Is Benchmade worth it?

[ShaiHulud]

The best way to solve this Winchester mystery dispute to nowhere is to sell all your BM knives and buy an Anonimus and you'll never worry about nothin again, see?

 

[Flatsman007]

Benchmade for the win!! Good stuff!!

 

[DDDYLN]

You didn’t ask for the model. You said “Show me a Benchmade folder that can rival the CS Recon 1, AD-10, AD-15, etc.” I showed you.

It’s a Benchmade Adamas, and it’s every bit as good as the CS knives you listed. In fact, it’s much better in nearly every respect I can think of. It isn’t assisted opening. They regularly go for $150 and that’s comparable in price to your Cold Steels.

I paid $90 for that one on the exchange. I’d take it over any cold steel folder, especially post GSM buyout. They’ve really hit the skids. Benchmades that are worth the price are out there.

Sorry, but this is why you guys are full of it. That knife ranges from $260-$300. Show me where I can get one for $150, and I'll take a look. In addition, it's also a manual opening knife. If I want a manual opening knife, I'll stick with the Tri-Ad lock. I'm looking for automatics, as they recently became legal in my state. I can buy a Cold Steel 4 Max Elite for the price of this knife. I can buy a Cold Steel 4 Max Scout for under $70, and Cold Steel makes an excellent AUS-10A steel. I know, because I have some. I'm not even convinced super steels like s30vn and s35vn are much better. When I comes to folding knives, I generally prefer a stainless steel, not a tool steel. That's what fixed blades are for.

 

[DDDYLN]

Well, you asked us to show you a knife that could rival the Cold Steel Recon 1, etc. AntDog found a pic of one he believed would and pictured it. It doesn't appear to be assisted, just the usual Axis Lock. (pull the bar back and the blade drops free so we can easily wrist-flick it open, or use the thumb stud. When the thumb stud is used, one only has to tension the thumb a bit before thumbing it and the blade flies open. They essentially made the action so smooth and light that with just a bit of practice, it flies open almost like an auto or assisted knife.

I have a few Cold Steels and they're nice, esp. for the money. I also have a few Benchmades, and in terms of how "nice" they are, Benchmades just have a nicer action.

Also, Benchmades are US-made, which has a big impact on cost and they don't use any low-end steel. Cold Steel does use some mid and high grade steels, but only in their top of the line models. The rest use really basic soft steels like 4116 and AUS-8 in most of their knives. I really like their AUS-10A, but that's only a mid-grade steel, these days. S35vn is a higher-end one but that's only available on their top tactical models, IIRC. XHP was well-loved but they immediately stopped getting it.

Last thing: I'm not sure the TriAd Lock is stronger than the Axis Lock; it's just that it's the strongest BACK lock. It doesn't really matter though, either one is MORE than strong enough for its intended purpose, and that's why no one but Cold Steel bothered to market it. Ol' Lynn Thompson liked to market how strong that lock was by hanging hundreds of pounds worth of weight off of the handles, and it really appealed to the mall ninjas, that and chopping through free-hanging rope.

One thing I will say is the Cold Steel finish quality has always been spot-on, as they are made in Taiwan (probably by robots) and apparently have very good QC. Benchmade, I have had no "problems" with, but the factory grind on one of mine was not very good. I had to spend a ton of time re-profiling it to something a little thinner that would take a micro bevel.

Bottom line to me is that Cold Steel is an excellent value, but not as nice as Benchmade, especially when it comes to the Fidget Factor. It's like going from a Toyota to a Lexus or Ford to Lincoln. Do you need those leather, air-conditioned seats? No, but they're nice.

Try one some day. It sounds like you haven't yet.

Cold Steel makes several folders in S35VN, with the Tri-Ad lock. They all are around $90-$110, the fit a finish is better than Benchmade, and they always come razor sharp. Cold Steel is also known for excellent heat treats. What am I missing? The CS American Lawman is $109 on Amazon right now. It has a 3.5" blade, the spine thickness is 3.5_mm, and it has a Tri-Ad lock. You're acting like it's a Toyota compared to Benchmade being a Lexus. Show me the proof? What I see is a lot of fanboys justifying their purchases. If Benchmade had good QC, and their knives were affordable, I'd buy one. They've failed on both fronts. What is the point?

 

[ShaiHulud]

I wish benchmade would make a cpm D2 fixed blade

 

[Smaug]

Cold Steel makes several folders in S35VN, with the Tri-Ad lock. They all are around $90-$110, the fit a finish is better than Benchmade, and they always come razor sharp. Cold Steel is also known for excellent heat treats. What am I missing. The CS American Lawman is $109 on Amazon right now. It has a 3.5" blade, the spine thickness is 3.5_mm, and it has a Tri-Ad lock. You're acting like it's a Toyota compared to Benchmade being a Lexus. Show me the proof? What I see is a lot of fanboys justifying their purchases. If Benchmade gad good QC, and their knives were affordable, if buy one. They've failed on both fronts. What is the point?

