Benchmade Custom Knife Configurator Timeline

Cypress

Cypress

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2009
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I searched high and low on the webnets and came up with nil as far as build times for the Custom Knife Configurator, so I'm going to post about the experience in case anyone else is as pedantic as I am.

I had no idea we could order Barrages and the like in steels like M4, so I placed my order for a Mini Barrage with tan sculpted G10 handles and M4 steel. If you guys are as "meh" as I am with the current S30V wave benchmade has been riding, the Configurator is a great way to vote with your money.
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So far, this is my timeline:

October 3rd, 8:04 AM - Order placed online

October 3rd, 2:02 PM - I call the factory to get an idea of how long it takes, just for my own knowledge. I am told building typically starts ~24 hours after the order is placed, then 7-10 days to build the knife, then however long it takes shipping. I elected to pick the knife up from the factory, so I have the privilege of skipping that last step. Hanna(h?) informed me that I'd get a call when it was ready for me to show up.

October 5th, 8:17 AM - Email from Benchmade stating they have begun the build process with a video showing the laser cutting process.

October 5th, 8:17 AM (same time as above) - Email from Benchmade stating they have completed steps 3 and 4 (out of the 4 steps, according to the image sent in the email). Another video provided.

October 6th, 8:10 AM - Email from Benchmade thanking me for choosing Benchmade and giving me the option to see how my knife was made (again). I was 80% expecting the next email to tell me it was done, but alas...

October 6th, 8:17 AM (I'm seeing a trend) - Email from Benchmade stating they have completed steps 5 and 6 (out of 4 steps?). Also contains a fun fact about the finish work they do... I won't spoil it, but it almost sounds like the custom knives might get more love than the production knives. Benchmade Benchmade might be able to clarify on that.

I'll update this thread as things happen, but so far I'm impressed with how quickly things are progressing, and even more stoked with how Benchmade is routinely giving me status updates.
 
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Barrage looks awesome mate! Makes me wish us internationals could use the custom configuration service :'(
 
20cv is also a choice in the custom builder. I've thought about it a few times. Hey Cypress Cypress could I order one and have you pick it up? Would save me tax, lol!
 
October 6th, 8:18 PM (uncanny) - Email from Benchmade stating that my "custom knife is almost ready" and it will now to go through assembly and sharpening.

bluemetalchurch said:
20cv is also a choice in the custom builder. I've thought about it a few times. Hey Cypress Cypress could I order one and have you pick it up? Would save me tax, lol!
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Hah! I'd be willing to hook a few of you guys up!
 
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That looks nice, I’d love to build a custom, sadly this option isn’t available to me in the UK either.
 
Thanks Cypress, I never looked into doing this. I though it was just a pick your scale color sort of thing and have fun with our 154cm. Man, being able to order 20CV along with different grain and grip patterns in G10 kind of revs me up. Looks like I have a custom Barrage in my future! The only thing I wish they'd let you do is pick a deep carry clip.
 
October 12, 3:02 PM - I got the call from the factory that my knife was done and ready to be picked up. In my usual bad timing, I had stopped by this morning to see if it was ready, as I was in town picking up some furniture. Austin (legit-cool showroom guru) regrettably informed me it wasn't done at that point. I currently live 4 hours from the factory, so I grabbed my furniture, ate some lunch, and hit the road. When I was about halfway home I got the call that it was finished, but there was no way I was turning around. Austin understood this and decided to wave the shipping fee for me! Talk about amazing customer service!

Something of note that I had never noticed before: The sidewalk on around the factory has at least one ~3" CNC'd metal butterfly imbedded into the concrete. Pretty sick! It was absolutely pouring, otherwise I would have taken a pic.
 
Cypress said:
October 12, 3:02 PM - I got the call from the factory that my knife was done and ready to be picked up. In my usual bad timing, I had stopped by this morning to see if it was ready, as I was in town picking up some furniture. Austin (legit-cool showroom guru) regrettably informed me it wasn't done at that point. I currently live 4 hours from the factory, so I grabbed my furniture, ate some lunch, and hit the road. When I was about halfway home I got the call that it was finished, but there was no way I was turning around. Austin understood this and decided to wave the shipping fee for me! Talk about amazing customer service!

