Most Over-Rated (or Over-priced) Brand??????

A

akula57

Joined
Jul 24, 1999
Messages
198
I'm sure to make enemies but I have to go
with Microtech, but ONLY because of the price (otherwise they're great). I love my CFO but many of the limited production items just cost too much. I can call a great custom maker (Ralph, Stout, Smith, etc...) and get what I want exactly like I want it -I wouldn't trade my mother of pearl Krait for any Microtech - and not just because my Krait is left handed.

Cheers!!!!!!
 
The hands down winner, in my book (IMHO) has to be Benchmade. Their materials are on par with companies charging 1/3 less. Their fit, finish and overall QC lack consistency and leave much to be desired compared to more value priced competitors and worst of all, their "warranty" department is like another income producing division compared to other companies.

Compare Buck's, "we don't ask questions - we fix knives for free and keep customers happy policy" with Benchmade's, "you took your knife apart and we need 60-80% of the original purchase price to fix your knife" policy.

Benchmade is in the business of making money, they just happen to do it making knives. I prefer companies who make knives and do so for a profit. Different attitude - different values.

BTW, how about the 750/Sebenza rip-off? I can see most people not knowing better, but how can us knifeknuts sit by and accept that business practice???

[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 07-22-2000).]
 
benchmade and microtech are dirt cheap compared to the outragious prices of mad dog knives and mission knives.

You can buy a gun for the price of mad dog knives and mission knives.
 
What?!? Benchmade's products are overpriced? Lets see, take the good ole AFCK for example. Its available almost everywhere new for about 90-100 dollars. Now, according to you, you can find a knife made in the U.S.A with an Ats-34 blade, ti-liners, and G-10 for $50?

I don't think so
mad.gif



[This message has been edited by David2584 (edited 07-22-2000).]
 
David 2584 Double Post:

Buck Oddessey, many Spyderco's.

ATS34 and G-10 pale by comparison to the shoddy (IMO) QC of the linerlock.

Compare fit, finish and QC along with materials.

A well fitted and well constructed door of pine exceeds a piss poor attempt to slap together something of oak!

Let's not forget Customer Service AFTER the sale!!

[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 07-22-2000).]
 
Puma's used to be one that I always thought were over priced, nice knives but pricy, haven't seen many lately, talking around the the mid 70's when I was in the US Navy, they were about the highest production knife available at the time....

G2

------------------
"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...

G2 LeatherWorks
 
Nimrod:

Ok sure, the Odyssey maybe be cheaper, but do you really see anyone actually buy that knife? Does that add up to something? If Benchmade's knives were such a rip-off, then why is it the #1 selling brand?

Sure, I agree that Spyderco knives are very good knives no doubt, but you were comparing the prices of the materials BM uses. Keep in mind BM uses mainly G-10, ats-34 and ti-liners or an axis lock.

Now, comparing these materials to Spyderco, these are the following models that have similar materials.

Military-$150
Wenger-$140
Starmate-$150

and

Afck-$130

According to you, Benchmades charges 1/3 more than Spyderco. Now which models were you talking about?
 
Ok, let's look at it onjectively here. Benchmade are not even close to being the first that made a folder with a frame- or integral-lock seemingly inspired by Chris Reeve's work.
Almost all of these companies claim that their version of this lock is their own invention and soforth.
Next, let's take a closer look at what Spyderco offers with most of their liner-locks. Their liners are mostly just steel inserts in the G10 handles. Socalled partial liners, which I honestly don't trust to hold up under heavy use. And I am apparently not the only one around that know about problems with knives like the Starmate and Military developing blade play.
Yet they sell for close to the same prices as the Benchmade models, that use full liners of Ti. Hmm, let me think about that one for a second...
I have been lucky with my Benchmade purchases. I have never had a blade chip out or break on me. I have never seen for myself the problems that Benchmade have with their QC. I know they exist obviously, but it has never been a problem for me. So for now, I am sticking to Benchmade for my folders. Mission knives have a reason for being expensive. The materials are of extremely high quality and they are designed for a rather specific purpose. Mad Dog...Sheesh, I don't even wanna go there, except to say that they have nada reason for their pricing which is just plain ridiculous in my opinion.
( Donning flame-proof suit)
Now, let's take a look at the Emerson manufactured version of the CQC7. I'm not sure, but I think it's around the same price as the Benchmade one, yet it's made from, in my opinion, inferior materials. Namely the liners, which are noticeably thinner than the Benchmade liners. Noticeable in my hands anyways. The Benchmade version just seems more solid.
And yes, before you jump down my throat and call me a Benchmade groupie, yes, I do like Benchmade's products alot. So sue me
smile.gif

Most overpriced/over-rated brand??? Mad Dog...No doubt in my mind.

