How do you feel about Benchmade's "Infidel" name?

C

Chin Mullet

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Aug 17, 2006
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I was browsing the Benchmade forum and I noticed that there is a big "to do" over the "Infidel" name.

I guess the name bothers me a little but I figure it's just a knife and I don't really care too much what you call it. After reading the official Benchmade response to why the name was chosen I don't know if I buy it. Their reason seems lame.

How do you feel about this name?
 
I think the name choice is in very poor taste, given the connotations the word has and the ways OTFs are already demonized. Perhaps they're trying to distance themselves from Spyderco and the Samaritan, but they really should give it a more benign name or stick to a simple model number. I somehow doubt that the target market for this knife is the type of mall ninja who would give credence to such a silly name in the first place. Benchmade should know that the quality of the product will keep it in the minds of potential buyers- not some controverisal name.
 
Here is their reason. I just copied and pasted it into here.

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In order to hopefully help you better understand the reasoning behind the naming of our latest new product, “Infidel”, please allow us to first review the Merriam Webster definition of infidel.

Etymology: Middle English infidele, from Middle French, from Late Latin infidelis unbelieving, from Latin, unfaithful, from in- +fidelis faithful – more at FIDELITY

1: one who is not a Christian or who opposes Christianity

2: an unbeliever with respect to a particular religion b : one who acknowledges no religious belief

3: a disbeliever in something specified or understood – infidel adjective

In the knife world of OTF knives, there are some very loyal fans of the few companies known for this particular knife style. We felt that by naming the product “Infidel”, we are the non-believers in the competition’s efforts to produce a comparable product. And, since the market for this knife is regulated by legislation and high price point, the distribution is self-limited.

You are correct in that this term has become popular lately. It is used predominantly by those believers in radical Islam in their description of any non-Muslim. Your efforts to make this into a directive of an anti-Muslim campaign are without merit in this case.

Benchmade has always been and continues to be a strong supporter of the Military, and are proud of their service for us. We also respect and appreciate your service just the same. For Benchmade, using Infidel was as simple as naming a new product to address a strategic market segment of loyal knife buyers.

Thankfully we live in a country where everyone is entitled to openly voice their opinions and we can hear yours.

*Moderator note: This forum is still not a place to contact Benchmade. Please contact us directly for any issues or concerns that requires action.*

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Probably not the smartest move on Benchmade's part but the name certainly wouldn't keep me from buying the knife if I liked it.
 
Everyone needs to just get over it. Poor business choice? Maybe, maybe not. It wouldn't keep me from buying it if it was a knife I was interested in. The reason given sounds like BS though. We live in a free country and we should celebrate that instead of demonizing those who might offend us. It is just a knife not a political statement and even if it were they should have the right to speak freely without being attacked by those who disagree. If you don't like it don't buy it but you don't have to attack them for it.
 
Infidel? I guess the knife is marketed for military applications so infidel is "cool". Have you seen the infidel patches, caps, t shirts and AR lowers?
 
I don't think it's a great idea to name a product with a word that is sometimes used to describe someone else in a negative, derogatory or hateful manner. Just because the word is in the dictionary does not make it a good choice for a product name.

While this name would not keep me from buying the knife under any circumstance, it would definitely count for a few negative hits in my buying decision. The knife would have to have lots of other good and unique points to balance out the initial turnoff.

I don't understand why Benchmade would want to put themselves in that situation. Nor can I imagine that some Benchmade suit wouldn't have predicted they might get a cool response to the name. I doubt they will sell MORE of these knives because of the name. They stand to sell LESS. What kind of idiot wouldn't have imagined that one coming? While the word itself may not be bad, the choice to use it as a product name at this particular time in world events, certainly was.
 
personally, I thought it was cool as hell. I'd like to take one with me if I get deployed. Yeah, the infidels are comin' :D
 
jasonwilldermood said:
Everyone needs to just get over it. Poor business choice? Maybe, maybe not. It wouldn't keep me from buying it if it was a knife I was interested in. The reason given sounds like BS though. We live in a free country and we should celebrate that instead of demonizing those who might offend us. It is just a knife not a political statement and even if it were they should have the right to speak freely without being attacked by those who disagree. If you don't like it don't buy it but you don't have to attack them for it.
Click to expand...

I agree. I didn't attack them for it. I just posted Benchmade's response as there are multiple threads "over there" like it's a big "to do".
 
The "big to do" was initiated when the thread starter started by discussing action against BM (possibly suing, on what basis I'd be interested in knowing) due to the name. That poster has a "chip on his shoulder."

Who cares what the name is? Names are just selling aids. "Infidel" just happens to have good imagery associatted with it at the moment for selling such a knife.
 
Chin Mullet,
I didn't mean to imply that you needed to get over it, just those with the cob in the a**. BTW does your name mean the parties in the front and business in the rear?;)
 
Hehe :D

One day I was at this place called "Chipotle" getting a burrito. This dude had a long ass goatee and the way it was all out of sorts just reminded me of a mullet. So I decided to call it a chin mullet.

When I signed up it seemed like a funny name. :D
 
Really indifferent to the design, so the name does not matter to me.

Now if they added a cartoon depicting Allah, I might just buy one.
 
I love it!

Especially when you appreciate the double entendre of it. But, then again, I like wordplay as much as knifeplay.
 
This is the first time I recall any serious complaint about a Benchmade knife name, but I do remember a few times people have complained about BM using numbers to identify so many of their knives instead of names.

Maybe they should have stuck to numbers! :D

I kind of like the implications of "Infidel". Maybe they can come out with a mini version and call it the "Blasphemer".
 
I Love It, since we are considered infidels anyway [by at least a billion or so adherents of a particular viewpoint]

I just wish is wasn't a restricted purchase because I can't get one :(
 
It is soooo simple. Right here you have your reason :)





(The reason is to call up emotions. To have people talk about it (in other words get free publicity). Even ill-favoured publicity is publicity. In marketing it is important to gain spontaneous or reminded (spontaneous is better) knowledge of your product. It helps sales.))
 
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