Benchmade and Allan Elishewitz! What gives?

The General

The General

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Jun 6, 2000
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I was having a look at some rather amazing customs on his site today after meeting with Ed Moses and seeing some of his custom Emersons and talking about my growing interest in customes in general. Here is the site address BTW

http://www.elishewitzknives.com/

Well on his site was this little quote...

"September 21st, 2001: On August 13th, 2001, after 6½ years of collaboration, I resigned from the Benchmade design team. I did not believe in their policies and did not wish to follow the company in the direction it was taking. It is a great opportunity for me to work with other manufacturers on new projects. We will keep you posted on new collaborations in the near future!"

Well well well! Spyderco if you are reading this, Sal are you there? Snap up this custom maker FAST!:D Think about an Allen Elishewitz Spyderco fixed blade and folder DROOL!

Is it just me or is this company making a lot of people annoyed? Why? What gives? Anyone got inside info on what was so bad as to upset this amazing knifemaker? If memory serves, they upset E Emerson as well at some point? Well at least the customer after sales service is good, Angie aught to run the company if you ask me!

Flame suit on guys, fire at will...:(
 
Bob T also severed his relationship with Benchmade.

Things that make you go hmmmmmmm.
 
Here is Benchmades response:

"Allen Elishewitz and Bob Terzuola have left the Benchmade Design Team to pursue other opportunities within the cutlery industry.
We wish them the best.
Here is the official statement from Benchmade as seen under "Press Releases" on our website:

Benchmade Puts “TEAM” Into Custom Collaboration

Benchmade has selectively compiled the long-standing powerhouse talents of custom knife
makers Mel Pardue, Warren Osborne, Bill Mchenry and Jason Williams. This collective
mind-set presents a unified force with the keen ability to continue pushing the realm of
man’s oldest tool farther and faster into the future.

Over the years Benchmade has arguably entrenched itself in the forefront of custom
collaboration production knives through its Design Team of notable custom knife makers.
As a result, in the course of a few short years there has come several award winning
designs and revolutionary innovations such as AXIS®. It’s a unique chemistry of passion,
knowledge and synergy’s working cohesively to drive the design process to newer and
ever improved function levels year after year. Stay tuned it’s going to be fun!

Benchmade Knife Company has been providing knives for nearly 15 years to individuals
who appreciate the highest standard in specialty cutlery. Based in Oregon City, Oregon USA, all Benchmade knives are made using the most modern engineering technologies and the finest manufacturing equipment available to ensure the customers expectations are exceeded. A very successful combination."

- Benchmade Support Team

I got the qoute from the Benchmade forum on this thread.
 
Ok so thats the propaganda, what is the truth?:confused:

Anyone with insider info?

Thanks though Dennis!:)
 
1) His name is Allen Elishewitz.
2) What's so exciting in that "news" anyway?
 
That's interesting. I wonder if Elishewitz will collaborate with any other production company? By the way, what direction is Benchmade taking?

I guess I haven't been following Benchmade news lately, so this as all new info to me. I've always liked the Benchmade/Elishewitz collaborations, and it's dissapointing to see that there will be no more.
 
Because I want to see more A E knives available and what does it take to upset a maker like this? What direction is BM going?

Anyone who reads his quote and thinks this is in any way amicable is daft!

I think A E made the best products in the BM range, well look at the models he made! Well the AFCK and Mc Henry Williams stuff aside!
 
I would like to know the truth as well, but seriously doubt we will ever know. Obviously something upset Allen. The fact that Bob T left at the same time would lead one to believe something significant happened.

I wonder if this means Benchmade will no longer be making future runs of Allen's collaborations?
 
Originally posted by shootist16

I wonder if this means Benchmade will no longer be making future runs of Allen's collaborations?
Click to expand...

Benchmade will still continue to make Allen's existing collaborations, as those particular designs are property of the company. I sincerely hope that Warren Osborne doesn't leave...there's something with his designs that trips a trigger in me.
 
After BM and Emerson ended their work relationship, the BM970 & BM975 were discontinued.

Does this mean that the current Allen Elishewitz and Bob Terzuola Benchmade folding and fixed knives will be discontinued shortly?

Will the Sentinel, the Stryker, the Nimravus and the Cub, the Dark Star, the Ares (Axis Lock) and the model 690 be discontinued?
 
It might seriously be in BM's best interests to chime in and let a jittery knife-buying public know what's happening with the company.

It's a bit unusual that the same company will, within a couple of months, come out with a $800 balisong knife, and a $60 Griptilian.

From a business point of view, it's almost like two separate and distinct companies are emerging. One--limited,expensive, collector knives and the other--basic working knives.

Stay tuned. It looks like it's getting interesting.
 
I've been wondering a little myself about the strategy behind making an $800 (25 piece only) Balisong.., and offering all these to employees first???

Not that I don't think BM employees should have get a grab at something they participated in making, but when you make 25!!!...???

Anyway...good point, maybe there is some inside scoop someone has.


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
so far, BM has ticked off:
Alan E.
Bob T.
Chris Carraci
Ernest Emerson (apparently)
I don't know what they do to their designers!
 
I always felt that BM offered the best and most variety in the 'tactical' field (the Spydie hole just makes em all a lil' too similar for me, also great knives, though). The fact that they offer knives from 60-800 bucks is a plus to me. Since nobody is giving any specifics, then the dispute b/w designers and BM is probably over money.
 
and dont forget my man pat crawford, who designed the leopard and cub - they 'broke up' rather quickly if memory serves - elishiwitz' shop is in new braunfulls texas about 50 miles from where i live, have been wanting to stop in and see about a custom, if i ever do i will ask.......


sifu
 
Guys, I'm guessing that whatever happened, if anything, between Benchmade, or Les, or Allen, is probably none of our business. This was a business relationship and is probably private. Allen's a great maker and designer and will be around for a long time, and so will Benchmade. If you have to guess, and read into Allen's quote of "the direction they're going", you'd have to think it was about production costs and making the knives cheaper but without the same quality.
Rogue Spear, Ernie left when the contract he had with BM was over and obviously never sold them the design outright, which was a smart thing as it has obviously been a success with his own company. So if Allen still owns the designs they may stop them but if Benchmade bought them outright there's no reason they should be discontinued as long as they keep selling.
When you own a production company obviously you need to make your product as cheaply as possible to maximize profit, and dont ever think that profit is not what BM and most other companies are all about. On the other hand when you're a knifemaker you really dont want your name on anything that's not up to par.
Just my .02

Dave
 
Originally posted by el cid
I've always liked the Benchmade/Elishewitz collaborations, and it's dissapointing to see that there will be no more.
Click to expand...

Argreed. Totally. :(

(Got Nimravus Cub, 735 and 690 and like them all like hell.)

Tuhkis
 
lifter4Him, you are right. The decisions are usually about profit. Allen Elishewitz designs are great. I am always anxious to see his new designs.
 
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