My experience of Benchmade quality control

Well, if you say, this thread has more than three pages, than you should count all those responses, where ppl. are saying, they have had NO ISSUES (with my answer now, it includes 6 pages, one page more, with no more issue).

Would you do this for me and tell me, how many do have problems with BM?

In general i am with you. But not in the conclusion considering the actual situation of BMs qc.
 
Cognitive dissonance
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Cognitive dissonance is an uncomfortable feeling caused by holding conflicting ideas simultaneously. The theory of cognitive dissonance proposes that people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance. They do this by changing their attitudes, beliefs, and actions.[2] Dissonance is also reduced by justifying, blaming, and denying. It is one of the most influential and extensively studied theories in social psychology.

Experience can clash with expectations, as, for example, with buyer's remorse following the purchase of an expensive item. In a state of dissonance, people may feel surprise,[2] dread, guilt, anger, or embarrassment. People are biased to think of their choices as correct, despite any contrary evidence. This bias gives dissonance theory its predictive power, shedding light on otherwise puzzling irrational and destructive behavior.

A classical example of this idea (and the origin of the expression "sour grapes") is expressed in the fable The Fox and the Grapes by Aesop (ca. 620–564 BCE). In the story, a fox sees some high-hanging grapes and wishes to eat them. When the fox is unable to think of a way to reach them, he surmises that the grapes are probably not worth eating, as they must not be ripe or that they are sour. This example follows a pattern: one desires something, finds it unattainable, and reduces one's dissonance by criticizing it. Jon Elster calls this pattern "adaptive preference formation."

I wonder just how much cognitive dissonance effect we are seeing among the Benchmade detractors? Perhaps my experience with Benchmade is a fluke, but I see no more or no less QC problems with Benchmade, as compared with any other major player in the industry.
 
A.P.F. said:
I wonder just how much cognitive dissonance effect we are seeing among the Benchmade detractors? Perhaps my experience with Benchmade is a fluke, but I see no more or no less QC problems with Benchmade, as compared with any other major player in the industry.
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I agree, quality control and customer service in ALL industries have suffered. I believe, in my own mind, its because of the economy. Less workers means the same job has to get down with fewer people, taxing everyone more.

Could be that or maybe its all in my head... Damn you A.P.F.!

That is an interesting perspective on buyer's remorse and unobtainable items. Now I'm going to over self diagnose myself every time I buy something and I don't like it.

Watch out, you'll go crazy trying to figure out if you are or not :)
 
I've long had good experiences with Benchmade. Between my friends and I, we've probably gone through 15+, ranging from something as cheap as an Ambush to as expensive as 41MC, Morpho or 960. Our experiences have always been quite good. I did have a small problem that was corrected by warranty service once.

But my new Shoki 480-1 is a disaster...the blade is so off centered it's like 0.1 mm from the liner and it has slightly but noticeable vertical play.

I'll see how they treat me when I send it in for service tomorrow.
 
DanBo82 said:
I agree, quality control and customer service in ALL industries have suffered. I believe, in my own mind, its because of the economy. Less workers means the same job has to get down with fewer people, taxing everyone more.

Could be that or maybe its all in my head... Damn you A.P.F.!

That is an interesting perspective on buyer's remorse and unobtainable items. Now I'm going to over self diagnose myself every time I buy something and I don't like it.

Watch out, you'll go crazy trying to figure out if you are or not :)
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Sorry about the cognitive copulation there DanBo. ;)
 
Here's my perspective, though my representative sample can't be construed to be a QC issue with BM, though it is perplexing:

Spyderco-approx. 30+ models owned: I've only had issues with one model, which was (I think, it was a long time ago) a second generation Endura had a lock problem.

Kershaw-approx. 20 models owned: No issues, spanning from the first Onion designed Random Tasks to the current models. Include ZT (6 models owned), though, and I've sent back two 0300's for lock problems.

Benchmade-about 20 models owned: I've sent in or returned to dealers 7 total: 2 original Strykers for bad sharpening, auto Presidio for bad Axis lock, Nitrous Stryker, closed chipped blade on rear standoffs, 970 for stripped clip screws (although this was a common issue on early G10 handled knives because the G10 would strip, as no inserts for the screws were used), a Subrosa for bad lockup. Current one was a 585 Barrage, and it has a blade that only has one edge bevel; almost looks like a chisel grind, and should not have left the factory this way. I'm sending it back, and will wait until BM gets things under control.

Based upon my personal experience, BM has a higher incident of questionable models leaving the factory.
 
