- Joined
- Nov 2, 2006
- Messages
- 250
the Kulgera I really like but as said they seem to discontinue the models I like, I like more simple designs thats why I like a lot of the spyderco offerings.
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Benchmade needs some fresh designs
- Thread starter Amaranth
- Start date
I love the selection. my gripe is with the pricing of a few of there knives. Like the ritter grip. Why so much more than a standard grip? Hey 40-45$ more for s30v and a marginal blade shape difference is crazy. the Ozbourne folder should be less expensive imo. Aluminum grips and some filling on the spacer. doesnt justify 60$ more than a bm710.
Is benchmade priceing ther knives or are the designers in control? they should relax on the leo only autos too. I dont see hardly any of there autos at gun&knife shows compared to micro tech, piranna, dalton, protech ect. They choose different marketing strategies i guess.
Is benchmade priceing ther knives or are the designers in control? they should relax on the leo only autos too. I dont see hardly any of there autos at gun&knife shows compared to micro tech, piranna, dalton, protech ect. They choose different marketing strategies i guess.
I love my Benchmades but I haven't bought one in a long while, they really haven't changed their knife formula in a while. How about putting a finger choil on a knife, with full flat grind with a different blade steel(probably not fair but I want more!) and and ....... forget it they don't listen, they don't even respond on their own bloody forum and delete popular threads WTF
.
I would love Les to pull himself away from his busy schedule and answer 1 question a month on his own forum, that would give me a smile, for the meantime I am sticking with Syderco until Benchmade comes out with something other than what feels like a rehash. And yes, this is a rant.
. I would love Les to pull himself away from his busy schedule and answer 1 question a month on his own forum, that would give me a smile, for the meantime I am sticking with Syderco until Benchmade comes out with something other than what feels like a rehash. And yes, this is a rant.
I EDC a full size Ritter and feel the s30v and blade design well worth the extra
bucks. What make the blade shape "marginal" in your opinion? No hostility
here, just curious.
I've got a dozen or so Benchmades, mainly AFCK and CQC7B. Love 'em all,
but I don't see myself making another purchase anytime soon. The newer
designs don't appeal much and the complaints about customer service and
bad attitude put me off completely.
Not anything extarodinarily different or better than the 551 blade. Still the same length, thickness and partial flat grind. the 551 can do the same outdoor survival tasks as good as the intended ritter.
I don't get it either. In previous posts I stated that I don't care for Kershaw knives and don't own any. This gentlemen seemed to take great offense to this remark, called me a troll, said "how could you not like a knife that you've never owned?", and he said he was going to put me on ignore from now on. LOL! Jesus the sensitivity!
It's a KNIFE people! This makes as much sense as Ford and Chevy owners getting into a fist fight over brand loyalty. Loyalty is what makes us consumers. Companies that manage to build it are the ones that succeed in the long run.
Knife nuts come in all stripes. There are a lot of people here who think nothing of dropping $200 and up on a good knife. Me, I look for the best value for my money. Ergonomics, good steel and good fit and finish are the most important factors. My upper price limit is around 100 bucks.
So if I offended anyone with my remarkes, that was not my intent. I am not a troll going around trying to offend fanboys. Merely stating my opinion, which last time I checked, doesn't make one a "troll"!
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2006
- Messages
- 5,215
Quite to the opposite of the way that many people feel, I love the similarity of most BM designs. I have owned hundreds of knives from all of the big knife companies (and many of the small/custom ones too) and keep coming back to the good ol' meat and potatoes of Benchmade simplicity. I found that I actually use my knives... In use, it's hard to beat flat G-10 slabs over SS liners with a narrow sharp blade of utilitarian design. Pocket clips work great, build quality is excellent, price is generally high but with good value, and it doesn't get much better than the axis lock.
- Joined
- May 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,690
Yes their customer service is quite slow. I sent in an email regarding shoddy craftsmanship on my mini rukus (some handle screws were missing threads and I think the micarta slab isn't machined properly) and it took them 2+ months to get back to me. They're supposedly shipping out some new screws to see if that's the problem, but I have a feeling I'm going to have to send it in for warranty work which is even more time/money I have to throw at them...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.
