Are the Benchmade 921 Pewters Really Limited

[sygyzy]

I was wondering if anyone could help with some info. Here is a cut and paste from an email:

According to your site, there are two models of Limited Edition Benchmade 921's.

The first (BM921BTGY) is limited to 100 units, although the blade does not say anything about it being limited. It is also not considered limited on any other knife site/store.

The second one (BM921GY) , which looks 100% identical to the first, down to the description and materials, colors, blade does say it is limited, but this time to 50. And it is $5 dollars cheaper!

The only difference I see is in the colored blades. Is the black material so expensive that even though the BM921BTGY blades have a "limited edition" run of 100, they are still more expensive that the supposedly more rare 50 run of BM921GY's?

Does anyone know about this?

BTW: The site in this case is Knifeworks.com

 

[Patryn]

The knives with the BT coating are always a few dollars more. The cost to produce the two knives otherwise should be exactly the same. So if some distributor/dealer ordered either 50 or 500, it shouldn't really matter.

If you haven't seen yet, there are also limited runs with green handles, and one with red handles, but both have the S30V blades instead of D2, which (I think) the ones you are referring to have.

 

[sygyzy]

Realy? What dealers have these green and red one? Did Benchmark just make "Limited Edition" versions for that store specifically? I haven't seen them anywhere else. Also the ones with the black blades are not numbered. Weird!

Hopefully I can figure this out so I can place an order.

 

[MXDan]

Originally posted by sygyzy
Also the ones with the black blades are not numbered. Weird!

I have a pewter one with the BC blade that is labeled "special edition 89/100". I think I saw the plain bladed ones limited to 50. If there are pewter BC 921's out there that aren't part of the limited run of 100, what's the point of calling it a limited run?

 

[sygyzy]

Exactly my point

Click Me

 

[MXDan]

It's the other side of my 921 that has the "limited edition" printed on it. In fact, all my BM limited are printed on the right side, that is opposite side of the one in that picture.

 

[sygyzy]

Ah perfect. Looks like I found my answer. I hope they let me pick a serial number.

Also, does the black material that the blade is made of, scratch easily? It's hard to see scratches and nicks on silver but is the black softer, perhaps? So it would be easier to see damage?

 

[MXDan]

The Boron Carbide finsish is supposed to help protect the blade from corrosion and decrease friction when cutting. It was made to hold up to abuse. It will wear off eventually though, depending on how hard you are on the knife. It just gives it more character though, makes it looked well loved

 

[sygyzy]

LOL understood. You have been most helpful Dan. Thank you, from one new member, to another.

 

[FullerH]

http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?3=3625

http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?3=3620

http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?3=3588

http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?3=2901

http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?3=2902

Above, are all five web pages for Bayou LaFourche's BenchMade 921's. The bottom 2 are for the S60V standard versions, plain and part serrated while the top 3 are for the special D2 versions. The first one is for the black bladed plain edge, the second for the black bladed part serrated, both of which were to be made in numbers of 100 each. The third is the plain plaided, plain edge in D2, which is to be made in 50 copies. So, it appears as if there will be a total run of 250 D2 bladed versions.

 

[switched]

Just to clarify a bit:

That is a Black Teflon finish, not Boron Carbide. They are rather different coatings. MXDan has the gist of the BT characteristics, although I doubt if you will really notice any reduced friction resistance (but in theory, yes). The main concern of BT is protection against corrosion, which isn't a bad idea with D2 steel.

A BT finish will scratch up pretty much from first use. Very noticeably. Some consider this adds character after a while yes - personal thing. Eventually it will have a kind of greyish look, from cumulative wear. But despite what the eye sees, enough of the coating remains to provide corrosion resistance - not saying infinite though.

 

[sygyzy]

So basically anytime you get a Limited black blade, you can't really use it because it'll ruin the resale, right? Then again, I guess that goes without saying for all Lim Ed. knives. So much to learn...

 

[switched]

I haven't considered that before, but there might be something in what you say, to an extent anyway - don't think it would "ruin", but isn't unlikely to have an effect I'd think.

Obviously, any use of any knife will impact on its resale value. Of all knives I can think of though, I'd say one with a BT coating is prone to show up use more than any other - it'll scratch up from the get-go and be more visible in that. At the same time though of course, people interested to obtain a user may not be hugely fussed, although it will bring the price down as compared with say NIB, I expect. As a collector though, it would be shot I'd think. As you suggest however, the same could be said for any knife, regardless of coating etc.