Benchmade Narrows 748 WTF?

[gdwtvb]

Frankly I find the price excessive as well. The thing is, although I'm a knife guy, and carry one everday all day, most days I hardly use it. Open the mail, cut open an odd delivery at work, and maybe use it for lunch depending what I'm eating. Many peole are like me; we like and carry knives but on workdays we honestly don't need anything more than a keychain knife or a Swiss Army Knife. These knifes aren't being sold to woodcrafters and tradesmen that actually use their knives hard, it's being sold to people with disposable income or collectors who buy pocket jewelry. Ergonomics during hard use are much less important than pocket comfort to most people.

I'll keep buying Spydercos

Grizz

 

[ktataragasi]

You can still get a new Leek for $60.00.

Or a Buck Spitfire.

kershaw has usa made knives like the leek, the blur, and the link in 20cv / m390 etc for under $100... perhaps you forgot?

enjoy : )

Those are all very valid. The only thing I don't like about the Kershaw offerings are that they are all assisted. But they do fall in the price range I mentioned so thanks for the suggestions!

 

[BJE]

They mention targeting the ultralight backpacking crowd, so in order not to appear too cheap to “those” people, they had to tack on an extra $200 so they wouldn’t be overlooked. The first thing that gets lighter with ultralight backpacking is your wallet.

 

[MadeOnABench]

People seem pretty upset about the high price of a new model titanium-framed Benchmade with M390 blade and new style of Axis lock for $580 MSRP ($522 retail), but nobody seems to care too much that Buck has a new model of 110 with titanium frame and S45VN blade coming out for $590 MSRP ($475 retail). Why aren't people on this forum complaining more that Buck needs to stay in their lane and not approach Hinderer or CRK prices? Or do people here find the new Buck 110 Titanium Slim TRX somehow more worth the high price tag than the new Benchmade Narrows?

 

[DMG]

I quit considering Benchmade when they went against 2A and I have not looked back.

How did benchmade go against the 2nd amendment?

 

[jstn]

I agree this is way overpriced, but I still bet these sell like hotcakes. The upcharge for Ti blows my mind, but people continue to pay for it. For me, metal handles scales are a non-starter.

 

[DMG]

They mention targeting the ultralight backpacking crowd, so in order not to appear too cheap to “those” people, they had to tack on an extra $200 so they wouldn’t be overlooked. The first thing that gets lighter with ultralight backpacking is your wallet.

This is true. There is some real snobbery in the UL community around reducing base weight. If you could sell a $200 razor blade for opening mountainhouse and cutting moleskins, some would would buy it to save an ounce. I get shit for packing a helinox chair ans Tenkara rod so I am bitter LOL.

 

[goldie]

I didnt know about that buckl now that i do it goes into the same cart i have that says im not buying it as the Benchmade.And there is no way id ever spend 500 on a buck 110 unless the bolsters were irridium or platinum, and the blade was made from king tuts dagger.And it better levitate out of the box when its opened

 

[DMG]

Huh? Looks like the only current M390 BM is 1 particular Bugout variant. Though to be fair, it seems like these days "most of their folders" are Bugouts.

I have had contegos, griptilans and a crooked river in M390. Just off the top of my head. Some were boughtb10 years ago.

 

[tony281sc2]

Maybe they are pricing these based on the secondary market for the Anthem($400-$600)?

BINGO

Your assumption is incorrect and I understand collectibles. I have many many many knives in the $500-$3000 range. I own many of the 940 limited runs that are $500 or more and was thrilled to buy them all, I’m 100% their target consumer. This price is insane.

Yikes, no offense, but $500 for a 940 is INSANE, (that’s the CRK, RHK price you mentioned.) I’ve thought about getting one at like $200 but I thought it was too much.

This new design is cool, but the price is bananas. People will still buy them, collect them, and they will probably go UP in value because they will be pretty damn rare. Maybe

That’s my opinion. But nobody knows for sure what the next hot collectors item will be 5-10 years down the road….? Could be this. Doubtful tho

 

[mmyron1]

Huh? Looks like the only current M390 BM is 1 particular Bugout variant. Though to be fair, it seems like these days "most of their folders" are Bugouts.

To be fair M390 is almost identical to 20CV and they offer that as an option as well. BM appears to be all about dealer exclusives these days and pushing the S90V instead of M390/20Cv.

I stand by my other posts on the multiple threads about BM 2023 releases. Instead of offering the newer models I would have rather them go back and expand on the customized options. I miss the days when you could build your own knife with pretty much any blade steel and in any color you wanted. This Narrows model will go away and be one of their MANY discontinued models they always seem to find.

 

[Silent H]

People seem pretty upset about the high price of a new model titanium-framed Benchmade with M390 blade and new style of Axis lock for $580 MSRP ($522 retail), but nobody seems to care too much that Buck has a new model of 110 with titanium frame and S45VN blade coming out for $590 MSRP ($475 retail). Why aren't people on this forum complaining more that Buck needs to stay in their lane and not approach Hinderer or CRK prices? Or do people here find the new Buck 110 Titanium Slim TRX somehow more worth the high price tag than the new Benchmade Narrows?

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I had no idea about that Buck, but that's also ridiculous.

There are certain companies that people on here think can do no wrong, and there are others Everyone loves to hate. Just look at this thread for examples. Everyone just loves to dump on Benchmade, but god forbid you criticize Spyderco or Buck...

 

[shane45-1911]

How did benchmade go against the 2nd amendment?