For being US made they sure have some of the least desirable fit and finish on their knives (from my experience) and mediocre customer service. Not to mention they have some of the worst blade grinds I've come across. They are so uneven that if my knives weren't users I'd ask for a refund. I love the Axis lock and a few of their designs, but their mediocre craftsmanship and customer support definitely play a role in me choosing a different company.
It's too bad that BM's customer service sounds like it's gone downhill. I remember in around 1999 I had several issues with an AFCK, and contacted them. I had sent it in, and one of the guys there took the time with me, over the phone, to personally find my knife, inspected it for a couple minutes, said he felt I had gotten a defective knife, and promptly sent me a new one. It took about 15 minutes. It was maybe the friendliest customer service for any product I ever had, because I never asked him to go look for it then and there, and he actually seemed to care. I still have that AFCK to this day, and it still works great.
I'll bet there's been some personnel changes/cutbacks in the CS department. Hopefully these issues can be addressed, so they can get back to the level of consideration that I experienced as a customer.
Jim
I'll bet there's been some personnel changes/cutbacks in the CS department. Hopefully these issues can be addressed, so they can get back to the level of consideration that I experienced as a customer.
Jim
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2009
- Messages
- 369
In my limited experience with BM's CS they were good to me. they are VERY slow to respond through email but if u call them on the phone you will get some1 right away that will handle the problem. i had a problem with a 610 i had to pay to ship it back but she gave me a benchmade tool and blue lube for the trouble got the knife back within 10 days of them getting it and it was perfect.
so if u have a prob call them directly don't email them.
as for the sharpening yes i think the angle was high. could def be resharpened way better after i learn how to do it correctly
so if u have a prob call them directly don't email them.
as for the sharpening yes i think the angle was high. could def be resharpened way better after i learn how to do it correctly
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 26,293
Never had a problem with fit/finish myself, and I've always been quite pleased with the grinds on mine. Maybe I've just been lucky, but the only trouble I've ever had was getting a response out of the CS department. Whenever they did get around to me, they always took care of my problem.
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2009
- Messages
- 406
The AO's are 154CM or D2.I have never seen a 940/943/740/745/615/610 THE HK LINE etc, etc, etc that's not as good as old school red which BTW color classes for Benchmades are less then 8 years old. Sooooooooo
I am all about the Benchmades. Just how I roll. I keep it cool, I keep it solid, I keep it Benchmade.
They are gosh darn solid built knives without all the bells and whistles. Yea they cost $$ and it shows. I love my spydies too. They make a different product with a different look. Smaller company lets them shift and move with the market a little more. Saaaaaaall good.
Lets all hug.:barf: (I love this smillie)
C1
I have to hand it to Benchmade I use them as the standard to judge a quality production knife with excellent fit and finish.
All Benchmades I have handled came with very sharp blades and locked up solid with no blade play except for one which was obviously defective and bought from a store by someone who didn't know better (Liner lock [dark star I think] with with lots of up and down blade play.) That was returned to the store and exchanged for a good one. That was it out of say 100 I have handled.
Say what you want about omega springs but my opinion is that Axis lock is super strong and very reliable.
Benchmade designs can be pretty bland as far as my tastes are concerned but that is compensated by the fact that every time I handle one I can't help but be overwhelmed by the quality of design and precision that goes into them. Despite that for the most part Benchmades do seem to have their own uniquely Benchmade look to them (non flashy subdued finishes on a lot of them and a lack of crazy curves and angles.)
Spyderco makes knives with a lot of crazy curves and angles that are also quite functional if not more so than most other knife manufacturers (even Benchmade.)They also manage to keep high quality. I like Spydies for those reasons but that is Spyderco.
Although a lot of Spydies can match Benchmade for fit and finish and all of the ones that don't (that I have handled) still have blameless to exceptional fit and finish however I have to concede to Benchmade for mastering mass produced very high precision.
The two Benchmades that I have overlooked for too long are the large Ruckus and the Presidio. The pictures just didn't do it for me but once I handled them I was overwhelmed by their quality and ergonomics. I fell in love. The mini grips are tiny lightweight tanks which I prefer in colors like blue and orange (excellent colors) their pink is alright but I prefer the less subdued pink like on the Spyderco Native. The black handled grips look very utilitarian to me. The large grips are excellent and very ergonomic but on the larger grip with the exception of the brightly colored handled models (I think they make/made these with orange grips) it has a form follows far behind function look (bland.)
