Benchmade knives :mad:

nemesis27 said:
Knifecenter has them for 99 bucks BUT I've never ordered from them before so maybe do a bit of research on them.
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They're legit I see them post all the time here. It's were I found the Tyrade for $210. And your right they have for $99. I just didn't notice before. The $210 version is very cool looking with Ti/G10 handles and desert sand storm color scheme. It's a very cool looking knife but the I don't know of anyone using such a knife for woods duty. The Spyderco Bradley has some big fans here that's good to know.
 
The Benchmade price 'increases' are largely smoke and mirrors. The dealers must advertise a certain price, but they don't have to sell at those prices. The Grip is a good knife that would serve you well, especially a Ritter Grip or a Cabela's D2 Grip. Otherwise, you should find that new M4 Spyderco or any Emerson will do well.
 
Check out the Spyderco Manix 2 or Pacific Salt. The former is an absolute tank, the latter is super light and rust PROOF.
 
I love my spydercos but for heavy wood-related use keep in mind that the awesome military is perhaps too much of a slicer. The old big manix, and the manix 2 and the new Gayle Bradley (but the steel of that on is not stainless - which can be an issue for your big trip) are better for that.
THe ZT 200 was mentioned - indeed a great choice, and I will add my favorite overbuilt folder: the awesome Pohl Force Alpha Two. It's a total beast, when I read reports about it it seems that everyone who tried it loves it, and it's full of practical details. If you want to see it in the hand, I made a 11 minute video about its near identical predecessor, the Alpha One.

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Dagon, what would you use that for in the woods you wouldn't use the Military for?
 
I googled a link on bladeforums were Dagon post more pics and a review. To bad I just closed it. I like this knife. But it does not seem easy for American's to get this knife from anywhere that I have looked. Nice looking knife.
 
I mostly buy Benchmade LEs as a collector, so the price does not really matter because I know that a couple years down the line those knives will be worth much more than what I paid. Actually, this price hike by BM just made my knife collection more valuable.

On the other hand, I would never buy a BM as an EDC if I can buy a Spyderco instead. Spydercos are better and cheaper than Benchmades, and that is a fact. There is no knife in the BM line-up that can compete with a Manix 2, a Sage or a Bradley folder, both on price and quality.

I think this price hike is indicative of a certain panic on the part of BM with regards to the erosion of the Benchmade brand. I mean, Benchmade dull has become a common phrase to describe a not so sharp knife. In the end, though, this minimum price policy will end up alienating even more customers who will switch to Spyderco and other brands.
As for the Griptilian line specifically, this is just the beginning of the end for them, very likely their manufacturing will be moved to China to keep them competitive.
 
I may just have enough BMs anyway. I doubt we will have much effect on BM's decisions... one can always vote with their wallet.

Happy New Year

Stainz
 
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LorenzoL said:
I think this price hike is indicative of a certain panic on the part of BM with regards to the erosion of the Benchmade brand. I mean, Benchmade dull has become a common phrase to describe a not so sharp knife. In the end, though, this minimum price policy will end up alienating even more customers who will switch to Spyderco and other brands.
As for the Griptilian line specifically, this is just the beginning of the end for them, very likely their manufacturing will be moved to China to keep them competitive.
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Can give us some insight on this erosion of the Benchmade brand?
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Can you explain how manufacturing knives at maximum capacity can lead to China?
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Are you serious when you say As for the Griptilian line specifically, this is just the beginning of the end? (This statement is a whopper!!)
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Have you forgotten about their government contracts? Enough sales from those contracts alone to stay above water. But staying above water is not their problem. Their problem is expansion. They are growing fast and trying to keep up with demand. This includes more than 30 new hires in the manufacturing facility and additional front office staff.
 
Hi, Doc, nice to see you venture outside the BM Forum.

If you spent more time on "independent" forums, you would see that there are much more complaints about BM F&F issues and poor customer service than with Spyderco.
I have around 60 Benchmades, how do you explain that I cannot get Benchmade to answer my e-mails in a reasonable time frame if I have to solve a QC issue? I usually get replies from Spyderco or Chris Reeve within 2 days.

As for the Griptilian line, who is going to spend 80-90$ for a knife with a cheap plastic handle when you can get a Manix 2 for 70$, a Sage CF for 90$ or a Bradley Folder in M4 for 120$? So, yes, the Grips are going red, there is no alternative.

