Benchmade Bugout 535

J

Jelloscooter

Joined
Dec 8, 2021
Messages
2
Received a new Bugout from BladeHQ 12/8/2021

The blade was obviously off center, and loose. It looked like a pivot washer was missing so I took it apart and sure enough, they forgot to put a pivot washer in.
https://imgur.com/a/ANFT2wJ

The blade was also discolored near the tip. I thought this just dirt or oil, but it won't clean off. I'm not sure what would cause the discoloration.
https://imgur.com/a/aNFdqiA

Now, BladeHQ issued a $50 debit back to my card, but refused this as a return (because I took the knife apart to figure out what was going on).

I'm still working with Benchmade to see if we can get this fixed. So far I've been told "You took it apart so it's out of warranty", even though I feel like, as a consumer I don't think I did anything wrong and shouldn't be part of the QC process on a $140 knife. I believe I am out of warranty now since I took it apart. I really only need a pivot washer, but sending a washer out "isn't something they do". So much for the Butterfly Tax.

Jason
 
I hope you get the situation fixed. But to be honest, seeing your two photos, I wouldn't have even bothered to open it. I would have just sent it back immediately for exchange or refund. BladeHQ obviously doesn't even do a quick visual check before sending out, and yea, Benchmades warranty policy seems ridiculous to knife people, but I guess they are proetcting themselves from non-knife people.

As a Bugout fan (I have 3) you can buy aftermarket bronze pivot washers, both original and oversized, on etsy. Spare Omega Springs are also available.
With Benchmade's absurd policy of requiring you to send in the whole knife for everything little thing I find it easier to keep such spares on hand.
And you may find yourself swapping out those grivory scales anyway. The Bugout with good solid scales, G10, Micarta. Titanium, Aluminum whatever is a whole different (and better) knife.
 
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Benchmade boxes are taped shut from the manufacturer. For BladeHQ to check it prior to shipping they’d have to break the seal. And then people would complain about the boxes not being sealed.
 
Another option:
With the $50 you got back from BladeHQ you can buy a new blade from Benchmade.
You’d have to send it in but they’ll sell you a brand new blade, apart from the warranty, and then you’ll have your knife the way it was supposed to be.
It sucks you have to go through this but at least there is that option.
 
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karnaknives said:
Benchmade boxes are taped shut from the manufacturer. For BladeHQ to check it prior to shipping they’d have to break the seal. And then people would complain about the boxes not being sealed.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I had always assumed it was the Seller/Dealer that sealed them, after checking to be sure they got what they ordered. Guess not.
 
karnaknives said:
I suppose they could also be opened and re-sealed (or not) by sellers/dealers as well.
Click to expand...
Yes they could. When I was last in Hong Kong, I visited the Benchmade distributor there. I was interested in a 531 International Edition plus a couple other models they had. When the boxes came from their store room, they carefully peeled open the round stickers for me to check the knives before ringing up the purchase (all were fine, centering, action etc) and then re-sealed it afterwards. I couldn’t even tell that the stickers were opened & re-sealed.
 
That's kind of bull.

Email me your address, I'll buy you a pair; dont lose faith in bladehq nor benchmade.
Post on my profile, I removed my email ;)

Cheers.

Edit: also, sorry I just noticed the giant mark on the blade. Hopefully it's not a screwed up heat treat because you cant really fix that.

I would make a fuss to benchmade and make them take that POS back. Knife people might be able to spot signs of lemon-ness, but they cant possibly expect everybody to.
 
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JP_Marlin JP_Marlin
Dergyll Dergyll

Just a heads up you guys might want to edit the email address out of your posts. Publicly viewable emails are like candy to spammers and scammers, especially when attached to context as they are here.
 
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