Benchmade QC issues?

Makael said:
So now they have poor customer service?
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Well, I sent them two knives with vertical play, told them explicitly on the phone what the issue was, got them to promise that they'd write down the issues on the log that goes with each knife... and all they did was tighten up the pivot screws way too tight and sent them back. It's not that their CS is bad, but more that I can't trust them to actually do what I'm asking.
 
As part of this thread I decided to really inspect all my BM knives in super detail to see if I see any issues (just spent an hour checking them all). I will be looking for centering, grind, blade play, lock stick, etc. and will list what I find or don't find. I am not getting out a damn microscope to review these, just doing a close eye check. Anything with issues I will get a pic.

I am a lefty, so I own alot of BM due to their ambi friendly design and overall CS. I also own Protech, ZT, SpyderCo, CRK, Kershaw, Freeman, Microtech, Marfionne, Reate, MV2, Hoback, Brous, and WE.


ISSUES
1000001 - Slight horizontal and vertical blade play I never noticed until this test
580 - Decent amount of side to side blade play
890-1701 - off centered
560bk-1801 - off centered
NOTE: I had a BM 755 that was offcentered I sent in and they fixed and also provided a titanium clip at my request. I gave this knife to my dad last week.

NO ISSUES
Wife's 781 - No issues
319 - No issues
556 - No normal issues, first BM I bought. Interestingly enough, when close something rattles when I shake it really hard and I can't figure out what it is.
555 - No issue
464 - No issue
15031 - No issue
5270 - No issue (one of my favorite BM knives)
531 REI - No issues (there is side to side blade play, but this is my fault because I intentionally run the pivot so loose on this one it just drops and floats)
535 - No issues
818 - No issues
940-1702 - No issues
490 - No issues
My 781 - No issues
477 - No issues
570 - No issues
2750 - No issues
3320 - No issues
860 - No issues (Another one I intentionally run super loose so some side to side)
125 - No issues. Sheath also works fine
133 Fixed - No issues. Sheath also works fine. (interestingly enough on this blade, no model markings)
417 - No issues
495 - No issues
15061 - No issues
15085 - No issues
595 - No issues
565 - No issues
486 - No issues
698 - No issues
Wife's 482 - No issues
485gry-1801 - No issues (checked for the blade play closely that I hear about on the valet)
940-1701 - No issues
940-1801 - No issues
698-181 - No issues
485-171 - No issues
707-1701 - No issues
556-1701 - No issues
586-1701 - No issues
950BK-1801 - No issues
790 - No issues
15200 - No issues
917 - No issues



VErDrv9.jpg


f6bgdvz.jpg


Quick ugly pic of one of my cases:

JHCJwb8.jpg
 
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halflife78 said:
As part of this thread I decided to really inspect all my BM knives in super detail to see if I see any issues (just spent an hour checking them all). I will be looking for centering, grind, blade play, lock stick, etc. and will list what I find or don't find. I am not getting out a damn microscope to review these, just doing a close eye check. Anything with issues I will get a pic.

I am a lefty, so I own alot of BM due to their ambi friendly design and overall CS. I also own Protech, ZT, SpyderCo, CRK, Kershaw, Freeman, Microtech, Marfionne, Reate, MV2, Hoback, Brous, and WE.


ISSUES
1000001 - Slight horizontal and vertical blade play I never noticed until this test
580 - Decent amount of side to side blade play
890-1701 - off centered
560bk-1801 - off centered
NOTE: I had a BM 755 that was offcentered I sent in and they fixed and also provided a titanium clip at my request. I gave this knife to my dad last week.

NO ISSUES
Wife's 781 - No issues
319 - No issues
556 - No normal issues, first BM I bought. Interestingly enough, when close something rattles when I shake it really hard and I can't figure out what it is.
555 - No issue
464 - No issue
15031 - No issue
5270 - No issue (one of my favorite BM knives)
531 REI - No issues (there is side to side blade play, but this is my fault because I intentionally run the pivot so loose on this one it just drops and floats)
535 - No issues
818 - No issues
940-1702 - No issues
490 - No issues
My 781 - No issues
477 - No issues
570 - No issues
2750 - No issues
3320 - No issues
860 - No issues (Another one I intentionally run super loose so some side to side)
125 - No issues. Sheath also works fine
133 Fixed - No issues. Sheath also works fine. (interestingly enough on this blade, no model markings)
417 - No issues
495 - No issues
15061 - No issues
15085 - No issues
595 - No issues
565 - No issues
486 - No issues
698 - No issues
Wife's 482 - No issues
485gry-1801 - No issues (checked for the blade play closely that I hear about on the valet)
940-1701 - No issues
940-1801 - No issues
698-181 - No issues
485-171 - No issues
707-1701 - No issues
556-1701 - No issues
586-1701 - No issues
950BK-1801 - No issues
790 - No issues
15200 - No issues
917 - No issues



VErDrv9.jpg


f6bgdvz.jpg


Quick ugly pic of one of my cases:

JHCJwb8.jpg
Click to expand...
I would say you know your benchmades. Right on!
 
