Benchmade Fakes, knock-offs, counterfeits thread...

[jbib]

I never realized what a market was out there for clones. My question is it in poor taste to ask the seller where the knife came?

 

[DocJekl]

I never realized what a market was out there for clones. My question is it in poor taste to ask the seller where the knife came?

Yes - replica knives and watches are known to fund organized crime.

 

[00stormbringer]

I was cleaning out the safe today and rediscovered a Benchmade Adamas Auto that I had purchased online in 2013 from House of Blades in Texas. It feels and appears to be genuine, but I am a second guesser by nature.

 

[Sibyrnes]

I never realized what a market was out there for clones. My question is it in poor taste to ask the seller where the knife came?

No, I don't think it is in poor taste. The seller can choose to tell you or not - no harm in asking.

 

[not2sharp]

I'm going with genuine.

Studs are real, liners are real, scales look real, axis lock looks real, jimping on the steel liner looks real, screws look real. I don't see red flags on the clip (except it's bent). The only puzzle is the washers and logo. I think someone changed out the washers which is messing up the action. I doubt they'd change the blade to fake (hence no "r" on the right bottom logo) but then put real thumb studs on it, and those studs look real. Again, I only looked at a few of these to see if the logo changed over time online, but I didn't look at dozens.

My example of the 560 is also missing the registered trademark (small “r”). But the washers on mine are much less prominent and the action is normal. Perhaps someone reassembled the OPs knife incorrectly and inverted the washers.

N2s

 

[jbib]

No, I don't think it is in poor taste. The seller can choose to tell you or not - no harm in asking.

I decided not to take a chance and bought one direct. I don't like to pay retail but since its a one and done, I did. Its a redoubt and very nice!

 

[TCR]

Hello all.
I have scrolled here for years just never made and account. The Benchmade in question is the 940-2. I have had this knife for probably 6-7 years and recently picked up a 940 from Knife Center so I am sure it is legit. The 940-2 has a different S30V mark, a different Osbourne logo and a satin finished blade. The logos on the 940-2 are a bit smaller in case it is hard to tell from the picture. I added the black thumb studs on both so that should not be taken into account. I hope the photo shows up. The link is to imgur. Thanks

https://imgur.com/undefined

https://imgur.com/GjPQVgK

 

[DocJekl]

Hello all.
I have scrolled here for years just never made and account. The Benchmade in question is the 940-2. I have had this knife for probably 6-7 years and recently picked up a 940 from Knife Center so I am sure it is legit. The 940-2 has a different S30V mark, a different Osbourne logo and a satin finished blade. The logos on the 940-2 are a bit smaller in case it is hard to tell from the picture. I added the black thumb studs on both so that should not be taken into account. I hope the photo shows up. The link is to imgur. Thanks

https://imgur.com/undefined

https://imgur.com/GjPQVgK

I’m on my phone and can only see THE SECOND link because you copied the FIRST link before IMGUR are assigned a URL to the picture.

So, typically the thumb studs are something that are important to help confirm if it’s genuine and those do look like genuine studs you added. The other hardware also looks genuine to me, I only have the second picture to go by and on my iPhone, i’m used to all of my benchmade blades being stonewashed without showing the machining lines. I guess I’m not that much of an expert to be able to say whether or not that’s a normal variation on an older model.

 

[TCR]

https://imgur.com/a/jKuuOsJ

DocJekl, thanks for taking a look. Uploading pics is a huge pain.

 

[DocJekl]

https://imgur.com/a/jKuuOsJ

DocJekl, thanks for taking a look. Uploading pics is a huge pain.

From all the pics, the green one is genuine. You added the thumb studs, which makes it harder to tell by using only the other visual cues. I assume the knife functions and feels like a good solid made Benchmade.

1) The 940-2 scales look correct in shape and texture both, and a lot of fakes get the wrong G10 texture.

2) As far as I can tell the axis-lock bar (and what I can see inside through the opening) and the screws look genuine on it.

3) The blade grind's look pretty much identical, but I can't see all the details on the 940-2 knife's butterfly logo, due to the lower half being in shadow. However, I usually see the fakes with a stonewashed 440C blade that is slippery like eel, and not showing the grind lines exactly like the original. Makes me think real.

4) I agree the clip side Osborne logo and S30V print look different between the two, and I've seen pics online where on the 940-2 it looks like the logo and font on the green one.

BUT THEN I found the same logo size and S30V font on the 940-2 image at Sheels website, which would mean this is a correct variation.

 

[TCR]

Don’t know how I am just now seeing this post. Thanks for the info.

 

[RubiSoHo]

Got burned trying to buy a 535 secondhand. It was actually my son who tried to buy it, and I didn’t inspect it very closely when he picked it up. it’s a total clone, not really that good of one either.

The liner is polished steel, the action feels gritty. The scales feel like crap, the pocket clip is different. The grind on the blade is different.

To the untrained eye, it would probably pass the sniff test, and my son didn’t necessarily recognize it when he picked it up. But I could tell when I got it in my hand.

The box is also clearly a knock off, the color is brighter in the blue lid. The metal texture is much more pronounced in this box. The barcode is formatted differently, and there’s no manufacturing date on it. And the use categories are both there but swapped “every day” and “outdoor” compared to the real box.

He paid $80, from a guy who claimed he was given it as a gift. Luckily the guy was willing to Venmo his money back, and is trusting my son to mail the knife back to him.

The seller was actually pretty cool about it, stated he’s not super into knives, couldn’t tell the difference. Swore up and down that he wouldn’t have wasted our time if he knew he had a fake in his possession. And was very willing to refund my son’s money. He could have just known he was caught, but son got his money back either way.

