Benchmade Retired Models - Collectable?

billinvegas · Jan 31, 2005

Hi...

since I've become fascinated with pocket knives, I've found more than a few Benchmade"retireds" at my local shop

The prices seem reasonable, I've bought a couple...

I'm just wondering though, I'm not going to carry them, if they have any sort of collector's value...

is there any way to find out their values?

also, is there a list of "discontinued" Benchmades?

or can you assume that if it's not in the current catalog, or webpage, it's discontinued?

thanks!

bill

m_calingo · Jan 31, 2005

Best way to determine value of certain Benchmade models is to check the auctions sites for those models. I do that myself, just to see what folks are willing to pay to get, for example the 940Ti LE or the 730CFHS.

Certain other discontinued models have been produced in such quantities it's a question as to how much another collector would want to pay for a Benchmade Sentinel or Dark Star.

As much as I love my small collection, I don't expect these knives to fund my retirement.

Buy what you like, collect what you like. Enjoy your collection. Just don't expect it to feed you later on.

Vermont woodsman · Jan 31, 2005

I to used to be a big benchmade fan, when i first started getting into knives. Benchmade makes nice user knives. ive seen limited edition benchmades on ebay for less then they sold for new. Id say go and use them and enjoy. In my opinion i just dont see production knives have a real big investment potential.

Ascoe · Jan 31, 2005

The web page doesn't list discontinueds, and if a model is going out, it is labeled.

My 722s is discontinued as of this year ;o
see: http://benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=722

underaged! · Feb 1, 2005

Last year, actually. I'm still using mine, still looks pretty good.

TomW · Feb 1, 2005

Define collectable.
Knives aren't investments
Items are collected for sheer enjoyment. The absolute best things to collect are things that aren't widely collected by other people. They're easily found and inexpensive. That gives you all the pleasure of collecting them without the expense.
Collect, enjoy
All hard goods that give you pleasure to own are collectable IMO
I sure wish I was the only guy collecting antique tools

Steven Roos · Feb 1, 2005

TomW said:
Define collectable.
Knives aren't investments
Items are collected for sheer enjoyment. The absolute best things to collect are things that aren't widely collected by other people. They're easily found and inexpensive. That gives you all the pleasure of collecting them without the expense.
Collect, enjoy
All hard goods that give you pleasure to own are collectable IMO
I sure wish I was the only guy collecting antique tools

Production knives aren't investments that is.

I have yet to see a stand model Benchmade fetch a super premium price. Some LEs and the like could possibly be worth big bucks to the right person at the right time.

My g/f has a one-of-a-kind Benchmade Brend (I gave it to her for her b-day) that could be worth a pretty penny someday.

Patryn · Feb 1, 2005

Like everyone else has said, collect them for the enjoyment of it, not for the potential resale values.

If a knife is no longer on BM's website, it has been discontinued. Are all dc'd knives worth more? Nope. You can still find the Pacific Cutlery Laredo knives (from around 1987-1988) for less then they retailed for.

Runs With Scissors · Feb 1, 2005

Wow! that Brend is beautiful! I've never seen one of those before...

I saw a Benchmade fixed blade a few years ago that looked really cool. As I recall it had about a six or seven inch satin finished 154 CM blade, black handles, and a blade profile not unlike a Blackjack Mamba, or the Bark River Evo's. I think I'd jump on one if I saw it again. (anyone remember what it was called?)

Oh yeah...back to the topic at hand....what everyone else said....ya' aint likely to so much as break even on 'em. But on the other hand it sure is fun, and alot cheaper than other hobbies.

bob bowie · Feb 1, 2005

Runs With Scissors said:
Wow! that Brend is beautiful! I've never seen one of those before...

I saw a Benchmade fixed blade a few years ago that looked really cool. As I recall it had about a six or seven inch satin finished 154 CM blade, black handles, and a blade profile not unlike a Blackjack Mamba, or the Bark River Evo's. I think I'd jump on one if I saw it again. (anyone remember what it was called?)

That is either the Pacific Cutlery Timba(these came with or without saw back) or the BenchMade Delta Raider. If it was very, very close to the Mamba, and had a intergal steel guard, it's the Timba.

The pink Brend is super-cool, BTW.

Runs With Scissors · Feb 1, 2005

Thanks for the info....

As luck would have it, I found the one I'd been interested in and wanted so bad. Furthermore....as luck would have it, I'm currently broke, and my wife is seriously on my a$$ about spending too much on knives.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42576&item=7131778023&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

bob bowie · Feb 1, 2005

Ah, the BushMaster. For what it's work these are still common, keep plugging away, and you'll get one.

The Timba was similar, but smaller and double guarded.