Benchmade overexposed?

J

JimmyJack

Joined
Jul 8, 2003
Messages
8
Let me say I am a big fan of Benchmade, but I have noticed over the last few years they have come out with a million models under the sun, it seems they have a "special edition" or something every other month, they also seem to be very priced over the internet, meaning that everybody and there dog has them to sell, and the prices seem to get lower and lower, a good thing for the consumer, but maybe not so much for the maker, don't mean to insight a riot here, but just wanted some opionions on overexposer of knife makers, and the abilitity of every dealer anywhere to sell there their product for much less than their worth. Thanks guys!
 
Personally, I just sit back and let the market do the talking.
Hopefully, the economy will pick up soon, and everyone will be happy.
 
That is true, I just wonder when too much is enough, I feel like maybe Benchmade is "modeling" themselves to death, and in the process lowering the value of their product.
 
Originally posted by JimmyJack
That is true, I just wonder when too much is enough, I feel like maybe Benchmade is "modeling" themselves to death, and in the process lowering the value of their product.
Click to expand...

When I said I just sit back and watch the market, that's exactly what I do. If a company "overmodels" itself, it will eventually burn itself out by spending too much money to produce models that don't sell, so they will have to reduce the amount of products they offer.
As far as lowering the value of their product, why are you concerned with this? I really don't see BM going out of business anytime soon, nor do I consider low prices a bad thing :cool:
The only concern I can see if someone is a serious Benchmade collector and the prices of their knives drop.
Don't worry. Be happy. :)
 
I do have a certain interest because I have some "limited edition" Benchmades, it just seems there are so many now, that people will stop caring, but your right, as long as they make good stuff, people will buy it, and therefore they will always hold their value.:D
 
HA!!!! I knew it!!!
Generally speaking, knives are a poor investment, unless you're talking about customs. Buy what you like.
For example, When the Ares first came out, it was only available in that butt-ugly red, too bad for me, because I really liked the knife, but I couldn't get over the color.
When the knife of the month came out, I went out and bought 2 of green models, despite the slightly higher price.
If you like the limited editions, buy them, but DON'T fool yourself into thinking you'll make money on them. check out ebay if you don't believe me. IMO limited editions tend to be some of the nicest production knives available, and most of the time these knives are more close inspected as far as finish and lockup are concerned, this makes me believe they are worth it.
Walker
 
I don't think they are modeling themselves to death at all. My first quality folder was an AFCK. You can still buy an AFCK today, and I got mine 4 years ago. And they sold them for a few years before I bought mine!

For most of these companies, SHOT show and BLADE are big events, and the knife buyers expect something new and exciting to be revealed at these shows. If Benchmade came with the same 5 designs year after year, their customer base would be much smaller than it is today.

I think Spyderco has more models than benchmade, and they do well!

Don't worry, Benchmade isn't going anywhere but up and up.
 
Many of the limited editions are put out with different handle materials, and in many cases, with different blade steels. I think that this is great because it fills a niche in the market for people that like the production model, but want an upgraded steel.

Also, not all the limited models are being done by Benchmade proper. Many are distributor ordered special runs, or dealer special runs.
 
i simply love the benchmade limited runs, especially now that the prices are so low, you can get them for basically the same price as the regular model. I love the Ares but i hate the ugly rainbow colored handles they have, and i missed the CF HS one when it first came out for around 135, I ended up buying it later on for 160-180 (can't remember) now they came out with a CF D2 version for like 120, that made me kind of mad at first then then again, I still love my CFHS so I guess it's not that big of a deal
 
It could be the company has seen sales or market share decline, and they are coming out with new models to continue to keep interest up.
 
The thing is, prices tend to drop steadily over time (adjusted for inflation and innovation, but that's how it generally goes). Benchmade buys a huckabuck of 154CM from Crucible and Crucible is able to use that money to streamline their manufacturing processes and sell their metal at a lower price while still making a profit. Benchmade is now able to buy their materials for less and, coupled with their long-term experience with their materials, make them with slightly less effort, which allows them to sell for less. That's not overexposure, it's just a force of the free market.

As Patryn said, many of the limited editions are made for distributors who want to boost their profits by appealing to collectors. Some of the materials now more available and some of the labor is now easier because of experience or better equipment (not easy, just easier), so it takes less money to entice folks like Benchmade to make these limited editions for the major distributors.

The best thing is to either let the market decide, as Walking Man said, or let Benchmade decide. If you like some of these limited editions, be thankful for the benefit brough to you by economic freedom and the self-interests of Benchmade, their distributors, and your dealers. If they're not your thing, be happy that the rest of us fools are parting with less money per Benchmade.

Yes, that's it. Don't worry, be happy. Be very happy. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top