Benchmades???

[squarebox86]

As many have said, Benchmade was great until they introduced MAP. I used to be on the edge between Spyderco and Benchmade when I'm looking for my next knife but now it's only been Spyderco and I'm starting to consider ZT.

 

[miltmaldo]

I know that benchmade keep there prudutiion in the USA . But I just don't see how they can charge $90 for a mini grip . When kershaw is making a Blur for $60 . They charge $170 for a 940 and I just got a great deal for a ZT 0801 for $150 from a dealer . That's a better knife with better steel and better handle material made in USA . So if you think the butterfly is worth the money go ahead and buy one . They are nice knives but the value is just not there IMHO .

 

[billym]

Just so you all understand. Enforcing an MAP does not raise prices in general. All it does is regulate what price a retailer can publish. I have worked for companies using MAP and there were still retailers discounting below MAP.

MAP= Minimum Advertised Price. They key word is advertised.

BTW carrying the same BM Ritter Griptilian everyday for over 5 years, still sharp and never had an issue.

And the Axis lock is better than any other locking mechanism.

 

[blades&wrenches]

Warranty says a lot. Will they back their product. BM has been nothing but pleasurable to deal with and has "lifetime sharp". They back their product 100% in my experience.

 

[crom]

I would look here in the exchange for better BM pricing. I have had knives from most of the favorite companies in this forum and BM is at the top of the list for quality and durability.

 

[danthaman1980]

You can get a BNIB 154cm mini grip for around $80 after shipping, if you know where to look... IMO that is the appropriate price range for that knife. $100 is high.

If you don't own at least one BM with the axis lock, I do recommend buying one - I think the axis is the best feature of that brand.

 

[jac_solar]

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.

Don't think you're rocking the boat, as different people will think differently of all the brands. Maybe it's because of how the public perceives the brand, their marketing, their hype. Maybe it's because of the design, the materials, etc.

 

[Stays Sharp]

Just so you all understand. Enforcing an MAP does not raise prices in general. All it does is regulate what price a retailer can publish. I have worked for companies using MAP and there were still retailers discounting below MAP.

MAP= Minimum Advertised Price. They key word is advertised.

There is no misunderstanding. They are now strictly enforcing their MAP pricing, a 710 for example could be found for as cheap as $107 and now go for $148+ from the same dealers. I know what you mean regarding other companies and their MAP pricing...For example, you can find ZT's for less than MAP, also look no further than BM... there was always MAP, but retailers discounted below it.

Key words are now strictly enforced. Dealers have said that BM warned them that they will cut them off if they don't strictly follow their pricing. 15% off MAP is the lowest they are aloud to go at this time.

 

[Ken44]

Just so you all understand. Enforcing an MAP does not raise prices in general.

We understand, but in this case it does raise the price for all buyers. Stays Sharp is correct.

There is no misunderstanding. They are now strictly enforcing their MAP pricing, a 710 for example could be found for as cheap as $107 and now go for $148+ from the same dealers. I know what you mean regarding other companies and their MAP pricing...For example, you can find ZT's for less than MAP, also look no further than BM... there was always MAP, but retailers discounted below it.

Key words are now strictly enforced. Dealers have said that BM warned them that they will cut them off if they don't strictly follow their pricing. 15% off MAP is the lowest they are aloud to go at this time.

 

[Hairlesstwinkie]

If BM dropped their excellent customer service and warranty, I would just empty my collection of BMs. Their warranty and cs are just top notch. I'm not so sure about recently since they've had my Skirmish for an eternity now... They are definitely quality knives, but they're definitely not worth msrp. I would just buy used and take advantage of their warranty.

 

[jac_solar]

Just so you all understand. Enforcing an MAP does not raise prices in general. All it does is regulate what price a retailer can publish. I have worked for companies using MAP and there were still retailers discounting below MAP.

MAP= Minimum Advertised Price. They key word is advertised.

BTW carrying the same BM Ritter Griptilian everyday for over 5 years, still sharp and never had an issue.

