Can anyone tell me what this butterfly trainer is?

[Twindog]

I have this Benchmade butterfly trainer that I was going to put up for sale, but I don't have the box and I can't figure out what model it is.

It looks like the 40T, but it has a black finish on both the handle and blade. The blade is 3.85 inches long, and I don't see any 40T model that is like it. I can't find any other models, either.

 

[killgar]

The following is based on Benchmade catalogs.

According to the catalogs, Benchmade introduced the 40T in 2002 (catalog pic below), and introduced the 40TR (red handles) in 2003. As best as I can tell the 40T was discontinued in 2005 (2004 the last year), and the 40TR was discontinued in 2010 (2009 the last year).

Again, according to the catalogs, Benchmade only made two models of the 40 series trainers, the 40T, and the 40TR. I see no reference to a black version.

Also, the screw configuration on your trainer does not match any of the 40 series trainers in the Benchmade catalogs. There were two different handle screw configurations on the 40 series trainers at the ends of the handles (not the pivot ends)- the original in 2002 had only one screw, the latch screw, at the end of the handle, and from 2003 through 2009 all other 40 series trainers in the catalogs had two screws at the end of the latch handle, and no screw on the end of the opposite handle. Your trainer has two screws on the end of the latch handle, and one screw on the end of the opposite handle. Catalog pics below.

Based on all of that, I would have to consider the possibility that your trainer is a fake.



Here is the original 40T from 2002. One screw at the end of the latch handle.

Benchmade catalog pic from 2002.



Here are the 40T and 40TR trainers as pictured in the Benchmade catalog in 2003 and 2004. There are two screws on the end of the latch handle, but none on the opposite handle.

2003 catalog


Here is how the 40TR appeared in the catalogs from 2005 through 2009. No screw on the opposite handle.

 

[Twindog]

The following is based on Benchmade catalogs.

According to the catalogs, Benchmade introduced the 40T in 2002 (catalog pic below), and introduced the 40TR (red handles) in 2003. As best as I can tell the 40T was discontinued in 2005 (2004 the last year), and the 40TR was discontinued in 2010 (2009 the last year).

Again, according to the catalogs, Benchmade only made two models of the 40 series trainers, the 40T, and the 40TR. I see no reference to a black version.

Also, the screw configuration on your trainer does not match any of the 40 series trainers in the Benchmade catalogs. There were two different handle screw configurations on the 40 series trainers at the ends of the handles (not the pivot ends)- the original in 2002 had only one screw, the latch screw, at the end of the handle, and from 2003 through 2009 all other 40 series trainers in the catalogs had two screws at the end of the latch handle, and no screw on the end of the opposite handle. Your trainer has two screws on the end of the latch handle, and one screw on the end of the opposite handle. Catalog pics below.

Based on all of that, I would have to consider the possibility that your trainer is a fake.



Here is the original 40T from 2002. One screw at the end of the latch handle.

Benchmade catalog pic from 2002.
View attachment 3140549


Here are the 40T and 40TR trainers as pictured in the Benchmade catalog in 2003 and 2004. There are two screws on the end of the latch handle, but none on the opposite handle.

2003 catalog
View attachment 3140550

Here is how the 40TR appeared in the catalogs from 2005 through 2009. No screw on the opposite handle.

View attachment 3140560

Thank you. I was afraid it was a fake after I couldn't find a similar model. Pretty well made fake though, so I have that comfort.