Benchmade Shootout issues

[Bob Denman]

For what you're describing, it does seem like a surprising amount of wear.

IMO worn coatings on knives look good, but if it bugs you now it will likely continue to bug you. Replacing the knife is probably a good idea.

Could they be either re-coatwd, or simply stripped and left bare?

 

[DocJekl]

Weird. I have used my shootout as a daily carry quite often, and every mark left on the blade I have been able to eventually wipe off. I have not lost any of the finish yet. Blade is still a sharp as factory, and looks new. And the blade has no more play than any of my Microtech or Guardian Tactical Knives.

I daily carry a Boy Scouts Swiss army knife, plus a more modern locking knife. For the past few months that has been the Benchmaid Shootout 75% of the time. Here are pics and a micro-review.

Although I have 4 microtech OTF and 5 guardian tactical OTF, and they are quite nice, the ergonomics of the Shootout handle are superior, it’s so light I forget I have it, and the steel is very strong and holds an edge like no other.

The blade coating will stain easily but also cleans up easily, and is not wearing off. It will be many more month before I have to think about sharpening the cru-wear blade.

My son has also started carrying the Shootout, over his Benchmade auto Stryker, and has none of the complaints here. I think if it’s that sloppy vs your Microtechs or others that Benchmade will fix things under warranty. If it’s new they should also cover the blade finish, although finishes are considered a consumable item.

 

[Srjs28]

Weird. I have used my shootout as a daily carry quite often, and every mark left on the blade I have been able to eventually wipe off. I have not lost any of the finish yet. Blade is still a sharp as factory, and looks new. And the blade has no more play than any of my Microtech or Guardian Tactical Knives.

From the reading and reviews I’ve been going through about the Shootout, there’s no mention from another regarding the slop in blade and no one else seems to have any issue with the blade finish wearing off.

 

[DocJekl]

From the reading and reviews I’ve been going through about the Shootout, there’s no mention from another regarding the slop in blade and no one else seems to have any issue with the blade finish wearing off.

In the first review I watched (April 2022) the guy found loose screws on the handle which allowed a lot of flex, and failure to deploy properly, and he had to tighten them up. Now, I'm wondering if his issue with being loose is having loose handle screws? EDIT - there was another reviewer a few months ago that I saw who also had a loose handle, from loose screws. I've been trying to find the review, but so far cannot.

 

[DocJekl]

Also, here is a disassembly video, showing how it works, and the little extra frame inside that helps add stability to the blade (but doesn't lock it like a G&G Hawk Deadlock).

 

[Srjs28]

Also, here is a disassembly video, showing how it works, and the little extra frame inside that helps add stability to the blade (but doesn't lock it like a G&G Hawk Deadlock).

Thanks for the input. I found 2 of the 4 handle screws to be slightly loose. Both on right side ( if looking at knife with glass breaker on top. However, there was no difference in the sloppy blade play. As I mentioned earlier, the movement seems to stem from the base of the blade inside of the handle, there is movement in all directions. You can actually hear the knife base tapping on whatever it’s attached to inside of the handle, while moving the blade in any/all directions. I don’t want to open the handle up because it will void any Benchmade warranty. I sent the service/tech support department an email with my concerns on Friday night (I think Friday) but have yet to receive a reply

 

[scottc3]

in the past I have noticed phone calls always get immediate response from Benchmade, but I've seen folks complain about slow email response. I always use the phione n never a problem.

 

[DocJekl]

Thanks for the input. I found 2 of the 4 handle screws to be slightly loose. Both on right side ( if looking at knife with glass breaker on top. However, there was no difference in the sloppy blade play. As I mentioned earlier, the movement seems to stem from the base of the blade inside of the handle, there is movement in all directions. You can actually hear the knife base tapping on whatever it’s attached to inside of the handle, while moving the blade in any/all directions. I don’t want to open the handle up because it will void any Benchmade warranty. I sent the service/tech support department an email with my concerns on Friday night (I think Friday) but have yet to receive a reply

It would be faster to just send it in to Benchmade than wait for an email reply. Phone calls are definitely faster with them, but they'll just tell you to send it in.

I sent three used knives to Benchmade on 8/22 and 8/23, with dull blades and dirty slow actions; and the first two will be back Friday Sept 9th, and the one sent to them on 8/23 was shipped back on Sept 8th and likely will arrive next Monday. And all were free of charge except for my shipping costs.

 

[Srjs28]

It would be faster to just send it in to Benchmade than wait for an email reply. Phone calls are definitely faster with them, but they'll just tell you to send it in.

I sent three used knives to Benchmade on 8/22 and 8/23, with dull blades and dirty slow actions; and the first two will be back Friday Sept 9th, and the one sent to them on 8/23 was shipped back on Sept 8th and likely will arrive next Monday. And all were free of charge except for my shipping costs.

You were exactly right. The Benchmade rep didn’t reply to the email very promptly and the email read, there should be some play in the blade but not excessive, which I believe mine is, and to send it in for it to be inspected along with the finish on the blade.

 

[DocJekl]

You were exactly right. The Benchmade rep didn’t reply to the email very promptly and the email read, there should be some play in the blade but not excessive, which I believe mine is, and to send it in for it to be inspected along with the finish on the blade.

Has this come back yet? If so, how is it now?

 

[Srjs28]

Has this come back yet? If so, how is it now?

Nope, not yet. There isn’t even any kind of update,

 

[DocJekl]

Nope, not yet. There isn’t even any kind of update,

I would call them - the turn around have never been over 4-5 weeks for me, and several times it was 3 weeks.

 

[PaulBosley]

Just curious what happened? How long did it take?
All fixed? Still the same?

 

[DocJekl]

Talking about Shootout problems. I'm not sure how my Shootout point got to look flat like this, but after taking it to one place it's almost fixed, but not quite. I had not sharpened it since I got it the end of April or Early May.

I'd still like to get it expertly repaired and sharpened to finish the job, and have not found anyone local that can do it in Colorado Springs.

BEFORE.



AFTER - last picture it looks mirror polished IRL from a couple of feet away.

 

[number41]

Hello, newbie here. I just received my Benchmade Shootout and I have to say, I’m actually disappointed. I’ll explain the 2 major issues, maybe others have same problems or I got a defective knife, hell could be fake but I don’t think so because it was a very reputable dealer.
First issue, upon the first time deploying the blade. I immediately grab the blade spine and checked for play. It was (is) very sloppy, something I wouldn’t expect from Benchmade. It’s very loose side to side, very loose forward and backward and slightly in and out.
Second issue, I cut one thing. I opened plastic packaging that was glued to thin cardboard and the finish on the blade is starting to come off. You can actually see bare metal through the coating. Ridiculous!
Anyone else have any of these issues?

Every benchmade has bladeplay... get a fixed blade

 

[DocJekl]

Every benchmade has bladeplay... get a fixed blade

Or get a G&G Hawk Deadlock.