Knife criteria and a discriminating merchant

[Belly]

Here is my problem:

I am very picky about my knives, and I require some simple specifications for a new knife.

1. The blade must be centered when closed.
2. There must be zero blade play in any direction when open. It must have a rock solid lock up. No forward/backward play in the lock. No side to side play.
3. The scales must be lined up almost perfectly with the liners of the handle.
4. The edge of the blade must be shaving sharp and the grind must be even.

In the past, I attempted to order knives over the Internet, and I had many problems. 8 out of 10 knives ordered did not meet the above criteria. I was constantly sending knives back to either the site or the manufacturer. I eventually gave up. I then would pay extra because I would buy them from brick and mortar stores. This way, I could inspect them before I purchased them. I often had to go through a few until I found one that fit my criteria. I was a big fan of Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, and Microtech. Microtech almost always fit my criteria, but the others had spotty quality.

After a 2 year hiatus from buying knives, I have run across the plain edge D2 Axis AFCK by Benchmade. I want this knife, but I do not want to pay the extra $50-$75 that the average mall store charges. I would like to get it from an Internet dealer.

Can anyone recommend a dealer that will personally go over the knife and make sure that it fits my above criteria 100%? I need someone who will take a few moments to check out the knife for me.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Belly

 

[Steve Chism]

THE knife for you is a Sebenza. It fits all of those criteria and then some. There is no worry about the scales lining up because it has none. I think you will be happy with a Sebenza. For lower prices try Emersons.

Regards,
Steve

 

[rev_jch]

Ive bought several axis locks, and have never had any blade play of any sort in any of them!!

 

[Deadhead Archer]

Belly,

I've purchased a lot of goods over the internet (not just knives). When you buy online you are receiving products from major distributors who buy in bulk and can undersell mall stores.

What this does is give you buying power as you can use internet prices to potentially drive down local prices. If you go to an authorized BM dealer chances are they will match your Internet price or give you a good offer.

As far as online vendors go, I don't know of any vendor that wouldn't allow you to "check out" the product as you specified in your post...if the product doesn't meet your expectations you can always return it for a refund. If you open the box and it's a defect, send it back. Once you sharpen it or modify it or wear it, though, it becomes yours. Besides, if something happens to the knife once it becomes "yours" then its covered by your BM warranty and not the vendor you purchased it from.

It just so happens that I am currently shopping for the EXACT SAME KNIFE (BM806D2, small world, huh?) and am going to see what I can do about getting a reduced price from a local BM dealer-after having received quotes from several differnet online vendors.

With the internet you can always get the same product from the next guy. Besides, with a BM you are dealing with a production blade of which a small minority would exhibit defects-about as likely as the odds of finding defective blades at the mall. Replacing a new production knife is pretty much a non-issue. Now as to purchasing a CUSTOM blade...

 

[Architect]

Based on my personal experience, the two vendors that have taken any time to check this sort of thing out would be:

Roger @ www.knifeworks.com

The boys at www.tadgear.com

Remember, their eye is not your eye. Also, like anyplace else, the more stuff you buy from them, the greater attention you will receive.

 

[Stolle]

The problem is due to what Deadhead alluded to: Those good prices you are getting from internet retailers are due to the fact that they don't have the overhead of a shop for you to walk in to. They also don't have to pay someone to stand there and hand you knives to inspect.

You have to trade quality of service for price. The average mall store is asking $50-$75 more for a knife as a premium for the service they are providing you that an internet retailer cannot. Nothing is free, not even the ability to fondle knives.

If you truly value being able to hand select a knife then to go the mall store and put your money where your taste is.

 

[A. G. Russell]

Great answers,

Move to North West Arkansas and you can come into our store and check out as many knives aas you like. We are not the cheapest, just the best.

I am joking about moveing, of course, There should be many B&M store in your area, all you have to do is give up your dream of having everything and not paying for it. Great service cost money to provide grit your teeth and go for it.

good luck A. G.