I bought my mini bone collector from bass pro. Last one they had. It was off the display. It wasn't sharp. I assumed they intentionally dulled them so people wouldn't get cut testing the blade. I don't know. I would assume that the same knife from a dealer would come very sharp. I asked the guy if they dulled them down and he said no. I really think they do for customer safety. But anyhow I bought the knife and sharpened it. It's nice now. Very nice. What the status on the edge sharpness from benchmade now. Are they not providing that "razor sharp" edge anymore. If so thats a shame. Freaking laywers...
 
I have knives from Kershaw, Buck, Spyderco, Chris Reeve, William Henry and Benchmade and many other companies. I have had very little problems with most of these companies. My first Benchmade was from the late eighties or maybe ninety as time slips quickly. I like Benchmade and have recently bought a Bone Collector small folder and a 746 Mini Onslought on it's way.But the last couple of years I have seen some problems with Benchmade with dull edges and much too thick and blades off centered. The Bone Collector is off center but not enough to send back and I had the dealer check the 746. When I pay a 100 dollars or more for a knife I do not want this kind of problems. And I expect a new knife to be SHARP not DULL! A new knife that is dull is like a new car with flat tires.All my Kershaw and Spydercos have come very sharp. BTW, Kershaw is making a helluva a knife for a very cheap price!

RKH
 
My 941 was razor sharp. Who knows. Maybe a production money thing. Really sad. Pretty much pathetic. Sharp from the factory is what WE expect.


Three years ago for the 941..
 
Calcutta 250 I have had 3 or 4 940s and love this model. All came very sharp except the last one I bought about a year ago. It had to be sharpened in order to cut well. I think Benchmade has not been putting that real sharp edge for the last couple of years. I do like Benchmade but they have got to get better on sharpening and blade centering. I do think the Axis lock is the best lock on the market.

RKH
 
iandh said:
I definitely appreciate Kershaws more than Benchmades at the moment... and it has nothing to do with price, intended market, or image. Only with the knives themselves.

I am constantly amazed with what Kershaw is able to offer in a USA made knife for the price... they are EXACTLY what the USA is all about IMO. I wish there were more companies like them around TBH. I understand that they aren't the end-all be-all, but it sure as hell is nice to carry a satisfyingly high quality knife in your pocket without worrying about losing a fortune just taking it out to open an envelope.

The things that made me love Benchmade in the past seem to be destabilizing, even though I think they are overall still there.

Spyderco was my first love in high end knives at least a good 15 years ago, and they still don't dissapoint to this day... now that's one hell of a knife company. You could call Kershaw my most recent fling, which is quickly turning into an affair. Benchmade is like my hot ex wife who turned out to be cheating on me.
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I will save this quote!!! Excellent! :thumbup::D
 
RKH said:
I have knives from Kershaw, Buck, Spyderco, Chris Reeve, William Henry and Benchmade and many other companies. I have had very little problems with most of these companies. My first Benchmade was from the late eighties or maybe ninety as time slips quickly. I like Benchmade and have recently bought a Bone Collector small folder and a 746 Mini Onslought on it's way.But the last couple of years I have seen some problems with Benchmade with dull edges and much too thick and blades off centered. The Bone Collector is off center but not enough to send back and I had the dealer check the 746. When I pay a 100 dollars or more for a knife I do not want this kind of problems. And I expect a new knife to be SHARP not DULL! A new knife that is dull is like a new car with flat tires.All my Kershaw and Spydercos have come very sharp. BTW, Kershaw is making a helluva a knife for a very cheap price!
RKH
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This is very true and all the other players should sit up and take notice.

RKH said:
Calcutta 250 I have had 3 or 4 940s and love this model. All came very sharp except the last one I bought about a year ago. It had to be sharpened in order to cut well. I think Benchmade has not been putting that real sharp edge for the last couple of years. I do like Benchmade but they have got to get better on sharpening and blade centering. I do think the Axis lock is the best lock on the market.
RKH
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I agree completely. The Axis Lock is the primary reason that I buy Benchmade.
 
RKH said:
Calcutta 250 I have had 3 or 4 940s and love this model. All came very sharp except the last one I bought about a year ago. It had to be sharpened in order to cut well. I think Benchmade has not been putting that real sharp edge for the last couple of years. I do like Benchmade but they have got to get better on sharpening and blade centering. I do think the Axis lock is the best lock on the market.

RKH
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I sent them an email.
 
RKH said:
I do like Benchmade but they have got to get better on sharpening and blade centering. I do think the Axis lock is the best lock on the market.

RKH
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In two sentences you have nailed the weaknesses and strengths of Benchmade.:thumbup:
 
Thanks gentlemen for the kind remarks. And yes the Axis lock is what brings me back to Benchmade, too. I am thinking of getting the Emissary when available.

RKH
 
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