Well, the point is you're making assumptions on Benchmade's QC based on secondhand experience. When someone has a bad experience, they bitch and moan all over the internet about it. Then, people like you remember reading it and repeat it over and over, blowing it all out of proportion. When they have a good one, not as much. My own *firsthand* experience with buying them is that they did not always have a great grind from the factory. They weren't dull and weren't BAD, but just too steep of a grind angle. Slight disappointment, compared to Spyderco or Cold Steel, but not worth throwing around accusations of poor QC.

You DO have firsthand experience on Cold Steel, which I agree with, by the way. They're just excellent all-around and a great value, too. I just got a Mini Recon 1 yesterday and it's up to the standard of my Large Voyager, Tuff Lite (gone), Mini Tuff Lite and Grik.

Well, it's obvious you've made up your mind and I don't have a pony in this show; I just feel sad that you're missing out due to narrow-mindedness.

BTW - If you said they weren't a good VALUE, I would agree, if that was the only factor.

 

[DDDYLN]

Well, the point is you're making assumptions on Benchmade's QC based on secondhand experience. When someone has a bad experience, they bitch and moan all over the internet about it. Then, people like you remember reading it and repeat it over and over, blowing it all out of proportion. When they have a good one, not as much. My own *firsthand* experience with buying them is that they did not always have a great grind from the factory. They weren't dull and weren't BAD, but just too steep of a grind angle. Slight disappointment, compared to Spyderco or Cold Steel, but not worth throwing around accusations of poor QC.

You DO have firsthand experience on Cold Steel, which I agree with, by the way. They're just excellent all-around and a great value, too. I just got a Mini Recon 1 yesterday and it's up to the standard of my Large Voyager, Tuff Lite (gone), Mini Tuff Lite and Grik.

Well, it's obvious you've made up your mind and I don't have a pony in this show; I just feel sad that you're missing out due to narrow-mindedness.

BTW - If you said they weren't a good VALUE, I would agree, if that was the only factor.

I think you're missing my point. I have zero brand loyalty. I just like to get the best knives for the money. I own Cold Steel, Ontario, Ka-Bar (not a fan), and a few others I can't think of right now. Admittedly, one drawback to Cold Steel, is that they screwed over former customers with a revised warranty, after they were sold to GSM Outdoors. Now Ontario screwed their customers over with no warranty after getting bought. I can see raving about Benchmade's warranty and customer service. Those are great things. But if they continue to be uncompetitive, they'll get bought, and the same thing will happen, as has happened to so many other brands. Also, while I'm willing to pay more for a knife with a full warranty. I'm not willing to pay over twice as much. That wouldn't make much fiscal sense. You say the Benchmade's QC problems are anecdotal, but there are literally 20+ Benchmade fans on this thread, and more on others like it, saying that they're pissed off about the bad QC. When Benchmade fans say the QC has taken as a nosedive, I tend to believe it. I'll keep looking around for an automatic knife, in a decent steel, that is priced well, and won't accidentally open in my pocket (not saying a Benchmade would, it's just a general concern).

 

[DDDYLN]

Well, the point is you're making assumptions on Benchmade's QC based on secondhand experience. When someone has a bad experience, they bitch and moan all over the internet about it. Then, people like you remember reading it and repeat it over and over, blowing it all out of proportion. When they have a good one, not as much. My own *firsthand* experience with buying them is that they did not always have a great grind from the factory. They weren't dull and weren't BAD, but just too steep of a grind angle. Slight disappointment, compared to Spyderco or Cold Steel, but not worth throwing around accusations of poor QC.

You DO have firsthand experience on Cold Steel, which I agree with, by the way. They're just excellent all-around and a great value, too. I just got a Mini Recon 1 yesterday and it's up to the standard of my Large Voyager, Tuff Lite (gone), Mini Tuff Lite and Grik.

Well, it's obvious you've made up your mind and I don't have a pony in this show; I just feel sad that you're missing out due to narrow-mindedness.

BTW - If you said they weren't a good VALUE, I would agree, if that was the only factor.

BTW, to date, I've only received one Cold Steel folding knife that didn't come perfect. I took a chance on the SR1 Lite. The Tri-Ad lock had some slight play in it, which isn't normal. I read the reviews, and many others complained of the same thing. I bought that during the sale to GSM Outdoors. Based on current reviews, it seems CS fixed the problem.

