Benchmade QC question

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kitkat4.4

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I have been reading about all of the QC problems with Benchmade for a while now.
I must admit I took a break from Benchmade a few years ago. (I was on a Reeve kick)

So I have what could seemingly be a easy question. How many of your last few Benchmade purchases had problems?

I had started accumulating a small collection of Benchmades before MAP hit. I keep the ones I haven't got around to carrying yet in the boxes they came in. I have 20 BNIB Benchmades. I pulled each one out to wipe them down with EEZOX and inspect them. I did not scrutinize every little detail, but out of 20 knives I found about seven issues.

So I'm trying to figure out an actual percentage of defective knives from BM. Or if you own 4 you could say two had problems etc.

I'm not trying to beat a dying horse here, just trying to become more informed.
I like Benchmade, or I wouldn't own 30 of them, just so everyone knows.
 
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I've had four Benchmades in the course of my collecting, none of which had any QC issues of concern to me. These have been a 531, 710, 810, and 710-1401. I only have the 710's now, but that's purely due to personal preference, not any lack of quality of the ones I sold or traded off.
 
I'm up to 14 currently, all bought withing the last 4 years. Before that, probably 20 other going back to 2005 that have come and gone for various reasons. None of the current 14 had any issues from the factory. Only one has gone to BM for repair and that was my fault. They fixed my screw-up for free and returned it to me within 10 days. But I'm a user. I don't put anyone's knife under a magnifying glass and look for F&F flaws. The Benchmades that I've had work. For me, they have been efficient and safe tools. They've been dependable and pretty easy to maintain. That's why I keep buying them.

And no... I've never had an omega spring break in 9 years of buying AXIS locks..
 
Great thread. QC issues get taken out of context.

I've bought a dozen BM knives in the past two years, and not a single one had a single issue. Perfect grinds, blade centering, G10 fit to steel frame underneath, everything.

For the record, I'm super picky with knives. I've had issues with about half of the Spydercos I've bought, half of the Emersons, etc. I'm not BM fanboy (I hate the design of the Axis lock, but that is not a QC issue, my problem is with the design) but they just do not come with problems.

I would say, after owning dozens of quality knives, that Benchmade has the highest level of quality possible for a production knife. Zero Tolerance and Al Mar are the only other companies that I know of that can say the same.
 
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Redmasta said:
Its been about 50/50 for me.
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Same for me. I own about 18-20 and about half of them needed to have the blades centered right out of the box (the ones purchased from retail stores). There were other minor issues of primary grinds being off, swedges, and some slight lock rock.
 
So I have bought 3 new BMs since July. A HK 14715, 531 and an REI 551-1401. All three have no major issues at all. One or two of the clips needed tuning they were loose.
The REI 551 I returned mostly because I really did not need another Griptilian and it was an impulse buy. One issue it did have was the "button" on the Axis lock had some rough burs in it. Also the pocket clip had a bur on the underside, I noticed it while bending the clip so it would not be loose. I will say that I thought the G-10 was a bit smooth to the point of almost slippery, kind of glossy. Glad I returned it because I needed the money for the new Ritter m390. I will get some custom G-10 scales for that.

Both the 14715 and the 531 are perfect in every way.
Maybe I am just lucky?
 
I own about 30. The only QC issue I've had is that the blades weren't sharp enough when NIB. I think it depends on how mass produced the blades are. The 580's I've had were 50/50 when it came to sharpness, but all my balisongs (most of them ) are scary sharp.
 
kitkat4.4 said:
So I'm trying to figure out an actual percentage of defective knives from BM.
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I can't possibly criticize this specific query, because--apart from being reasonable, genuine, and important--I would sincerely love to know the answer as well.

Unfortunately, the methodology is not entirely sound, mainly because it would be based on anecdotal evidence, which is unscientific, fairly subjective, and encompasses too many variables to produce reliable data. If I tell you I bought a specific model that was 'significantly' defective, the only thing it proves (statistically) is that Benchmade has produced and sold 1 knife on earth that was significantly defective. If 4 other people chime in with reports of significant defects on the same model, it proves that Benchmade has produced and sold 5 defective [specific-model] knives on earth. If another 5 people join the conversation and state their Benchmade model X arrived without defects, does that cancel out the significance of the first 5 reports? Furthermore, how many model X's have been produced to date? Add to that varying definitions of "defective", along with the general fact that people are more likely to report negative experiences than positive ones, and that one negative report often carries the same weight as six positive ones: and we just don't have reliable data... not that that would keep most of us from inferring generalizations.
 
I have acquired two new Benchmades in the last six weeks. An 810 Contego and a 551 Griptillian.

