Is This Normal??

[GMox677]

I've recently acquired a few Benchmade knives and have been loving them so far. One of my favorites is my new Valet 485 that I picked up from my local Benchmade dealer. I got to looking at it and I noticed that USA isn't printed underneath the Benchmade butterfly along with the model number. Every Benchmade I've ever handled has had it. I know all Benchmade's are US made (except the discontinued Red Class). I was just wondering if the missing "USA" is normal? Do some older models not have it?I'm pretty certain it's an authentic Benchmade considering where I bought it. I was just curious as to if its normal. Thanks for the help!

 

[b00n]

Well on stock images the 485 Valet still has USA - 485 printed under the Butterfly (Same with the new Fact and Vector), take that for what it's worth. People with actual knives might know more.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

I've recently acquired a few Benchmade knives and have been loving them so far. One of my favorites is my new Valet 485 that I picked up from my local Benchmade dealer. I got to looking at it and I noticed that USA isn't printed underneath the Benchmade butterfly along with the model number. Every Benchmade I've ever handled has had it. I know all Benchmade's are US made (except the discontinued Red Class). I was just wondering if the missing "USA" is normal? Do some older models not have it?I'm pretty certain it's an authentic Benchmade considering where I bought it. I was just curious as to if its normal. Thanks for the help!

Well, I'd hoped I could say mine was the same and set your mind at ease, but...

They do change things over time. Yours could still very well be real, but mine definitely has the USA and model #. Sorry.

 

[GMox677]

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Well, I'd hoped I could say mine was the same and set your mind at ease, but...

They do change things over time. Yours could still very well be real, but mine definitely has the USA and model #. Sorry.

Thanks anyways. I've noticed that a few stock photos I've seen online doesn't have the USA on it but its very few.

Here is a pic.

 

[GMox677]

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Well on stock images the 485 Valet still has USA - 485 printed under the Butterfly (Same with the new Fact and Vector), take that for what it's worth. People with actual knives might know more.

I've also noticed a few stock photos without the USA online.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

Thanks anyways. I've noticed that a few stock photos I've seen online doesn't have the USA on it but its very few.

After doing some looking around I too have seen stock photos with and without the USA and 485. What I haven't seen is a counterfeit on any of the typical sources for such things.

I'm guessing they added them at some point later in production and yours is perfectly legit. If it functions well I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[GMox677]

After doing some looking around I too have seen stock photos with and without the USA and 485. What I haven't seen is a counterfeit on any of the typical sources for such things.

I'm guessing they added them at some point later in production and yours is perfectly legit. If it functions well I wouldn't worry about it.

Thank you. I just thought id get a second opinion from the knife community.

 

[Kyle78]

They no longer print "usa" if the steel is not from an American foundry. M390 is European.

 

[GMox677]

They no longer print "usa" if the steel is not from an American foundry. M390 is European.

That makes sense. My Valet was one of the first ones made in 2018 so they must have changed at the beginning of the new year. Thank you.