Custom Shop..... disappointment

benchmade-background-345NFR9S.jpg
That's what I'd like, unfortunately there's 0 chance of the wife approving it.
345NFR9S
 
BellaBlades said:
They offered to overnight it back and forth for repair or handle change just now. Thinking about it.
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That's pretty good CS right there, let us know what you do.

You'd think a knife from the custom shop would undergo further inspection/quality control than a standard production but sounds like that's not the case. I was going to order a Grip with M4 but now second guessing that decision. I've been lucky with all my other factory Benchmades and none have had any type of issues.
 
Cscotttsss said:
That's pretty good CS right there, let us know what you do.

You'd think a knife from the custom shop would undergo further inspection/quality control than a standard production but sounds like that's not the case. I was going to order a Grip with M4 but now second guessing that decision. I've been lucky with all my other factory Benchmades and none have had any type of issues.
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This is the first BM that I've had with issues. I also happen to think BM has amazing customer service. Equal to my experience with Spyderco.

I'm mailing it back this morning . I will update what option I choose.
 
I'm searching the forums hard for some aftermarket replacement scales. So I can avoid sending it in entirely..
 
So. I like this thing so much I ripped it apart and did my thing. Way better.

I purchased AWT scales in OD to match which will be here in a few days.

I'm hoping it will be perfect with the scale swap and then I will mail my GTX handles in for a replacement .

I will not be placing another order in the custom shop.

IMG_20190726_112103~2.jpg
 
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I'm hopeful that mine is perfect. I'll be honest I've been less than thrilled with the free shipping option. I thought UPS would get to me in 3 business days. I still don't have my knife - it's supposed to be here tomorrow. It's taken longer to ship it than it has to build it.

Oh well...
 
It arrived and so did disappointment.

I ordered this knife on July 17th. I think I was told a two week build period? On July 23rd I recieved a notification that the knife was shipped and tracking indicated that the knife would get here on 7/29. I then recieved another email on 7/23 that the knife would arrive on 7/30 instead. The knife then was delayed and arrived today. Upon arrival it was clear that the knife was off centered - frustrating but ok, it's a Benchmade after all. Blade grinds are even looking so that's good. Then I checked for play and the liners pop upon moving the blade up and down. Tightened the pivot and it's still there. I'm already frustrated the knife arrived late. I'm really frustrated a "custom shop" knife made to order has issues that it's production s30v brother did not.

I call Benchmade. I explain my frustration and ask to return the knife. I'm told it's a custom knife and I'm not allowed to return it. I'm then told that custom shop knives are built to order and that's why it took so long for me to get it. I then made the point that the knife was built in 5 days but it took longer for it to get shipped to me than it did to build the knife. And the reason that I'm so frustrated is because my made to order knife has issues that my production knife didn't.

I'm told to fill out a warranty form and send it in.

I do not feel comfortable selling the knife in it's current state. I will send it in to be fixed. But at this point I'm so frustrated with this experience I'll sell it once it's fixed.

Quick shot of the uncentered blade.

Fn9g0YpEah1AyFMTkE7Skk2oYhKICV7LuXAIWT0q8WxU7G_Xmhgs8O-T414AxOXjV6NpFE656dmUG3lrqgJGzh9v0uVBuv7iKMLjRmC5-s4Iptz6iqf4v4X7LcJrA05kTNrQihxEfbE=w2400
 
BMCGear said:
It arrived and so did disappointment.

I ordered this knife on July 17th. I think I was told a two week build period? On July 23rd I recieved a notification that the knife was shipped and tracking indicated that the knife would get here on 7/29. I then recieved another email on 7/23 that the knife would arrive on 7/30 instead. The knife then was delayed and arrived today. Upon arrival it was clear that the knife was off centered - frustrating but ok, it's a Benchmade after all. Blade grinds are even looking so that's good. Then I checked for play and the liners pop upon moving the blade up and down. Tightened the pivot and it's still there. I'm already frustrated the knife arrived late. I'm really frustrated a "custom shop" knife made to order has issues that it's production s30v brother did not.

I call Benchmade. I explain my frustration and ask to return the knife. I'm told it's a custom knife and I'm not allowed to return it. I'm then told that custom shop knives are built to order and that's why it took so long for me to get it. I then made the point that the knife was built in 5 days but it took longer for it to get shipped to me than it did to build the knife. And the reason that I'm so frustrated is because my made to order knife has issues that my production knife didn't.

I'm told to fill out a warranty form and send it in.

I do not feel comfortable selling the knife in it's current state. I will send it in to be fixed. But at this point I'm so frustrated with this experience I'll sell it once it's fixed.

Quick shot of the uncentered blade.

