Benchmade's HD knives,what do you think about them?

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I used to have one of those. Nice knife, but I was worried how it would "age". The handles are just what looks like clear coat aluminum and I thought would show boo boos worse than a black anodized knife would. The knife has partial stainless liners, so kinda like a Griptillian, just with aluminum handle slabs instead of synthetic ones. Very smooth action. I was thinking of picking up another one of these if I see one at a good price, but I just got a SOG Tomcat 3.0 today and actually I like the build better. Full stainless liners and stainless steel bolster, with Kraton handles that won't dent and the Arc lock is super smooth on mine, slightly smoother than my Axis knives, but not by much. VG-10 is supposedly good stuff, close to Carbon V from what I can gather. If you like the Bowie blade shape, but don't like all the Harley logos, the Tomcat might work, and with a very similar lock. I really don't mind the Harley stuff, but don't have a Harley, so wish they offered a plain version of that knife.
 
I like HDs... I am just not sure I want to be an organ donor - yet, so I ride in something with a roof. Now, an HD knife might be nice, once you got accustomed to it's leaving a trail of screws, and possibly that clip, wherever it went. Then there is the HD creed... "Yesterday's technology... today... at tomorrow's prices!". I guess 1095 would be an upgrade carbon steel - and it'd be closer to a Sebbie's price. You could probably get logo-coordinated pouches, fanny bags, etc for it.

It is a nice looking, in a 110 way, knife. I'd buy one - on closeout!

Stainz
 
Not a Harley fan - that company should have went out of business in the '80's IMO.

But we are dealing with a knife made by a knife company, so who cares what I think of Harley-Davidson.

I own one a 13100BK Hardtail, a 13200BK Backroad, and a 13150-1 Mini-Hardtail. The quality of construction of these knives is on par with the regular Benchmade offerings. No issues there.

As to any "Harley Davidson" markings, I really couldn't give a sh#t. These are knives and how they perform as knives changes not one wit because of some purely ornamental writing. I do get a giggle out of the little piston motiffs, though.

I like the Hardtail design.

Axis-lock - positive.

Grip frame - nice and hand filling length, comfortable in a number of grips - positive.

Blade shape - a basic shape that has been used on a number of knives for decades, has been proven to have good utility, and in this iteration is a good cutter - positive.

Blade material - not a fan of D2 at the moment, but the steel is good good enough.

Weight - the knife is pretty light in weight considering the size of the overall package - positive.

Price - look around and one can find them in the $140-$160 range, sometimes less, which is a bit high for my tastes, but in line with current Benchmade offerings and one must consider these are unique designs made in the U.S.
 
I have one of these ordered as I love the knife design. I plan to have all the Harley crap polished off the blade, but I think I can live with the skull on the handle insert, but I also plan to have some carbon fiber pieces made too. I picked mine up for $135 so I think it's a good piece in that price range.
 
Not a Harley fan - that company should have went out of business in the '80's IMO.
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I guess that I don't know what you mean by that?
Are saying that want an American company to fail? I guess that you are pretty happy with the recent layoff's that Harely announced and are happy with the economy in general then.

I can't say that I would like any company to fail, because layoffs and firings mean people's jobs and livelihood.

I would hope that your family doesn't lose their jobs.
 
Don't let the HD logos get you down. I do not have a Harley (never have), but I did buy a 13100 Hardtail and it has been in my edc rotation ever since.

This is a GREAT knife. It's as solid as BM makes. The clip and the logo across the blade can always be removed.

The blade is reminiscent of Buck 110. D2 has been holding a razors edge for me.

I waited until the price came down - I refused to pay MSRP on this one just because of the HD hype.

You will not be dissapointed if you pick one up. The skulls in the G10 inserts are almost not visible, especially when in your hand.

I've seen pics of someone who made carbon fiber inserts for the knife because they did not like the skulls, so modding is also a possibility.
 
Varg Lobos said:
I guess that I don't know what you mean by that?
Are saying that want an American company to fail? I guess that you are pretty happy with the recent layoff's that Harely announced and are happy with the economy in general then.

I can't say that I would like any company to fail, because layoffs and firings mean people's jobs and livelihood.

I would hope that your family doesn't lose their jobs.
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I was buying and riding motorcycles in the early '80's and well remember the sales issues regarding over 700cc motorcycles due to the tax put into affect for saving HD.

HD was smaller then and their products were pretty much a starting point to a real motorcycle. Gosh knows that stock Harleys sucked big-time in the '70's and '80's, though HD sure does keep a lot of mechanics and aftermarket parts makers employed.

If Harley had been allowed to fail then, any current issues wouldn't exist.

What is a shame is that instead of using their second life to expand into other motorcycle market areas, a difficult task for the company, HD chose to go with the "tradition". At least Buell seemed interesting, though still a second place at best.

There were and are plenty of makers who will happily fill any void the departure of HD from the new manufacture of motorcycles will create. Heck, if one has the time and skills, one can buy all the "Harley Davidson" parts one needs and build your own motorcycle.

P.S. I don't understand what the jobs of my family members has to do with it, but my family has been most affected by the cheap goods from China and south of the border, as has my lively hood. I worry more about that issue. Notice them wonderful new Chinese motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds?



But what does any of this have to do with the fine Benchmade knives sold under the Harley Davidson banner? NOTHING!
 
First it was pens.
Then a collaboration with Harley.
Now they offer 440C on the newest models. Wow!

No wonder I don’t buy Benchmades any more.
 
It's plainly marketed to the HD crowd and I'm sure loads will buy one that could care less about B/M.
I don't understand the appeal of slapping a H/D logo on something that isn't an H/D, just like those H/D edition Ford trucks. Doesn't make them anything other than what they are.
As for these knives they look nicely made and I'm sure they will cut as well as other B/M's. But If I bought one I'd be wondering how much of my money a motorcycle company was getting out of the purchase.:confused:
 
I have a older Mini TSEK, which is my all time favorite knife, and I absolutly love the 440C blade. Benchmade does a great job with that steel. IMO. :D
 
I may get a mini instead of the regular.The 3.99" blade is a bit on the large side,now that I think about it.
 
JTR357 said:
Cons-Harley logo & Skull all over it.:rolleyes:
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Pretty much my opinion, too. I just as a rule don't buy "branded" knives. There are enough other blades calling out to me, that I don't feel any urge to buy tackey advertising like this. :p
 
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