For people that really don't care for flash and funky curves (I like flash and funky curves a lot) but want a high quality conservative looking knife that is hard to beat Benchmade offers a lot of choices. I would also like to note that Benchmade can please a lot of their customers that would like a little more bling on their knives (me) by simply offering different color scales (something less Ivy League than winewood.) For example I have handled a Presdio (original presidio not presidio ultra) with with purple grips and black blade the combination of the two colors looks so much more exciting and appealing (amazing psych effect) than those boring black grips on the standard Presidio.
I think the war camo colors are just as bland but some maybe lots of people love them. I noticed Benchmade has started offering more interesting colors (orange, blue) and it is a step in the right direction. I would like to see more of the neon like unsubdued colors being offered as options.
All Benchmades I have handled came with very sharp blades and locked up solid with no blade play except for one which was obviously defective and bought from a store by someone who didn't know better (Liner lock [dark star I think] with with lots of up and down blade play.) That was returned to the store and exchanged for a good one. That was it out of say 100 I have handled.
Say what you want about omega springs but my opinion is that Axis lock is super strong and very reliable.
Benchmade designs can be pretty bland as far as my tastes are concerned but that is compensated by the fact that every time I handle one I can't help but be overwhelmed by the quality of design and precision that goes into them. Despite that for the most part Benchmades do seem to have their own uniquely Benchmade look to them (non flashy subdued finishes on a lot of them and a lack of crazy curves and angles.)
Spyderco makes knives with a lot of crazy curves and angles that are also quite functional if not more so than most other knife manufacturers (even Benchmade.)They also manage to keep high quality. I like Spydies for those reasons but that is Spyderco.
Although a lot of Spydies can match Benchmade for fit and finish and all of the ones that don't (that I have handled) still have blameless to exceptional fit and finish however I have to concede to Benchmade for mastering mass produced very high precision.
The two Benchmades that I have overlooked for too long are the large Ruckus and the Presidio. The pictures just didn't do it for me but once I handled them I was overwhelmed by their quality and ergonomics. I fell in love. The mini grips are tiny lightweight tanks which I prefer in colors like blue and orange (excellent colors) their pink is alright but I prefer the less subdued pink like on the Spyderco Native. The black handled grips look very utilitarian to me. The large grips are excellent and very ergonomic but on the larger grip with the exception of the brightly colored handled models (I think they make/made these with orange grips) it has a form follows far behind function look (bland.)
For people that really don't care for flash and funky curves (I like flash and funky curves a lot) but want a high quality conservative looking knife that is hard to beat Benchmade offers a lot of choices. I would also like to note that Benchmade can please a lot of their customers that would like a little more bling on their knives (me) by simply offering different color scales (something less Ivy League than winewood.) For example I have handled a Presdio (original presidio not presidio ultra) with with purple grips and black blade the combination of the two colors looks so much more exciting and appealing (amazing psych effect) than those boring black grips on the standard Presidio.
I think the war camo colors are just as bland but some maybe lots of people love them. I noticed Benchmade has started offering more interesting colors (orange, blue) and it is a step in the right direction. I would like to see more of the neon like unsubdued colors being offered as options.
Fred Sanford
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,142
I have watched (it seems) from 2005 until now, Benchmade turn into a worse company. They are now getting back to shipping quite a few of their knives with dull blades too. They have had many axis lock spring issues along with fit and finish issues. This is just from their own company forum alone.
During the same time frame, Spyderco and Kershaw have really become the leaders with great blades, steels, and fit and finish.
During the same time frame, Spyderco and Kershaw have really become the leaders with great blades, steels, and fit and finish.
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2009
- Messages
- 196
The quality controls are what turned me away from Benchmades. I've had about 8-10 of them.. more than I needed. Only 3 came to an acceptable/reasonable level of sharpness. One of them was flat out incapable of cutting a piece of paper. I've never had that problem with Spyderco.
- Joined
- May 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,690
A little update on my experience with BM customer service:
I received the screws they shipped out (had to contact them again about 2-3 weeks later after the initial "I'll see if it's just the screws, please ship to ..." email. It took about 5 days for them to get here after the last email. They sent me a bag with a replacement pocket clip and enough screws to replace every screw on the Mini Rukus. The screws worked and the problem is fixed for the time being. I must say that the screws on my Mini Rukus are small and don't hold up very well. IDK if it's the black coating on the screws, but they take a lot more force to screw in, to the point that it feels like I'm going to strip them. If you take the screws out you can see the threads are wearing just from screwing them in normally, that just shows poor craftsmanship.
