Are Benchmade still good knives?

[cbrstar]

Sorry if this is a dumb question

Quite a few years ago when I didn't know anything about knives but I still had an eye for quality and Benchmade had peaked my interest, but at the time was out of my price range as everyone I saw was at least $200 (Cad). Sadly I cheeped out and bought a CKRT M21 instead for half the price.
Well fast forward and I can justify spending $200 on a knife I thought I would look at Benchmade again. Well I am pretty shocked!! As the prices seemed to have drastically dropped. For instance I can buy a griptilian for only $130 (Cad) at my local sporting goods store.

So I have to wonder why they are so much cheaper? Are they still made in the USA? Or are they made overseas now? Is the materials being used cheaper? Or is there other factors playing in this?

Also is the quality difference between a Griptilian and something like a 940 that noticeable?

Thanks for the help and knowledge.

 

[Rykjeklut]

Get yourself a Mini Crooked River and feel the pure sexual thrill of holding it.

 

[Babyboomer]

This is an interesting perspective because there is a lot of dismay about Benchmade’s move to MAP pricing a while back, which considerably raised their prices. The cost of a standard Benchmade these days will range from about $100(US) to $250(US). Most complaints on this forum seem to center around quality control rather than the quality of the knives — problems in execution, so to speak.

Benchmade knives are all, to my knowledge, made in Oregon. They make a large variety of models in different materials at different price points. The Grip and the 940 are both great knives, but are kind of different animals. The stock Grip is 154Cm steel with an molded handle while the 940 has an S30V blade and aluminum handles. But the Grip is also available in an upgrade form with G10 scales and a 20Cv blade for about the same price as a stock 940. So even in the same model there are variations in materials and pricing. And the different materials can make the knife feel completely different.

Not sure if this answers your question ...

 

[Stumpy72]

BM’s QC is spotty these days but I haven’t seen much criticism of their Warranty and Customer Service. There are threads about that in the General Knife Discussion forum.

 

[stonproject]

I haven't personally had QC issues with benchmade. They make a great product, and they have probably the best warranty in the business. They do charge a premium considering the materials they use however.

 

[cbrstar]

This is an interesting perspective because there is a lot of dismay about Benchmade’s move to MAP pricing a while back, which considerably raised their prices. The cost of a standard Benchmade these days will range from about $100(US) to $250(US). Most complaints on this forum seem to center around quality control rather than the quality of the knives — problems in execution, so to speak.

Benchmade knives are all, to my knowledge, made in Oregon. They make a large variety of models in different materials at different price points. The Grip and the 940 are both great knives, but are kind of different animals. The stock Grip is 154Cm steel with an molded handle while the 940 has an S30V blade and aluminum handles. But the Grip is also available in an upgrade form with G10 scales and a 20Cv blade for about the same price as a stock 940. So even in the same model there are variations in materials and pricing. And the different materials can make the knife feel completely different.

Not sure if this answers your question ...

Thank you, that does make me feel much better about buying one. I've always had the opinion that you get what you pay for so I was wondering what the catch was.

BM’s QC is spotty these days but I haven’t seen much criticism of their Warranty and Customer Service. There are threads about that in the General Knife Discussion forum.

Is there anything in particular I should look out for when buying one?

 

[Keyman]

For what it’s worth.......

I’ve bought 2 knives in last 2 months, sight unseen, a Bugout & a Freek.
Both had absolutely no QC issues whatsoever.
I also have another new unseen knife coming in at the end of the month (a BM737).
I’m psyched!

 

[Stumpy72]

Is there anything in particular I should look out for when buying one?

I’m not any senior info source or any example to emulate, but the minimum I like to see is a centered blade, an even grind, solid lockup, no blade play and no visible dings/bashes/flaws.

 

[omaha-beenglockin]

I've bought 4 in the last year or so(5700--2 520's and a 908)---all are good to go.

Also didn't pay full price on any of them.

 

[Keyman]

I’m not any senior info source or any example to emulate, but the minimum I like to see is a centered blade, an even grind, solid lockup, no blade play and no visible dings/bashes/flaws.

+1
I’m with Stumpy72 on this one.
Though I maybe a little more tolerant with minor issues (things that I can fix).

