Benchmade Limiteds/Prototypes...

R

RuthAF

Joined
Dec 24, 2006
Messages
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Hi All!

I am brand new to this site (which I found doing various Google searches attempting to find information about the knifes that I am going to write about).

A local knife dealer has acquired several Benchmades (he won't tell me where...:grumpy: ). He showed me these knives and they are all marked either Prototype March 2003 or are serial numbered x of 75 or x of 100 (which are all serial number 1!!!!!!!!!:D ). He hasn't posted them on his website or on eBay yet as he is waiting for me to make up my mind on whether or not I want one (I do but I don't know what kind of price is fair for something like these).

If I remember correctly, these knives are model 690 and all made with carbon fiber and, I think black micarta. He has some other ones but I forgot which models they were. I remember the 690, but not the specific lettering/numbering combination for each model. I can find these out as I am pretty sure they will affect the price.

Anybody have any thoughts?

Thanks,
RuthAF (The AF doesn't stand for Air Force, though my support for all branches of the military is unwavering).
 
Limited editions.

If you like the look and the knife, buy away.

If looking at them as an investment, they seem to hold value reasonably well - but not a money maker IMHO.
 
i have a benchmade that is first production run. i have had several in the past, and i have never seen them bring a premium based only on the number.

however, it would be kinda cool to have number 1 of anything. i say grab one, or two or three.
 
I think most, if not all LE, BMs are marked "1 of".

I had a 704-401. Buy um if you like um. :thumbup:
 
I agree, if you like them, buy them. Just don't buy for an investment thinking the price will jump up. The prototypes and preproductions are all marked as 1 of whatever the number made. They are not marked 1 of 100, 2 of 100, 3 of 100, and so on. If you like....BUY!!:D :D :D
 
Okay!

He has 3 different 690s (blk, bc1-blk, s-blk), 1 - 705bw, and 2 - 732 (d2bt & d2sbt). He wasn't sure as to which model is marked Prototype and which are limited editions as he was emailing me from out of town.

The prices he is offering to me are:
690-BLK - $199.00
690BC1-BLK - $229.00
690S-BLK - $199.00
705BW - $199.00
732D2BT - $189.00
732D2SBT - $189.00

I am leaning towards the 705, but I like the 690-BLK too.

Anybody have any thoughts on the type of knife I should get (assuming I buy one) and the pricing?

Thank you for your input on this topic! I didn't expect to get many people to help me (being new to the board). Then again, I have read many, many posts since discovering this board and everybody seem almost like a big family.

RuthAF:o
 
Historically, the Benchmade knives marked Prototype have experience some small increase in value. BM typically only makes a handfull of these for each model. But the "First Production" stuff has historically not had a great value add.
 
Being no expert, BUT those prices look like market value (or higher).

I base that on watching 'bay selling values.
 
Prototypes are worth more. Depending on which model it is, typically BM individually numbers the protos.
 
Those are all very nice knives. I'm very partial to the 690 in all it's configurations, however I wouldn't get too excited over those prices. You might do better on ebay if you keep your eyes open.
 
agony said:
Prototypes are worth more. Depending on which model it is, typically BM individually numbers the protos.
Click to expand...


i have had 4 or 5 BM prototypes (ie 2 910's, 800, 710, 804) and none of them were numbered. they were dated and stamped prototype.

the value of protos is a little higher than for a std BM on most models. i would say the top value on any i had was $150 or so.


therefore i would say the prices ya are being quoted are high, if ya ever wanted to get your money back out of them at that price i dont think ya could. if ya just want that model or something maybe go for it but if ya want to ever get your money back, or close to it, i would pass.
 
Knock 25-35% off those prices, depending on the model, and thats what they'd sell for on eBay...
 
Hello again,

I may have confused some/all of you. The dealer that has these knifes have some prototypes that are all marked March 2003 and some limited editions that are serial numbered.

This is revised list that he had sent me today.

732D2SBT Axis, BLK G-10 - Prototype - 189.00
732D2BT Axis, BLK G-10 - Prototype -189.00
690BC1-BLK Black Micarta/CF - Prototype -229.00
690-BLK Black Micarta/CF - Prototype -199.00
705BW Gray w/Bubinga Box is marked 001/200 Limited Edition but the knife is marked 001/100 - 199.00
690S-BLK Black Micarta/CF 01/75 Limited Edition - 199.00

I do not know if this will help. I am concerned about the 705BW. I don't know if Benchmade is known for mismarking thier boxes or not. Maybe I will email them, but I doubt that they would remember anything about these knives as it sounds as if they are a few years old already.

