Benchmade Ares - Leupold pre-production

[Sigp210]

From the days when I worked for the Leupold agents here, I ended up with one of the Leupold Benchmade Sand colored Ares knives. These were 1 of 500 made, whereas the wood ones were made in a batch of 1500.
Mine is the same as the top one in this pic:

However, since this was one of the few that Leupold was using to show their clients at the various shows around the world before they were released, it is numbered 0 of 500. (pre-production or prototype?)
Lovely knife of course, but it isn't in my particular field of collecting. I am more into things like the BM42 Balisongs. So my plan was to either sell or trade it towards something like that.
But without turning this into a "what is this worth?" thread (although my membership level should allow for that I think?) I was wondering if anyone would have an idea if there would be a premium attached to a knife that is 0 of 500?
I suppose it depends on the buyer or collector. But since I have absolutely no idea of what these go for, and there is no-where to really research this...can anyone help with at least an idea of any percentage (if any) that I should be looking at. I assume on a BM42 I would be paying in $$'s...but how much would be reasonable?

Appreciate any advice.

 

[pbcg]

Can you post a pic of the actual knife you have?

ETA: And can you take a close up of the number.

 

[338375]

I've seen a couple other BM pre-production knives that were numbered 0 of xxxx, and they didn't bring a big price. They were different models than yours, but I think the only people that would pay slightly more for this are people who either collect that particular pattern, or focus on low number marked knives. Then again, I've been wrong before...

I like the sand colored knife...

 

[Sigp210]

Yep..sure can.
I know the history of this one, which Leupold rep. it went to from the USA, and even know where he is now (Sig USA)
He'd confirm the history of it. There was one of the wood handled ones too ( 0 of 1500) but a colleague bought that one when we closed. I should track it down and buy it back.
Box is a little beat up..not much. But this thing travelled a lot.

It sure does grow on you. So I guess I am sharing this more than trying to market it.

 

[jkarp_53]

I have owned both and would still If they had also been offered in PE. Beautiful knives and very well made. Congrats Sahib, "0" of 500 is a great find. :thumbup:

 

[pbcg]

Fist off, beautiful knife!

Generally speaking from a collector / value prospective in descending order:

Prototypes that never go into production
Prototypes that the Prototype varies significantly from the production version
Prototypes

Then you have:

Numbered Pre Production and First Production runs that rarely value much higher if at all then the Regular production run. There may be a "cool" factor to some who collect that particular model and they will pay more for it. A lot depends on the model in question.

Limited Editions are valued higher because they are limited.

In all cases the actual condition of the knife will factor heavily into the value of the knife. Including if you have the original box and paperwork.

OP, It's not a Prototype as it would be marked as such. They do that because it is not for retail sale and has to be marked.

Per Benchmade they do not mark LE blades "0" of any number. That leaves a couple of possibilities, It's 01 of 500 or 10 of 500 and the 1 was omitted and it was a "mistake", or a "one off" and that can definitely add value for some, depending on the knife in question. If it's already rare it makes it rarer.

That said, As far as value there's several factors to take into account beyond the LE marking's. Most importantly the overall condition as said.

Like anything it's worth what someone is willing to pay but presenting it accurately ie: history, condition, and any other pertinent facts have to be evaluated before anyone can give it a blanket value or say what it may or may not be worth.

I'd send the pic to BM customer service and try and pin down what they think it is so you can add the info to your description. Call them first though and speak to a rep and then e-mail to them directly.

Hope this helps but sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

All the best!

 

[Sigp210]

Thanks for the info, nice to know.
The knives are definitely 0 of 500 and 0 of 1500 though. Zero chance they were 01 or 10.
The marketing manager of Leupold USA had given them to the Austrian Leupold agent responsible for many countries including South Africa. Both of these guys now run Sig Optics in the USA.
These were demo models that Leupold was using to either get orders, or show their worldwide clients. You can see at that stage the Leupold model number was hand written on the box, and the end writing was done by Benchmade. They may have been shown at the SHOT Show that year before they were released.
They were supposed to go back to Leupold, but we lost the agency. And a short while thereafter, the company closed. I bought this after we closed, as I was responsible for wholesale.
I am not under any illusions that it is worth a lot more than a standard one, but I think it is a bit out of the ordinary and shows that Benchmade does indeed mark knives 0 of XXX when they feel like it. Either that, or Leupold did the engraving. But I have my doubts about that.
If anyone knows Andy or Stefan at Sig Optics (formerly with Leupold USA and Austria) they can ask the history of this one, and its brother that I will try and track down.

 

[pbcg]

That BM doesn't mark Limited Editions "0" of any number came from them not me. I asked previously about it. Again this is specific to LE only. Not Pre-production or First Productions.

Then again maybe the rep was wrong right? Could be the case. That's why I strongly encourage you to send your pic's off to the company and see if they can dial it in definitively. Get the opinion of the team so to speak.

Limited Editions definitely value higher and anyway you cut it the "0" makes it rarer in that regard. It would just be better I think to see what they say so you have good info to work with on your search.

Like I said, wish I could have been more helpful.

All the best.

 

[-Corey-]

Seems like I've seen another one of the Leupold Ares number 0 somewhere. I'll have a look around and see if I can find it again.