Current Benchmade thoughts...

Griptilian with molded plastic handles to me is a $75 knife. I carried one for a long time and probably paid more for it than that, but now that I've broadened my horizons to other brands that's what I think. I do like the new Stryker but I already have a couple of the older ones so I can't justify buying the new one. Look at what you pay for a new Spyderco with S110V steel and G10 scales. I think street price is about $135.
 
Eh, not so good.. I recently purchased two 940's - one was a standard green and satin, the other was an exclusive "limited" edition in black and blue. I got them from two different retailers. BOTH had blades so off center they were rubbing the inside of the scales upon deployment. Totally unacceptable for a $200 knife - especially to get two of them like that. Sent 'em both back and won't replace them. And it'll be years before I reconsider Benchmade again...
 
BM prices are ludicrous. i don't mind spending money as long as I have bangs for the bucks. I have 2 BM which I bought at a very discounted price, and I like them. But the standard prices prevent me to buy more knives from this brand.
 
Benchmade's MAP enforcement of late 2013 definitely has me buying far fewer for either myself or as gifts. However, this is also true of ZT's late 2014 MAP enforcement as well as Spyderco's since January 2016.

My biggest gripe with Benchmade was their dismal QC that I encountered in the half dozen I purchased in 2014. These ran the gamut of blade not centered and wouldn't, blade play, tip extending too far and asymmetrical swedge. So, I didn't buy a single Benchmade for over 18 months until I got a Foray in April 2016. This one has no issues at all!
 
I think Benchmades QC has really stepped it up a notch recently. The last 5 knives i have bought from them (blind as i live in the nanny country of Oz and have no local knife shops) have all come 100% perfect. Centering/play/grinds etc. all spot on. Just got another crooked river and they've hit it out the park with this model, so much knife for the $.
 
I've been carrying BM's for over 15 years now and have only had to exchange two within the past year. An 810-1401 and a 531-1501, both for uneven/asymmetrical swedge grinds (seems to be a common theme recently, enough so that I've actually noticed it on some of the new '16 models that I've seen in person).. I've had a few uneven edges along with minor centering issues over the years, but nothing I couldn't fix myself. I can't, however, regrind the swedge myself lol.

Don't get me wrong, I love BM, just do your due diligence (as you would with any production maker) and inspect your knife before walking out of the store (or request your online retailer to do the same before shipping).

Golds.. No complaints ;)
 
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Seems like it's hit or miss. And that's not cool in my book. Too many other brands to go to, especially for the money. I'll stick with the others. YMMV...
 
link2derek said:
Seems like it's hit or miss. And that's not cool in my book. Too many other brands to go to, especially for the money. I'll stick with the others. YMMV...
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To be fair then no production knife brand would be cool in anyones book, it's hit or miss with any production knife brand. I've seen knives from almost every top maker come with factory defects, frame locks its tang and lock bar geometry or lock rock/stick, liner locks its late lockup, all brands mess up centering and sharpening grinds, goes on forever. Best bet is get the seller to inspect all knives before shipping, most are happy to do it. Everyone will have a positive and negative story with all brands.
 
link2derek said:
Seems like it's hit or miss. And that's not cool in my book. Too many other brands to go to, especially for the money. I'll stick with the others. YMMV...
Click to expand...

I buy Benchmades when I can handle them in a B&M and cherry pick the one I want. Fortunately, I have several options for that available here in north Georgia. If I had to buy online, I'd probably buy less because I've had the same QC issues others have mentioned and I shouldn't have them with a company like Benchmade.
 
When Benchmade did the MAP pricing thing in late 2013, that was it for me. Glad I got a few prior to that but they lost my business.
 
I just buy them off the exchange unless there is something really special. I'll pay full price for something I want if it is worth the money.
 
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