Benchmade HK knives & some others to be Discontinued!

[John_0917]

Wow that's sudden and rather abrupt, something very bad obviously happened. I wonder if the intellectual property to the actual designs remains property of Benchmade or HK? The use of the HK name was licensed but who owns the actual knife designs is another question. The point being we could hypothetically see things like the HK Patrol being re-branded as a Benchmade.

 

[MaxFisher]

Wow that's sudden and rather abrupt, something very bad obviously happened. I wonder if the intellectual property to the actual designs remains property of Benchmade or HK? The use of the HK name was licensed but who owns the actual knife designs is another question. The point being we could hypothetically see things like the HK Patrol being re-branded as a Benchmade.

I would guess that the designs reside with Benchmade. I think they probably did the original design work and hence own the designs. Unfortunately, if we do see these designs stay in the Benchmade line-up, then we'll see a steep price increase since BM's current MAP policy has never applied to the H&K knives.

 

[MaxFisher]

I wonder why Benchmade choose to end the Presidio Line and the non-auto Strykers? I would say that is the real story here, not the H&K lines which were living on borrowed time after the MAP thing happened a few years ago. Hopefully Benchmade has a whole product line ready to go in 2017 to fill the space they just cleared out in their catalog.

I agree. Everyone is so busy questioning the BM/H&K fallout that they're glossing over this. I've considered the Presidio line to be sort of a BM mainstay for quite some time. You had the Presidio Ultra models as an entry level and the standard Presidios as a step up. The Presidio line accounted for 12 models in the line-up. Strange to see them all go at once that suddenly.

 

[Mo2]

For anyone who is not familiar with retail sales, discontinuing an entire line like that without any foreknowledge and saying they are going to be immediately stopping all orders is a HUGE dick move to vendors. Especially in a niche market such as higher end knives with authorized retailers. That is going to mean a lot of lost profits and will likely spread around to other things which really passes the loss on to the customers because the vendors are obviously (and rightfully so) going to try to make some of that money back in other areas such as less and shorter sales, higher shipping, less diversity of products do to focusing on popular items that don't tend to sit on the shelf as long (core products with higher turns.)

Between this, Map Pricing, Lone wolf debacle, etc. etc. Benchmade is really pushing for the most hated company award. Although Kershaw has definitely lost face this year too with the lawsuit, map pricing, huge addition of cheap Chinese plastic knives with no g10 3cr13, 5cr15 steels and nothing really new from the US made stuff other than a Link variation and their expanded Launch series.

I think nows the time more than ever for the smaller, lesser known and customer service oriented to take down the big names and force them to appeal to us, the consumer; not just Cabela's, Sports Authority, Wal-Mart, etc..

a worse dick move is giving customers bad quality for the MAP pricing they are offering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnwUEgwWzII
[video=youtube;jnwUEgwWzII]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnwUEgwWzII[/video]
check out Nicks other benchmade reviews. and the various bad reviews on amazon about quality, blade centering, uneven grinds and fit and finish stuff.

my 940-1 came with some issues also. i dont want to waste the time and effort to send it back to BM to fix it.

 

[DukeSilver5]

I agree. Everyone is so busy questioning the BM/H&K fallout that they're glossing over this. I've considered the Presidio line to be sort of a BM mainstay for quite some time. You had the Presidio Ultra models as an entry level and the standard Presidios as a step up. The Presidio line accounted for 12 models in the line-up. Strange to see them all go at once that suddenly.

Although I'm still anxiously awaiting my hk 14430 arrival I'm also very surprised by the presidio being discontinued as well. I have a presidio ultra and am very happy with it. It doesn't have super steel but still has 440c, a very nice full size grip and full steel liners. I bought that knife at a army px, they only offer the presidio 522 and 527 and then a couple griptilians. Does Benchmade have another model you can get all those features for around $80? I guess what I'm saying is why get rid of such a solid feature packed knife that is catered to military? What could they replace it with that is still affordable?

 

[Scott321]

Although I'm still anxiously awaiting my hk 14430 arrival I'm also very surprised by the presidio being discontinued as well. I have a presidio ultra and am very happy with it. It doesn't have super steel but still has 440c, a very nice full size grip and full steel liners. I bought that knife at a army px, they only offer the presidio 522 and 527 and then a couple griptilians. Does Benchmade have another model you can get all those features for around $80? I guess what I'm saying is why get rid of such a solid feature packed knife that is catered to military? What could they replace it with that is still affordable?

Just something to think about since they are ditching their H&K line (and BTW I LOVE my Presidios)... IIRC, the H&K Axis (in D2) was considered a "value" version of the BM Stryker line. You might still be able to pick one up for around $100 (I don't know if it's available for less at a px) before it's too late:

 

[DukeSilver5]

Just something to think about since they are ditching their H&K line (and BTW I LOVE my Presidios)... IIRC, the H&K Axis (in D2) was considered a "value" version of the BM Stryker line. You might still be able to pick one up for around $100 (I don't know if it's available for less at a px) before it's too late:

Thanks man, I'm definitely aware of the hk axis, I'd love to get one but I just bought the patrol so I'm tapped out at the moment. Will have to try and find one in the future.

