BenchMade Quality

I've had pretty good luck with Benchmade QC. The only complaint I would have is the occasional Axis lock rock. It happened on an early Adamas 275, that thing would rattle like a Diamondback when shaken.
The blades have been straight for the most part, nothing leaning one way or the other.
They had reasonably sharp blades, ready to use out of the box, that would always be ideal for any knife.
Sometimes the bevel is cut deeper on one side than the other, that is a huge disappointment. Luckily only once in a long while. So far so good.
 
I've owned several Benchmade knives over the years and have never had a problem. As others have said, buy from a reputable dealer and if there is ever a problem you can return it.
 
I haven't bought a Benchmade for many years, maybe in 12 or 13 years. At that time, my favorites were the axis TSEK and the Griptilians. All of those I had came with excellent edges, great action, no lock rock, etc. before that, though, I remember having a black-bladed Stryker that came so dull OOB that I could run my finger along the edge without any danger of cutting myself. I had to completely reprofile that knife brand new. The first AFCK I bought back in 1998 had a blade so crooked it rubbed the opposite liner, and a heat treat so bad it was like trying to resharpen a piece of hard glass. After a couple trips back to BM, they ended up sending me a replacement AFCK that ended up being a very good knife.

Prior to the Griptilians coming out, I remember there were lots of forum posts about BM's QC problems, so much so that Les de Asis posted a response about it. After the Grips came out, I thought those QC issues had been corrected. It makes me a bit sad to see that now, so many years later, there are (still?) some of the same or similar QC issues being brought up.

Jim
 
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I haven't read through the entire thread because I'm lazy AF. But, the main outcry for their QC issues really stem from the Dec. 2015 (I think that was when it occurred, but again, lazy AF) price increases. Old news for many, but Benchmade forced dealers to increases their prices on all Benchmade models to get in line with MAP pricing. It was across the entire line and anyone who failed to increases prices was going to be dropped as a dealer. Everyone took issue that prices increases 20-30% on all models with no improvement to steel, build quality ect.

Before the map price enforcement, most took the occasional fit and finish issue as they came, and didn't really gripe too much because they were such a good value. However, with the price increase, knife enthusiasts became much more sensitive to quality control because the value was no longer there. Hence, the over-inflated response to QC issues.

Overall, they are still great knives with excellent customer service support (unless the issue is off center blades).

Another side point, is that with the prevalence of frame locks with ball bearings, it is now much easier to find smooth knives with no blade play. The Axis lock isn't really designed around that concept. Sure you might be able to find one perfect example that is super smooth and no play, but in reality you have to choose one or the other with the axis lock. After months/years of ball bearing knives with frame locks, blade play starts to bother the average enthusiast whereas they may have never considered it an issue years before.

Just my .00002 cents.
 
The price increase for Benchmade may have increased people's expectations about knife quality , especially since there are less expensive knives available with equal or better quality control. And I thought the f and f has gotten worse, regardless of the price jump.
People talk about how good BM s customer service is. It has to be , otherwise , with their price point and qc, they would lose a lot of market share. Personally, I don t like to keep testing a knife company s customer service.
 
I've never had good luck with blade play(up/down) on the axis lock. Out of the dozen or so I've had, only my mini-rukus had a solid lockup. A tech at BrakesPlus permanently borrowed it w/o asking.
 
I feel BM doesnt do the best with QC. Knives come uncentered, varying degrees of action, some lock rock, some side to side play. The halfass the build out the door and hope you don't send it back in. I have sent every benchmade I own back for some type of service. Rather disappointing considering much less expensive brands like CRKT sell a $25 knife that's substantially better overall fit. When a 12 ganzo locks up and is centered better than a $200 benchmade its just a testament to how poorly of a job they do. They have been making knives sharpest the new bugout I got was the sharpest BM i have ever held.
 
When one thinks about it, quality control at BM or any maker really is like 3 dudes in the back, many times 2 sometimes 1.

Usually the same dude for years. I like when a knife is returned signed off. Repaired by Sergio. Ooo
 
lemonslush said:
I feel BM doesnt do the best with QC. Knives come uncentered, varying degrees of action, some lock rock, some side to side play. The halfass the build out the door and hope you don't send it back in. I have sent every benchmade I own back for some type of service. Rather disappointing considering much less expensive brands like CRKT sell a $25 knife that's substantially better overall fit. When a 12 ganzo locks up and is centered better than a $200 benchmade its just a testament to how poorly of a job they do. They have been making knives sharpest the new bugout I got was the sharpest BM i have ever held.
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The trend in QC these days is to have the employees do it for their station. For the most part the individual components look decent, they just don't fit together well. The assemblers would have to check for those issues, but they are under pressure to emphasise quantity. To be fair they do a decent job. I have seen lock rock in axis locks, but I have yet to draw a lemon myself.
 
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AusLoX said:
If you get a chance try a Bali. It's what they're known for.
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My first Benchmade was a Bali and the impression of that knife has kept me a customer 15 years later.
 
I've own dozens of grips (full & mini), a few 940's, a 943, an Adamas, a 484, both mini & full Ritters...

Only three problems I have ever had with any of them:
1) I could not keep all of them.
2) I could not keep all of them.
3) I ran out of money & could not keep all of them.
 
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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The internet magnifies that effect greatly.
 
I've found Benchmade to make a good product. Seems to push right against the edge on the price value curve and their MAAP policy irks me as do all MAAP policies. They haven't been producing designs i like as much as in the past.

Latest Benchmade for me was the Bugout. Quite pleased with that.
 
Hi there. As of date of this post, has benchmade quality control issues been resolved? I placed on order yesterday and would like to know what to most likely expect. Thanks
 
CAguy said:
Hi there. As of date of this post, has benchmade quality control issues been resolved? I placed on order yesterday and would like to know what to most likely expect. Thanks
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The last 2 Benchmades I bought new were purchased this year and are both perfect. I wouldn’t worry.
 
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