Is Benchmade worth it?

Is Benchmade worth it?

  • Yes, most models are a good buy.

    Votes: 37 25.0%

  • No. Most models are overpriced.

    Votes: 79 53.4%

  • No, but I will still buy them.

    Votes: 24 16.2%

  • Yes. But I won't buy them.

    Votes: 8 5.4%
  • Total voters
    148
  • Poll closed .
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ShaiHulud said:
I've heard the fixed adamas is one painful knife to use, too many hot spots. I'd like to see them add more fixed blade options and in non stainless. Maybe I personally think they're getting overpriced (see Narrows)
The folding knives I bought from the past all had blade play except presidio. So ultimately the company is now mostly a pass for me.
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I've personally never used a Benchmade. I just knew that when I went to my local tactical store (5.11 here in VA), that's all they sold, and Benchmade blades were massively overpriced for the materials, craftsmanship, and size (the size of the chunk of quality steel does matter with respect to cost). I thought 5.11 Tactical was marking the prices up greatly. They weren't. Benchmades are the same price everywhere. I do a lot of research on materials and craftsmanship before I buy a knife, whether fixed blade or folder. By doing so, I've managed to secure a pretty nice collection of rock solid knives, for very reasonable prices. Unless it's made of 24 karat gold, no knife should cost over $600, especially a small folding knife. If I can purchase a rock solid Cold Steel folding knife, in a premium steel, for a little over $100, compared to a Benchmade with the same steel, yet lower overall quality, for $400-$600, why on Earth would I buy the Benchmade? Made in the USA and brand recognition are important. Benchmade has massively overplayed it's hand. I'm not even a folding knife collector, although I know many people are. That said, as a percentage of the population, those willing to spend over $300 on a folding knife, is pretty low.
 
So this weekend I had the chance to handle some Benchmade folders, a few designs that actually interested, basically because they don't have thumbstuds.

My stance remains the same. I handled two Tengu's, each from different vendors, both did not flip well and both were off center. Handled multiple Taggedout's, some were off center, one the lock was wonky, all of them had various issues. While the carbon fiber one looked cool, it is way overpriced.

Nothing has changed; still overpriced, still spotty QC.
 
DMG said:
I have and have had many Cold Steel knives. They are not superior. Not even close.

You are right, they need to get out of that liberal hellhole.
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Okay. Show me a Benchmade folder that can rival the CS Recon 1, AD-10, AD-15, etc. They have premium steels and craftsmanship, premium QC, and the strongest lock in the folding knife world, with the exception of Andrew Demko's new personal line of folders. I'm sorry, but there's no comparison. Cold Steel isn't the only company that makes better folders, with premium materials, for a fraction of the price.
 
DMG said:
I have and have had many Cold Steel knives. They are not superior. Not even close.

You are right, they need to get out of that liberal hellhole.
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At some point, everyone has to take a step back, and ask themselves if their brand loyalty, is clouding their judgment. I own a lot of Cold Steel blades, because they make great stuff for the money. I also own blades from other brands that make quality blades for the money. The one thing I never do, is let brand recognition cloud my judgment. However, if I search YouTube, I can find 1,000+ videos of folding knife junkies, who have literally spent their life savings on hundreds of premium folding knives, most of which they'll never use. I'd say the Spyderco and Benchmade fanboys are probably the worst. I hope they're either wealthy, or don't have children to care for.
 
I’ve always liked benchmade, particularly the axis lock. Maybe I’ve been lucky but haven’t had any problems with mine at all. I particularly love griptillians. They’re excellent edcs and I actually like the ergonomics of the handle. The plastic doesn’t bother me at all and is very grippy.

Can’t argue that they’ve been and are slightly overpriced compared to spydeco but for the longest time they were the only place to get an axis lock. Maybe now that the patent is up they may have to become a little more competitive.

I must admit that over the years spyderco has surpassed them in my preference and collection.
 
DDDYLN said:
Okay. Show me a Benchmade folder that can rival the CS Recon 1, AD-10, AD-15, etc. They have premium steels and craftsmanship, premium QC, and the strongest lock in the folding knife world, with the exception of Andrew Demko's new personal line of folders. I'm sorry, but there's no comparison. Cold Steel isn't the only company that makes better folders, with premium materials, for a fraction of the price.
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Because you love cold steel doesn’t take anything away from benchmade.
DDDYLN said:
At some point, everyone has to take a step back, and ask themselves if their brand loyalty, is clouding their judgment. I own a lot of Cold Steel blades, because they make great stuff for the money. I also own blades from other brands that make quality blades for the money. The one thing I never do, is let brand recognition cloud my judgment. However, if I search YouTube, I can find 1,000+ videos of folding knife junkies, who have literally spent their life savings on hundreds of premium folding knives, most of which they'll never use. I'd say the Spyderco and Benchmade fanboys are probably the worst. I hope they're either wealthy, or don't have children to care for.
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And you’re making quite the assumption and speculation on knife junkies life savings. And I can assure you, the ones that are spending their life savings aren’t buying benchmades or spydecos at that point. They’ve probably moved on to the midtech/custom world.
 
mitchnola said:
Because you love cold steel doesn’t take anything away from benchmade.