But my question was more aimed at Benchmade and the future. What I meant was right now I can go in to almost any px and find a presidio 522/527, a a 550/555 grip and sometimes the adamas. The adamas is over $120, the grip is a good knife but the presidio for hard use will out perform the grip in my eyes. So let's say next year when the presidios are gone, what am I going to be able to walk in to the px and buy that is that beefy with full steel liners for $80 which I find reletively cheap?

 

[ZuluKilo]

My 14715 arrived Wednesday and I must say I'm quite satisfied with it overall. :thumbup:

The highlights for me are:
-My first blade in D2.
-The black and brown is typically not my style, but in this instance it just looks superb to me.
-I've been fortunate to get three Benchmades in a row with good build quality/fit and finish. This one, my fourth, continues that streak. It's not perfect, but I cannot complain without nit-picking and with time, most of my "issues" may fade.
-The G10 is the perfect texture IMO and the ergonomics are quite good to these hands.
-I handled a 20CV Griptilian earlier this year and was not that impressed. I mean, it wasn't some crappy, garbage knife obviously. But this is better in every subjective way IMO and I paid nearly a full $80 less. That fact alone clenches it for me.

 

[Goose 7279]

What a shame i bought the hk axis knife and it is the absolute best value at the 80 $ price point for any knife imo they are amazingly tough

 

[Inazone]

I had already bought an Axis and love it, but once the news of the whole line vanishing, I ordered an MP5 auto. Can't get to my Imgur account from work, but for the moment, I'll just have to state what a beauty the MP5 is. Glad I got one while I still could.

 

[Tbmfish]

Well I have a little different take, companies should make there own stuff, when companies contract out quality always suffers it seems. I like the fact that benchmade is dropping the line with hopes of improving on an already quality product. If h&k want a knife line why don't they make them themselves? It's obvious that people have an interest, the waters have been tested. I have owned 7 benchmades from some of there 440 offerings which were my first, had an automatic that I hated only one so far, I currently have several mini grips which are excellent no problems at all. Maybe they will improve the handle materials and offering on mini of there other lines, I also have a 707 sequel which is the best suit knife in the world. I am looking forward to BM bringing some kick but offerings to the table


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[Modnar24]

Return of the red class! As long as I can remember, Benchmade has had a budget line. Maybe Benchmade can reintroduce some HK knives in red boxes.


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[jkarp_53]

I would love to see the older Ascent line brought back. These were among Benchmade's best budget minded knives and darned good ones.

 

[MaxFisher]

Thanks man, I'm definitely aware of the hk axis, I'd love to get one but I just bought the patrol so I'm tapped out at the moment. Will have to try and find one in the future.

But my question was more aimed at Benchmade and the future. What I meant was right now I can go in to almost any px and find a presidio 522/527, a a 550/555 grip and sometimes the adamas. The adamas is over $120, the grip is a good knife but the presidio for hard use will out perform the grip in my eyes. So let's say next year when the presidios are gone, what am I going to be able to walk in to the px and buy that is that beefy with full steel liners for $80 which I find reletively cheap?

Probably nothing. I doubt that they have anything at that price point in the works. Especially with their MAP price.

Love the screen name btw.

 

[Knives&Lint]

The Snody HK Axis (14250) was my first good blade years ago, and it is the knife that made me fall in love with the axis lock. In fact, still to this day I have found it to be a better execution of the Axis lock than many of the other Benchmades I have owned. I can hold it horizontally and one hand open and close simply by engaging the axis without even flicking my wrist, due to the smoothness as well as the weight/design of the blade. I am sad to see the relationship between one of my favorite knife companies and one of my favorite firearms companies come to an end. Good thing I stocked up on a few Snody's when I had the chance.

 

[jkarp_53]

Those old Snody models (I own the 14210 and 14205) were among the best offerings at the time in the lineup. If we can find a 14250 or the ones I have I'd bet they're going to get even harder to find!

 

[craytab]

Not surprised about the APB. It is a fantastic knife when de-assisted. Better operation than the conventional axis lock. When it is assisted, it is just another expensive assisted knife.

 

[photoman12001]

I only recently picked up a Presidio 520 and trainer but I'm pretty impressed with the design. It's a shame to discontinue it. It's very similar to my Bone Collector 15020 which I always felt was a superb design. The smaller 15030 is even better for me.

 

[Knives&Lint]

Those old Snody models (I own the 14210 and 14205) were among the best offerings at the time in the lineup. If we can find a 14250 or the ones I have I'd bet they're going to get even harder to find!

Indeed! I wish I had picked up even a few more. I had a couple of auto versions that I parted with too, just because to be honest axis autos frustrate me (Don't open any quicker, and eliminates ease of one handed closing)



Just to add a visual and a fond farewell to the Hk line