 Black

 

[boobar]

Nice looking knife, I am generally not a fan of colored handles but the orange is cool.

 

[RamZar]

I would've preferred M390 even if it had pushed the price to $200.

 

[GhostAlpha0]

For a limited edition knife I prefer any of the super high end steels (M4, M390, S90V, etc) but it is nice to see a Rift in something other than 154CM and regardless I absolutely love the color combination.

 

[TechDoc]

Seems like a good deal considering it has upgraded steel vs. the standard model and is selling for a few dollars less than MAP for the standard 950 (not counting shipping).

 

[RamZar]

Seems like a good deal considering it has upgraded steel vs. the standard model and is selling for a few dollars less than MAP for the standard 950 (not counting shipping).

Indeed. The regular 950BK Rift (154CM Black Blade, Black/Charcoal G-10) goes for $178.50. This 950BK-1401 exclusive with S30V Black Blade is $162.50 plus you get the groovy Black/Orange G-10 with supposedly a more comfortable carry in hand and pocket. For free shipping use coupon code NUTNFANCY.

 

[KAEDC]

Nice looking, but orange isn't my thing ^^;

 

[salmonkiller]

When we get closer to Holloween I may consider buying one..If BM releases a S90V version then I may have to pass....Boo!

 

[ak585479]

I was about to buy the 810-1401 Contego in M390 with the blue/black G10 but now this comes out and with Hockey season approaching soon I could buy a "Broad Street Bullies Benchmade"

Decisions, decisions... I think I'll have to put team pride aside though and get the M390 Contego

 

[Sunyata]

I'd love to do a blade swap with this and the standard Rift.



Not digging the orange so much and S30V isn't that much of a motivation to look past the orange.


Silly snobbery to be sure but Benchmade has been hog wild on the M390 train recently why did it miss the Rift?

 

[RevDevil]

I'd love to do a blade swap with this and the standard Rift.



Not digging the orange so much and S30V isn't that much of a motivation to look past the orange.


Silly snobbery to be sure but Benchmade has been hog wild on the M390 train recently why did it miss the Rift?

Possible reasons may or may not be:
Dealer wanted wanted that steel/color combo specifically.
Dealer was blocked from selecting other steel due to another possible run from another dealer or inhouse LE, or price would have not made it profitable.
Dealer may have seen there was already a ton of M390 floating around and wanted something more basic.
Add your conjecture here...

 

[RamZar]

Possible reasons may or may not be:
Dealer wanted wanted that steel/color combo specifically.
Dealer was blocked from selecting other steel due to another possible run from another dealer or inhouse LE, or price would have not made it profitable.
Dealer may have seen there was already a ton of M390 floating around and wanted something more basic.
Add your conjecture here...

I communicated with the dealer earlier this week. When shown various G-10 colors by Benchmade they opted for the Black/Orange. They wanted an upgrade from the regular Rift's 154CM steel but didn't want the price to end up at $200 so went with S30V instead of M390.

As is, the 950BK-1401 with upgraded steel is $16 less than a regular 950BK!

 

[NJBillK]

They wanted an upgrade from the regular Rift's 154CM steel but didn't want the price to end up at $200 so went with S30V instead of M390.

As is, the 950BK-1401 with upgraded steel is $16 less than a regular 950BK!

If the s30v is cheaper, and they wanted an upgrade on the steel, aren't they just going to be kicking themselves in the behind? Who would purchase the standard version now?

Since they were planning on upgrading the steel, wouldn't it be wise to bump the price up a little and go with a still yet better steel, s35v among others?
I think they should have been able to stay under their $200 limit while going with something both a little better and less pedestrian...

 

[RamZar]

If the s30v is cheaper, and they wanted an upgrade on the steel, aren't they just going to be kicking themselves in the behind? Who would purchase the standard version now?

Since they were planning on upgrading the steel, wouldn't it be wise to bump the price up a little and go with a still yet better steel, s35v among others?
I think they should have been able to stay under their $200 limit while going with something both a little better and less pedestrian...

Since this is a dealer exclusive most people don't know about the upgraded steel for less money!

I haven't asked but it's quite possible that this exclusive was in the pipeline before the MAP enforcement edict in November 2013.

Before MAP enforcement the Rift 950BK was going for about $125!

 

[JNewell]

Possible reasons may or may not be:
Dealer wanted wanted that steel/color combo specifically.
Dealer was blocked from selecting other steel due to another possible run from another dealer or inhouse LE, or price would have not made it profitable.
Dealer may have seen there was already a ton of M390 floating around and wanted something more basic.
Add your conjecture here...

My bet was price, fwiw.

Edit - looks like that was confirmed.

 

[JNewell]

If the s30v is cheaper, and they wanted an upgrade on the steel, aren't they just going to be kicking themselves in the behind? Who would purchase the standard version now?

Since they were planning on upgrading the steel, wouldn't it be wise to bump the price up a little and go with a still yet better steel, s35v among others?
I think they should have been able to stay under their $200 limit while going with something both a little better and less pedestrian...

S30V was the dealer's choice, and that's really all we need to know. The dealer isn't going to kick himself, and Benchmade isn't going to kick themselves, either, given the limited number of these knives that are likely to be made and the fact that they're only going to be sold through this dealer, rather than BM's dealer network. S35VN really isn't an upgrade from S30V, and in any case Benchmade hasn't done any blades from S35VN, so that particular steel wasn't a choice.

 

[JNewell]

Possible reasons may or may not be:
Dealer wanted wanted that steel/color combo specifically.
Dealer was blocked from selecting other steel due to another possible run from another dealer or inhouse LE, or price would have not made it profitable.
Dealer may have seen there was already a ton of M390 floating around and wanted something more basic.
Add your conjecture here...

My bet was price, fwiw.

 

[Sunyata]

I communicated with the dealer earlier this week. When shown various G-10 colors by Benchmade they opted for the Black/Orange. They wanted an upgrade from the regular Rift's 154CM steel but didn't want the price to end up at $200 so went with S30V instead of M390.

As is, the 950BK-1401 with upgraded steel is $16 less than a regular 950BK!

Made sense to me until I saw the new Ritter Grip

 

[TechDoc]

Mine arrived yesterday and this is one good-looking knife. The black & orange G10 is a very nice color combination and is not as bright orange as I had expected.

And did anyone know that these have orange anodized barrel spacers? These look fantastic on the knife!