Benchmade Altitude

Standard78 said:
I have a sneaking suspicion that you’re right.
It’s probably not a bad idea for a field knife though.
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Why would it be better than M390/20cv?

M390 and kin are around 18% or so chromium (more stain resistant), holds a working edge longer, has comparable (if not higher) toughness at similar hardness, and is already available from Benchmade...
 
NJBillK said:
Why would it be better than M390/20cv?

M390 and kin are around 18% or so chromium (more stain resistant), holds a working edge longer, has comparable (if not higher) toughness at similar hardness, and is already available from Benchmade...
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The only benefit I can think of is ease of sharpening in the field.
I’d much rather have m390 or 20cv but some folks have issues with putting an edge back on them.
 
Standard78 said:
The only benefit I can think of is ease of sharpening in the field.
I’d much rather have m390 or 20cv but some folks have issues with putting an edge back on them.
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Honestly I find that m390 family is not any harder to sharpen than s30v. It would be nice if BM would use something other than s30v, which a tiny bit of research would show is a polarizing steel. I don't know who is working at Benchmade because just switching to Elmax would cause alot of potential customers to be more likely to consider the knife.
 
Lapedog, i am not so sure that s30v is really polarizing to any knife purchasers other than those who frequent knife forums. i still think s30v is a great all around steel and it cuts somewhat aggressively which i imagine may be good for a hunting knife. 20cv is very nice too but that adds cost to the knife and a lot of people already complain about their prices being too high.
 
Lapedog said:
Honestly I find that m390 family is not any harder to sharpen than s30v. It would be nice if BM would use something other than s30v, which a tiny bit of research would show is a polarizing steel. I don't know who is working at Benchmade because just switching to Elmax would cause alot of potential customers to be more likely to consider the knife.
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You’ve been lucky then because every m390 knife I’ve owned took a bit more work to freehand sharpen compared to the S30V knives.
 
Standard78 said:
You’ve been lucky then because every m390 knife I’ve owned took a bit more work to freehand sharpen compared to the S30V knives.
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I just find m390 doesn't form stubborn burrs. It is probably no easier to regrind than s30v, but I do find it easy to touch up.

I don't think s30v is a bad steel. I actually think it is a good steel. I just also think it would be nice to see some other steels from Benchmade. Guarenteed people would go crazy over this knife if it was in like 3 or 4v
 
I agree with lapedog on sharpening of m390. I too sharpen free hand most of the time and i find i can get m390 to the edge i want quicker than s30v. The m390 really seems to form a lesser burr. I dont have to spend as much time with light final touches on the ceramic with m390.
 
Lapedog said:
I just find m390 doesn't form stubborn burrs. It is probably no easier to regrind than s30v, but I do find it easy to touch up.

I don't think s30v is a bad steel. I actually think it is a good steel. I just also think it would be nice to see some other steels from Benchmade. Guarenteed people would go crazy over this knife if it was in like 3 or 4v
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For those that would be able to appreciate M390 and ilk, it wouldn't be far fetched to think that they would also know that they need DMT or other diamond stones to sharpen it. Also, it would be fairly easy to put a small blurb on/in the packaging about sharpening your knife needing diamond to do so. Most knife packages do already contain sharpening/care notes.

That being said, I also don't find M390 and kin any harder to sharpen than S30V. If anything, I find it to be a bit easier, although it can take longer.

I don't mind a bump in price, if I get a bump in alloy.

The Cabela's 940 in D2 with a near 940-1 price tag doesn't do it for me (less than $20 difference for a S90V upgrade). The reason I wouldn't buy the Cabela's is primarily due to the alloy used.

That being said, to offer a knife in a lower alloy while using the reasoning that "the majority of the customer base is ignorant to what is out there, and we can still offer this for similar funds" is ridiculous, and bordering on insulting.

I know this is not what M microtech85 was saying, but it seems like the strong emphasis is to maximize profit based off of the lack of general public education, as opposed to offer a higher performing knife or higher QC for a similar customer dollar spent.

I understand that this is how they choose to run their business, and that is fine. But to put it out there that an alloy can't be upgraded for slightly more coin is not right.
I can evidence this by using the Benchmade Custom Knife configuration page. To upgrade from S30V to 20CV is a $10 increase. TEN DOLLARS!

That is Benchmade themselves saying that 20CV doesn't cost much more than S30V... With that being the case, why would they not want to offer the upgraded alloy for slightly more?

Not to maximize profits off of uneducated non-knife knut masses...
;):rolleyes:
 
Lapedog said:
I just find m390 doesn't form stubborn burrs. It is probably no easier to regrind than s30v, but I do find it easy to touch up.

I don't think s30v is a bad steel. I actually think it is a good steel. I just also think it would be nice to see some other steels from Benchmade. Guarenteed people would go crazy over this knife if it was in like 3 or 4v
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Maybe the difference for me had to do with the S30V knives being from Spyderco and my Benchmades were either M390 or 154cm.
The S30V seemed to take less swipes on a DMT and a strop compared to the M390. No complaints though.
I’d much rather see Benchmade’s in M390, 20cv or 3v also but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. The added cost would be worth it.
 
One thing I just thought about was, if the price difference is that minimal where it is only $10, if Benchmade were to quit buying s30v and buy 20cv in its stead, they would likely be able to offset the increase in price by a discount due to volume purchased.

While they are likely getting a break on S30V due to volume, they wouldn't have to buy both alloys. This would result in a significant bump up in their volume of 20cv purchasing and likely net them a larger break on the price then they are receiving by purchasing two different alloys, or getting from their S30V purchase alone.
 
Standard78 said:
Maybe the difference for me had to do with the S30V knives being from Spyderco and my Benchmades were either M390 or 154cm.
The S30V seemed to take less swipes on a DMT and a strop compared to the M390. No complaints though.
I’d much rather see Benchmade’s in M390, 20cv or 3v also but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. The added cost would be worth it.
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See my post prior to yours about added cost... It is probably lower than you would think...
 
NJBillK said:
One thing I just thought about was, if the price difference is that minimal where it is only $10, if Benchmade were to quit buying s30v and buy 20cv in its stead, they would likely be able to offset the increase in price by a discount due to volume purchased.

While they are likely getting a break on S30V due to volume, they wouldn't have to buy both alloys. This would result in a significant bump up in their volume of 20cv purchasing and likely net them a larger break on the price then they are receiving by purchasing two different alloys, or getting from their S30V purchase alone.
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They have to save the good steels for the special editions and gold class so they can charge way more. If they start featuring the steels they should have in the first place they can't charge an extra premium on the special editions when they do use it.

For example look at the price of a baseline 940, for that it could easily come with s90v. But nooooooo if you want that it is available for some xtra loooooot!
 
You know, spyderco charges about $80 more for their native 5 with carbon fiber and s90v, but i don't think the native has liners where the benchmade 940-1 has partial liners. So, both spyderco and benchmade seem to have comparable price differences. I think it comes down more to economics as opposed to just arbitrary pricing. I think it has to do with the cost of the product plus a fair profit, and what prices the market can support. Also, how efficient their production processes are plus and royalties that must be paid i imagine.
 
I guess i just like both benchmade and spyderco. i have always been very satisfied with their products. I don't have any problem with either.
 
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