Benchmade QC issues?

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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This man gets it.
 
4mer_FMF said:
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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At this point that is probably the best option. Unfortunately he may get it back with some of the same issues.

It’s a shame.
 
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Well, as of yesterday, I added another Griptilian to my small but expanding collection. As far as I can tell, no QC issues whatsoever. I mentioned recently that I have experienced issues myself and pulled away from Benchmade for a while but IMO they have made improvements lately.
 
donwerner said:
You're welcome. To be honest I'm a bit upset that I will have to pay for a mistake they made...They should have got it right before it left the factory.
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You're right they should have got it right before it left the factory and I would also be upset if I was forced to pay shipping. Kind of insulting, really.

However, if you're like me, you'll never be happy with the knife as it is. Every time you cut something with it, you will get irritated because the knife is just not right.

If you can't return/exchange the product with the retailer, send it to Benchmade. Someday you will be cutting with the knife and think how great the blade is and how you would hate to lose it. The $35 will have been forgotten ages ago.
 
TheEdge01 said:
I have ran into QC issues such as blade centering and blade play...and the other day asked to hold a large Barrage at a local dealer and it had an uncentered blade plus blade play.
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Now that is interesting. I would have thought that an AO knife would have no blade play because the pivot could be cranked down tighter than a manual opening knife.

I have an old "beater" 580 that was dead on centered and no blade play, but the assist spring would almost launch the blasted knife out of my hand (I hate AO knives). I de-assisted it and it took a fair amount of tweaking it to get it smooth without play and centered.
 
colin.p said:
Now that is interesting. I would have thought that an AO knife would have no blade play because the pivot could be cranked down tighter than a manual opening knife.

I have an old "beater" 580 that was dead on centered and no blade play, but the assist spring would almost launch the blasted knife out of my hand (I hate AO knives). I de-assisted it and it took a fair amount of tweaking it to get it smooth without play and centered.
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Not this particular one, I would have bought it if everything checked out, but I ended up leaving with a Griptilian instead. I used to own the mini version as well and it too had blade play, yet it fired hard. I sent it in to BM for their lifesharp service and it came back tuned up though.
 
On it's way. A random purchase. I realize buying one knife doesn't speak for everything they do. It's a small experiment. Cool looking knife, well see when it arrives with a lot of photos and general impressions. I've never held this knife before.

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fq55 said:
At this point that is probably the best option. Unfortunately he may get it back with some of the same issues.

It’s a shame.
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Lol, why would it come back with the same issues?
 
P2P said:
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 @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.
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Order up. Lol. Im curious what model you would choose. It took me awhile to come up with one.
 
Makael said:
Order up. Lol. Im curious what model you would choose. It took me awhile to come up with one.
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Mini Crooked River
551-1
Bugout

Would be at the top of the list. I do enjoy the used prices a lot more however.
 
Makael said:
On it's way. A random purchase. I realize buying one knife doesn't speak for everything they do. It's a small experiment. Cool looking knife, well see when it arrives with a lot of photos and general impressions. I've never held this knife before.

View attachment 969259
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I have a 531 like that. I love it. Super lightweight. About 2 oz. Makes a great office knife. I did change the pocket clip though. I prefer the deep carry clip on this knife.

The 531 does take some getting used to. It has a super small thumb stud and the smallest Axis Lock I have ever seen.

BTW, there is a thread here on BF about the 531 series. Lots of pictures including some of the Gold Box knives.
 
I have a dozen i got over the last decade or so...... used to come with really obtuse angles on the edges and very dull. they seem to have solved most of that. I did have a bedlam that came with loose screws and was barely put together. easy fix I tightened it all up, works fine to this day. lastly had to mail one in for multiple issues.....came back worse. I contacted them they took it back and fixed it. didnt charge me to return it or mail it back.

so their warranty is pretty good in my 1 experience.

I dont pay attention to blade centering unless it affects open and close and use. it's an annoyance at best and has no effect on use typically.

Mak get a bedlam, full size crooked river, or full size grip....... great knives.
 
Makael said:
Lol, why would it come back with the same issues?
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Because several people have complained about the very same thing, explained what the problem with the knife was, BM either not addressing it at all or not satisfactory. But then again it seems to be about the same percentage as people having issues in the first place with their knives.
 
Makael said:
On it's way. A random purchase. I realize buying one knife doesn't speak for everything they do. It's a small experiment. Cool looking knife, well see when it arrives with a lot of photos and general impressions. I've never held this knife before.

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I bought the 531 a month ago and like it as well as the 535 but I find it is a much classier version of the Bugout. Mine was great out of the box, centering was perfect and absolutely no blade play at all. I found a bit of lock stick, especially when I really fired it hard, but it is getting better now.

The only "issue" (even though I don't find it an issue) is the grind is not quite symmetrical. It is ground a bit shallower (or higher) on the show side and the clip side is not as shallow or high (can't think of the proper terminology). It doesn't bother me in the slightest, but I'm quite sure someone would probably complain about it, even though the average person wouldn't notice it and the knife slices just fine.

I'm curious how yours is when you get it. It is a really nice little knife that pictures really don't do it justice.
 
jbmonkey said:
I have a dozen i got over the last decade or so...... used to come with really obtuse angles on the edges and very dull. they seem to have solved most of that. I did have a bedlam that came with loose screws and was barely put together. easy fix I tightened it all up, works fine to this day. lastly had to mail one in for multiple issues.....came back worse. I contacted them they took it back and fixed it. didnt charge me to return it or mail it back.

so their warranty is pretty good in my 1 experience.

I dont pay attention to blade centering unless it affects open and close and use. it's an annoyance at best and has no effect on use typically.

Mak get a bedlam, full size crooked river, or full size grip....... great knives.
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Agreed. I like full size knives.
 
Well the Benchmade 531 Perdue arrived today. Nice box and packaging. Nice little bag.

1st impression, nice slim well built knife out of high quality materials.
I've looked the knife over very well and cannot find one thing wrong with this particular example. Its perfect!

No blade play in any direction. No bad fit or finish. Seems like a good example I've come to expect from Benchmade.

But it's a little small from what I'm used to. It's gorgeous well built slim knife. Here are some pics.

I paid 136.00 with free shipping I'm going to list this at a discount. After it's sold I will order one that's a little bigger. Maybe that Bedlam. And report on that model. Like I said before I understand these few don't represent all. If I get a bad one we can go thru the warranty process from Benchmade. My gut says it's a good experience but maybe well see.


 
Do a Bedlam, I am curious. It's my only BM and it had several issues:
- Loose Backspacer (just had to tighten screws but still)
- Uneven Grind
- So off center that it almost rubbed (Tried to center it a dozen ways, didn't work no matter what I did)

Cool design, decent materials, fitment crap for the money (~240$ knife here)
 
I LOVE the axis lock. I like many benchmade designs and I like the toothy edge they send them out with. I like that they are USA made. I think they could improve QC...

My experience:

940: slightly off center, no other issues (My son has the knife but no pics)

940-2: slightly off center, no other issues (My dad has the knife and uses the crap out of it but no pics)

551 Grip with AWT scales: perfect centering, broke both omega spring. Flicked a lot and I suspect scales rubbed the springs (sold, no pics)

Bugout: way off center. Sent back. Pic:
AELixjw.jpg


Anthem: bought secondary market, told centered...should have asked for pics...went back. Pic:
nvCj6yG.jpg


2nd Anthem: slightly off center, grind essentially fine but much smaller than previous Anthem. About 1/16" shorter than spec and a shorter dimension from edge to spine. I don't have pic. At Benchmade now hopefully getting a new blade closer to spec.
 
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