Am I the only one confused about Benchmade Prices?

[Schuey2002]

If I can find a BM dealer that will sell me their knives under MAP, I would be one grateful customer. As it stands now, I am done buying any more BM products as long as this policy is in effect..

 

[jbmonkey]

The competition is too fierce for benchmade to play this way. Long term they will suffer from this. Their knives are good but not good enough for their enforced prices.

 

[jac_solar]

What made them change up their pricing strategy, though? I've no idea about how many knives they sell, but I imagine that it was a lot. I doubt they were selling any knives at a loss either.

And, I think I read this somewhere on Bladeforums, someone said that Benchmades new policy, whatever it is, was implemented to help out vendors (Ie, to give them higher margins on their knives.). I'm not sure that is the case -- but, in ANY case, their new prices are weird.

I assume they buy knives in bulk, but how much do you think they pay per knife? For example, a Griptilian.

 

[BMCGear]

I'm relatively new to BM and started buying knives after this whole MAP fiasco. I have never been happier with a knife and with the type of CS Benchmade and products they offer I cannot complain at all about pricing.

 

[Stays Sharp]

BM offered such good value for the money before they enforced their MAP. That's really too bad, they still have great quality and knives but Im not buying new BM's anymore.

 

[craytab]

MAPP pricing means More thAn Powernoodle will Pay. Seriously - I'm done with this bull, and can't see myself buying another new Benchmade. There are too many tasty blades out there from other manufacturers, with market forces at play that drive the cost down a little. I'd like to have one of the 940's with S90V and carbon fiber, but not at $263.50 plus shipping. Even a plain Jane Griptilian is $98 - $114 plus shipping, depending on the flavor. Its apparently a marketing strategery to sell fewer units at higher margins, and in a free market economy Benchmade is certainly entitled to do it. I've played along in the past (CRK), but there is a point at which you just gotta say no thanks.

I 100% agree. Especially given recent QC issues. One can avoid QC issues by requesting a dealer inspect the item (but you still pay MAP) or if you buy on the used market from a trusted seller. Unfortunately MAP is starting to impact used prices as well. I know several BMs I've sold would have been lower priced before MAP. I love my Benchmades but the company is really hurting itself on two very important fronts: Price goes up while quality goes down. There are too many other great offerings (0562cf I'm looking at you!) for me to buy new BMs with that philosophy.

 

[loonybin]

What made them change up their pricing strategy, though? I've no idea about how many knives they sell, but I imagine that it was a lot. I doubt they were selling any knives at a loss either.

And, I think I read this somewhere on Bladeforums, someone said that Benchmades new policy, whatever it is, was implemented to help out vendors (Ie, to give them higher margins on their knives.). I'm not sure that is the case -- but, in ANY case, their new prices are weird.

I assume they buy knives in bulk, but how much do you think they pay per knife? For example, a Griptilian.

Benchmade says they did not raise their prices to the dealers, so it is the vendor that makes more money per knife. The question is whether they will make enough extra on each knife to make up for the loss in volume. I don't buy new Benchmades any more unless it's an exclusive or limited edition (810-1401 for example). I want another Rift really bad, but it will be a used one unless they finally upgrade the steel to M390.

There are too many other great offerings (0562cf I'm looking at you!) for me to buy new BMs with that philosophy.

You are right. If I manage to land a ZT0801CF, I'll sell enough of my Benchmades to make up for the cost.

 

[Scurvy092]

I'm pretty sure Benchmade did it to help the brick and mortor stores. Benchmade prices should now be pretty consistent between the internet and physical stores, like CRKs. Why buy at a store when you could go online and get it 25% cheaper.

Doesn't mean I like it (they are not a good value at the new prices) but that's why.

 

[bld522]

. . .they are not a good value at the new prices . . .

Value is subjective, of course. What we don't know is how this will all play out over time. But for the most part, Benchmade knives are off my radar too.

Can you hear me knockin', Sal?

 

[Scurvy092]

Value is subjective, of course. What we don't know is how this will all play out over time. But for the most part, Benchmade knives are off my radar too.

Can you hear me knockin', Sal?

I think it's pretty objective when you compare some of their new prices to what else you can get in the price range. Is anyone going to argue that a full size grip is on par with a pm2? They are priced within a few dollars of each other now.

The 940-1 at 260ish is moderately interesting but if the old pricing was in effect and it was right at or under 200, it would be a must have.

 

[edge213]

I love all my BMs, but if new ones cost more than I'm willing to pay I'll just buy a different brand. Like you guys have been saying there are alot of quality knives to choose from these days.

 

[ninjarabbi]

If they really did increase their price and decrease their quality, I sure don't feel too bad about buying Ganzo knives.

 

[loonybin]

If they really did increase their price and decrease their quality, I sure don't feel too bad about buying Ganzo knives.

Benchmade increasing prices and having spotty QC is no excuse for supporting a company that steals designs and violates trademarks!

 

[midnight flyer]

I have a couple of Benchmades, and have handled a ton. The cigar store that I frequent to buy smokes and play cards sells them now and they have a large display.

The ones I have seen are well made knives, but they sell at retail and just about made me swallow my cigar whole when I got the prices on a couple of patterns I liked.

They are too expensive to be job site rated knives to cut filthy materials, dirty material strapping, dig out old sealers, cut sheetrock, etc. And to me unless you get into their really big knives, they just don't look sturdy enough. To me they make a large gentleman's folder until you get to the Adamas sized offerings.

I don't need any Bencmade products as I finally got back to Kershaw a few years back and they have everything from inexpensive beaters to really heavy duty work horses, all in different patterns, scales, steels and a full range of prices. Throw in their great warranty and no baloney service, and I haven't seen any reason to look anywhere else.

Robert

 

[scotchleaf]

MAPP pricing means More thAn Powernoodle will Pay. Seriously - I'm done with this bull, and can't see myself buying another new Benchmade. There are too many tasty blades out there from other manufacturers, with market forces at play that drive the cost down a little. I'd like to have one of the 940's with S90V and carbon fiber, but not at $263.50 plus shipping. Even a plain Jane Griptilian is $98 - $114 plus shipping, depending on the flavor. Its apparently a marketing strategery to sell fewer units at higher margins, and in a free market economy Benchmade is certainly entitled to do it. I've played along in the past (CRK), but there is a point at which you just gotta say no thanks.

That is something, PN, that we can agree on.

 

[crom]

where's that dead horse getting beat GIF?

 

[Random Dan]

I love how the OP had nothing at all to do with MAP pricing.

 

[RevDevil]

I'm relatively new to BM and started buying knives after this whole MAP fiasco. I have never been happier with a knife and with the type of CS Benchmade and products they offer I cannot complain at all about pricing.

I am willing to bet that Benchmade is counting on very fact to keep them at their current level. Unfortunately for you, you never did see the prices when they were actually on par with the items themselves.

 

[loonybin]

They are too expensive to be job site rated knives to cut filthy materials, dirty material strapping, dig out old sealers, cut sheetrock, etc. And to me unless you get into their really big knives, they just don't look sturdy enough. To me they make a large gentleman's folder until you get to the Adamas sized offerings.

you need to watch Crockett's video on YouTube when he put a Griptilian through its paces doing things you normally use a fixed blade for... add to that one the Rift, Presidio, the HK 14715 Axis knife...

Just watch some of the testing videos that Benchmade has done with their knives and you just might change your mind.

 

[Scurvy092]

I'm relatively new to BM and started buying knives after this whole MAP fiasco. I have never been happier with a knife and with the type of CS Benchmade and products they offer I cannot complain at all about pricing.

Just know that before you started buying them, they were all 25% cheaper...