Fn9g0YpEah1AyFMTkE7Skk2oYhKICV7LuXAIWT0q8WxU7G_Xmhgs8O-T414AxOXjV6NpFE656dmUG3lrqgJGzh9v0uVBuv7iKMLjRmC5-s4Iptz6iqf4v4X7LcJrA05kTNrQihxEfbE=w2400
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See. Something is wrong with the liner fit on these stock handles.. I just traded mine with aftermarket handles and took a $$ loss.
 
I was seriously considering an M4 Grip as a new work knife, but it looks like I’ll be taking my money elsewhere. That totally sucks, BMCGear BMCGear
 
BMCGear said:
It arrived and so did disappointment.

I ordered this knife on July 17th. I think I was told a two week build period? On July 23rd I recieved a notification that the knife was shipped and tracking indicated that the knife would get here on 7/29. I then recieved another email on 7/23 that the knife would arrive on 7/30 instead. The knife then was delayed and arrived today. Upon arrival it was clear that the knife was off centered - frustrating but ok, it's a Benchmade after all. Blade grinds are even looking so that's good. Then I checked for play and the liners pop upon moving the blade up and down. Tightened the pivot and it's still there. I'm already frustrated the knife arrived late. I'm really frustrated a "custom shop" knife made to order has issues that it's production s30v brother did not.

I call Benchmade. I explain my frustration and ask to return the knife. I'm told it's a custom knife and I'm not allowed to return it. I'm then told that custom shop knives are built to order and that's why it took so long for me to get it. I then made the point that the knife was built in 5 days but it took longer for it to get shipped to me than it did to build the knife. And the reason that I'm so frustrated is because my made to order knife has issues that my production knife didn't.

I'm told to fill out a warranty form and send it in.

I do not feel comfortable selling the knife in it's current state. I will send it in to be fixed. But at this point I'm so frustrated with this experience I'll sell it once it's fixed.

Quick shot of the uncentered blade.

Fn9g0YpEah1AyFMTkE7Skk2oYhKICV7LuXAIWT0q8WxU7G_Xmhgs8O-T414AxOXjV6NpFE656dmUG3lrqgJGzh9v0uVBuv7iKMLjRmC5-s4Iptz6iqf4v4X7LcJrA05kTNrQihxEfbE=w2400
Click to expand...
Cypress said:
I was seriously considering an M4 Grip as a new work knife, but it looks like I’ll be taking my money elsewhere. That totally sucks, BMCGear BMCGear
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x2
 
I ordered a custom M4 / G10 full-size Grip last summer and that one came perfect (even bevels, centered, solid lockup, smooth action). I also ordered 3x custom mini-grips for family and each of those were *pretty* good. Couple minor grind issues, only one of those was actually centered, etc.. but was able to fix them up myself.

It really does suck not knowing what you're going to get, but I did just get shipping confirmation for my new custom 20CV / G10 Barrage and will report back with what I find!
 
Happy to report that after working with the knife I was able to almost get the blade centered and fixed the liners. I did not want to tke the knife apart and have Benchmade not warranty it but I checked the liner screws and they were not tight on either side of the knife resulting in the liners moving. They are now tightened and good to go.
 
It seems that most of us know how to tune and adjust a knife better than the Maker.

I find the blades, handles and components are of the highest quality.

So there are two possibilities as far as I'm concerned .

1. The folks that assemble these knives are not exactly knife people. Nuff said.

2. The sheer numbers this company puts out requires such little assembly time that they just slap these knives together and don't really tune them.

I'm leaning into #2

Even at the benchmade dealer I visited this week, the salesman mentioned he needs to ask every customer to handle each knife before purchase.

Due to the # of QC issues. That says something.

I don't think it's the product at all and I find factory edges from BM to be amazing. I think it's the time and care put into final fitting and assembly .
 
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BellaBlades said:
It seems that most of us know how to tune and adjust a knife better than the Maker.

I find the blades, handles and components are of the highest quality.

So there are two possibilities as far as I'm concerned .

1. The folks that assemble these knives are not exactly knife people. Nuff said.

2. The sheer numbers this company puts out requires such little assembly time that they just slap these knives together and don't really tune them.

I'm leaning into #2

Even at the benchmade dealer I visited this week, the salesman mentioned he needs to ask every customer to handle each knife before purchase.

Due to the # of QC issues. That says something.

I don't think it's the product at all and I find factory edges from BM to be amazing. I think it's the time and care put into final fitting and assembly .
Click to expand...

You're probably right. Benchmade was my first high end knife and I wish them the best. When I pay a premium for a knife that comes from the factory "made to order" with issues and I'm told I have to fill out a warranty request form to get my brand new knife made how it should, I'm out.

After I fixed the knife I put it up for sale because I don't want to carry a brand that doesn't take care of me. I was already out the door as I've found other things I like but the Grip/M4 combo pushed me over the edge. The QC and customer service brought me back to reality.
 
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