Something of note that I had never noticed before: The sidewalk on around the factory has at least one ~3" CNC'd metal butterfly imbedded into the concrete. Pretty sick! It was absolutely pouring, otherwise I would have taken a pic.
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That is great CS! Can't wait to see the knife when you get it, Cypress Cypress
 
Nice. Yeah yesterday we had a tornado warning around 3:30 PST. Crazy weather.
 
I'd be super interested in how it turns out as well. I now have this desire where I need to build a M4 mini grip tanto..
 
October 16, 2:30 pm (10 days after ordering) - I came home to a BKC box at my door! The knife is one of the better examples of a Benchmade I've gotten in recent years, but it isn't without its niggles.

-Centering: slightly off, but not enough to warrant me disassembling the knife yet.

-Sharpening: the logo side of the blade wasn't ground as high as the Osborne side, and the Osborne side is uneven. Bevels are different sizes/angles, and the tip isn't centered. This has been a constant thing for Benchmade lately, and I recently gave up an Infidel because of it. That being said, this is hands down, the sharpest Benchmade I have ever received from the factory. Ever.

Coating: There appears to be a small bubble or inclusion in the Cerakote.

Finish: The liners have spots where the black coating has already been rubbed through or scratched. The pictures might show it, but it's pretty visible in person.

Overall, I'd give the finish work an 8.5/10, but I will admit that I'm a harsh judge. For a quarter of a thousand dollars, this is what you get.

Pics!

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Centering slightly off, shiny silver scratches on the black liners

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Inclusion in the Cerakote near the edge at the belly, uneven grind.

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Off-center tip

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Box for Benchmade Benchmade because Jimmy loooooves him some boxes :D

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Cypress Cypress that's a great looking knife. Sucks that it isn't perfect...are you going to carry it as is or send it back?
 
bluemetalchurch said:
Cypress Cypress that's a great looking knife. Sucks that it isn't perfect...are you going to carry it as is or send it back?
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I'll carry it as-is. I can sharpen the edge imperfection out, and the scratches on the liners will probably be added to shortly ;). If the Cerakote issue turns out to be more than just a small bump, I'll run it into the factory and let them replace the blade. Plus, the up-front customer service Benchmade provided before I even got the knife is worth not throwing it right back at them. Additionally, this is the only Benchmade I have ever received that didn't immediately get thrown onto my Edge Pro. It's just that sharp!
 
Cypress said:
I'll carry it as-is. I can sharpen the edge imperfection out, and the scratches on the liners will probably be added to shortly ;). If the Cerakote issue turns out to be more than just a small bump, I'll run it into the factory and let them replace the blade. Plus, the up-front customer service Benchmade provided before I even got the knife is worth not throwing it right back at them. Additionally, this is the only Benchmade I have ever received that didn't immediately get thrown onto my Edge Pro. It's just that sharp!
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I'm curious, aren't you normally a large knife guy? Surprised you went with a mini barrage.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
I'm curious, aren't you normally a large knife guy? Surprised you went with a mini barrage.
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I don't discriminate! I've got knives for uses. I've been renovating a house lately and it's hunting season, so that why you see me with the Adamas or AFOII. When I'm not beating on things I usually carry a 765.

Good eye!
 
Cypress said:
I don't discriminate! I've got knives for uses. I've been renovating a house lately and it's hunting season, so that why you see me with the Adamas or AFOII. When I'm not beating on things I usually carry a 765.

Good eye!
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Nice! I like a large knife most days but I also have a KW Exclusive Grip for the office and a Bugout for around the house. Look forward to seeing shots of the knife as you use it/break it in. The 810 you had was pretty legendary! lol
 
Just an FYI those emails you receive about what step of the process your custom knife is going through are just auto-generated and not actually tied with what's actually happening to your knife right then. When I did my custom Grip it was a few days after I received an email saying they were on the last step and it still hadn't shipped yet, so I called CS. They informed me of that.
 
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