Benchmade QC question

This is just my opinion, out of the box a knife shouldnt need to be adjusted. Now i realize nothing in the world is perfect and that things slip through the cracks but justifying quality control issues by saying people dont know how to adjust knives isn't right. When I make a purchase I try and make an I formed one.. I read reviews, check prices and do some checking out of the companies website and other products. When i purchase a "high end knife" or "premium" knives i expect a level of consistance and quality control. I only own 2 benchmades but i own other knives from other reputable manufactures and i hold them to the same standard. Crap happens, its awesome that benchmade is there to take care of the customer but when crap happens more than once or one after another people take notice. I dont think this is a huge issue, someone just needs to check the finished assembled product before it goes into box. And again things will slip through the cracks but hopefully not as often. I dont want to argue just saying my 2cents. QUOTE=BellaBlades;13900958]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.[/QUOTE]
 
My take on some of the more common complaints I see with any new knife, not just Benchmade:

Uneven bevels: a true QC issue
Good grind but not sharp enough: I would have to see how dull it really is before passing judgment
Blade off center: definitely NOT a QC issue if you are able to adjust it out with the pivot
Blade play: again NOT a QC issue if you are able to adjust it out with the pivot

I am more lenient than other members when it comes to evaluating a new knife. I have gone through enough productions, midtechs, and customs to realize that under close examination, you could find some minor issue with nearly all of them. It is a pleasant surprise if something comes out of the box needing no adjustments at all. Otherwise, something that can be addressed with thirty seconds and a torx is not a problem worth mentioning. Now if your knife is rubbing the liner or has unsafe lockup due to blade play no matter how much you adjust the pivot, please speak up.

Some of the posters here sent in their knives for fine-tuning and I would love if they could elaborate on that because for me, fine-tuning is something I do with every knife before I carry it.
 
Ludwig said:
I have gone through enough productions, midtechs, and customs to realize that under close examination, you could find some minor issue with nearly all of them.
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My sentiments exactly.

As I've said many times. Give me a Lupe, magnifying glass, and a flashlight and I'll find a flaw(s) on ANY production knife regardless of manufacture.

The question then becomes is it severe or relevant enough to matter to me or warrant a trip back to the manufacture.

For instance, In the case of blade centering as long as it's not rubbing the liner I really don't care all that much. I may attempt to adjust it or not depending. On one of my favorite production knives that I've decided to safe queen and not use, the blade is slightly off center but not close to rubbing. I could probably adjust it but the action is so smooth, and I mean really great that I don't want to even try messing with it. In this case it's more then fine just the way it is.

I own more Benchmades then any other brand, my oldest being a 17 year old original AFCK but my collection is not limited to BM. Currently and over the years I've had my fair share of other brands and I can honestly say the QC "issues" I see being reported of late about BM I could say the same about all of them. Even more so in the case of some brands.

I agree, if you get a production knife out of the box that on close inspection nothing jumps out at you that's great, but the reality and nature of productions knives and anything else that's mass produced is there will be flaws. Can they do better? sure they can and I hope they do but I try and keep these thing's in prospective.
 
I've had two Griptilians in less than three days. Both have issues. The first Grip went straight back as the pin inside the knife wasn't seated correctly. It was lodged against the side of the liner half in and half out of the hole. Second knife, though minor, also has issues. The edges of the jimping on the blade are crooked and just look shoddy. This knife was the showroom piece at a local dealer so it has been played with some. The thumb stud is already discoloring/rusting some. I'm less than impressed with BM so far, but hoping it all works out. I really do love this Griptilian already.
 
Are we doing this again? I don't think it serves no other than venting for some people.

How many times are we going to talk about this issue. BKC has made business decision about level of QC they can live with. Also their Customer support is far above that of competitors, so I call it better than other brand.

If people who likes near perfection in fit and finish, then one should buy custom made, or buy Gold class from BKC. Blue & Black are production knife, and many has pointed out it is not just BKC issue.
 
MobileFireLord said:
Are we doing this again? I don't think it serves no other than venting for some people.

