Bugout price

[ChrisB507]

I don’t like Spyderco’s price hikes either, to be fair to Benchmade. General days of living in socialism I guess. Inflation is good right?

Yes, socialism is definitely defined by allowing companies to set their own prices for luxury goods to sell on the free market. I forgot that the US government controls the means of production, distribution and exchange of Spydercos and Benchmades. Thanks for the reminder.

For me, I'd buy a Bailout.

 

[Sibyrnes]

Yes, socialism is definitely defined by allowing companies to set their own prices for luxury goods to sell on the free market. I forgot that the US government controls the means of production, distribution and exchange of Spydercos and Benchmades. Thanks for the reminder.

For me, I'd buy a Bailout.

Yeah, Socialism has become the new "Bogeyman"- a phrase used by people who really don't understand what it is. Actually these price increases, as you insinuated with some fine sarcasm, are the exact opposite of Socialism. It's pure Capitalism at it's finest!

Benchmade and all the other maufacturers are selling at the highest price the market will bear, and it's working. Despite all this crying about inflation companies like Chris Reeve, for example, are selling $500.00 + knives and they are sold out at most dealers! Why shouldn't Benchmade charge $161.00 for a Bugout if they can sell all that they can make? Maybe they should charge more! People seem to have money to spend and the companies are willing to accept it

 

[K.O.D.]

I concur. Inflation has much more to do with it, as well as the worker shortage. While socialism is definitely being pushed though. But, if we were in a socialist/communist country, we'd all be carrying S&W, Boker magnum, or other crap, if we were allowed to carry at all.

 

[Hashishiin]

Hmmm...last I checked Spyderco and Benchmade are two separate companies, and who probably have entirely different money situations, overhead, budgets, suppliers, etc.

There's someone out there who does your job for less pay, why do you deserve more?

Benchmade is way bigger, ain't they?

 

[Riz!]

We should refrain from the political commentary as that will get this thread locked

I think that there are a few issues at play.

1- The cost of materials, manufacturing and shipping have all gone up significantly. And that translates directly into price hikes. Companies want to keep their profits margins steady or rising and have to pass on the increased costs to consumers.

2- Social media has given these companies immense free advertising. Which in turn has kept demand for product high. Which when applying economic science, and it is a science, equals price increases. On top of that people can easily chant back at the manufacturers and the companies are listening. When they listen and add a new steel or a color or a handle material or lock mechanism, it translates into prices increases.

3- this may seem contradictory to something I said earlier about feeling that knives are not worth the prices anymore, but…

Everything is just so much better than years ago. I think the manufacturers know it too. Think of the evolution we have seen… remember when 154cm was like WOW!! Then when if something wasnt S30V people poopoo-ed it? Now those are just the basic steel for most blades. I think its great and it performs for what I need, but with every “advancement” is going to come an increase in price.

4- we are our own worse enemy. How many knives does each one of us have???? At one point I had like 12 Militaries. In reality, I need one and having a backup is nice. Buying multiples of each model I like only bumps demand up.

Then take into the account that people snatch up sprint runs because they know they can flip them also adds to the demand.

So it really is free market capitalism at its finest. We just dont like it because we want to keep enjoying our hobby and it sucks when I want to click “checkout” and have to think “damn that money doesnt go as far as it used to”.

 

[Docscoot]

I think we’ve gone a bit down the rabbit hole here. Not sure how others think but I’ve always thought BM was a bit pricey relative to some other USA made brands (so called butterfly tax) but that hasn’t stopped me from trying out most of their models at one point or another And spyderco imo has more to offer with a bit more value. But no judgment, it’s hard to keep prices the same year after year when inflation’s as rampant as it’s been! Buy what you like

 

[_cl]

I am new to "nice" knives as of this past August. A friend suggested a Bugout. I read about it and saw many compare it to a Deka. I bought both, CF-Elite Bugout for US$158 and 20CV G10 coated clip point Deka for US$166.

I really don't get why they are considered competitors. About the only things I see common between them is the price and length.

I think the Deka is a much better knife and a much better value. It has better action, better steel, better edge, better scales, better jimping, better balance, better grip. However, the Bugout does not draw attention and can be put to use as a gentleman's knife.