You mention the government contracts. That's great for Benchmade but I don't know how that is positive for us if it distracts the company from its core customer base.

And BTW, I read your thread in the BM forum about the price hike, judging by your title, "Thanks Benchmade for drastically increasing prices overnight!", I would imagine you were not too happy either.;)
 
LorenzoL,
I needed some fresh air. :)

I was angry and still am. I feel like Benchmade slapped me in the face and I wanted them to know it. It’s outrageous what they have done. Couple bright spots. Retailers will be issuing the 25% discount as Roger has done. I’m in a wait and see mode. I’ll buy nothing until I get a feel for what they are doing. If those discounts stay, then all is good. Price hike would be near the rate of inflation. However I will not buy anything from them until the dust settles. If they want to stick the customer, so be it. I’m out of the Benchmade fan club. But for now I still love em and will just sit it out and let my wallet take a breather. I don’t need anything anyway.

What I was questioning was some of your statements about China, The Grip, name brand erosion. I know that many are angry about dull blades. You should have seen my raving thread about that. I was hot and I’m not afraid to go into the lions den and say it. Even though I will get flack.

But China and the endof the grip. you know better. :)
Nothing personal just bouncing it off you!!:)
 
I never predicted the end of the Grip, I just said that it will become a red class product.
Nothing fundamentally wrong about it, Spyderco makes the Tenacious in China and although I do not have one I have read great stuff about it.

Enjoy your visit to Blade Forums.:thumbup:
 
I am disappointed in Benchmade also, in these tough times I don't understand their motivation to make it a harder discussion to buy their products.
 
I don't understand what the big deal is. If you are in the knife 'loop' you will be able to get Benchmade knives for approximately the same price. So you have to use a coupon code. Big freakin deal. And it might even help keep some B&M stores open a little longer (maybe?).

If Benchmade is operating at maximum capacity and expanding their manufacturing facility then how in the world can anyone thinking straight say they are balancing on the line of going under? And unless you work for Benchmade and know what is going on behind closed doors, saying a model is going to be switched to being made in China is just talk. Why do they need to switch to china when they are tooled up in the US? It would probably cost more to switch locations then just keeping it here. It always annoys me when people talk about things when they have no clue and are just preaching to hear themselves or speculating based on nothing and saying it as if it were fact. It is one thing to say 'hey with all this going on MAYBE this could happen' and giving people a disclaimer that you have no idea what you are talking about and just taking a wild guess.

I'm sure it makes some people mad because now when a limited piece comes along they might have to pay more when they buy 8 of them to hoard to try and make a huge profit on. Those 806 M4 knives were made for Benchmade fans to enjoy, not for one person to buy 1/20th of the production and stick in a safe. The people that are into knives to just try and make money ruin the knife scene for those that enjoy knives for what they are.
 
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Let's keep this friendly, please. Criticize the statements without characterizing them like "can anyone with half a brain" or "when people talk out their ..."
 
roughedges said:
I think my next knife purchase is going to be a Spyderco Stretch. Looks to be a great woods use folder.
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After getting the Benchmade Vex, and seeing what a dissapointment it was, Benchmade is probably not going to be getting any of my discretionary knife dollars.

The price/value ratio is just not there. I'm just not seeing anything in their lineup that is a must have.
 
I see Grips on line for 60 to 90. My retailer (I know that this brick and mortar are not the best price, but I can handle 10 models or more then spring on a purchase.) I bought my Grip at 80 plus tax back in March of 09. I do not feel ripped off, I knew I could probably find one on line for 70 or so, but did not care, I supported my local dealer, and bought a great knife. I do not see the big deal either. I enjoy Benchmade as much as I enjoy Spyderco. It took me awhile to get over the different look of Spyderco til I could buy one. Once I did, I really love Spyderco, it was a definite paradigm shift in my knife preferences.
 
LorenzoL said:
Spydercos are better and cheaper than Benchmades, and that is a fact.
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No, that is an opinion.

LorenzoL said:
As for the Griptilian line, who is going to spend 80-90$ for a knife with a cheap plastic handle when you can get a Manix 2 for 70$, a Sage CF for 90$ or a Bradley Folder in M4 for 120$?
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Here's a strange thing...not everyone has the same opinion. Some may ask "Who is going to spend $70 or $120 on a liner lock, when you can buy an Axis Lock for $80-90?"
 
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