And the Axis lock is better than any other locking mechanism.

Since there used to be, more or less, a "standard", lower than MAP price, the prices are, in effect, raised, because you will have to pay more than before for a Benchmade.

 

[bakergh]

I've had awesome experiences with benchmade's customer service. That said I definitely prefer spyderco knives and I think spyderco has a much tighter community. Bench made is testing a lot of folks' patience with the pricing shenanigans they've been pulling but they still offer some excellent knives at great prices. (Like the m390 contego for under $200).

 

[ChrisB507]

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

I'm curious, OP: What other companies are producing blades with the "same materials or close to it for half the cost?" Can you give a specific example?

I've seen Spyderco mentioned in this thread, but those are generally not "half the cost" of a comparable Benchmade.

 

[crom]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe BM will replace blades and then there's the Life Sharp program. You ar SOL if you damage a Spyderco blade. Also, I'd rather have a US made knife at prices north of $150. If the new MAP pricing is the only reason to talk crap on BM I'm inclined to believe its a personal thing.

 

[bakergh]

You can still get better than MAP pricing on benchmades if you have a smaller 'mom and pop' type knife shop. I asked one I went to recently what the best price he could do on a popular benchmade model was he quoted a price that beat the MAP price by about $35. He said he could never advertise that price but he's still giving it to people who ask.

 

[Stays Sharp]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe BM will replace blades and then there's the Life Sharp program.

That's correct, and was never in contention. They had it before the artificial price increase, and after it.

You ar SOL if you damage a Spyderco blade.

It's about Spyderco too now? Is this a Benchmade versus Spyderco? Did the OP mention anything regarding another company besides BM? I'm inclined to believe that it's a personal thing too then... Spyderco does offer lifetime free sharpening like BM but no blade replacement. Their price and features hasn't changed, if they pulled the same thing I guarantee you that Spyderco will catch the same amount of heat.

Also, I'd rather have a US made knife at prices north of $150.

That's a personal decision, and having that as a knock on Spyderco is irrelevant especially in regards to Benchmade's MAP pricing which simply has NOTHING to do with any other brand.

If the new MAP pricing is the only reason to talk crap on BM I'm inclined to believe its a personal thing.

That makes no sense, so people are not aloud to disagree with Benchmade on a matter? It automatically makes it a personal vendetta that isn't valid because "theyre just talking crap" because they hate BM anyway? No.longtime fans, avid collectors, average joes from different walks of life are unhappy with the artificial 30% price increase. Me personally, before this I had nothing but good things to say about BM...I still do, other than this... If anything YOU have shown that you have something personal with another brand.

 

[rajincagin]

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

Benchmade has earned their rep. It didn't come easy (contrary to popular belief) overpriced? I don't think so, best to handle a few and decide for yourself. I've seen many customs with not near the quality...

 

[breakdown52]

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.

Have you ever had any omega Springs break?

 

[crom]

Stays sharp, you know what I like huh? Enlighten me brother. When BM changed the prices there were so many whiney threads it probably set a Bf record for bunched panties. All I'm saying is to write off a brand because they have changed a policy is ludicrous. I you get upset becuse I used a brand already mentioned in this thread as a comparison I don't know what to tell you. Spyderco is the brand most often used to compare to BM.

 

[Stays Sharp]

It's obviously ticked enough people off for those threads to continue for so long. Many of those posts coming from loyal BM fans who are disappointed.Call it whining, whatever you want but its not up to you ALONE to decide what's worth complaining about. Like I said, if Spyderco (the brand you like to compare to BM), ZT or anyone else did the very same thing including not addressing their customers about the price change they would have gotten the same negative feedback here and perhaps even worse. I'm not writing the brand off myself, I still pick up BM's on the secondary market but a 30%-40% artificial price increase with nothing in return is a tough pill to swallow however way you cut it for many people. Still remains one of my favorite brands though. Maybe they'll be forced to revert back? I am curious to see their sales this year and the next.