BenchMade Quality

I've bought probably 4 or 5 Benchmade knives. The only one I had problems with was my recent Ritter Mini Grip. Bought it couple months ago and the Axis Lock would completely jam up about every 10 or so actuations. I sent it in the Benchmade and it came back fully repaired. They replaced the entire Axis Lock assembly. Interestingly when I contacted the seller, they said the remaining Mini Ritters they had all had some sort of issue. I thought that was strange. I opted to send it in to Benchmade instead of trying to return it and take my luck on a good replacement.
 
I have 5 Benchmades, love all of them, all seemed worth their price compared to other knives I have. I'd say sharpening and centering are not up to par with their price range, but fit and finish(aside from centering) and overall feel and quality of materials makes up for that. My crooked River in particular outclasses every knife I own (IMO) and I have many in its price range. And of course, the axis lock has no competition.as far as ease of use and coolness.
 
All of my older BMs have been perfect. However, I was in the middle of a move a few years ago and ordered a BM Stryker assisted knife to take with me. When I got it the blade basically fell out after I opened it a few times. I called Customer Service and explained it. They had me overnight the knife and they fixed it and rushed it back to me all within a week and I was on my way to my new place with my new knife right on time. So, while the knife was not right from the factory, they fixed it (or sent me a new one) and met my need and I very much appreciated it. I have bought more BMs since and all have been perfect.

My only gripe with BM is that they cost more than their competition since they went to MAP.
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1467425-Fit-and-finish

I have fit and finish issues with my benchmades.

its annoying that the MAP is so high and they have so many issues with quality and fit and finish. then to top it off with the Luke warm 2017 offerings yuk.

bench made knives are not worth map pricing at all. I won't ever buy one used unless its well bellow map pricing. other brands are far better.
 
I've never purchased a Benchmade through an online retailer without having someone inspect the knife for centering, blade play, and edge grind prior to shipping. This idea that "fit and finish befits the price" or is in "reaction to their pricing" is bull. It's your hard-earned money, you shouldn't compromise with your level of expectation and standard.
 
I like all the Benchmades I have, although their CM-154 steel is not one of my favorites - I much prefer my Cabelas Grippie in D2 over the one I have in CM-154. Other Benchmades in my collection are a Mini-Rukus (S30V), 710 (D2). The Axis Lock is brilliant engineering.
 
I have one benchmade left which I'm selling. I switched to cold steel.

I don't like the company any more and the materals used are too expensive for the price. I prefer aus8 over 440c.

Cold steel offers materals at prices I can't refuse. They are highly counterfeited but so are spyderco knives. You have to order from authorized dealers.
 
Benchmade makes a quality knife. Go to a local shop and pick one out. I've owned 40+ over the years and any issue I've had they've taken care of quickly.
I just purchased this 707 a couple days ago and it's perfect.
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I don't discount the reports of those who have, but I have been buying/collecting/carrying Benchmade knives for years and have never had the slightest issue with fit and finish. While it is true that in years past they were known for not having great out-of-the-box sharpness, that has changed dramatically over time in my experience. Over the past year or so I have purchased a Crooked River, Vicar, Protagonist, and Freek, all of which came out of the box screaming sharp. I will go as far as to say that my Freek's out-of-the-box sharpness was possibly the best I have ever experienced, even rivaling (dare I say) Spyderco :eek:

I am a huge fan of Benchmade, and particularly of the AXIS lock, but I do not consider myself a fanboy insofar as I would not blindly excuse quality control problems just because of my love for the brand. Furthermore, I wholeheartedly understand why those who have experienced these issues are unhappy with the brand. However I would hate for these incidents to deter someone from experiencing what I have found to be some of the best hard use folding knives out there. To the OP I say buy from a reputable dealer, hell, give them a ring and ask them to check the knife over for you, and you can always return it if you are not satisfied. I personally do not think you will be disappointed.
 
They make good butterfly knives, I'll give them that. They dominate production balisong knives. But they are also over priced. The market is opening up with demand and interest raising. Now you can get a barebones with super steel for less then any benchmade.

I made a thread about this awhile ago about how the commerical and custom balisong market was monopolized. The person arguring with me saying it wasn't was the pinoy knife guy, the biggest custom maker of balisong in the industry. Ironic isn't it.
 