The micarta inlay on the pocket clip side of the knife is not machined to the knife very well. I'm not sending it in right now because the problem is fixed for the time being, but it just irks me because it's a pretty pricey knife. And Benchmade claims to have great USA made knives, but I can pick up a Spyderco/Kershaw with better crafted screws and fit and finish. I'll just say that the M Rukus I have would be considered a Blem by Kershaw. It's a great knife, other than the pocket clip and screws it's great. I really think Benchmade needs to raise their QC standards, when buying a US made knife it shouldn't be a hit or miss with quality.
The customer service is mediocre, I say this because it's a good service, from my experience, but it's slow. With today's technology there should be no excuse for poor service because someone decides to file a repair request through email. In fact email should be quicker and more efficient than communicating on the phone.
I received the screws they shipped out (had to contact them again about 2-3 weeks later after the initial "I'll see if it's just the screws, please ship to ..." email. It took about 5 days for them to get here after the last email. They sent me a bag with a replacement pocket clip and enough screws to replace every screw on the Mini Rukus. The screws worked and the problem is fixed for the time being. I must say that the screws on my Mini Rukus are small and don't hold up very well. IDK if it's the black coating on the screws, but they take a lot more force to screw in, to the point that it feels like I'm going to strip them. If you take the screws out you can see the threads are wearing just from screwing them in normally, that just shows poor craftsmanship.
The micarta inlay on the pocket clip side of the knife is not machined to the knife very well. I'm not sending it in right now because the problem is fixed for the time being, but it just irks me because it's a pretty pricey knife. And Benchmade claims to have great USA made knives, but I can pick up a Spyderco/Kershaw with better crafted screws and fit and finish. I'll just say that the M Rukus I have would be considered a Blem by Kershaw. It's a great knife, other than the pocket clip and screws it's great. I really think Benchmade needs to raise their QC standards, when buying a US made knife it shouldn't be a hit or miss with quality.
The customer service is mediocre, I say this because it's a good service, from my experience, but it's slow. With today's technology there should be no excuse for poor service because someone decides to file a repair request through email. In fact email should be quicker and more efficient than communicating on the phone.
I tend to agree with this. I have 3 Benchmades, carry a 710 daily and really like the axis lock, but they have a lot of weird blade shapes for sure.
I'd love it if Benchmade came out with a nice, simple, clean design. If they took the Kabar Dozier hunter design (for blade and handle shape), added the axis lock, steel liners, g10 scales and a 154 CM or S30V blade I'd be first in line to get one. Until then I'll keep using the 710, 707 and Kabar Dozier.
Just picked up a DejaVoo. What a nice knife! G-10 handles over stainless and titanium liners, S30V blade, and polished lowrider pocket clip. Blade was nice and sharp, centered well (Not perfect, but only maybe .001" or .002" off.) All for $120 out the door. Came in a nice little carry bag in box w/ foamie cut out for the knife.
For that particular knife, I think it was a tremendous value. I have gotten other Benchmades that weren't particularly sharp, but haven't had to use their customer service at all.
As far as new patterns...I think it really boils down to taste. There are some manufacturers mentioned in this thread who put out less than one knife a year I am interested in. BM has a couple that I really like the look of. Others may see things the exact opposite. Fresh designs to one person may not even get a second look from someone else. Also, there is a huge difference between buying based on pictures and buying in person. A knife that looks good in a picture may not be the one you would walk out of a store with, and vice versa.
For that particular knife, I think it was a tremendous value. I have gotten other Benchmades that weren't particularly sharp, but haven't had to use their customer service at all.
As far as new patterns...I think it really boils down to taste. There are some manufacturers mentioned in this thread who put out less than one knife a year I am interested in. BM has a couple that I really like the look of. Others may see things the exact opposite. Fresh designs to one person may not even get a second look from someone else. Also, there is a huge difference between buying based on pictures and buying in person. A knife that looks good in a picture may not be the one you would walk out of a store with, and vice versa.