Benchmade starting to be a disappointment !

[chief dignitary]

My 720 has a thick edge, more so than I'd maybe put on it myself, but it takes whatever I dish out and stays *sharp* even when cutting many tough materials. It does not shave, but it does just about everything else with confidence. Maybe BM should think about stepping up the sharpness, but they probably have there reasons. Whatever the case, the build a solid knife that can be sharpen to suit the users taste.

 

[batangueno]

Imagine this, the last package i received contains a BM705, a MT Socom Elite and an Al Mar Sere 2000. The BM705 is like a butter knife compared to the sharpness of the MT and the Al Mar.

Since i'm still new to this hobby, i don't have a decent sharpener yet. I guess the BM forced me now to get one.

 

[Jan P]

Being in danger of repeating much of what has already been said, I really think out of the box sharpness is an issue. It is important. Just as you will expect your new quality folder to work smoothly out of the box, without first having to take it apart to adjust the liner or spring.

A knife is supposed to cut and if it cannot do that when just purchased, something is not right with the product. I have bought several BM's as well as more than a few CRKT's over the last couple of years and I am impressed by the design, materials and workmanship of both brands, considering their respective price ranges.

That being said, only one of the BM's even had a serviceable edge, whereas all the CRKT's were very sharp. Some BM's not only needed sharpening but a complete reconfiguring of the edge bevels! And I do not put a straight razor-like edge on my knives, as has been discussed, but usually a sturdy 25 degree one.

This does not deter me from buying BM's, but the avarage knife buyer might not have the miles of sharpening gear that most forumites do. In my experience most average knife users are far from experts and to them an already sharp knife is more easy to use and maintain.

Even after 20 years of collecting, I am still somewhat more thrilled to recieve a hair-popping sharp new knife than a dull one.


Regards Jan

 

[labtec]

Thanks for all the great responses ! I know I can sharpen my own knife, but the problem is that I am new to this hobby and dont have a good sharpening system or the skill at this point. I really am scared to start trying to re-profile my 705BT ! I think that maintaining a good edge is easier for a beginner then trying to create one. This is the reasons I am disappointed by Benchmade.
First impressions are a big deal and so far I am not impressed with Benchmade. I like their designs, but until I learn how to sharpen a knife correctly I will not buy anymore Benchmade. I will probably buy a Microtech and see how they fair. I too believe that if I am going to pay $100 for a knife it better have a good edge. Expecting a customer to put an edge on a brand new knife is like buying a new car and having to put new tires on it !!

Thanks,
Labtec

 

[Joe Talmadge]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
but until I learn how to sharpen a knife
correctly I will not buy anymore Benchmade.</font>

Well, I strongly feel that out-of-box sharpness is something worth complaining about. On the other hand, I think it's a huge mistake to make out-of-box sharpness even remotely a big part of your buying decision. If you're buying your knife to use, you'll have to re-sharpen it eventually. That razor sharp CRKT will be dull in a month or two if you actually use it. Now you're back in the same boat, you have to sharpen it. Don't use out-of-box sharpness as an excuse to cover up lack of sharpening skills! This is a great excuse to buy a kit and learn to sharpen.

Anyway, just my opinion, complain about out-of-box sharpness, but don't let that scare you out of buying an otherwise superior knife. They all need to be sharpened, it's just a matter of when. Unless these are just show knives.

 

[Codeman]

Being the owner of 15 Benchmades, I've certainly run across some less than perfectly sharpened blades. The same holds true for every other maker that I've bought 3 or more knives from, including CRKT, Spyderco, Boker, Case, & Victorinox. I'm actually grateful for that - it led me to finally learn how to correctly sharpen edges. That's not an excuse, but I'd prefer to make something positive out of it.

Given the defensive nature that Benchmade's products have traditionally been geared to, thicker grinds make sense to me. And, with that grind, harder blades also make sense. I suspect, though I'll readily admit I have no hard evidence, that most BM chipping probably occurs on blade that have been re-profiled with a thinner edge. I've yet to experience chipping personally. I don't normally put my knives to hard use, so any knife would show less chipping in my hands as compared to someone using it harder.

I keep wondering a few things. Would the cost of a Benchmade knife go up noticeably if BM was to tighten the tolerances when a blade is ground? Would thinner grinds lead to more chipping? The answers are likely to be yes, in which case, I like things the way they are.

I suspect this topic will never go away...

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831

[This message has been edited by Codeman (edited 12-13-2000).]

 

[Dirk]

Joe, I think your right about the need to learn how to sharpen a knife. There is no question on that. I think you will agree that it is easier to maintain an edge than bring one back or reprofile. I understand you have to learn sometime, but shouldn't the person get a taste of maintaining and edge first?

This might not be dead on topic, but I still feel if your going to pay in the $100 range for a knife it should be sharp and have good edge geometry. The question still stands, if so many other companies can do this, why can't BM?

Speaking on the rest of BM's quality. Setting aside the edge issue. I have seen many off center blades that rub the liner. Correctible, but it should be right the first time. I have seen many scales and liners that didn't fit together correctly. Maybe it is only cosmetic and might provide minor discomfort and it is correctible, but it should have been right the first time. Brittle blades. uneven grind lines on blades. Cosmetic fo the most part, but it should be right the first time. These are a little things,but little things do mean a lot. The question remains, if so many other companies can get it right, why can't BM?

I'm not saying any other company is perfect. You will find problems in other companies products. They just won't be as numerous.

BM has some great designs and they do use quality material. I know they can put together a great knife. I think they need to do it on a more regular basis.

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Win if can, lose if you must, but always cheat.

 

[Walt Welch]

BM's quality control issues go back as far as I can remember.

Some have said that they don't think out of the box sharpness is important. Well, when I buy a box of cartridges for my razor, I expect them all to be very sharp. And they are. Every time.

I got a knife from a reputable manufacturer, whose production knives are said to be close to custom made knives. The grind was uneven on one side in a small area. I returned it. They replaced the entire blade.

I think that even grinds and a sharp blade out of the box are things that are to be expected. Perhaps even taken for granted. Deficiencies in this regard are just that, deficiencies.

Walt

 

[SALTY]

Dirk: " Now Cush became the father of Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord. Genesis 10:8-9

 

[Dirk]

Nimrod, isn't it interesting how some names/word that once held one meaning are slowly transformed to mean something completely different? Almost all of my friends see your name as being derogatory and have no clue about it's true meaning.

By the way, good choice for a name.

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Win if can, lose if you must, but always cheat.