Never had an issue with any Benchmade I ever purchased, be it purchased online, brick and mortar or here on the Forums. Just buy from reputable sources.

The whole MAP move was annoying to me, but not a "deal breaker".

I find their customer service to be impeccable. I've used their life-sharp service and found it wonderful. They not only sharpen it, they fix anything they see wrong.

I find the Axis lock to be my favorite locking mechanism. Never had one break, and wouldn't be concerned if it did... BM would patch it back up just fine.
 
Benchmade is a mass producer of knives. I have looked them over at various stores and they definitely had some variation between the knives. The most noticeable is the lock engagement. Some are late, some are early, and sometimes they don't engage so the blade is pressed against the blade stop, resulting in a little bit of play. Overall they are decent, I just won't buy one unless I can look it over.
 
Just got my new 520 Presidio in the mail today---perfect----its almost too pretty to use. Its a discontinued model so I got it for a reasonable price.

It has a black blade which have seemed a little "rougher" than the plain blades to me-----couple drops of oil on the pivot and its breaking in nicely.
 
I have bought plenty and I can't say that I have had any problems with them. If you find one you like, go for it. Should not be an issue.
 
Got 6 of them of various price and style, they are a bit expensive but boringly perfect. They are not fancy, but they do the job right.

Oh wait a 7th is on the way, a Crooked River :D
 
I appreciate all the responses! It seems the majority of you generally have had decent-great experiences. Several of you have recommended going to a store to check them out, but I honestly don't know any that are within a few hours of where I live. This was my first thread post on this forum, as I'm a new user... and I really am appreciative of all the advice. I think I'll end up picking up a benchmade soon.
 
Hackenslash said:
I think the anti-hype about Benchmade quality has been drastically overstated. There are a few people out there who complain about the quality control on Benchmade knives and they manage to do it very loudly. :). People who are satisfied with the quality of their Benchmade knives generally aren't going to argue vociferously about it. A few loud voices create an "impression" and an "impression" leads to an internet myth. A singular experience with one knife becomes a statement for an entire brand. Not a very analytical, rational or impartial way to develop an opinion.

I've owned more than 25 Benchmades over the years. The minor quality issues I've had with them have been no more significant than other similar manufacturers. I think the weakness of Benchmade is when they have quality issues they tend to be obvious; off center blades, dull edges. Fortunately, those flaws are are easily corrected by an owner with a little elbow grease and/or skill. These are production knives made in the USA, afterall. I've never had a Benchmade that wasn't "right" or couldn't be made right with a little initiative on my part.

The Benchmade "Quality Myth" is largely a tempest in a teapot.
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Great point and in my opinion a very positive characteristic of Benchmade. As you accurately identified, the vast majority of Benchmade QC issues (when applicable), are, as you put it, "obvious." Some may consider this to be the functional equivalent of a slap in the face, particularly when one glances at their pile of sharpening / grinding practice fodder consisting of five dollar Chinese knives and are taunted by a sea of mostly dead centered blades, while pondering whether the disturbingly off-centered blade on their brand new $200.00 Benchmade will make contact with the liner unless great care is exercised.

In sum, the fact that Benchmade QC issues (when present) are ordinarily obvious, apparent and identifiable within minutes of an acquisition, is to me, COMFORTING, considering the more than negligible number of other expensive and/or reputable knives, which in due time reveal initially unnoticeable and undetectable "latent defects" that adversely affect the performance and/or functionality of such other knives.
 
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I've never had any problems with the Benchmade knives Ive got over the past couple of years. All of them have been perfect with no issues.
 
Never had any major problem with any of my knives since i started collecting em about a decade ago, no spring breakages, no quality problems other than their g-10 handles being left sharp and the d2 morpho being nearly impossible to sharpen
 
FullMetalJackass said:
Got 6 of them of various price and style, they are a bit expensive but boringly perfect. They are not fancy, but they do the job right.

Oh wait a 7th is on the way, a Crooked River :D
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Oh baby!! You are going to LOVE that Crooked River FMJ!!
I have the G10 version, and guess what?? It came out of the box perfectly centered, had a beautifully even & screaming sharp edge and locked up TIGHT!!
Little heavier than I thought, but it balances very well and feels amazing in hand!
Which version did you order??
Good luck & enjoy it!
Joe

Obligatory pic!
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