And you’re making quite the assumption and speculation on knife junkies life savings. And I can assure you, the ones that are spending their life savings aren’t buying benchmades or spydecos at that point. They’ve probably moved on to the midtech/custom world.
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I don't love Cold Steel. But as value goes, they're pretty good. Ontario was good as well. Sadly, they got sold like 2 months ago. Most of the old stock is now twice the original price. I'm open to other knife manufacturers, but I prefer to buy the best knife for the money. The Cold Steel 4 Max Elite is just about the toughest folding knife ever made, and it's $300. Why would I pay $500-700 for a knife that's far lesser, with respect to every feature? I definitely understand wanting a small EDC folder (the 4 Max Elite is very large). There are very good options from $75-$100, from various manufacturers.
 
I like Benchmade. I’ve had a couple through the years. They were good to us on deployment. Hell I still get swag packs from my POC in sales. But after years the only one I miss is the Rescue blade the all black Triage. I loved mine. Being a Texas guy I had the Whataburger “W” laser etched on the blade. (Judge me all you want. Homesick on deployment and lack of a whataburger made me haha)

It was stolen out of my truck a couple years after I got out of the Navy. I loved everything about that knife. I wish I still had it. But no way in hell I’d pay the $250 price tag on it. There’s just as good options for cheaper.

My command, when you made Petty Officer, they gifted you a Benchmade Infidel. Cool toy. Sucked as a knife. Even my chief joked that “it’s only good for opening your bags of cocaine.” I chipped the tip off my blade trying to pry a thin piece of plastic back. (Like legit a Coca Cola can tab has more resistance.) I got mad. And now there’s a Infidel resting at the bottom of a port in Oman.

So great customer support. Great warranty. Great company as a whole. But could do a lot better for the $$

But that’s just my 2¢
 
DDDYLN said:
I don't love Cold Steel. But as value goes, they're pretty good. Ontario was good as well. Sadly, they got sold like 2 months ago. Most of the old stock is now twice the original price. I'm open to other knife manufacturers, but I prefer to buy the best knife for the money. The Cold Steel 4 Max Elite is just about the toughest folding knife ever made, and it's $300. Why would I pay $500-700 for a knife that's far lesser, with respect to every feature? I definitely understand wanting a small EDC folder (the 4 Max Elite is very large). There are very good options from $75-$100, from various manufacturers.
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What $5-700 knives exactly are far less in every feature to the 4 max elite? You seem to at least be a fan of cold steel and there’s nothing wrong with that. I personally never found anything appealing with cold steel. They always seemed big and bulky and not ideal for edc. I generally don’t by folding knives if I cant comfortably carry but I must admit it I do have some large ones but they all carry well enough for me

Also, I don’t just purchase knives for how much bang I get for my buck. If that was the case, then who really needs any knife more than a hundred dollars or even 50.

I buy for what appeals to me, what is ergonomic and will function well for me. I’d put my $500 hinderer xm 18 up against any cold steel for toughness and durability. All while getting great ergonomics and carry ability. I aslo appreciate the craftsmanship to make such a high end knife. Is it worth every penny, well that’s up to each individual. Apparently they’re more than a few that find value in it and pay it. Same with benchmade
 
Now I will add. I do wish more companies had a better “custom” option like Benchmade does. A lot you can kinda tweak. But I feel Benchmade does have the most versatility. At least from what I’ve seen. I’ve often thought about buying a custom made one. But that’s also due to a pretty good Mil discount. Wouldn’t consider if I didn’t get that.
 
I’d never had any interest in Benchmade but, recently I needed another knife to throw in the pocket of my running shorts. My Chaparral FRN works for this, but I was looking for another option similar in size and as lightweight as possible. I wound up with the Mini Bugout (CF Elite) and I’m very pleased with it for its intended use. it seems tough enough, is easy to operate one-handed, and is virtually weightless.
 
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nosuchagency said:




wait, what
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This is the Way.

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DDDYLN said:
Okay. Show me a Benchmade folder that can rival the CS Recon 1, AD-10, AD-15, etc. They have premium steels and craftsmanship, premium QC, and the strongest lock in the folding knife world, with the exception of Andrew Demko's new personal line of folders. I'm sorry, but there's no comparison. Cold Steel isn't the only company that makes better folders, with premium materials, for a fraction of the price.
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I have about 40 follders, only two are one-hand openers, and apparently I will stay with these higonokami. Why didn't the discussion include the cutting abilities in comarison to similar knives from other knifemakers, similarly to talks about the mechanics, action, and handle matrial?
 
AntDog said:
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Why would I know what model this is? The only thing I appreciate about these knives, is the assisted opening. I assume they're assisted opening. That's something you don't get with Cold Steel's Tri-Ad lock. However, I just hand flick open my Voyager XL. It fits in my pocket easily, but I'm a larger guy. There are other companies that make these types of knives for less money than Benchmade. Like I said, if their prices were in line with their quality, I'd buy one. Until that happens, it's only going to be folding knife aficionados who buy them, and there aren't that many of those. Someone posted a knife on here that costs $850, because he likes the craftsmanship and attention to detail. That's kind of the definition of an aficionado, someone who will pay ridiculous prices for a niche product. You can buy an AR-15, plus some ammo for $850. You could also buy more than one of the best fixed blades on the market.
 
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