The Contego was perfect out of the box and had one of the better factory edges I have seen. The Griptillian was solid but had a terrible edge. Very uneven edge bevels and a very coarse grind. It was not very sharp to say the least. It took me some time but I reground the edges and got them polished up and even. It is now a very sharp 25 deg for a 50 deg included angle. Pretty steep but I was looking for a strong edge and it's plenty sharp for daily carry use.

I inspected several if the grips the dealer had before buying one. Obviously I chose the best of the ones they had in stock and it was still a very pitiful edge for a $100 knife.

In the end it's not a big deal for me as I rarely leave the factory edge on a knife for very long anyway.
 
Including my two '12 Forum knives, all of the last half-dozen I've purchased had to go back for fine tuning.
 
20+ Benchmades, including the new blue 710, not a single problem. This whole supposed "quality control" issue is a mystery to me. I've experienced nothing like it with any of the (really too many - is that possible?) Benchmades I own.
 
I only own 1, a 585. Blade was off center and the bevels were terrible. I've since fixed it myself, and it's a good enough knife, but I doubt I'll buy another BM. The fit and finish and materials just don't justify the asking price IMHO. There is much better value to be found elsewhere.
 
I own 2 benchmades my first was a 275 that had blade play and an off center blade, I sent it to benchmade. 10 days later I get the knife back the blade play is gone but still almost touching the liner its so off center, nothing I do keeps the blade centered I've tried loosing every screw on the knife and centering the blade and using paper wedged and tightening but nothing works.. when the pivot tightens the blade goes toward the liner so I just accepted it lol my second benchmade is a 810 contego I anticipated this knife greatly I opened it up and right out the box literally rubbed the liner its blade was so off center and had side to side play that I could not adjust out... so I called benchmade and they paid shipping both ways for me to send it back which was cool but it stinks my brand new knife had to be put back in its box and sent back. That's 2 out of 2 that had to be sent to benchmade as soon I got them. I'm not giving up on benchmade.. they have great customer service it just stinks I had to use it. I hope they find where the QC issue is and fix it.
 
I think there's a problem in the initial build process. Whether it's pressure from above; I can't imagine the numbers produced daily, and not only the different regular catalog models, but with exclusives and limited runs. From what I know most of the returns for warranty are dealt with quickly, and returns for a second time around are pretty rare. Someone up at BKC has to run the numbers, and based on these money's lost in the sheer volumes returned, this must be the case. Their CS department has always been the tops in response and delivery of repairs, it's just during the initial QC something's missing, and that's what needs scrutiny.
 
shinyedges said:
I own 2 benchmades my first was a 275 that had blade play and an off center blade, I sent it to benchmade. 10 days later I get the knife back the blade play is gone but still almost touching the liner its so off center, nothing I do keeps the blade centered I've tried loosing every screw on the knife and centering the blade and using paper wedged and tightening but nothing works.. when the pivot tightens the blade goes toward the liner so I just accepted it lol my second benchmade is a 810 contego I anticipated this knife greatly I opened it up and right out the box literally rubbed the liner its blade was so off center and had side to side play that I could not adjust out... so I called benchmade and they paid shipping both ways for me to send it back which was cool but it stinks my brand new knife had to be put back in its box and sent back. That's 2 out of 2 that had to be sent to benchmade as soon I got them. I'm not giving up on benchmade.. they have great customer service it just stinks I had to use it. I hope they find where the QC issue is and fix it.
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I have the same problems with my two Contegos.
 
Here are the Benchmades that I have : 551, 551BK, 551OR, 940, 585S, 7, 7, LW Mini-Landslide prototype, and a Bone Collector folder. I previously had a 375S as well.
I don't consider the clips not be adjusted to my taste to be a quality control issue - I like them super strong, but not everyone does.
I haven't had any problems with any of the knives, BUT, one of my 7 hooks did come with a weird finish on the handle coating. No problem though, Benchmade gave me a brand new one - and they even included a sheath.
I have noticed a difference between new axis 'buttons' and ones that are worn it. I'd consider this to be completely normal. When it comes out of the box, it's not as smooth, and a little rougher around the edges, because it's fresh, and needs to be worn in. If you think this is a flaw, send me your new-in-box Benchmade knives, and I'll be glad to break them in for you :)
I'm not a BM fanboy by any means, but they attract me with their technology, customer service, and the way they treat us LE/FIRE/EMS guys
 
I have owned dozens over the years. Had one with a bad heat treat that chipped a little.
Most of the complaints I read are from folks that dont know how to adjust a knife out of the box. Every company has an issue here and there, but adjusting an off center blade, side to side play and an edge that is not perfect can all take minutes to fix.
 
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