Benchmade Narrows 748 WTF?

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strategy9 said:
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.
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Did you skip over my post where I acknowledged I was wrong about the Stovepipe? Might want to read full posts before spouting off. Also, they discontinued the Anthem because it was too expensive and they weren’t selling them. Are YOU saying this couldn’t happen again?
 
John Phillips said:
Did you skip over my post where I acknowledged I was wrong about the Stovepipe? Might want to read full posts before spouting off. Also, they discontinued the Anthem because it was too expensive and they weren’t selling them. Are YOU saying this couldn’t happen again?
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Must've missed that post... still here, "spouting off" though... funny how internet forums work.

And the fact they discontinued 1 Ti model, because it was allegedly too expensive and not selling, (yet is also sold out nearly everywhere), and then decided to make another Ti knife of equal cost, is either a really bad business model, or maybe that wasn't the whole reason after all? Maybe they think they can do better this time? Idk the real reasons and won't pretend to know why they make the business decisions they choose to make, but sure it "can" happen again. Or, alternatively it "could" be their staple into said market? Idk, but Time'll tell.

Either way I won't own one...
 
strategy9 said:
Must've missed that post... still here, "spouting off" though... funny how internet forums work.

And the fact they discontinued 1 Ti model, because it was allegedly too expensive and not selling, (yet is also sold out nearly everywhere), and then decided to make another Ti knife of equal cost, is either a really bad business model, or maybe that wasn't the whole reason after all? Maybe they think they can do better this time? Idk the real reasons and won't pretend to know why they make the business decisions they choose to make, but sure it "can" happen again. Or, alternatively it "could" be their staple into said market? Idk, but Time'll tell.

Either way I won't own one...
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I personally just think this Narrows knife looks too ordinary for that price. Just my opinion, maybe it'll be a hit. The Anthem at least was interesting as an integral which at the time was pretty rare and is still quite an engineering challenge to build, costly in terms of materials as well as machining. I wish they'd just bring the Anthem back so I can finally get one at retail price. Still kicking myself for passing on a deeply discounted one at my local sporting goods store after they were discontinued, that was a big mistake on my part!
 
MadeOnABench said:
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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It probably has more to do with the fact that most people interested in Benchmade aren't cross shopping Buck, and therefore had no idea that they also introduced a massively overpriced new knife this year...
 
Comparatively speaking that Buck is even more over priced than the Benchmade!

As to the comment about blades being off center, 2 of the 3 benchmades I have bought in the last 8 years have off center blades.
 
MadeOnABench said:
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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That one is just as, if not more, absurd.
 
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shane45-1911 said:
I believe this is referring to Benchmade chopping up a bunch of firearms as seized by the Oregon PD in 2019.

@jjg6319 @WadeWilson R RBB2 John Phillips 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:
www.recoilweb.com

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 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."
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I am aware of that but i am not aware of any examples of BM going against the 2nd amendment as the poster i quoted claims.
 
This is a knife for the Benchmade fanboys. The ones that buy the gold class etc.

It's hard for me to fathom paying half that much for it, when Benchmade's QC and fit and finish is blown out of the water by a $40 Civivi.

I can think of so many other knives I'd spend $522 on.
 
K.O.D. said:
This is a knife for the Benchmade fanboys. The ones that buy the gold class etc.

It's hard for me to fathom paying half that much for it, when Benchmade's QC and fit and finish is blown out of the water by a $40 Civivi.

I can think of so many other knives I'd spend $522 on.
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These statements are opinion, not fact. I have not seen an example of a $40 civivi (made with the mysterymeat of steels) that will perform as well as the cheapest Benchmade. The warrantyand service dont compare either.

I agree with you opinion that the knife is not worth $522.
 
I’ll say too, sadly this is part of the reason companies like Civivi are doing so well. I try to buy USA made, but when I can get a nice Civivi for 70-80 bucks, with better fit and finish than Benchmade, Nitro V steel (which I vastly prefer to M390), and micarta, the decision is easy.
 
DMG said:
These statements are opinion, not fact. I have not seen an example of a $40 civivi (made with the mysterymeat of steels) that will perform as well as the cheapest Benchmade. The warrantyand service dont compare either.

I agree with you opinion that the knife is not worth $522.
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I have three Civivi (Damascus) and 2 WEs. None have ever had the lock fail, or came off center. A good warranty and good QC shouldn't be necessary or touted in this industry. They are nice things to have for sure. And before you jump on me, I've had to use Spyderco's CS too.

Prices are ridiculous for everything now, but this new knife is crazy. It's like paying for a BMW 7 series and being delivered a used 1980's Cadillac. But, hey at least it has 22" chrome spinner rims and hydraulics.
 
K.O.D. said:
I have three Civivi (Damascus) and 2 WEs. None have ever had the lock fail, or came off center. A good warranty and good QC shouldn't be necessary or touted in this industry. They are nice things to have for sure. And before you jump on me, I've had to use Spyderco's CS too.

Prices are ridiculous for everything now, but this new knife is crazy. It's like paying for a BMW 7 series and being delivered a used 1980's Cadillac. But, hey at least it has 22" chrome spinner rims and hydraulics.
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Benchmade is more like toyota. This knife is like a tacoma overoptioned with a $10k dealer markup. The civivi is like a hyundai sonata. Cheap, seems great at first then the motor blows up and you find out they arent so great after all.
 
DMG said:
Benchmade is more like toyota. This knife is like a tacoma overoptioned with a $10k dealer markup. The civivi is like a hyundai sonata. Cheap, seems great at first then the motor blows up and you find out they arent so great after all.
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Well in that I have had 2 kias, a Hyundai,and my family has 2 more--not one needing warranty work, I can't agree. Especially when my aunt's 2019 RAV4 burns oil.

Anyway,buy what you want, but the Narrows seems like a blatant ripoff (price) but BM knows people will buy it so they have no problem with the price gouging.
 
K.O.D. said:
Well in that I have had 2, kias, a Hyundai,and my family has 2 more--not one needing warranty work, I can't agree. Especially when my aunt's 2019 RAV4 burns oil.
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I own an autp repair shop. I see relatively new hyundias with bad motors regularly. The motors are backorded at the dealer and cost up to $10k for a used one because a good one is so rare. They have recalls and a class action suit so good luck.


Many cars burn oil now because of the ligher piston rings and extremely thin oil specified to help with fuel economy. Stop using 0w16 in your aunts car and try a good 5w30 synthetic. It will no longer burn a noticeable amount of oil.


Also, get a dictionaryand look up price gouging
 
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And I swear to god if it’s not at least as sharp as a $225 Spyderco or a $350 Demko, shame on Benchmade. Yes, I know how to sharpen knives but that doesn’t mean I want to or should need to after spending $522 on a knife.
 
MadeOnABench said:
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 won't be buying either.... but I also never bought a 500+ knife, it's just too much and I have my sub 200 grail already - the gb2 from spydy

They're after the 'extreme' collectors I guess, and surely understand that bumping that price means many fewer units sold. They can all do as they wish of course, business should be free to set prices always

it would seem, they've done their calculations and decided to make a 400% profit on a few thousand sales, instead of a 50% profit on 10's of thousands
each company can do that calculus however they want
 
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