Benchmade needs some fresh designs

The one model I want most (806) was last produced in a very limited run. The other models that interested me (630 and 635) are now discontinued. The 550 Griptilian is a good knife if you add the Wilkins scales but I don't love the hollow scales.

I think the Axis lock is a fabulous design feature but there aren't many of the knives it's included on don't really do a lot for me----and I'm not a big fan of thumbstud openers.

I know the hole belongs to Spyderco, but it would be nice if BM made more models with the thumb disk like the CQC and Stryker had. It's not as good as a hole but I can live with it.
 
I've been carrying a Benchmade every day for the past 4 years. No problems so far. Their customer service department does seem a little...understaffed though. It shouldn't take two weeks to get an emailed response from them.:(
 
The only cool stuff BM comes out with is when they "borrow" design off spyderco in some way.
 
I like bm, although I agree that in the past couple years the new designs arent all that great. I find their customer service very good. I busted a clip and I emailed them how I broke it when I tried to bend it back after bending on a door. They sent me a new one at no charge. I thought it was pretty cool
 
Here's my BM collection:
42, 814, 905, 551, 556, 350, 2550, 3550, 9050, 710.
Except for the axis lock models I'm just old school BM. The 2009 models are all just too pretty for me and not ruff and tumble (tactical).:D
 
I have a few Benchmades, of which two sit in a box. I do rotate my 710 and mini-Rukus as EDC and beat them pretty hard. The 710 is a few years old and fit and finish is very good. Rukus is also perfect.

On the flip side I looked a few our local gun shop has and one of the smaller models (not sure what it is) that has the axis lock with the safety was so hard to get open I had to use two hands. There was something seriously wrong with that knife.
 
I've had 9 BM's. (10 if you include Bradley)
I used to like them, a lot.

I think they are trying to be to much like Kershaw and Spyderco. i.e. 'speedsafe' and cheaper offerings.

The last thing I want is a 'new' model that offers me assisted opening, a 440C blade and Blue Class quality that doesnt even rival the old 'Red Class'.

The Axis system is still one of the absolute best locks ever created.
Too bad they don't put any exciting well made knives around it anymore.

It seems like they are trying to compete in the $75-125 price catagory that Kershaw and Syderco excel in. (2009 prices)

On the other hand, they want to join the $800 -1200 custom market as well.

What happened to the $150-300 knives that we used to gladly pay for?
They were real quality. The current $150-300 models are either weird, ugly, or don't even have S30V.

I haven't seen a BM I wanted since the Rukus. When was that, 2006?

Oh well, they have driven me to other manufacturers and I'v found some nice knives out there.

If only Spyderco would offer thumbstud models.....
 
Amaranth said:
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.
Click to expand...


They have a button lock model in their Red Class, I don't remember the name of it. Looks like a great little knife. I would like to see some higher quality materials though. Great design, should've been put in the Blue class IMHO.
 
The 10700 is a pretty nice 'gentleman's' folder but it is made in china. If it were made in the US with a nicer blade steel I'm sure it would be more popular.

It has titanium handles and the nak-lok: essentially a compression lock with a button on it. It's a pretty nice design and I'm surprised doesn't get more attention as much as the compression lock is liked.

I don't know when the Rift came out but it is my favorite BM design. But Benchmade could use some more designs. That or put the popular ones they have discontinued back into production.


10700 Nagara:

BM10700%5Blarge%5D.jpg
 
Benchmade does tend to be more conservative, but I like that. Spyderco and Kershaw seem to be more progressive with new designs. It's a business decision.

Disclaimer - I have a dozen BM's, love them all.
 
I do not think the problem with Benchmade has anything to do with their designs, but rather with their quality control. They have probably the worst factory edges of any production knife, I do not mean they are just dull, but they also come most of the time with very thick edges that require massive re-profiling.
On the plus side, some of their designs like the 710, the AFCK and the Ares have a timeless elegance that guarantees them a place in knifemaking history.
 
I like some of their older models that they seem to love to discontinue.

The newer stuff can be very good I'm sure, but the models just don't awake any "I know I want that" feeling.

Don't know exactly what it is that Benchmade should do otherwise.. just something. If I knew, I'd apply for a job there. :D
 
My only problem with Benchmade is that most of their US-made knives are out of my price range. I much prefer their more conservative designs to those of other companies, though that has not stopped me from buying knives from all of them.
 
I just ordered a 710, first BM, but I am liking a few of thier designs and the 10700 is a beautiful looking knife and I plan on getting one of them in the future. Thry have a few knives that I like but just out of my impulse buying range. A good thing is that there are so many companies out there that you can find what you like in one of them.
 
I agree. Even though 710 is still my EDC and I have over 20 BM folders in my collection, last few years I haven't seen something that really got me interested.
 
I think for the most part Benchmade is targeting a different market. The B&M market folks who buy a decent knife and don't replace it till its lost or broken. They aren't really shooting for the OCD, latest wizz bang, competitive consumerism crowd.

Why improve on perfection? as they say.
 
mini skirmish is one of my favorite knives but I generally prefer Kershaw. Just one mans opinion.
 
seems like the skirmish/rukus knives were some of the last designs that i liked.theres nothing ive seen in the last 2 years that i had to have,except for the 525-81 & some other limited versions.....
 
My tanto mini giptilian is very nice, but the handle scales are sort of flimsy.
My Rift is great, very sturdy, very good blade shape, and i love the interesting handle design. But it requires rather extensive grinding down of the edges to be comfortable.
 
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