Benchmade Have Redeemed Themselves

Sulaco

Sulaco

Gold Member
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Nov 15, 2003
Messages
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A while back I was furious with Benchmade. They were making some real junk and selling it for a lot of money. That's not right and I personally took them to task by sending knives back until they were made right or replaced and by posting here and other places about my troubles. I also spoke to higher ups several times and sent correspondence letting them know how I felt.

Well, it worked.

Okay, I won't take total credit, a lot of you guys had similar issues. Some less, some more. But it seemed we were not happy with what they were making and they caught on. I don't know if anyone at Benchmade pays any attention to this forum, but I imagine it would be quite difficult for any knife company not to, at least a little. While we may not be the largest part of the market, we are very vocal, and that means something.

So anyway, very recently I decided to give them another go. I bought a 551 Griptilian and wow. It's nearly perfect. Sure, the bevels are not perfect and were obviously done on a belt with a coarse grit, but the knife is sharp enough to shave hairs (even if it's just grabbing them mostly), the blade locks up nice and tight and centers perfectly when closed. The rest of the QC and F&F is also very good. This is a marked improvement over what I saw just a few months ago.

Being happy with this one, I picked up a few more. My most recent, a Contego 810 (black finish) is also great. I was hesitant about it but am very pleased. The grinds are just about perfect, lockup is as well, and the bevels are great and even. And it's sharp!

I don't know if anyone else is having a similar experience, and I don't want this to turn in to a bash Benchmade session, but if you'd like to mention your thoughts on recent BM products, I'd like to hear it.

So good on you Benchmade, I for one am happy and plan to make some more purchases soon!
 
While most people seem to bash the 53, I took an interest in it and decided to try it as a second hand. Turned out great, the FFG was actually quite acute, At least to the point of little to no difference in slicing thick materials compared to my Big Chris custom in O1. Has been my EDC this entire month. Overall the fit and finish is great, not burrs on the G10, or misaligned spacers. I will say the anchors for the pocket clip screws have become loose to the point of not usable. Not sure if it's maker's error as it has only been with me for a month and the previous owner hadn't put much pocket time or if it, or it was simply wear and tear on a small threaded spacer. Either way quite happy with it, Wouldn't be opposed to carrying it in a belt sheath if they don't want to fix the pocket clip.
 
I have never had a problem with Benchmade. I am quite proficient with sharpening my knives.
 
I've only owned a few Benchmade knives, and thought they were good quality, fit and finish, etc. For what they are, at least. The Griptilian is ultimately still a plastic handled knife. I don't think there's a whole lot to expect when the material isn't exactly great quality. I didn't feel like the 551 I had was an $80 knife. The blade was ok, 154cm is a good steel. But you can find other brands with better materials for a similar price. Sometimes even cheaper.

The 707 was a disappointment. For $130 I felt it should have been better. I didn't like how the G10 fit into the handle. Seemed misaligned and sloppy.

It's hard to not look at other brands and find better stuff for less. I no longer have the 707 and I do have a Spyderco Native 5, and even at $20 less the Native is so much more knife than the 707.

Ultimately I feel like when I buy Benchmade I'm buying the Axis lock, and sacrificing something for it. Usually materials.
 
Although this isn't statistically significant, all of my Benchmade purchases in the last year have arrived in perfect or near-perfect condition.
 
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My 556 was a purchase at a large sporting goods store almost three years ago. All even, straight, and solid. My one experience with Benchmade has been completely positive.
 
I owned a Benchmade 585 that I purchased maybe 3 or 4 years ago and it had the best fit & finish of any knife I've ever owned.

I think we should all be careful when thinking our individual experience with a company is the universal experience.
 
My only "Issue" or complaint with Benchmade is that they seem to continually discontinue their best knives. The AFCK, Skirmish, Rukus and some others.

At least with the AFCK they come out from time to time with a limited run but those get snatched up and resold on the secondary market at a ridiculous mark up.

Other then that I've been pretty happy with them over the years.

The 2012 line up is the best I've seen in a long time. The Contego and Adamas are truly great knives and they kept the price affordable. I think you really get a lot for the money.
 
I only have a half dozen or so, but they've all been perfect in fit, finish, and overall quality. Their CS, in my limited experience, has been fantastic about sending small parts upon request.
 
I'm a big fan of the 707, and it can be had for much less than $130 nowadays. But yeah, Benchmades do seem to typically lag behind other companies in price ranges regarding bladesteels (Presidio ultra = $100 440c!). Axis lock keeps me coming back also. Very handy indeed.
 
