Fixed pricing....

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I had budgeted for a new Mini Griptilian with the next freelance check. That check came in, but I missed the price jump (a few months off the knife boards) and didn't make the purchase.

Will I someday but one at the new price? Maybe. But for now they've lost a (very small) sale.

Am I bitter? Not really. There are far more important things to worry about. I'll just shop elsewhere and life will go on.
 
tp1l said:
I had budgeted for a new Mini Griptilian with the next freelance check. That check came in, but I missed the price jump (a few months off the knife boards) and didn't make the purchase.

Will I someday but one at the new price? Maybe. But for now they've lost a (very small) sale.

Am I bitter? Not really. There are far more important things to worry about. I'll just shop elsewhere and life will go on.
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With any luck, the pricing structure will change, although I'm not holding my breath.
It is unfortunate that you didn't get a Mini Grip. I personally think everyone should have one... You are correct though, there are more important things to worry about in life.
 
Hrmn... I've had my eye on another mini grip or custom mini grip. At knifeworks, the standard 556 mini grip is selling for $85.00, which is what the price has been for awhile. I guess as soon as this dealer's stock runs out, then all the prices will jump up to the MAP?
 
steponmytoes said:
Hrmn... I've had my eye on another mini grip or custom mini grip. At knifeworks, the standard 556 mini grip is selling for $85.00, which is what the price has been for awhile. I guess as soon as this dealer's stock runs out, then all the prices will jump up to the MAP?
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Actually, the MAP is already in effect at Knifeworks. When you say the price there has been $85 that is because the only way to see the final discounted price is to apply the discount coupon in your cart which would have dropped the price down to around $65 or thereabouts. What has changed is that discount coupon has been removed. They always advertised it at $85, but you used a code when you ordered and that dropped the price below MAP. They can no longer offer that secondary discount. That is the whole issue...
 
I think the price fixing seems a lot more unjustified with certain knives in BM's lineup, especially the mini grip. I mean, a Ritter grip for example has the S30V blade, modified blade shape and design so you could expect a retail price in the low 100's (or at least you could justify that price). The mini grip however, as good as the knife is, should not be priced at almost $90.00 with its run of the mill steel and cheap plastic handles... I think BM should have thought more carefully about pricing it's lineup accordingly, perhaps lowering the MAP on its middle to lower end knives while keeping or raising the price on its higher end offerings.
 
steponmytoes said:
I think the price fixing seems a lot more unjustified with certain knives in BM's lineup, especially the mini grip. I mean, a Ritter grip for example has the S30V blade, modified blade shape and design so you could expect a retail price in the low 100's (or at least you could justify that price). The mini grip however, as good as the knife is, should not be priced at almost $90.00 with its run of the mill steel and cheap plastic handles... I think BM should have thought more carefully about pricing it's lineup accordingly, perhaps lowering the MAP on its middle to lower end knives while keeping or raising the price on its higher end offerings.
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Why shouldn't it be priced at almost $90.00? The cost of materials between models is practically negligible. A few cm of metal and plastic is the difference between a Grip and a Mini Grip, which is why their prices are not that far apart. There's a comparison to be made with Spyderco's Delica and Endura lines. Those aren't that far apart in terms of pricing either. Maybe ten bucks. The fact that the Benchmades are around $25 more expensive simply shows the difference in cost between USA vs Japanese manufacture and, more importantly, the additional cost of manufacturing a relatively complex locking mechanism (Axis) vs a simple lockback.

The lack of manufacturing knowledge displayed here is disturbing. There is no manufacturer out there raking in cash, lighting it on fire, then falling asleep knowing that their 3676% markup is going to be there tomorrow (except maybe those that make audiophile products, but I digress). Higher prices are indicative of higher production costs and nothing more.
 
I was going to buy a mini grip today and saw that they had a price increase. So instead I am going to go with the benchmade H&K series,they are made by benchmade they just don't sport the logo which makes them about half the price and most of them are made in the US of A
 
thragdar said:
Why shouldn't it be priced at almost $90.00? The cost of materials between models is practically negligible. A few cm of metal and plastic is the difference between a Grip and a Mini Grip, which is why their prices are not that far apart. There's a comparison to be made with Spyderco's Delica and Endura lines. Those aren't that far apart in terms of pricing either. Maybe ten bucks. The fact that the Benchmades are around $25 more expensive simply shows the difference in cost between USA vs Japanese manufacture and, more importantly, the additional cost of manufacturing a relatively complex locking mechanism (Axis) vs a simple lockback.