I believe he is referring to Benchmade chopping up a bunch of firearms seized by the Oregon PD in 2019.

Spankster23 jjg6319 WadeWilson R RBB2 John Phillips ...and others - You need to read this, before you go off "half cocked". BM is NOT anti-gun, or 2A. They are a big supporter of gun rights:

Benchmade Anti-Gun? We Ask Them to Explain

Read: Benchmade Anti-Gun? We Ask Them to Explain from Patrick Roberts on February 23, 2019 for Recoil.

www.recoilweb.com

Pertinent quotes from Benchmade in the above article:

"Benchmade now has a policy to politely decline to assist Law Enforcement in the cutting up of firearms regardless of reason. If the local law enforcement request assistance with other matters, we will be happy to accommodate them as long as doesn’t involve cutting firearms."

"We have been members of organizations, the NRA included, for decades and are very proud of that fact. We will continue to support their efforts to support gun owners rights and the Second Amendment. We participate in programs that give discounts to members of these organization along with our long-running history of financial support, along with the other actions we have taken through our direct relationships with them and the community."

 

[kreole]

People are spending $400-600 to make a modded 940/Para/etc. Like with Spyderco's expensive models, there's clearly a market for high priced stuff, and that side of the market isn't aimed at the value-for-the-dollar crowd.

 

[nhobo]

Frankly I find the price excessive as well. The thing is, although I'm a knife guy, and carry one everday all day, most days I hardly use it. Open the mail, cut open an odd delivery at work, and maybe use it for lunch depending what I'm eating. Many peole are like me; we like and carry knives but on workdays we honestly don't need anything more than a keychain knife or a Swiss Army Knife. These knifes aren't being sold to woodcrafters and tradesmen that actually use their knives hard, it's being sold to people with disposable income or collectors who buy pocket jewelry. Ergonomics during hard use are much less important than pocket comfort to most people.

I'll keep buying Spydercos

Grizz

Agree 100% (except for Spydercos).

Peloton exercise bikes were just another brand. Then they raised the prices to astronomical levels (plus a $150/mo. subscription fee) and suddenly they were the best, must have, status crap. Nothing else changed. They weren’t any better, they weren’t gold plated and encrusted with diamonds (another common “status value” tactic), they were just the same crappy exercise bike with a rub-your-nose-in-it price.

BMW is selling cars with heated seats that don't work unless you buy an annual subscription. The seat is already in the car but you can't turn it on.

When all that matters is profit, nothing else matters.

/rant off

 

[SomebodySomewhere]

People seem pretty upset about the high price of a new model titanium-framed Benchmade with M390 blade and new style of Axis lock for $580 MSRP ($522 retail), but nobody seems to care too much that Buck has a new model of 110 with titanium frame and S45VN blade coming out for $590 MSRP ($475 retail). Why aren't people on this forum complaining more that Buck needs to stay in their lane and not approach Hinderer or CRK prices? Or do people here find the new Buck 110 Titanium Slim TRX somehow more worth the high price tag than the new Benchmade Narrows?

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No idea who would buy that particular Buck, but I think the difference is that it’s obviously a collector’s item, a very premium version of an otherwise everyday knife, whereas the Benchmade is presented as somehow worth the price on its own merits. I don’t think any company is perfect and I’m not stanning, but I think these two companies come across very differently.

 

[MadeOnABench]

No idea who would buy that particular Buck, but I think the difference is that it’s obviously a collector’s item, a very premium version of an otherwise everyday knife, whereas the Benchmade is presented as somehow worth the price on its own merits. I don’t think any company is perfect and I’m not stanning, but I think these two companies come across very differently.

That's a very valid and interesting point.

 

[strategy9]

I just googled Spyderco Stovepipe, and of all the retailers on pg.1 search, 1 lists 3 in stock, 2 lists in stock (one site is foreign), 7 list it as out of stock.... took the liberty of checking 4 other sites I frequent, all 4 - out of stock...

Hardly a "flop" if it's selling out... Just because YOU don't like something, or think it's over priced, (and hey, I think the stovepipe is ugly as sin and also wouldn't pay $500+ for the benchmade), does not speak for the rest of the consumers nationwide & worldwide. Knowing Benchmade's brand loyalists and following, (not unsimilar to Spyderco), and their long standing reputation, even if you and I and several hundred or even thousand others who like knives don't buy it, I'll bet it too will be sold out sooner rather than later.

 

[Docscoot]

Just left St. Nicks Knives and they had 61 Benchmade models out for sale and absolutely zero in M390. I’m not saying they haven’t used M390 but it hasn’t been their go to super steel. Also, about half of them are s30v if you can believe that.

I see a lot of 20cv, but not so much m390. Not that there's much difference, but I don't disagree that m390 is not typical for them in my experience. Still lots of s30v, even on their higher end stuff, particularly the pricey autos. I'm always excited to see the new stuff coming, but I don't think any of these new models will be for me!

 

[justjed]

I like to use my knives, and I'm not one to worry about scratches, fingerprints, patina, or any of the other things that destroy collector value. Consequently, I don't carry a $500 folder. I carry a $100 folder to back up my $300 edc fixed blade. But I understand the collector mentality. Limited editions, and short-lived regular production knives are always popular in collectors' circles. I think the Narrows will sell, tho not in Bugout numbers, mostly because $500 is not considered a lot of money by modern standards.

If ya don't want to spend $500, don't buy it! I certainly won't. There are far better folders at that price point, and even significantly below.