------------------
Regards
Joshua "Kage" Calvert

"Move like Water, strike like Thunder..."
 
I'm a huge Benchmade fan. I own two CQC-7's, one is a daily user, the other has only been removed from the box long enough for me to look at it. My daily carry one is almost 4 years old, and has been to hell & back, and not even a hint of ANY failure. I used to think BM was way overpriced, until I looked at a few Microtech's, Spyderco's, and some other "custom" brands.
For my money, Benchmade is the way to go, and I have NEVER had a problem with it....until I tried to get the blade replaced, which is severely trashed due to a friends bad sharpening job, and BM has no blades. After a week of phone tag with BM's warranty department, and their request for me to send them my knife, I spent 13 bucks for shipping both ways, and got nothing.That is my only complaint with them.They didn't even offer to resharpen it for me.
frown.gif





[This message has been edited by CODE 3 (edited 07-22-2000).]
 
Not impressed by Benchmade's QC. I think their heat treat is one of the worst out there. Of course, this is an "invisible" aspect of quality, not evident till one tries to sharpen one of their knives (or chips out an edge, or breaks off the tip...) But over-priced? I don't think particularly. Sure, you can get Spyderco knives cheaper, and I think they have better blades and better QC, and better overall designs, but those cheaper models are usually FRN handled, not G-10. This makes a pretty big difference in price. IMO, the most overpriced brand is Boker. A.G. Russell just had Boker folders, with 420J2 blade, plastic handle with Kraton insert, for 70 bucks. That's over-priced.
 
David: Benchmades and Spyderco sell for about the same price, apples to apples on the material list. Just so you know, the 2000 retail catalogue from BM lists the Model 800 AFCK for $135 combo edge and $145 BT2 coated. Anyway, at the same price I feel as though the fit, finish, quality and CS falls short at BM when you consider their pricing.

My post said that BM charges 1/3 more than "companies" (not Spyderco). I think the reason the Oddesey doesn't sell as good as it should is because people have this notion that Buck makes "discount knives" for entry and low-end purchasers. Perhaps this is somewhat due to their distribution and retail exposure, though my experiences with their products has been very positive over the years.

Consumers have notions about who makes "premium knives" and who does not. The guy who want a "premium folder" and is mentally prepared to drop $100 for it will discount (no pun) a $50 or $60 knife - even if it is just as good, has good QC and super CS because he has already decided to spend $100.

When you buy a product like a knife, I feel as though you are paying for the product itself AND a relationship with the company; I determine "value" (overpricedness) accordingly. Betcha few CRK owners consider their products overpriced; not when you consider materials, fit, finish, overall quality AND Chris Reeve and his company always there.
 
While Chris Reeves' knives aren't over-rated, they are over priced. And yes, I do have my flame retardant underwear on. I dont believe that Benchmade or Spyderco are over priced.

------------------
Dennis Bible
 
I agree with Shootist.Chris Reeves knives are waaaaaaaay overpriced.
tongue.gif

IMHO

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have a"knife"day
 
Without any question:

Franklin Mint

Of course, it could be argued that these fine pieces of metal (??) do not meet the knife knut dictionary definition of 'knife', but plenty of stoopid people shell out good money for these Exquisite examples of tactical marketing.

Paracelsus
 
Anybody paying $135-145.00 for an AFCK needs to shop around big time.

Regardless of QC problems, 99% of which will be repaired or warrant replacement by the company for the cost of shipping one-way (not sure where the cost of parts stuff came from above), the BM710 Axis lock is unparalled IM and others' HO's by knives costing considerably more. Liner locks wear out, and if the model's been discontinued, you're in bad shape. Axis locks do not wear out. Even if the models' been discontinued, chances are pretty good that BM's gonna have some extra omega springs around if one breaks.

Nobody in their right minds buys anything at retail if they can help it, so I'd have to say Benchmade offers an uncommon bang for the buck, especially with the Axis series.

Professor.
 
CR Sebenza.......I own one and its not worth what I paid for it ,worth around $150.
GREY TURD
Would I rather own a 750 over it?
YES


------------------
Jay
Life is like a box of chocolates,never know what your gona git!
 
Very interesting. Have to agree with the Franklin Mint :-)

[This message has been edited by akula57 (edited 07-23-2000).]
 
I have three Benchmades. The last was a dud.
The bigger the company gets the more bad apples get through. No, I don't think BM warrants the title. Not Spyderco either, but they are milking us.
Chris Reeve is still a relatively small company so you have to pay for it. The difference in price/function is like Simmons bino's and Leica binoculars.

Franklin Mint is one of my top hates too.

How about todays issue Military Bayonets? We all pay for them through tax, they cost the earth and they are crap.
 
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