How many times are we going to talk about this issue. BKC has made business decision about level of QC they can live with. Also their Customer support is far above that of competitors, so I call it better than other brand.

If people who likes near perfection in fit and finish, then one should buy custom made, or buy Gold class from BKC. Blue & Black are production knife, and many has pointed out it is not just BKC issue.
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My Gold Class 470-131 had a blade that was very off center. It's not just the Blue/Black class knives.
 
As Ludwig and PCGC who are Gold members (meaning they love knife and this forum enough to subscribe as paid members) has stated that Blade centering that can be adjustable would not be a QC issue.

I have done what BKC engineer has told me to fix minor blade centering and managed to fix them. Also I was able to fix it when washer wasn't same thickness. Mind you those are 2 out of 50 blades I have encountered in BKC knives I own. Some of them are not 1st retailed. As far as I'm concerned, as long as it doesn't rub against the liner or the handle, It is not QC issue.
 
MobileFireLord said:
Are we doing this again? I don't think it serves no other than venting for some people.

How many times are we going to talk about this issue. BKC has made business decision about level of QC they can live with. Also their Customer support is far above that of competitors, so I call it better than other brand.

If people who likes near perfection in fit and finish, then one should buy custom made, or buy Gold class from BKC. Blue & Black are production knife, and many has pointed out it is not just BKC issue.
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Agreed. The post below is a good summary. I buy a lot of knives and if you expect full-custom perfection on a $100-150 knife you have either been very lucky or you are a real optimist. :) If you look closely enough, you'll find flaws in anything. :o

Ludwig said:
My take on some of the more common complaints I see with any new knife, not just Benchmade:

Uneven bevels: a true QC issue
Good grind but not sharp enough: I would have to see how dull it really is before passing judgment
Blade off center: definitely NOT a QC issue if you are able to adjust it out with the pivot
Blade play: again NOT a QC issue if you are able to adjust it out with the pivot

I am more lenient than other members when it comes to evaluating a new knife. I have gone through enough productions, midtechs, and customs to realize that under close examination, you could find some minor issue with nearly all of them. It is a pleasant surprise if something comes out of the box needing no adjustments at all. Otherwise, something that can be addressed with thirty seconds and a torx is not a problem worth mentioning. Now if your knife is rubbing the liner or has unsafe lockup due to blade play no matter how much you adjust the pivot, please speak up.

Some of the posters here sent in their knives for fine-tuning and I would love if they could elaborate on that because for me, fine-tuning is something I do with every knife before I carry it.
Click to expand...
 
Bought 2 BM (grip and mini grip) and they were really dull ootb

Imho it is one of the things that should not slip through the cracks QCwise for that price range because for me sharpness is the most obvious and important characteristic of a knife. Centering and other little mechanical/cosmetic defects are, indeed, normal for production folders in that price range. When i buy a $100-150 folder, i expect it to open and close correctly and be sharp. Nothing more, nothing less. And having bought them as my first "expensive" knives, i don't think i can be accused of being too picky on the sharpness aspect.

Also for people outside of the US sending a knife back for warranty might not always be feasible.

Not bashing BM because their competitors have the same issues and they make great knives all in all (the axis lock is a pleasure to operate), just pointing out things they might consider.
 
When I first started using BM's, about 18-19 years ago, they came out of the box sharp. The way a knife should be...
I enjoy working on edges. For me it is relaxing. That said, a person shouldn't have to because it is dull. Not everyone knows how, or wants to put a good edge on a new knife.
Much like the QC issues, BM did it right when I first started buying them quite a few years back, so there is no reason they can't do it now...

An example is, I got a N.I.B early Mini Grip (440C) a couple weeks ago. This knife is a perfect example of what BM quality was back in the day. Smooth as glass, nice even grind, and sharp.
The last two Mini Grips I recently bought are CPM-4 and M390. Reasonably smooth, decent grinds, but not what I would consider a BM edge. They both have a serviceable edge, but they are still a little toothy. In all fairness though, both blades are centered.
 
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