I've been lurking since 2013. It's finally reached a boiling point enough to comment. It seems like its always the same freaking people making this forum crappy for others to state their opinion. Almost always. It hasn't changed in 5 years. Same people. The mods never seem to correct them or just simply tell them to shut up. Same people. Over and over and over. It's nauseating.
 
Someone1 said:
I've been lurking since 2013. It's finally reached a boiling point enough to comment. It seems like its always the same freaking people making this forum crappy for others to state their opinion. Almost always. It hasn't changed in 5 years. Same people. The mods never seem to correct them or just simply tell them to shut up. Same people. Over and over and over. It's nauseating.
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You do have opposing views and experiences from the individuals in this thread. A few who have seen frequent issues, and a few who have had solid results from Benchmade. I believe we all strive for truth and the spreading of helpful information, most of us anyway. I wouldn’t say personally that I’ve seen anyone in his thread trolling.

Hope you join in more often S Someone1

I find it super cool that the OP will put his money where his mouth is. I literally was about to do the same thing. Makes this a very fascinating thread.

Problem is your post is slightly ambiguous. I think I know which side nauseates you, but I think your comments could apply to either side for the sake of argument.
 
Someone1 said:
I've been lurking since 2013. It's finally reached a boiling point enough to comment. It seems like its always the same freaking people making this forum crappy for others to state their opinion. Almost always. It hasn't changed in 5 years. Same people. The mods never seem to correct them or just simply tell them to shut up. Same people. Over and over and over. It's nauseating.
Click to expand...

Guess I missed something along the way. I think this has been a pretty civil thread. I’ve enjoyed reading and participating. My opinion is similar to some folks, different than others. I’m ok with that.

I always find it weird when person A has a run of bad experiences with a brand while person B has the opsite. It makes me wish I could sit down with halflife78 halflife78 , enjoy a beverage, and compare notes (and knives) in person. It also makes me wonder why my local dealer (yes, authorized) seems to have a disproportionate number of display models that don’t meet my standards. <<Admittedly, he did have a 417 Fact that was pretty locked on...it’s not a design I care for, however.>>
 
Someone1 said:
I've been lurking since 2013. It's finally reached a boiling point enough to comment. It seems like its always the same freaking people making this forum crappy for others to state their opinion. Almost always. It hasn't changed in 5 years. Same people. The mods never seem to correct them or just simply tell them to shut up. Same people. Over and over and over. It's nauseating.
Click to expand...

Most posts are never read by moderators, because there are way more posts than there are moderators. At the bottom of each post is a triangle with an exclamation point in it. If you think someone is posting personal insults, or is otherwise trolling the thread, click it, and report the post. A mod will examine the post, when there is one available. Might not be right away, because there might not be a mod online. We all have regular jobs to pay the bills.

That being said, I have scanned the last couple of pages and find nothing that is breaking the posting rules. Merely voicing disagreement is not trolling.
 
Up and down play are my biggest complaints. Everything from my Adamas down to my Griptilian is plagued with this problem.
 
I like benchmade as a brand. THey have some cool designs and I like that their knives are ambidextrous. I have a few benchmades. I recently bought a Mini Crooked River. It had slightly uneven grinds (or 'left beef' as we have apparently take to calling it). The issue is so minor, I don't think I could even get it in a picture. I have decided to keep the knife as it doesn't seem to affect performance.

However, Benchmade does have a high price point for what it is. You also have to pay a premium for the butterfly logo. In return, people tend to place higher demands on the quality of their products. And rightly so, in my opinion. Especially when you look at the higher end models such as the Anthem. I certainly would have returned the Anthem for the same issue I could live with in the Mini Crooked River.

When I was at the Dutch Knife Exhibition this year, I handled a few benchmades. A lot of them had the slightly uneven grind. A lot of people I spoke with confirmed Benchmade's reputation.

A big part of quality control is how you design the processes in your business. How do you manufacture in such a way that: A) The opportunity for errors is minimized, and B) any products that do have a defect are effectively removed from being sent out (Maximize detection of errors). I suspect that this is Benchmade's weak point. Especially since I have seen so many knives with the exact same error (uneven grind).

