Disappointed in Benchmade...

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I've had a dozen Benchmades over the years and all have had perfect fit and finish, grinds, blade centering, etc. It's not that I'm not picky (I've found mistakes on half of the Spyderco and almost every Emerson that I've owned), I really think that Benchmade really has their s*** together.

I really really wish they'd make more back and liner lock knives, and stop putting Axis locks on everything....

Ulf Krogstad said:
I'm with you on the Barrage line-up won't buy another i don't think.
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It sounds like the 581 and 586 just need the pivot adjusted. I'm not sure how you could have so much play, the knife's washers are HUGE compared to most. I think that the only way to have that much movement would be that the pivot is too loose. That could also explain the OP's complaint of poor centering.
 
Agreed on Axis Axis Axis. I own most of the older 90's Ascents and they're rock solid, so Benchmade can build alternatives. The proved this in making the Lone Wolf 'Landslide', that bright orange lockback.
 
jkarp_53 said:
Agreed on Axis Axis Axis. I own most of the older 90's Ascents and they're rock solid, so Benchmade can build alternatives. The proved this in making the Lone Wolf 'Landslide', that bright orange lockback.
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Benchmade's lockbacks as well as their liner locks are really great.
 
It does seem the models from a couple years back have less complaints against them as compared to the newer models coming out now days. I noticed a member commenting about the new Barrages not being right. I have not handled any new ones but my little older ones are perfect. Not trying to plug myself but as in the mini version one I'm selling, it's perfect. Something is different now.

I wonder if BM perhaps changed something in their finishing process and they're still trying to get it right. It'd be nice if a company rep would get into this thread as some other makers do.
 
Joe58 said:
It does seem the models from a couple years back have less complaints against them as compared to the newer models coming out now days. I noticed a member commenting about the new Barrages not being right. I have not handled any new ones but my little older ones are perfect. Not trying to plug myself but as in the mini version one I'm selling, it's perfect. Something is different now.

I wonder if BM perhaps changed something in their finishing process and they're still trying to get it right. It'd be nice if a company rep would get into this thread as some other makers do.
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Good point and glad you brought it up. I've worked on about 100 benchmades and owned about 25 of those in the past 3 years. I have seen a change in finishing particularly with the hardware. Screws/liners are cleaner. Overall lubing process is way cleaner than before. Lastly I know they've been experimenting with finishing after machining to make it more automated and to save time. It's possible these issues are a result of that.
I used to open benchmades and find gunk. Now it's much cleaner better lubed (not excessive amounts). No sharp edges or burs are found. Even the washes are finished.
 
loonybin said:
Except the Kershaw Cryo II and Spyderco Tenacious (less than $40 each) had perfect grinds with hair-popping edges. Each Spyderco I have seen/handled has been consistently excellent in fit & finish with even grinds, perfect centering, and sharp blades. If Kershaw and Spyderco can deliver what we expect on knives that cost less than the cheapest Benchmade, then Benchmade can do it. I expect nothing

Except they meet ISO 9001 standards, so they are highly controlled, and with their pricing change, expensive. Yet we have received no increase in QC.


Or pay a little less for something that is just as good or better than what Benchmade has been putting out lately. The Manix 2 I had was flawless from a manufacturing design. I just didn't like the caged ball bearing lock design, so I gifted it to someone who needed a good knife.
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I couldn't agree more. I stopped buying BM's and do not miss them. For the same price (and even for considerably less money) other brands have them beat in every way. This is my opinion from my experience which is extensive.
 
I sent in an old 440c mini grip a couple of weeks ago because it needed a tune up. It came back all good and clean but with one issue. They sharpened the heck out of it. They sharpened it at a very steep angle. And they also took a lot of steel off when they sharpened it. The blade was noticeably smaller. I mean a lot smaller. It's like they took a couple of years of life off of it. And after all that it wasn't even really sharp. I almost complained but I didn't want to seem too picky. Oh well they've always come through with their customer service though.
 
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At Benchmade we continue to strive to produce a high quality product that delivers value and performance and we definitely appreciate our customers feedback. With that said, as we continue to strive for perfection please let us know if you have any issues with your Benchmade product and we will be glad to help try and rectify the issue through our LifeSharp Warranty & Service. Thank you!
 
Benchmade said:
At Benchmade we continue to strive to produce a high quality product that delivers value and performance and we definitely appreciate our customers feedback. With that said, as we continue to strive for perfection please let us know if you have any issues with your Benchmade product and we will be glad to help try and rectify the issue through our LifeSharp Warranty & Service. Thank you!
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Usually this fixes any problem I have with a Benchmade.
Wonder if they would take my 940-1 for centering despite my modifications. I will give them a call tomorrow.
 
