Benchmade needs some fresh designs

A

Amaranth

Joined
Jul 19, 2009
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I have a couple Benchmades, which I picked out of their 2009 catalog. I do like the Axis lock, as a leftly, I feel being a truly ambidextrous design is a great feature.

But looking through the rest of their line, I just don't see anything that reaches out and makes me say, "I WANT THAT!"

It just seems that their designs are getting stale. Nothing new or innovative. They don't seem to be as ergonomic as some of the other companies out there. (one begins with "S"!)

I have heard some rumblings on the forum about how BM is not treating their customers right. This makes sense from the standpoint of where are the knives they offer that are great values? What is the BM equivalent of the Tenacious?

Now I'm not a knife designer, but Benchmade could use some fresh blood in their design department.
 
So was there a question to this thread or was it just a rant?

I guess the good news is if you don't like it you don't have to buy it.
 
BM has not intrigued me for a long while, and some reports of customer service have not done anything to endure themselves to me. I agree with you.
 
im not sure it was a rant....more like a statement...one that I tend to agree with....Benchmade just doesnt have enough designs that interest me for prices I would pay in steels I would like to use......other companies do...bm's loss really
 
There are better knives for the money than Benchmade, and there are way too many case study horror stories about them.

I've never heard a single one about Kershaw or Spyderco, which is why I stick to them.
I'm also a big fan of many Boker designs, mostly from Chad Los Banos, but I cannot attest to warranty holding. I use a Subcom as a beater knife (cutting carpeting, sod, chipping off porcelain, putty knife, etc) and it somehow holds up.
 
Azraell said:
There are better knives for the money than Benchmade, and there are way too many case study horror stories about them.

I've never heard a single one about Kershaw or Spyderco, which is why I stick to them.
I'm also a big fan of many Boker designs, mostly from Chad Los Banos, but I cannot attest to warranty holding. I use a Subcom as a beater knife (cutting carpeting, sod, chipping off porcelain, putty knife, etc) and it somehow holds up.
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Case studies? What case studies? What cases? I'm confused. :confused:

Also not sure I've ever heard of a horror story...

:rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
I have no interest in any Benchmade knives from any of their inventory in the last few years.

However, I'm not sure I agree with the OP that it's because they are not fresh. I think it is just the opposite. They are trying too hard to be innovative and flashy. Like those stupid knives with the cut out G-10 patterned scales, or flame-shaped scales. :barf:

I want to see more basic, rugged, and practical designs like their early Emerson inspired models. Or something similar to a Blade Tech knife, or a Military.

Their new crap has funky handles and funky, chunky, and impractical blade grinds.
 
I agree with you. I have a ton of Mini Griptilians, so it would be unfair to say I dislike Benchmade.

Unfortunately, they just haven't bothered to come out with very many new designs lately.

Rant or not, it's a pretty darn accurate statement to make. Why that seems to make people so uncomfortable, I couldn't tell ya.
 
I dont own any because most of the designs just dont appeal to me.

And the 2 that do, Rukus & Skirmish are just priced out of my reach at the moment.......

:o
 
cotdt said:
I want a folder that doesn't collect pocket lint.
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Gool luck with your quest, dirt is everywhere.


If you don't have a 760 then get one (if you like tantos that is) its a very solid folder that has some of the best steel, plus its a lum design (adds to the cool factor :cool:).
 
I have the 3 B/M folders that I like best now. The 610, 710 and the 630.
Those to me are the best of B/M, a lot they have doesn't appeal to me. But, that's pretty much true of any line. The full sized Rukus and the 630 are well made extra large folders that really have no competition for the money, IMO. 710 is lighter and easier to carry, still strong and with good size, at the same-time. All of these models are classics and with the 630 being discontinued and it's rapid increase in price, proves it. I doubt the 710 is going to be discontinued too, but I wasn't so sure about the Rukus so now I've got two of those in 610. (one coming in the mail in first production)
 
Amaranth said:
No it wasn't a rant. I just wondered if anyone agreed with me. Apparently not.:o
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I can see your point. Don't worry about the fanboys, nobody ever likes healthy critic against their dear company.

They are a bit plain at times. Classy, but nothing that makes me want to buy them. You mentioned spyderco, and they do indeed offer a lot more diverse and "I want that" kind of knives.
 
A.L. said:
I can see your point. Don't worry about the fanboys, nobody ever likes healthy critic against their dear company.

They are a bit plain at times. Classy, but nothing that makes me want to buy them. You mentioned spyderco, and they do indeed offer a lot more diverse and "I want that" kind of knives.
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Spyderco has a constant flow of new models in and out of the line. This and the fact that they are nicely made (with all the right stuff) makes them the most collectible line of production folders, IMO. B/M doesn't discontinue their models nearly as fast, or introduce new as often. B/M still is right beneath Spyderco, as far as models becoming collectors when discontinued. It takes them a bit longer, but they are ultimately highly desired and sought after by collectors when they are gone.
 
This has been the primary complaint of Benchmade for many years now, that's how they do business, nothing new.
 
no bad experiences with BM, not in carrying or with the warranty. They have provided me with an EDC for the last 10 years or so.
 
I think Spyderco and Kershaw introduce more models, but the quality and warranty are still there as far as I am concerned. I have one or two more Benchmade knives than Spyderco. Also remember that Benchmade has quite a few Auto designs as well. I equate the Grip series and the Delica/Endura series as equals and the McHenry Williams knives to the Military's of Spyderco. You can't really go wrong with either. Kershaw is in 3rd place for me, honestly alot of their models don't do anything for me at all. To each their own.
 
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