Jesse B. said:
Although this isn't statistically significant, all of my Benchmade purchases in the last year have arrived in perfect or near-perfect condition.
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Good to hear!

Nullity said:
I owned a Benchmade 585 that I purchased maybe 3 or 4 years ago and it had the best fit & finish of any knife I've ever owned.

I think we should all be careful when thinking our individual experience with a company is the universal experience.
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I agree, but there's no denying the problems I had vs the lack of problems I now have - even amongst the same models. I now own 4 Griptilians and every one of them is good to go, whereas before, out of the several I owned, one was trouble-free.

FCM415 said:
I'm a big fan of the 707, and it can be had for much less than $130 nowadays. But yeah, Benchmades do seem to typically lag behind other companies in price ranges regarding bladesteels (Presidio ultra = $100 440c!). Axis lock keeps me coming back also. Very handy indeed.
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I am a huge AXIS lock fan also and don't mind paying a premium for it. To me it's the ideal ambidextrous (I'm a lefty), true one-handed lock mechanism.
 
EmberMike said:
The Griptilian is ultimately still a plastic handled knife. I don't think there's a whole lot to expect when the material isn't exactly great quality.
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What's not great about high impact polymers? They're lightweight and extremely tough and scratch resistant. They may look/feel "cheap" to some but I personally love FRN and other similar materials. :)
 
Not too crazy about the Grip's stock handles either, will have to get some Wilkins grips more mine eventually.

Anyway

I've only owned a few BM knives but all the ones i've received have been top notch. I'm slowly finding out which knives of theirs "work" for me but its a long process.
 
darthsoaker said:
Blah blah blah sample size too small blah blah blah, ect.
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If the only samples I have, are problematic, am I to assume it's purely coincidence? And if I find others with similar issues, is that also a coincidence? I don't think it is. I'm also not the only one who has seen improvement recently. Thanks for your incisive response though. ;)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
What's not great about high impact polymers? They're lightweight and extremely tough and scratch resistant. They may look/feel "cheap" to some but I personally love FRN and other similar materials. :)
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I agree. I can see why people would prefer one material over another, and I can even see why materials such as G-10 and micarta laminates would be seen as "premium", but from a usability standpoint, I have no problem with FRN, nylon or other similar materials. I especially like the cost and weight savings!
 
I too prefer "premium" grip materials over plastics. However, Glocks, HKs, XDs, M&Ps, and many others are regarded as near indestructable when compared to similar metal framed guns. And all those I listed are plastic.
 
Personally Ive owned one of many Benchmade knives I've been keenly impressed with. A 940. But IMO it is overpriced. The real stab in the gut for BM is Spyderco's Golden made knives. If comparing knives by size/materials/lock/price/ect. I can't think of any reason to choose a Benchmade except looks. Looks play a major roll in knives. Who would buy a fairly expensive knife based solely on a fairly impressive description? Not many. IMO BM seriously rests tooo much on the Axis. Almost their entire line is just a different shaped, typically heavier and more expensive version of a Griptilian. I bought and carried for a while a Gold Class Griptilian ($275). The CF was very nice. The M4 was not as stellar as I hoped, the clip would scratch if a Butterfly farted. Guess what? It was a Griptilian. Those cost $75.

Out of many BMs, the only I have left is a Mini Grip 555. Both omega springs broke & have been replaced by guitar strings (which actually works great).

I don't wanna totally poopoo Benchmade. They do manufacture nice USA made knives. Just my perspective.
 
Sulaco said:
If the only samples I have, are problematic, am I to assume it's purely coincidence? And if I find others with similar issues, is that also a coincidence? I don't think it is. I'm also not the only one who has seen improvement recently. Thanks for your incisive response though. ;)
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I have about 40 Benchmade knives and none have the problems you describe. There are lots of other people who have also reported no problems. So are we just a coincidence? I think there are a lot more people in these threads that report no or few problems than the random person who says everything they touch is junk. I would be more curious why that is.
 
I think Benchmade is a great company, and they've always had great designs. There CS is also top notch.
I love their quality Carbon Fiber(they don't layer a very thin strip over G-10), but wish they would offer more knives with it.

I really wish I hadn't missed the CF mini Onslaught with satin blade, as the price on the aftermarket has gotten to high for me.

They do discontinue models often, but that can be a good thing at times. I decided to get rid of three this year, two had been carried, and I got more than I paid for them.
 
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