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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I like some of the designs from Benchmade, especially the newer models like Full Immunity or Shootout but the quality is god awful.
I own both of those knives (I own two Shootouts currently, one seafoam and the dark blue one). One of my Shootouts already failed with a broken carrier locking piece (no idea what the name of it is lol) and no longer deploys. I'm honestly shocked that it made it through R&D.
The Immunity suffered a broken omega spring and I hardly used the thing, it's currently in pieces inside a plastic bag because I can't find a replacement spring. Like, yeah, I can send em to Benchmade for repair but it's just gonna break again so I'd rather just buy the springs and not waste my time trying to ship it back. If anyone knows where I can get some, let me know.
Have the 940 and out of the box, the blade was scrapping against the side of the scales and I had to rotate the pivot pin to the other side to get it to stay centered.
I own numerous Benchmade knives, mostly because of retailer discount.

None of my other brand of knives have failed me to this degree. Don't feel like I have to baby any of them like I have to with Benchmade. Poor mechanical design choices all around.
They are just for show at this point, because I know something is gonna break if I use em.
 
EvilWiffles said:
I searched there and didn't find any. Full Immunity springs seem smaller then the ones I've tried in my "Benchmade spring replacement kit".
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Interesting; didn't realize they were that small. Would've figured the ones that claim to be 707 sized would fit.

In that case, guess you'll have to get the piano wire and pliers out yourself
 
Skywalker31 said:
Interesting; didn't realize they were that small. Would've figured the ones that claim to be 707 sized would fit.

In that case, guess you'll have to get the piano wire and pliers out yourself
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Eh, maybe. I'll just leave it in the bag and forget about it :).
 
Something is always worth as much as someone else is willing to pay for it. No one can answer this question for you.

Benchmade makes some truly excellent designs, but personally Ive had problems with their quality control. I know many others have aswell.

If you like one, and you can comfortably afford it, buy one. If you don't like it, you will have learned your lesson and will know better next time.
 
DMG said:
I don’t get it?
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Ganzo's aren't 'nice' but they sure aren't 'bad' for their price point, even being as uncharitable towards their business practices as possible. You certainly don't hear a chorus of Ganzo owners complaining about broken omega springs and a typical Benchmade costs eight to ten times a typical Ganzo model.

Even if they are pirates they might still last a user as long as a Benchmade, if the Benchmade turns out to have issues.
 
It's all made by CNC robots. There's no old world craftsman in some back room churning out knives.

With that said.

Has no-one at Benchmade handled a WE Knife Company product? The extensive use of titanium. The fit and finish down to the edge? Because that's who giving you a run for the money.

I've been a dye in the wool Benchmade fan boi most of my life but it's rather embarrassing when the Chinese can produce what Benchmade should be. Don't get me wrong, I hate China as much as the next guy but Benchmade is dropping the ball.

If they'd follow the Snap-On / Bluepoint model. Contract out the, 'Benchmade Bluepoint' out to WE. The difference to the Benchmade Snap-On would be a drastic difference in quality. Let's be real, the competition is crazy serious and good old Bench needs to pull their head out their orifice before it's too late.
 
Benchmade
Grasshopperglock said:
It's all made by CNC robots. There's no old world craftsman in some back room churning out knives.

With that said.

Has no-one at Benchmade handled a WE Knife Company product? The extensive use of titanium. The fit and finish down to the edge? Because that's who giving you a run for the money.

I've been a dye in the wool Benchmade fan boi most of my life but it's rather embarrassing when the Chinese can produce what Benchmade should be. Don't get me wrong, I hate China as much as the next guy but Benchmade is dropping the ball.

If they'd follow the Snap-On / Bluepoint model. Contract out the, 'Benchmade Bluepoint' out to WE. The difference to the Benchmade Snap-On would be a drastic difference in quality. Let's be real, the competition is crazy serious and good old Bench needs to pull their head out their orifice before it's too late.
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The thing is, Benchmade doesn't care much about knife enthusiasts. Their money is made at Bass Pro, Cabela's etc, where people pay full MSRP for a product they perceive as quality because of either the brand name or that they are sold at "Outdoors" stores.

