Is Benchmade worth it?

[Synov]

There are plenty, especially if you want something other than a titanium flipper framelock (which is mostly what they make).

I respond to your question with one of my own: do you have proof that they don't? You seemed pretty sure a minute ago, which is why I ask, thanks!

I don't have to prove a negative, you should prove your claim if you're going to base your argument on it. My claim was that Chinese knives are cheaper because the labor and materials are cheaper, and because they make more knives. Those are demonstrable facts.

 

[Quiet]

I don't have to prove a negative, you should prove your claim if you're going to base your argument on it. My claim was that Chinese knives are cheaper because the labor and materials are cheaper, and because they make more knives. Those are demonstrable facts.

No, I already quoted what you said. You didn't say "Chinese knives are cheaper*", your exact claim was:

There's no American manufacturer that produces anything of the same quality as Reate. Sorry, that's just how it is.

Please explain how price equals superior quality. Hold on, let me get Wal-Mart on this telecon, they're going to want to take notes. One sec.


* Which in and of itself is a laugh for anyone who's seen Reate and We's prices lately. LOL This is getting wild.

 

[Synov]

You weren't speaking in generalities

I was though, if you read the context of the conversation, it started with the claim that the quality of a US made knife will likely be better than a Chinese made knife. That's a generality.

Cherry picking based on size is just an admission from you that your statement is untenable.

It's not cherrypicking, you just didn't understand the context of that statement.

Speaking of which, let me know when We/Reate are making OTFs as nice as Microtech, Heretic, etc. Thanks!

Why would they need to make a specific type of knife better?

 

[Wasatch11253]

As an American I believe in helping out my neighbors and friends. Suppose it is the old school patriotic thing to do which I was taught, plus it just feels right. Spent $35K at the local (Utah) knife shop over the past three years, though I guess I'm guilty of buying the foreign stuff here and there.

As far as the Benchmade values which this thread originally was based on, I love the Axis lock. I am ambidextrous, and the locks are great. Have I had an axis lock omega spring issue? Yes, because I fidget the damn things to death. This is doesn't bother me due to enjoying to breaking my knives down, cleaning them and repairing them if needed. As far as the new knife releases, the pricing is a bit steep. There are a few that caught my eye and time will tell if any of those end up in the collection or not.

As far as making a Benchmade your own, to me at least, is PRICELESS.

 

[Quiet]

I was though, if you read the context of the conversation, it started with the claim that the quality of a US made knife will likely be better than a Chinese made knife. That's a generality.


It's not cherrypicking, you just didn't understand the context of that statement.


Why would they need to make a specific type of knife better?

So, it's a generality that an American made knife will "likely be better", but not a generality when you say "There's no American manufacturer that produces anything of the same quality as Reate. Sorry, that's just how it is."

Oh, ok.

Also, can you go back and cover that whole "cheaper price equals better quality" thing you alluded to? Much appreciated.

 

[Synov]

No, I already quoted what you said. You didn't say "Chinese knives are cheaper*", your exact claim was:

You do realize that I said multiple things in this thread, right? And the statement you're quoting is irrelevant to what you're replying to, which is about Chinese workers being mistreated. So let's try again without deflecting, what evidence do you have for your claim?

Please explain how price equals superior quality.

Why would I have to explain something I never claimed in the first place? This is just silly.

 

[Synov]

So, it's a generality that an American made knife will "likely be better", but not a generality when you say "There's no American manufacturer that produces anything of the same quality as Reate. Sorry, that's just how it is."

Nope, both are generalities. That's why I said you should read the rest of the conversation.

Also, can you go back and cover that whole "cheaper price equals better quality" thing you alluded to?

You're confused, only you alluded to that.

 

[Quiet]

You do realize that I said multiple things in this thread, right? And the statement you're quoting is irrelevant to what you're replying to, which is about Chinese workers being mistreated. So let's try again without deflecting, what evidence do you have for your claim?


Why would I have to explain something I never claimed in the first place? This is just silly.

Why do you keep trying to make this about something else you said? If I wanted to address those things, I would. Instead, I addressed an absolutely false claim you made, which you were attempting to state as a point of fact. The evidence I have is that you stated it, and it's false. There are plenty of American manufacturers who make knives as good, or better than anything We/Reate make. Whether you agree or not, doesn't really matter. Trying to move the goalposts like you did concerning size of the company was clearly your attempt at backpedaling out of that claim you made, because it's indefensible.

Seriously, you're free to enjoy your Chinese knives, but sharing the opinion that they're the best is always going to receive pushback. It is what it is.

 

[Quiet]

Nope, both are generalities. That's why I said you should read the rest of the conversation.


You're confused, only you alluded to that.

You can keep saying I'm confused, but your continued obfuscation attempt is getting tedious.

 

[13vrod]

My first was a carbon bugout then was gifted a d2 infidel then gifted a stimulus. All seam pretty solid.

 

[Synov]

Why do you keep trying to make this about something else you said? If I wanted to address those things, I would.

