Benchmades???

G

GD74

Joined
Mar 15, 2014
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I've never owned one and have never even touched one but it seems to me there are other company's using the same materials or close to it for half the cost are they really worth the price I'd love to hear your guys thoughts and opinions
 
Benchmade and Spyderco`s are my favorite brands.

Similar in some ways but different in feel.
 
I am particular to Spyderco knives, but Benchmade does make some very very good knives. A different design philosophy, first of all. Except for an unnamed 555HG...did I say unnamed?...that was a shameless ripoff of another unnamed competitor...anyways, to the point then. Very good knives overall in terms of fit and finish. In my opinion, the most singularly uninvolved company relative to communication with their clientele. BTW... Cold Steel and Grandpa Lynn invented that attitude. Can't hold a candle to Sal or Ethan for their time and commitment to us as their "family". That matters to me. Having said that, like all well-known manufacturers, you will have lovers and haters. I am essentially neutral towards Benchmade overall because of that, but would never call their knives junk - unlike SOG and their plastic garbage SAT assisted folder laughers - because they aren't. They make good stuff...if a little overpriced for the quality of the materials used. YMMV...
 
To the OP's original point, consider this: All cars are made out of steel, plastic/synthetics, aluminum, rubber, etc. But all cars are not equal. That's as simple as I can make it.

I suggest you go to a local gun & knife show and handle different knives to start to get an idea of why knives can differ so vastly in price. And, of course, do lots of reading here on BF....
 
I have a few BMs and love my 710 but I've never put them on a pedestal. They make good production knives but I do have issues with some of the QC and their recent price policy changes. There's just no value there anymore so I've pretty much gone another direction.
 
What's a good knife making company with great. Customer service I don't mind paying extra if the customer service is excellent in my opinion that's everything because if something goes wrong with the product I want to know that I'm going to be taken care of because I just spent all that money so any suggestions with that in mind
 
I've handled all sorts of knives ranging into the prices of benchmades and higher and lower but as we all know some products are just simply over priced because of the name not material or craftsmen ship or feel just simply because of the logo That's just what I was rea
Really wondering
 
I have a lot of Benchmades and I like them, the same with Spyderco. I have models from each company that I think are a good value, and I see models from each company that seem to be priced pretty high.

Right now I am carrying a Benchmade 581 and I think it is a bargain, relatively inexpensive considering it uses M390 steel.
 
I own 8 Benchmades. 7 axis locks and one auto(2551)all of which smack of quality from tip to tail. Main thing to remember about BM is the Axis Lock is one of the best there is. If you are new to BM I have to model suggestions for you first being what was my first BM the mighty 710, you just are not going to get a bigger blade in a smaller package. Second being one I just picked up the REI limited edition Griptilian totally smokes the standard Grip with s30v steel and some of the highest quality G10 scales Ive ever seen on anything and is more than worth the price. You will love the Axis Lock.
 
They are good knives. I have one, I never use it and I must say I don't like it. It's a personal thing and has nothing to do with the knife. It's a fine knife, it just never was or never will be what I want or need. I really wanted to try something with the Axis lock system though.

I have gifted a bunch of griptillians to friends, I trust their work. With that said, when it came time to buy a replacement for my lost Sebbie/Emerson... I went with another Emerson (next one won't be an Emerson, but it won't be a BM either).

I think it's more personal though than anything reflecting the quality of their work... Maybe I am rocking the boat but I just find most of the BM's I've encountered as soul-less. They just... Don't do anything for me. As for how the Emerson/spartan looking sebbie spike my apple, I have no idea. /shrug.

Edit: I remember there was a reason I stopped coming to this forum. So, I went to the BM website and found the 860 Bedlam and now I want to buy it... /Shrug. So much for BM being soul-less huh... Amazing how much new stuff is on the market now.
 
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I've got a few BMs. One is an M4 Mini-Grip that I got for $110. No other knife company was offering M4 at that low a price, the closest comparison would be Spyderco's Bradley Air which is around $130-140, but I passed on that because of the lack of pocket clip. It has been one of my most abused knives, only beat out by my SE 440V Native and Military, which see all the heavy duty yard clearing. I've had it close to a year now and no hint of blade play either up or down. Definitely worth the price to me.

My other BM is a Mini-Skirmish, which I just received in a trade. Lock was a bit sticky but nothing a little graphite powder won't solve. I've only had it for a week or so but so far so good, although I wish the opening hole wasn't beveled. Makes it harder to open compared to my Spydies. Other than that though, it opens smooth and locks solid.
 
I have a few samples from each company. I wouldn't say one is better than the other. I'd say the quality is awesome in both companies. Go with a knife that you like. Can't lose that way! Don't get too caught up in brand loyalty.
 
The thing to remember about Benchmade and its direct competitors (Spyderco and ZT IMO) is that even if you get a lemon (which can, has and will happen with all production knives) is that they have fantastic customer service and will do right by you. This is one of the main reasons I buy from "The Big 3" knife companies in this price point.

Oh yeah, and the Axis lock is fantastic.
 
I think both companies mentioned have boosted their prices significantly, at a time when we are told there is 'no' inflation. It wasn't that long ago when Delicas could be easily found for $48 and Grips for 58. Now those prices are at least 50% higher. Time of even a few years can't account for all of that. Especially when some $140 Emersons can now be found for around $110. So, I'm not sure what is driving the price climbs, and i'm trying to be polite here.
 
GD74 said:
What's a good knife making company with great. Customer service I don't mind paying extra if the customer service is excellent in my opinion that's everything because if something goes wrong with the product I want to know that I'm going to be taken care of because I just spent all that money so any suggestions with that in mind
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Spyderco!!! While I have not had to use their CS, but I have heard good things about them. In my opinion, the fact that Mr. Glesser himself is active on the Spyderco forum speaks highly about his dedication to his clients.
Also, a company whose CS I have used is Chris Reeves. They are fantastic. I have met Mr. Reeve, and he was personable, polite, and a gentleman. They fixed a Sebbie that I had messed up, totally my fault, and did it for free. Great product, wonderful follow up.
I'm sure others are good, those just stand out in my mind.
 
They're very good knives that are priced fairly in my opinion. If there is one that appeals to you, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. I doubt you'll regret it.
 
Few reasons I love benchmades; axis lock, customer service, and they currently make ALL their knives in the U.S.
 
GD74 said:
I've never owned one and have never even touched one but it seems to me there are other company's using the same materials or close to it for half the cost are they really worth the price I'd love to hear your guys thoughts and opinions
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I think they're overpriced.
They recently started enforcing MAP pricing and their prices went up about 30%.
I won't be buying anymore unless they do away with the MAP.

You'll get the same quality from Spyderco(and others) at better prices, and usually a better steel as well.
 
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