In comparison, take a look at other brands. Buck has a reputation for quality even though they are at a lower price point. They have a great warranty as well. Sure, they accidentally put out a lemon as well, but apparently it's a rare enough occurrence that it doesn't sour their reputation. I would wager that is because their businees processes are designed differently. There is a thread over at the Buck forum about them remodeling a part of their factory and applying the 5S methodology. Things like that can all add up to better quality and less defects.
 
scottyj said:
Up and down play are my biggest complaints. Everything from my Adamas down to my Griptilian is plagued with this problem.
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If it's a new Axis Lock knife and up and down play is minimal, it could be that you just need to break in the knife. I've found that to be my experience. With a little use, the play will go away.
 
sabre cat said:
If it's a new Axis Lock knife and up and down play is minimal, it could be that you just need to break in the knife. I've found that to be my experience. With a little use, the play will go away.
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Some have gotten better with use. Also if you open it kinda hard it will lock up tight. If you open them normally they will have the play.
 
scottyj said:
Some have gotten better with use. Also if you open it kinda hard it will lock up tight. If you open them normally they will have the play.
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Mine don't. I just checked my Volli and 531. Under normal use, both are nice and tight.

If I open them slowly and put the knife next to my ear while I am trying to move the blade up and down, I can hear very slight metal to metal sounds. Sometimes. Even then, it's not consistent. So, I guess, technically, mine have play but, under regular use mine are tight. I would not even try what I just described on a knife at my local brick and mortar.

The only one I have not checked is my Griptilian. It's around here somewhere.

UPDATE: I have checked the Griptilian and it's just fine. The pivot screw was a little loose but, even with that, the knife was just fine.

I don't understand why some of us have great luck with Benchmade and others seem to have nothing but problems. I can't help but wonder how much is operator error or lack of maintainence.
 
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sabre cat said:
Mine don't. I just checked my Volli and 531. Under normal use, both are nice and tight.

If I open them slowly and put the knife next to my ear while I am trying to move the blade up and down, I can hear very slight metal to metal sounds. Sometimes. Even then, it's not consistent. So, I guess, technically, mine have play but, under regular use mine are tight. I would not even try what I just described on a knife at my local brick and mortar.

The only one I have not checked is my Griptilian. It's around her somewhere.
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My Crooked River is the worst. The blade is all over the place. After multiple attempts to get it adjusted right the only way to get it to lock up solid is to wrist flick it. My only Benchmade's that lock up solid with normal opening is my tan serrated Adamas, BM/HK 14715, and my Vallation. Those are solid under normal usage. My full size Grip, and black plain blade Adamas have the up & down play too.
 
scottyj said:
My Crooked River is the worst. The blade is all over the place. After multiple attempts to get it adjusted right the only way to get it to lock up solid is to wrist flick it. My only Benchmade's that lock up solid with normal opening is my tan serrated Adamas, BM/HK 14715, and my Vallation. Those are solid under normal usage. My full size Grip, and black plain blade Adamas have the up & down play too.
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I think that we could agree that Benchmade does not consistently make perfect knives. No company does. Combine that with the fact that I can find something wrong or I don't like on any knife that is in my price range, and I have a recipe for disappointment.

As knife nuts, I can't help but wonder if we set our expectations way to high. I am not saying you, Scotty, just knife nuts in general.

As for your Crooked River knife, have you sent it in? I know that I would not be happy with performance like that.
 
sabre cat said:
I think that we could agree that Benchmade does not consistently make perfect knives. No company does. Combine that with the fact that I can find something wrong or I don't like on any knife that is in my price range, and I have a recipe for disappointment.

As knife nuts, I can't help but wonder if we set our expectations way to high. I am not saying you, Scotty, just knife nuts in general.

As for your Crooked River knife, have you sent it in? I know that I would not be happy with performance like that.
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^^^ Nah. I just have not gotten around to it. I honestly do like the knife. The ergo's are great, and that Bowie blade is pure badass. One of these days I'll send it off.
 
Here's a picture of my brand new 781 Anthem. Blade is off center and the grind is uneven. BM has offered to fix it, but they want me to cover the shipping cost myself, which is around 30-35 usd, from Europe to the US.

bm-781.jpg
 
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donwerner said:
Here's a picture of my brand new 781 Anthem. Blade is off center and the grind is uneven. BM has offered to fix it, but they want me to cover the shipping cost myself, which is around 30-35 usd, from Europe to the US.

bm-781.jpg
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Thank you for posting that picture.
Spend the $35 and send it in (unless you can return it to the vendor for free).
 
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