You did address it:

I respond to your question with one of my own: do you have proof that they don't? You seemed pretty sure a minute ago, which is why I ask, thanks!

I then responded by saying I don't have to prove a negative. You responded with a non sequitur about something else I said. So you're the only one "making this about something else" I said. If you are now abandoning the argument that Chinese knife manufacturers mistreat their workers then say so. I've had enough of this.

Instead, I addressed an absolutely false claim you made, which you were attempting to state as a point of fact.

But it's not "instead." That's a completely different argument about quality of knives, not mistreatment of workers. I understand you want to pretend like you didn't make that claim and then attempt to shift the burden of proof onto me, but you did. Good night.

 

[Quiet]

You did address it:

I then responded by saying I don't have to prove a negative. You responded with a non sequitur about something else I said. So you're the only one "making this about something else" I said. If you are now abandoning the argument that Chinese knife manufacturers mistreat their workers then say so. I've had enough of those. Good night.


But it's not "instead." That's a completely different argument about quality of knives, not mistreatment of workers. I understand you want to pretend like you didn't make that claim and then attempt to shift the burden of proof onto me, but you did. Good night.

Wait, what? You uhhhh...I'm just going to say that I'm not the confused one here. Get some sleep. Have a good one.

 

[ShitsInaBush]

Benchmade in my opinion is like a baseline company like Zero Tolerance, they focus on productions knives but also have a "gold class" of higher end knives which I do think are overpriced. I bought my dad a Griptilian years ago and a ZT/Hinderer , he loves those knives because he's the type that would never spend more than a hundred bucks on a knife. Everyone has a preference. I personally won't spend much on a Benchmade, I have a SOCP, like that it's cheap,light and won't be sorry if it's lost or destroyed. Some might suggest a Doug Ritter before a Benchmade, not overpriced and made here in the U.S.A.

 

[mhbru]

I have two that are both ~25 years old... a Mini Ascender 14302 thats still my EDC and a BM/Emerson Spec War that was my backpacking knife back in the day. Both are still great knives and I love them both. Would I pay todays prices to get another one (even though I dont need one)? sure would. I still like their designs. to me benchmade is the benchmark. (sorry... it was too easy)

 

[LostCause]

I don't want this thread go to political direction...

1. I don't care where a knife was made, but given the option to pick - I'd take USA or EU made knife over China made knife any day.
2. Yes, China has tooling and manufacturing, but they are mostly focused on numbers. EU and US often have at least some parts or fit and finish done by hand. And is Chinese manufacturing and tooling better than the one in EU and US? - I'd say no. I think they're about the same.
3. Benchmade are GOOD knives. I just don't own one, I held few in my hands, but that cannot compare to experience of using one. So therefore I decided to see what's the opinion of other knife enthusiasts on that matter. Prices are staggering, and I personally cannot see reason why.

 

[Docscoot]

Not to keep kicking a dead horse here, but I don't think it's all that controversial to point out that dollar for dollar, the top Chinese makers are truly putting out a higher end of machining work with tighter tolerances, and better QC. I've owned all the brands mentioned above, Olamic, CRK, etc., basically every single production US made knife, and I've also owned many of the top Chinese makers' wares. I have had QC issues with every single US maker (except for Holt, which is why that was my given example above of a US maker as far as I can determine that is entirely without flaw). I have never had a single QC issue with a Reate. I'm probably the biggest CRK fanboy in the world but I'd bet any amount the the Reate shop can machine circles around them. I may be just an N of 1, but I've owned literally thousands of knives at this point, so my sample size is somewhat meaningful IMO. I realize when arguing in anecdotes someone will always have a counter example. But all that said, in the end it's only the US made knives that stick around in my collection, I don't currently own a single Chinese made knife simply because they're lacking something along the lines of soul in my feeling. But this is totally subjective. As is the judgment of whether or not any given brand is "worth it".

 

[master_nylo]

I’ve had experience with two Benchmade knives and on both the omega springs broke at least twice! I only had the knives for a year. There’s also blade play on both. I don’t think Benchmade knives are worth it.

 

[mrfields]

i’ve carried pretty much exclusively benchmades since ‘99, to me they just do it right. i’ve had a few broken omega springs, but then again i fidget with my knives constantly, so i figure i’m the cause of said failures. they just work for me. as far as current pricing is concerned, it’s the way the economy is right now. prices are up across the board on just about everything, why should knives be any different? pretty sure i’ve read that most american made brands have had price increases this year, there’s even a new thread about spyderco’s.

 

[yamsi12]

I think it’s ridiculous they are asking $162 for the standard blue bugout.

 

[Sibyrnes]

Since everyone is expressinI’ve had experience with two Benchmade knives and on both the omega springs broke at least twice! I only had the knives for a year. There’s also blade play on both. I don’t think Benchmade knives are worth it.

In 1 year, you have broken "at least" two springs on each of your Benchmade knives? Since everyone is expressing their opinions, here's mine.

I think at least one of the following is true:
You are doing something incredibly stupid with those knives.
You are buying fake Benchmades.
You are lying exaggerating