 

[Stumpy72]

+1 I’m with Stumpy72 on this one. Though I maybe a little more tolerant with minor issues (things that I can fix).

I envy you being able to fix minor issues with knives. I’m OK with my hands (extensive woodcarving/sculpture experience, etc), but I have zero knowledge of the internal workings of modern folders and my biggest fear with a BM would be boogering up a scale or screw head and later being told I’d voided my warranty. “Mister Amateur Knife Tech” is a role I need to stay away from.

 

[Wowbagger]

Also is the quality difference between a Griptilian and something like a 940 that noticeable?

In the last year or year and a half I have bought two Benchmades. A 940-1 (carbon fiber handle and S90V steel) and a Mini Griptillian in basic 154CM.

A couple of years ago I bought the Full size Griptillian (it is a Ritter M390) .

The Ritter Grip is perfect; blade grind, heat treat, pivot action, centering . . . you name it PERFECT !
The 940-1 is perfect; blade grind, heat treat, pivot action, centering . . . you name it PERFECT !
The Mini is nearly perfect though the pivot annoys me. I have adjusted it with a significant amount of play and it still hangs up about fifty percent of the time when closing it. Meaning it doesn't drop closed every time and squeezing the handle can stop it in mid swing. Opening it flies open very easily and that is super great. It pivots very easily if I just press on it with a light finger push to close it. A perfectly serviceable knife.
I like it a lot. The other two have really nice free droping pivots though.

I would not say the pivot or other action is in the least bit better in the 940-1 over my Ritter Griptillian . . . both are really, really great. Keeping in mind both of these are kind of up rated knives from the green 940 or the basic 154CM full size Griptillian which I have never owned.
Bottom line go to a store and handle the actual knife you buy.
Benchmade has the ability to produce good knives and do.
YMMV

 

[buccilli15]

Benchmade makes excellent knives. I really, really, believe that the whole "Benchmade has QC issues" thing is typical internet pack mentality at its finest. Sure, I believe some "lemons" have passed through QC, but in my experience this can be said with any company. I have purchased five brand new Benchmade knives since May, all sight unseen, all perfect.

I say, buy a Benchmade! If the Griptilian interest you, perhaps also consider a 560 Freek.

 

[Venice]

I only have one experience with BM and I had to return it (which was very easy-no problem there).
I do, however, believe it was a fluke. If you deal with a respected vendor there shouldn't be any problem.
Unfortunately that model (Megumi) has been discontinued so I was not dealing directly with the company which I prefer.

 

[Stumpy72]

..... I really, really, believe that the whole "Benchmade has QC issues" thing is typical internet pack mentality at its finest...

My comment about spotty BM QC above was based on my own personal experience. I didn’t come here to cry about it and I wasn’t going to mention it, but I don’t consider reacting negatively to receiving a 940 with a monumentally off-center blade from an authorized vendor to be “...typical internet pack mentality at its finest...”. I consider it to be an unacceptable product and a negative experience and I’m not about to sit by in silence when I’m being maligned as being some kind of “internet pack mentality” creep.

I could theoretically be that one in ten million customers who got a badly flawed and obviously not QC-inspected knife, but I strongly doubt that’s the case. There are more than enough posts describing unfavorable personal experiences to indicate that BM does in fact have a QC problem these days--any and all personal beliefs to the contrary notwithstanding.

I’m sure any major manufacturer has bad products slip out the door too, but we’re not discussing other manufacturers here. This is the BM forum and we’re discussing BM QC in this thread.

I just thank my lucky stars that Blade HQ provides excellent customer service and took my bum 940 back without hesitation, questions or any problem.

 

[Mo2]

For the price and low level qc... It's debatable.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/BlXWLp-Aawy/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1srlv8ky5a8bd

 

[trackstar55]

Nick Shabazz summed up how I felt long before before he even made the video on benchmade....out of 10 of the 940’s a dealer had on the shelf, only 2 were free of QC issues.

1. Spotty quality control
2. Butterfly Tax

I’ve slowed down considerably buying new from benchmade and focus on buying used where the seller can show blade centering, even grind, and discuss the lock up/blade play. Some of the axis locks have been reports to be “gritty”.

I have a griptilian that is gritty axis lock and the grind is not uniformed and another one that is perfect.