 

[DDDYLN]

Well, the point is you're making assumptions on Benchmade's QC based on secondhand experience. When someone has a bad experience, they bitch and moan all over the internet about it. Then, people like you remember reading it and repeat it over and over, blowing it all out of proportion. When they have a good one, not as much. My own *firsthand* experience with buying them is that they did not always have a great grind from the factory. They weren't dull and weren't BAD, but just too steep of a grind angle. Slight disappointment, compared to Spyderco or Cold Steel, but not worth throwing around accusations of poor QC.

You DO have firsthand experience on Cold Steel, which I agree with, by the way. They're just excellent all-around and a great value, too. I just got a Mini Recon 1 yesterday and it's up to the standard of my Large Voyager, Tuff Lite (gone), Mini Tuff Lite and Grik.

Well, it's obvious you've made up your mind and I don't have a pony in this show; I just feel sad that you're missing out due to narrow-mindedness.

BTW - If you said they weren't a good VALUE, I would agree, if that was the only factor.

I'm not sure if you've ever seen the Cold Steel 4 Max Elite. I believe it's discontinued. The current prices are inflated. Still, I'm not sure there's a folding knife where you get more for your money. SMKW sells it for $320. It's pretty much a folding knife, that works like a short fixed blade. I wouldn't buy one, because why? I'm not sure who they made this knife for. Maybe some people can't legally carry fixed blades while back country camping. Regardless, I'd like to see someone show me a folder, where you get more for your money. Link to non-supporting vendor removed.

 

[Smaug]

If you're looking at autos, Benchmade is DEFINITELY not a good value.

I started looking; Gerber seems to make some good value autos. Kershaw are creeping up there, but their SpeedSafe models are close without having the "auto tax". You can get a Leek in MagnaCut for < $150 and they're US-made. I just got my brother a Blur.

Gerber is starting to make stuff in the USA again and their higher end models use good steels too.

 

[BDubbs]

It’s a private company as far as I know so they will sell at whatever price point they want. If the knives are selling why would they lower prices? Ive got a couple of Spydercos that I love just because they are different like crickets and a firefly and I’ll add a bombshell at some point but the bulk of my modern folders (20-ish) are Benchmade mostly presidios/griptilians/propers/bugouts with an anthem and valet in the mix. Almost all picked up on secondary in new or like new condition for way less than retail. I’ve never had a qc problem with anything made by Benchmade, never broken a spring. I don't know how you compare one knife to another in terms of value? Maybe a Chinese made knife of similar steel is a better “value”? Not to me because I’d never carry it. I don’t think these discussions really get anyone anywhere, nothing I’ve read convinces me to try anything else. I like what I like. I’ll keep buying Benchmade and the occasional Spyderco.

 

[JC972]

I buy used ones. I haven’t bought a new one in almost ten years.

 

[DDDYLN]

Thank you. I'll check those out. I find it hard to believe a Magnacut folder by Benchmade is less than $150. Much appreciated.

 

[DDDYLN]

Knew question for those familiar with automatic knives. How do you keep them from accidentally opening in your pocket? I would think they'd build in some sort of lock on the opening button/slider. Maybe some have one, maybe some don't. I have zero interest in a knife that could accidentally open in my jeans pocket.

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

I have zero interest in a knife that could accidentally open in my jeans pocket.

Then clip to your waistband and carry it in your undies.

 

[Smaug]

Knew question for those familiar with automatic knives. How do you keep them from accidentally opening in your pocket? I would think they'd build in some sort of lock on the opening button/slider. Maybe some have one, maybe some don't. I have zero interest in a knife that could accidentally open in my jeans pocket.

OTF folders have a slider switch that takes several pounds' worth of pressure to fire them. It would not happen accidentally.

Flip-out folders have the button recessed, and that button also takes significant force to fire it; they're not hair triggers.

 

[DDDYLN]

OTF folders have a slider switch that takes several pounds' worth of pressure to fire them. It would not happen accidentally.

Flip-out folders have the button recessed, and that button also takes significant force to fire it; they're not hair triggers.

I'll need to research the difference. I'm still on the fence about buying one. They became legal in VA, but not in neighboring states I often drive through. I'd hate to go to jail due to forgetfulness.

 

[DDDYLN]

OTF folders have a slider switch that takes several pounds' worth of pressure to fire them. It would not happen accidentally.

Flip-out folders have the button recessed, and that button also takes significant force to fire it; they're not hair triggers.

I do appreciate the advice. Thank you.

 

[DDDYLN]

Ah, a useful comment, by someone who doesn't care much for his johnson!

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Ah, a useful comment, by someone who doesn't care much for his johnson!

You said you didn't want it going off in your jeans pocket. Easiest way to prevent that is to not carry it in your jeans pocket.
Thought that was obvious. How you extrapolate my feelings towards my privates from that I don't quite follow.