Sure they make special editions for us knuts, but we generally buy them at MAP prices, or even less, during sales. Everyone talks about Benchmade's great warranty and CS. But the best warranty is the one you never need to use.
 
NG VI said:
Ganzo's aren't 'nice' but they sure aren't 'bad' for their price point, even being as uncharitable towards their business practices as possible. You certainly don't hear a chorus of Ganzo owners complaining about broken omega springs and a typical Benchmade costs eight to ten times a typical Ganzo model.

Even if they are pirates they might still last a user as long as a Benchmade, if the Benchmade turns out to have issues.
Click to expand...
I own a Ganzo. It is a POS to the point of being unsafe. If you use a Ganzo for more than opening your mail, it doesn’t last.
 
Skywalker31 said:
Interesting; didn't realize they were that small. Would've figured the ones that claim to be 707 sized would fit.

In that case, guess you'll have to get the piano wire and pliers out yourself
Click to expand...
That is really interesting - I think I'm only aware of 2 sizes of BM springs - I have ordered a pile of them and have a lot on hand in the event any should break. Full Immunity is smaller sized then a mini bugout spring set?

Little tip I have started doing as well is I put a dab of white lithium grease on the inside of any metal scaled axis spring pocket to cut down on friction.
 
I have seen probably more dogs from BM percentage wise then most other high-end brands over the years... but I will say I have noticed an uptick in their QC the last 1-2 years. They aren't always perfect, but when I pull my collection out and look at what I tend to organically carry, BM does tend to dominate the rotation some weeks. Good designs that when properly executed, are great EDC tools. They are getting really slicey and thin behind the edge with some of their newer offerings which is really great.
 
NG VI said:
Ganzo's aren't 'nice' but they sure aren't 'bad' for their price point, even being as uncharitable towards their business practices as possible. You certainly don't hear a chorus of Ganzo owners complaining about broken omega springs and a typical Benchmade costs eight to ten times a typical Ganzo model.

Even if they are pirates they might still last a user as long as a Benchmade, if the Benchmade turns out to have issues.
Click to expand...

A few years ago, I put a Ganzo through some hard-use testing. No, it wasn't one of their original designs in Chinese D2. It was a sub-$20 liner-lock in 440C. I beat the heck out of it, including throwing it, batoning smaller bits of wood by the fireplace, and even chiseling it through hardwood with a claw hammer. It developed severe lock stick but was otherwise fine. Could you do that with a BM?

The edge retention wasn't great but it was at least as good as any 8Cr13Mov. Again, it was less than $20.
 
Grasshopperglock said:
... Has no-one at Benchmade handled a WE Knife Company product? The extensive use of titanium. The fit and finish down to the edge? Because that's who giving you a run for the money.

I've been a dye in the wool Benchmade fan boi most of my life but it's rather embarrassing when the Chinese can produce what Benchmade should be. Don't get me wrong, I hate China as much as the next guy but Benchmade is dropping the ball.

If they'd follow the Snap-On / Bluepoint model. Contract out the, 'Benchmade Bluepoint' out to WE. The difference to the Benchmade Snap-On would be a drastic difference in quality. Let's be real, the competition is crazy serious and good old Bench needs to pull their head out their orifice before it's too late.
Click to expand...

Good points but the real comparison now would be the "clutch lock" knives from Kizer. Here is a selection that shows the range.

This one is a Dirk Pinkerton design, first in Micarta and 154CM for $90ish and second in aluminum and 20CV for $170ish.

ScreenHunter_1405 Aug. 31 17.19.jpg
Next is the Drop Bear, designed by Azo. This one has really taken off. Here it is in aluminum and 154CM, titanium and LC200N, and Fatcarbon and Elmax for around $120, $160, and $220 respectively.

ScreenHunter_1409 Aug. 31 17.39.jpg
 
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