In my experience it's been hit or miss with Benchmade in the past few years. Both barrage and mini barrage were off center and loose pivot when I bought them. Got rid of both bc I never warmed up to them. Bone collector was extremely off center, almost rubbing liner. Read a thread about centering and was able to perfectly center that one, which made me like it more. Still own that one for collection's sake. My most recent 2, 300 and volli, were both nearly flawless out of the box.
 
I also had trouble with my 940-1 from the start but it was the only one the store had and it was #32 of 750 so I was pretty excited and the price was $199.00, bargain. All that being said the blade was very off center and not so smooth to open, but a quick trip to Benchmade and it came back centered and smooth. I also had multiple screws sticking out to far on the inside of the handles but I just took a precision file and worked them to a beautiful flush finish. Everyone I spoke to from Benchmade was very polite and professional, but where does the QC come into play, just gold and black class? It sure seems most complaints are the blue class, but to be fair that is a larger percent of their entire line. I'm a huge Benchmade fan and think it is the best WORKING MAN/ AMERICAN MADE KNIFE, I have converted 6 coworkers recently to BENCHMADE.
 
I called Benchmade they told me to send it in and they should be able to work something out.

It's in the mail on the way to them.
 
Les D'Asis has been around for quite some time and BKC will take care of you. Trust me.
rolf
 
I have also noticed a decided lack of proper QC from Benchmade, especially over the last 6 months. Previous to that, at least half my knife purchases were a Benchmade of some sort. My purchasing slowed down as i acquired more of the designs i wanted, but i've been hesitant to pick up the last few models i would like to add to fill out the collection because every time i pick one up at my local knife shop, it has a QC problem. I know it's a different knife from last time, because it's a new problem. The most typical ending up being blade centering being slightly off to dramatically, scraping the side of the frame, off. This same knife shop brought in 6 940-1s. Every single one of them had QC issues, 4 out of the 6 were badly off center, one was slightly off center and the one that was centered had a badly asymmetrical grind. I'm okay with a QC issue now and again, everyone has them, even CRK (though insanely rare). It's that the atypical QC problem has now seemingly become commonplace with Benchmade, and that's worrisome. If they're willing to let this many lemons past QC, how soon is it before they start downgrading their stellar after sale customer service because they're getting too many knives back to fix. Hopefully they can work this out. Time will tell.
 
I had different models and never had a problem:
Rukus
Rift
Snoody
Mini griptilian
Onslaught
Mpr
And others that I don't remember now the exact model and I've always loved the sharpening out of the box, smoothness and centering always perfect!
Maybe I've been lucky...
 
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The_Knife_Man said:
Sale enough Benchmade knifes to buy a CRK.

6 knifes had problems; but out of how many?
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I have a Lg Sebenza and love it. Not the point. The point is that out of 6 randomly picked knives that were sent to someone, every single one had an issue, and if you'll do a bit of research within this very forum, you'll find it was FAR from rare, but very commonplace that people got off-centered 940-1s. The issue here is less the quality of the components, and more the quality of the fit and finish.

Perhaps i am asking too much, but it's my money, so i make the rules when it gets spent. I don't expect perfection, but i do expect a nicely centered blade at this price point. If it doesn't have it, then it's not going home with me unless it's a very rare model that i won't have another opportunity to pick up.
 
Veshtan said:
I have a Lg Sebenza and love it. Not the point. The point is that out of 6 randomly picked knives that were sent to someone, every single one had an issue, and if you'll do a bit of research within this very forum, you'll find it was FAR from rare, but very commonplace that people got off-centered 940-1s. The issue here is less the quality of the components, and more the quality of the fit and finish.

Perhaps i am asking too much, but it's my money, so i make the rules when it gets spent. I don't expect perfection, but i do expect a nicely centered blade at this price point. If it doesn't have it, then it's not going home with me unless it's a very rare model that i won't have another opportunity to pick up.
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More of the fit than finish but yeah.

In any case I've owned about 40~ benchmades, and maybe 10 in total including the ones in this thread needed to go back to Benchmade. (actually 2 of them were not Benchmades but Alias). But the thing is recently the last 6 I've gotten or handled should have gone back to benchmade. These are coming from different sources. NOT the same dealer.

Two were local (different dealers). 2 were from online. 2 Were who knows where. The 50+ I handled in store have been from different brick and mortar stores. (2x LKS, 1x Major MOUNTAIN gun store, and a couple small gun shops)
 
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