If it had been me who got had, I would’ve chalked it up to stupidity and taken the loss on the chin. But it was my 12 year-old son so I’m glad the seller was willing to work with him.

We went out together a second time and he bought a 533 that a gentleman had for sale. New in box, definitely the real thing this time!

 

[1361]

First and foremost, I'm not much of a knife guy. I decided now was the time to expand myself in this area. I just ordered 3 new knives (with Magnacut blades to help combat my negligence). I have a older Benchmade knife I bought from the big river (aka the amazon counterfeit den) some years back. I've never taken very good care it. I was planning to send it in to get sharpened and freshened up. I hear Benchmade is supposed to be good about such things. After spending some time reading here, I realize that I might not even have a real Benchmade knife. I don't want to send them something that's not even a real product of theirs. If it is a fake, it's still been a good little knife when I've used it. I still have the box but it doesn't look like most of the boxes shown here.
What say ye of more knowledge than me?

 

[1361]

Some box pictures if it will help

 

[mrfields]

First and foremost, I'm not much of a knife guy. I decided now was the time to expand myself in this area. I just ordered 3 new knives (with Magnacut blades to help combat my negligence). I have a older Benchmade knife I bought from the big river (aka the amazon counterfeit den) some years back. I've never taken very good care it. I was planning to send it in to get sharpened and freshened up. I hear Benchmade is supposed to be good about such things. After spending some time reading here, I realize that I might not even have a real Benchmade knife. I don't want to send them something that's not even a real product of theirs. If it is a fake, it's still been a good little knife when I've used it. I still have the box but it doesn't look like most of the boxes shown here.
What say ye of more knowledge than me?

your knife looks good, i dont see anything that would make me think it’s counterfeit. the box is an older one but still legit

 

[Jesse B.]

First and foremost, I'm not much of a knife guy. I decided now was the time to expand myself in this area. I just ordered 3 new knives (with Magnacut blades to help combat my negligence). I have a older Benchmade knife I bought from the big river (aka the amazon counterfeit den) some years back. I've never taken very good care it. I was planning to send it in to get sharpened and freshened up. I hear Benchmade is supposed to be good about such things. After spending some time reading here, I realize that I might not even have a real Benchmade knife. I don't want to send them something that's not even a real product of theirs. If it is a fake, it's still been a good little knife when I've used it. I still have the box but it doesn't look like most of the boxes shown here.
What say ye of more knowledge than me?

Greetings. I have the same model, and just compared mine to yours. It looks completely identical in every way. The 484 Nakamura wasn’t hugely popular (unfortunately—because it’s a good knife imo), or in production for a long time, so I also doubt it was heavily counterfeited. The box and its contents look authentic. You’re good.

 

[1361]

Thank you Mr Fields and Mr Jesse

 

[sv4]

First and foremost, I'm not much of a knife guy. I decided now was the time to expand myself in this area. I just ordered 3 new knives (with Magnacut blades to help combat my negligence). I have a older Benchmade knife I bought from the big river (aka the amazon counterfeit den) some years back. I've never taken very good care it. I was planning to send it in to get sharpened and freshened up. I hear Benchmade is supposed to be good about such things. After spending some time reading here, I realize that I might not even have a real Benchmade knife. I don't want to send them something that's not even a real product of theirs. If it is a fake, it's still been a good little knife when I've used it. I still have the box but it doesn't look like most of the boxes shown here.
What say ye of more knowledge than me?

That’s a genuine 484 Nakamura in M390 steel. The box is also a genuine older Benchmade slider box. The 484 Nakamura is an excellent Benchmade knife.

 

[coolhand68]

Just bought a 910 off the bay, I have some concerns. One, the knife ways 3.6 ounces versus the 3.9 advertised weight and weight of others I own. It’s also a hair slimmer (g-10 appears to be thinner scales). The finger groove is smaller than on other 910 models I own. I also notice the copyright R with circle around it is right on the line/grind. The serrations also look different. I know Benchmade made slight changes to lettering on the blade and serrations but I’m not sure about the rest. Knife came without a clip—the one pictured is a real one I added. Thoughts?

In the photos the model in question is the one on top.

 

[vanx]

Hello fellow knife knuts. Non-active member here. First post/ longtime lurker!

I've been reading this thread at length lately as I've inherited a collection that includes some great Benchmades. Sadly, I've already learned that I have 2 Bali-Song copies, but they are surprisingly well built!

I could really use your validation help on two Benchmade Contegos.. Clones or No?

For starters, they feel really good in hand and are very high quality. Etched logos on blades are clear, italicized where called for and very legible. Both are heavy, with tight lockup and no blade play. Both super sharp and the machining marks appear correct. Pivots are T10 screws and coating/colors appear to match known good website photos. Expected paperwork and quality microfiber drawstring bag is in each box.

Reasons I think they could be clones:
1. Slide boxes are black (not blue) with small cell (not popcorn style) foam liners. They seem like a black version of the oldest blue slide boxes. Maybe they were sold when BM was in-between older style packages vs the new ones we know today with larger cell foam and slide on top lid?
2. No manufacture date on box end sticker for either model.
3. From the photo on 810SBK, I cannot see even the slightest dot for a trademark "circle-R" on right lower butterfly wing. It is visible on the satin blade 810 but very small/faint.

iCloud links to albums on both knives:

iCloud Photos - Apple iCloud

View, organize, and share photos and videos with iCloud Photos on the web. Changes will sync across your devices with iCloud.

share.icloud.com

iCloud Photos - Apple iCloud

View, organize, and share photos and videos with iCloud Photos on the web. Changes will sync across your devices with iCloud.

share.icloud.com

Your help is very appreciated!