How do you rate Benchmade?

[elkins45]

No mistrust here...but can point me to where I can find this?

I bought one on the Bay for around the same. That's a buy it now price, not auction. It's a real bargain among Benchmades!

 

[Skimo]

for 400 I feel like I get more than twice the knife, if buying a Sebenza.

Where do you guys and gals rate Benchmade?

I think I may try some Spyderco knives next.

More than twice the knife with a Sebenza, really? I'll just say that from my experience.... you get about the same amount of knife, just without the "status symbol".

I Dig Spyderco now with the CBBL, also pretty smooth action.

 

[swamp]

More than twice the knife with a Sebenza, really? I'll just say that from my experience.... you get about the same amount of knife, just without the "status symbol".

I Dig Spyderco now with the CBBL, also pretty smooth action.

I guess everyone has their own opinion on what quality is.

I don't think Benchmade even comes close to a CRK knife.

If I didn't know any better, and someone gave me any Benchmade and a Sebenza, and asked me to tell them which one is higher quality. It would take less than one minute to answer. Sebenza.

 

[Tostig]

There has been a few BM models that grabbed my attention , Skirmish , MPR.

I have owned three BM's , now I only one , a Mini-grip.

I rate them a solid 7 only because BM really isnt my cup of tea at all , I'm sure they do put out some quality knives but my beloved Kershaw beats BM hands down , in my opinion.


Tostig

 

[jkarp_53]

I've owned a lot of knives over the years but things changed when I was introduced to the Benchmade 710HS a friend had. With a stable ongoing selection of say 32 to 35 models I'm convinced they're the best, both in quality and that backed up by superb customer service. While I've had a few issues out of box, none remained after short trips to their 'LifeSharp' service.

I can't say I love every model, but overall I'd give BM an 8 out of 10. There's always room for improvement, but lately the knives that have arrived at my door have been worth seeking out.

 

[knifertheworks]

i have had pretty bad experience with some of their products..most with qc. i had problems iwth my 707 and mini grip and almost all of there knives came with play so i would give them an 8. but i like there design in the 60 dollar price range compared to spyderco and that is saying something considering they are my favorite company

 

[experimentjon]

I give BM an 8. Great knives, but I know that there's better out there. I own probably around a dozen benchmades right now. The real advantage that they have is their Axis Lock which is truly an awesome locking mechanism, and my favorite. They also have some really cool designs that I like. However, my favorite knife that I find myself going to right now is the Spyderco Stretch. Still, I think BMs are very cool, and they are the knife brand that I started my collection with.

 

[rattler12]

Generally good quality products.

Prices can be high, with a obvious collector focus.

Their business practices however are slimy, and at times just plain hypocritical.

 

[fishunter219]

9+ for Benchmade. Own several. Edc a 942 or a small sebbie. Imho, I can't really see the price difference. to me, a large or small
griptilian with axis lock is a great value.

 

[Stainz]

Generally good quality products.

Prices can be high, with a obvious collector focus.

Their business practices however are slimy, and at times just plain hypocritical.

I agree with the first two points, but I need some clarification on those last two, please. What 'slimy business practices'? 'Hypocritical'?? Really, I want to know more. I just added a new 15020-1 Bone Collector to my collection yesterday...

Stainz

 

[Steven Andrews]

I don't think Benchmade even comes close to a CRK knife.

If I didn't know any better, and someone gave me any Benchmade and a Sebenza, and asked me to tell them which one is higher quality. It would take less than one minute to answer. Sebenza.

The Sebenza is built with closer tolerances, but that doesn't necessarily make it a better knife.
I much prefer carrying my M2 Mini RSK to my Small Seb.





The 558M2 has better steel and a grind that I prefer, it is easier to open and close, and is more secure and comfortable in the hand.
The practicalities of opening, using and closing make it a better knife in my opinion, though I know I'm probably in the minority (.. not that that bothers me )

 

[Byrom Hermo]

I give Benchmade a 9.0 for quality.

 

[wongKI]

I can only speak for quality as design is so subjective, but all the BM folders I've seen get top marks.

I don't really like most of their designs; either uncomfortable or too thickly ground, or with a metal handle.

I appreciate the Axis lock as a lefty. I also like the fact that they use many good steels.

I have yet to find a BM that floats my boat, however. A smaller Rift with wood scales and a bit of ergo-tweaking would be it.

 

[zignal_zero]

I agree with the first two points, but I need some clarification on those last two, please. What 'slimy business practices'? 'Hypocritical'?? Really, I want to know more. I just added a new 15020-1 Bone Collector to my collection yesterday...

Stainz

i am curious, as well

maybe he's referring to the whole trademarking of "Bali-Song"?

do tell.

 

[m_calingo]

Benchmade has been one of my favorite brands over the last ten years. It's definitely up there in quality with Spyderco and Kershaw. They have great collaborations with creative knife makers like Snody, Osborne, Sibert, and once upon a time, Allen Elishewitz and Ernest Emerson.

If there's anything that bothers me is that Benchmade will produce a great knife like the Ares, then stop production after a few years. However, the same can be said for Spyderco, so it's not exclusive to Benchmade.

 

[M2HSSR-910SBK]

I bought one on the Bay for around the same. That's a buy it now price, not auction. It's a real bargain among Benchmades!

I was skeptical even being a benchmade fan. Now I have seen the light!!! Go check out the Bone Collector Series. A bargin for what you get.

 

[pascal.abi]

The Sebenza is built with closer tolerances, but that doesn't necessarily make it a better knife.
I much prefer carrying my M2 Mini RSK to my Small Seb.





The 558M2 has better steel and a grind that I prefer, it is easier to open and close, and is more secure and comfortable in the hand.
The practicalities of opening, using and closing make it a better knife in my opinion, though I know I'm probably in the minority (.. not that that bothers me )

i carry a lot more my bench 710 than my sebenza ... and not for a question of value or something like that; just because i prefer it ...

 

[mk.ultra]

I have bought more benchmade knives than I could ever imagine over the last fifteen years.

My question is, on a scale from 1-10 how high would you rate the overall quality of Benchmade?

The reason I ask is because I pay about 200 per Benchmade. Some more, some less.

However, for 400 I feel like I get more than twice the knife, if buying a Sebenza.

Where do you guys and gals rate Benchmade?

I think I may try some Spyderco knives next.

i only have a mini griptilian 556. build quality is top notch, but customer service was highly dissapointing. my brand new griptilian was shipped super dull, and being new to knives and having no sharpening tools this was a huge problem for me. i contacted them by email and they said i have to pay all shipping costs. brand new knives should not ship dull.

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

i would rate BM a 7, and spyderco 9.

i feel a lot of BM's are just way overhyped, there have been a lot of fit and finish issues being mentioned about BMs lately. also, several BM liner locks i have bought have been pretty terrible, like my nitrous stryker has very weak lockup with the liner right out of the box.

also i am not a fan of the axis lock, yeah its fun to play with, but those tiny springs in the axis lock occasionally break, i feel that spydercos with the backlock or liner would be more reliable and simpler. spyderco also has larger variety of designs and more specialized knives.

plus, in my opinion, spyderco just has the meanest, most wicked looking knives around(not that this matters to everyone). i dont see benchmade putting out blades as sinister looking as the Civilian or fully serrated Police.

 

[A.P.F.]

With a CR as being a 10, I would rate Benchmade, Spyderco and Kershaw each as a 9, with Cold Steel and Buck as 8.5's.

The fact is that with today's CNC manufacture, all of your top tier production knives are excellent, IMO.