Today the Deka is my default go-to EDC among nearly 10 folders. I even bought the Wharnie version. The Bugout lasted a couple days as an EDC before I relegated it to the drawer. I should sell it but I keep it b/c it is discrete and b/c my son might like it for camping.

 

[dogstar]

If you want a reasonably priced made in USA knife, look at Buck.

 

[dirc]

You're telling me on the shipping costs, our shipping cost now vs a year ago is ridiculous.

yeah, it's really mostly down to diesel going from about $3.60 a gallon in the start of 2022 to about $5.30 now... that is just nuts
it's such a big deal since every part of every phase of manufacturing & supply chain uses trucks & diesel multiple times for everything

math has a nasty habit of catching up whether or not you calculate it

 

[dryflytrout]

How many times can you use it before it wears out? How much does it cost to use it each time over it's lifespan? I think when you put it that way, there is value in it. Overall though, I would be much more likely to wait for the BHQ version with 20CV and G-10 to go on sale again if I were looking for a Bugout to replace the one I sold.

 

[Docscoot]

One thing I appreciate about benchmade is the ability to go directly to their site and customize the version you want, maybe worth a few extra bucks to do that and get something a little more special!

 

[Lee D]

I’d be more than ok with the price hike on knives if the cost at the meat counter came back down to what it was 20 years ago. lol

 

[DMG]

Yes, socialism is definitely defined by allowing companies to set their own prices for luxury goods to sell on the free market. I forgot that the US government controls the means of production, distribution and exchange of Spydercos and Benchmades. Thanks for the reminder.

For me, I'd buy a Bailout.

Socialism has led to the printing of trillions of dollars which has devalued our currency. The Bugout likely costs about the same. The dollar simply buys less.

 

[Docscoot]

Aaaand, back to the knives If you're okay with the polymer handles on the entry level Bugout, want something USA-made, but don't appreciate that price creep, I'd say give the new Hogue Dekas a try, I don't own one but am pretty close to ordering one, similar size and weight as the Bugout, Hogue's version of the axis lock, Magnacut steel on the new models, and around $130 I believe.

 

[DMG]

Aaaand, back to the knives If you're okay with the polymer handles on the entry level Bugout, want something USA-made, but don't appreciate that price creep, I'd say give the new Hogue Dekas a try, I don't own one but am pretty close to ordering one, similar size and weight as the Bugout, Hogue's version of the axis lock, Magnacut steel on the new models, and around $130 I believe.

I have had all of the above. I don’t like the Deka aside from the Magnacut version. The 20cv was underwhelming. It feels like it is run soft or something. I do like really like my Magnacut Deka. I also really like my CF Bugout and didn’t like the blue version.

YMMV.

 

[Whitedog]

Most all are over priced and over hyped. My $ 40 Ontario Rat does everything I need it to do just as well as my Benchmades and Spydercos.

 

[DMG]

Most all are over priced and over hyped. My $ 40 Ontario Rat does everything I need it to do just as well as my Benchmades and Spydercos.

Why spend $40 when you could probably do everything with a dollar store paring knife? Or a broken bottle?

 

[Docscoot]

Most all are over priced and over hyped. My $ 40 Ontario Rat does everything I need it to do just as well as my Benchmades and Spydercos.

Well so does my $7 box cutter but nobody said knife enthusiasts are practical people

 

[sharp_edge]

The S90V CF Bugout (535-3) at one point was on sale by BHQ at ~220 (?) that would be the Bugout that I grab. I was never interested in the plastic handle Bugout even at its original (lower) price. BM 535-3 has been my small EDC for quite a while (which replaced Spyderco Delica). For its size, material, weight, and cutting edge length I just cannot find another knife to replace it.

 

[Hashishiin]

I don't see S45VN as an upgrade of S30V. If you look at Dr. Larrin Thomas's tests, S45VN has slightly better corrosion resistance but slightly worse edge retention than S30V.

Knife Steels Rated by a Metallurgist - Toughness, Edge Retention, and Corrosion Resistance - Knife Steel Nerds

Steel Metallurgist Larrin Thomas uses tests of knife steels to rate the steels and explains the factors that control performance.

knifesteelnerds.com

Does anyone else have some opinion on S45 vs S30V? I hear it is less prone to chip.