The lack of manufacturing knowledge displayed here is disturbing. There is no manufacturer out there raking in cash, lighting it on fire, then falling asleep knowing that their 3676% markup is going to be there tomorrow (except maybe those that make audiophile products, but I digress). Higher prices are indicative of higher production costs and nothing more.
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Cost of manufacturing is higher in Japan actually, so the BM should be cheaper by that argument. And that bump from the ~$60 Delica/Endura to $90 Grip/MiniGrip is a 50% increase, pretty significant.
 
I am proud of the BM knives that I have, both fixed and folding. If all this is about is making folks pay msrp then I don't have a problem with that. The majority of BM's that I own are autos which I bought local from a brick & mortor store. They, the local store gave me specialized service and ordered the knives that I wanted to add to my collection. I have enough knives to last several lifetimes so unless a new one really gets my interest I will not be adding any more, and as to the price, I want quality for that product.
 
I have over 40 Benchmade knives and have tried to get my sons into "brand loyalty" through giving them Benchmade and had planned to buy a pink mini-grip as my daughters first knife to also instill brand loyalty. She loves pink things and though only 3&1/2, I have already started purchasing things to put up for her when she is older (for example a Cricket Rifle that I turned the stock "pink", a pink camo S&W MP22, and I have been contemplating pink AR furniture to set her up a rifle), but with this new pricing scale, I think I will stand on principle and her first knife will be a pink Spyderco Native that I will purchase soon. I don't pay more for a product for arbitrary reasons, and that is how I see this new pricing scale. It really is a shame, as I have given both of my sons Griptillians and 710s for pocket knifes, and have given a Rift to my wife which she carries in her purse, but I will break from tradition over this artificial 30+% increase in pricing...it is a shame.

As it stands now, I will not buy another new Benchmade unless they bring back the AFCK/TSEK models. Nothing else Benchmade interests me anymore at these new inflated prices.
 
thragdar said:
The lack of manufacturing knowledge displayed here is disturbing. There is no manufacturer out there raking in cash, lighting it on fire, then falling asleep knowing that their 3676% markup is going to be there tomorrow (except maybe those that make audiophile products, but I digress). Higher prices are indicative of higher production costs and nothing more.
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I wouldn't say it is a lack of manufacturing knowledge. Most of us here, including myself, don't totally understand the entire manufacturing industry, but a lot of the basics still haven't changed. Doesn't matter if it is knives, guns, cars or anything else being made. As far as an increased price per unit being only indicative of higher production costs, I don't buy that.
Sure, they raise prices to offset increases in the companies overall cost of doing business, but it certainly isn't the only reason.

Nobody is saying the owners are rolling in the money because of greed. A company the size of Benchmade, with strong sales, and efficient management will make the owner money.
It's the only reason they are in business. They have to make a profit, and through personal sacrifice, hard work, and a large investment of $$$, they should be rewarded.

Auto_Luver said:
I am proud of the BM knives that I have, both fixed and folding. If all this is about is making folks pay msrp then I don't have a problem with that. The majority of BM's that I own are autos which I bought local from a brick & mortor store. They, the local store gave me specialized service and ordered the knives that I wanted to add to my collection. I have enough knives to last several lifetimes so unless a new one really gets my interest I will not be adding any more, and as to the price, I want quality for that product.
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The big, sudden increase is part of it. Also the fact that there was no warning of the increases taking place. One day they just miraculously appeared, catching many people off guard. Granted, they aren't obligated to give the consumer warning, but when someone has been saving for a new knife, and when they think they have enough money, only to find out they don't because the prices went up, it makes people unhappy...

The other issue is QC. While I have no idea what the percentage is, of knives that are sold with issues, it seems from reading some of the posts here, it isn't completely uncommon.... I can't complain about any of the Benchmades I have owned though. Maybe I have been lucky, but every one I have owned has been excellent out of the box. It could be that the number is as small as 2% or less, but it just happens that those 2% are members here, so we hear about them. It could be that the number is closer to 20-30%. I really don't know.
I could see 2% being an acceptable number, while it would be better to only have 0.5%, or ideally absolutely zero knives with issues, but that is totally unrealistic.
If the number is closer to 20-30%, or higher, that would indicate to me, a serious QC issue. I have personally only dealt with their CS twice. Neither time was because of a defective product. Both times, through e-mail and phone calls, they were very courteous, and professional.
 
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