It sounds as if most everybody believes that he is charging too much for the knives...I am going to email him and let him know and see what his thoughts are. I do not think he is going to budge on the pricing, but it never hurts to ask and I can always wait it out and see what pops up on ebay.

I thought Benchmade products would be a good investment, but from what I have gathered here, they would make a great addition to a collection, but I might be able to get my money back on one of these knifes IF I were able to purchase them for about 25% less than what he is charging. Is this true with Benchmade knifes, does stand true throughout the industry? What about custom made knifes, and if so, whose knifes are most likely to increase in value over time?

I started collecting knifes a couples years ago so I apologize for my ignorance.

I appreciate your help and comments,
RuthAF
 
i wouldnt pay over $150 for anything ya listed and thats being generous, if they were listed on BF for sale i dont think they would be an easy sell at $150.
 
i wouldnt look for the benchmades to increase or even necessarily hold value.
initial markup is fairly high, and they can be had for much less than msrp in many places. the only bm's that i have seen bring a true premium are the 970's and 975's, early emerson designs. even then, not a great profit.

with the exception of a few custom makers, loveless, lile, and a couple others, even customs dont tend to increase greatly in value.

busse combat/swamprat are the only 'production' knives that i have seen that will increase in value and have been selling for often times double or triple the original cost. bear in mind though that even these will go through cylces and stretches where they are tough to move.
 
whats a bububinga box?? i collect BMs and havent ever heard that one.........

the BM AFCK prices seem to be rising .............but as stated above thats not a common thing,

i do have a 710 prototype and i would be suprised if i could get $150 for it, and imho its a piece of BM history (ie the 1st axis lock, the proto has aluminum handles vs the G10 on the production, different thumbstuds than std, a unique piece imho more desirable than anything listed above)

would those prices be retail??
 
Those prices sound like typical brick & mortar.

Ruth, production knives are not collectible, although some people will use the term, they are not in the sense of investment grade items. Benchmade is a good company for working knives, even good-looking show-off working knives. But true collectibility comes from a product that was very well-made for use and has become rare over time, like antiques. Stamped out in factories? Hype.

The 690, 705, and 732 are all fine knives for use and for pride of ownership, but not worth paying a premium to get.
 
SIFU1A said:
whats a bububinga box?? i collect BMs and havent ever heard that one.........

the BM AFCK prices seem to be rising .............but as stated above thats not a common thing,

i do have a 710 prototype and i would be suprised if i could get $150 for it, and imho its a piece of BM history (ie the 1st axis lock, the proto has aluminum handles vs the G10 on the production, different thumbstuds than std, a unique piece imho more desirable than anything listed above)

would those prices be retail??
Click to expand...




I did a search to figure out what Bubinga is when I first read his email. Bubinga, from what I have discovered, is an exotic wood. I do know that from what the dealer had described to me, that none of the knives have any form of wood materials anywhere on the knifes. I feel that the box is meant for a different version of the same model and was used to house the model inside.


The prices are what he quoted me. I have recently sent him an email to let him know that his prices are too high and gave him a link to BladeForums.com. We will see what happens. I may hold off to see what pops up on eBay, though I am not really good and spending a lot of time watching eBay.

Thanks,
RuthAF
 
Hello all,

I want to thank each and every one of you that have replied, I have learned much.

As I have mentioned before, I am relatively new to knife collecting. It started with an ex-boyfriend (he left and the knifes stayed) and my fiance is supportive (more into it than I am)

Though I have purchased knifes in the past in hopes of seeing a return, I never purchased a knife that I didn't like, just in case.

I have purchased several knifes from this dealer and he hasn't steered me wrong yet and has even given me better deals than what I can find on eBay because he didn't have to pay the fees. I don't know why his prices are so high on these knifes, but I sent him an email and will see what he thinks.

Thanks,
RuthAF
 
Sounds like full retail pricing to me? I'm thinking that with some patience you could pick these up on Ebay for $100 - $125. However, the advantage of buying from your dealer is that you get the knife .... RIGHT NOW ..! :)

Razz
 
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