Benchmade Prices

I own three vintage Benchmade knives, a 100 River & Rescue First Production Run (GIN-1 steel, G10 scales, Kydex sheath), a 190 Drop Point Hunter Pre-Production (440C steel, rosewood scales, leather sheath), and a 192 Bird & Trout (440C steel, rosewood scales, leather sheath). I bought them all over 20 years ago, back when Benchmade's prices were not cheap, but not outrageous, either. My memory says I paid about $100 for each of the three knives.

Benchmade today makes only two knives that truly interest me, the 15017 Hidden Canyon Hunter, and the 15032 North Fork folder. To buy the two of those knives in 2026 would cost me $475 USD.
 
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Recently at the local Benchmade dealer’s shop, I was quite shocked to see that the current price for the Bugout 535gry-1 that I bought around 2021 for around $140 is now $200!

However, I have to say that if one looks around a bit, reasonably priced Benchmades can still be found. For example, the same shop had an old stock 391BK SOCP Folder with a 2020 price tag of $160. I’m not usually much into the “blackout” looks, but after checking out the fit & finish (particularly the very smooth action) I couldn’t resist buying it 😊
 
Had some Benchmade knives years ago and sold them all. Don't like the Axis lock and dislike their anti-2A even more. Also, pricing is too high. I do like some of their OTS knives and dont mind buying them used at a fair price. They are good at sending out clips and I like that they're manufacted in the US.

Overall, probably better than buying Chinese knives if your a US citizen. If you care about such things and understand why.
 
TiHawk60 said:
I usually just walk past the Benchmade case at the store these days. Tired of getting dizzy from shaking my head at the prices. I don't even want to know what I used to spend, but probably a knife a month? Maybe every other month? That's since dropped to $0, essentially.

Oh, wait, I did buy the new 940BK-03 in August and that was only because I had $150 in gift cards for the store and I got 10% off for taking the display model. It was the best of the 4 examples of that model they had in stock... All 4 were flat out dull, but two had a recurve ground into them and off center. This one was centered and smooth action at least and I could fix it on my wicked edge.

There are definitely still some Benchmades I'd like to have and are within my knife budget, but I will not be buying because they are no longer worth it, in my opinion. Unless I get them secondhand or rack up more gift cards or somehow BKC checks themselves back into reality, I'm done buying their knives.
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One of our local hardware chains carries BM. I get the same feeling as you when I look at the retail price they are asking. I often wonder if anyone ever buys them at that price.
 
The last Benchmade I bought was a freek in s90 and carbon fiber. I wanted it for a while and was very happy to spend the $300 on it. Perfectly centered, no play, great action, super sharp. Perfect. But I hadn't bought one for a long time before that, and probably won't buy another for a while simply because of the prices. I have plenty as well but, when I bought the m4 super freek it was $180. A crooked river was around the same, mini slightly less. My customs were more but that's acceptable. I mean s90/cf grip was $300, and I happily paid it for being my custom!

But now the price of a crooked river is what, $300 for s30v? No thanks. What's an Adamas now? I don't even know (I paid around $200, love the cruwear!)

To me the price to value isn't there. Some spyderco knives are the same to me. Near $300 for an s30/G10 bodacious? Nah. I paid $200 I think for my first Shaman. Now they're up there too. I have 4 shamans, I'm good for life I think.

I mean, I understand profits and paying bills and staying open. It's just more than I want to pay. Hell, I just bought a new vehicle, for more than I wanted to pay (but not bad for the market especially at 0% interest) but it is what it is. I have plenty of knives. I'll be good for a long time. Even trying to off load some but even that's tough in these times so I'll just hold onto them I guess.
 
SharpBits said:
The secondary market is the best place to get Benchmade knives and a few other brands. Little to no use often, and much better price.
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True that.

I have purchased a number of excellent BM's on the Exchange here, at very acceptable prices.
 
Tritium said:
Had some Benchmade knives years ago and sold them all. Don't like the Axis lock and dislike their anti-2A even more. Also, pricing is too high. I do like some of their OTS knives and dont mind buying them used at a fair price. They are good at sending out clips and I like that they're manufacted in the US.

Overall, probably better than buying Chinese knives if your a US citizen. If you care about such things and understand why.
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Not the place for this, but they arent anti 2A. Thats a silly, overstated accusation. The price is just too damn high, by a lot.
 
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