New Griptillian's in Build It Program

ChazzyP said:
I had that price wrong--must have had 154CM selected. I got it right with the M4 I wanted and it came to $215. I figured oh what the heck, put it in my cart and went to checkout. BM adds in $11.25 tax and their cheapest shipping is 15 bucks, bringing the cost in at over $240--about what I paid for my KSF CF Stryker.

Does seem like a lot for a Grip--albeit a really sweet one. I emptied the cart and will mull it over.
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Thanks for that info. I couldn't recreate your price and thought I was doing something wrong.

Also $15 for shipping seems like nickel & diming.
 
Not intending to thread hijack, but what are people's thoughts on Benchmade's star grading system for the different blade metals in the custom builder?

Is S30V really twice as tough as 20CV (1.5 stars vs 3 stars)?
 
I was wondering the same thing.
Everything it seems I've heard certainly doesn't support that. I'd like to hear some of our steel gurus chime in on that.
Also I wonder why you can't get 20cv in tanto?
 
alinla said:
Thanks for that info. I couldn't recreate your price and thought I was doing something wrong.

Also $15 for shipping seems like nickel & diming.
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Yeah you can add 26.50 to whatever your total is. That's a bummer.
 
I had completely overlooked the shipping and tax. An M4 + G10 Griptilian would end up costing more than the KSF Stryker and that means that I'll just pass on this one.
 
So why would Benchmade offer it's 'Build It' option? Profit as I see it. But overpricing has it's issues when a bargain becomes less than a bargain. I built my custom Grip a few different ways and came to the conclusion that I'd rather buy a 908, and Did wind up buying a 531-1501. Both already came out to be the better deal, and I put a few bucks back in my pocket in the process.
 
Building a Grip with G-10 handles and CPM-20CV actually comes out to $5 cheaper on Benchmade's website. But, Benchmade isn't in the business to compete with their dealers, hence the reason why you end up paying full MSRP.

The shipping price definitely seems a bit much, especially when a small flat rate box can be sent for just under $7.
 
jazub said:
Shipping should be $0. I don't like charges like that.
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I'm disgusted with Benchmade at this point. I already thought they were gouging people with the build it program and the fact that they have to stick their dirty paws back into your wallet for shipping is awful. Every place I do business with ships for free, especially when you get up over the $100 mark. I was already starting to think Benchmade was getting greedy, now with seeing this I think I'll take a break with buying any of their products until they get their stuff together and stop gouging. Too bad because I just cancelled my 765 order because of this. Looks like CRK will get the money instead.
 
StuntDouble said:
...Benchmade isn't in the business to compete with their dealers….The shipping price definitely seems a bit much, especially when a small flat rate box can be sent for just under $7.
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StuntDouble's point about BM not competing with their dealers is well-taken and had occurred to me as well. So far the add-ons are the deal-breaker for me. Benchmade charges sales tax where online dealers do not for out-of-state sales and the shipping charge is just killer.

I recently sent a knife into BM for warranty work and they recommended using UPS or Fedex over USPS. Accordingly, I sent it cross-country by UPS ground and it cost twice as much as a Small Priority Flat-Rate box and took three times as long to get there. I'm assuming they send their knives out the same way. Are they nervous about the USPS and knives? Flat-rate boxes fly back and forth cross-county out of the Exchange here with seemingly no problem and 7 bucks seems a cost that could be absorbed when charging full retail for a knife.

As to the tax, perhaps it has something to do being a manufacturer and the difference between wholesale and retail sales for them. Dunno.

It's interesting that the OP started this thread to see if anyone had bought a BM build-your-own and asked for pics. Don't think there's been an answer to the affirmative so far.
 
ChazzyP said:
StuntDouble's point about BM not competing with their dealers is well-taken and had occurred to me as well. So far the add-ons are the deal-breaker for me. Benchmade charges sales tax where online dealers do not for out-of-state sales and the shipping charge is just killer.

I recently sent a knife into BM for warranty work and they recommended using UPS or Fedex over USPS. Accordingly, I sent it cross-country by UPS ground and it cost twice as much as a Small Priority Flat-Rate box and took three times as long to get there. I'm assuming they send their knives out the same way. Are they nervous about the USPS and knives? Flat-rate boxes fly back and forth cross-county out of the Exchange here with seemingly no problem and 7 bucks seems a cost that could be absorbed when charging full retail for a knife.

As to the tax, perhaps it has something to do being a manufacturer and the difference between wholesale and retail sales for them. Dunno.

It's interesting that the OP started this thread to see if anyone had bought a BM build-your-own and asked for pics. Don't think there's been an answer to the affirmative so far.
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I know that when I purchase from Amazon now, I get charged a sales tax. But, I don't know if that's something they do across the board, or just because they have facilities located in my state. I haven't purchased direct from any other manufacturers yet, so I don't know if that's the norm now.

As for the shipping cost, that's really the only thing that bugs me. I don't mind paying MSRP for a customized knife straight from the manufacturer. But that shipping..The only thing I can think of, is that they are using their own materials, as well as providing insurance for the item being mailed out.

I wish I had a custom Grip to show. I go on there at least once a day to build one out, but I just don't have the funds to pull the trigger on one yet.
 
ChazzyP said:
It's interesting that the OP started this thread to see if anyone had bought a BM build-your-own and asked for pics. Don't think there's been an answer to the affirmative so far.
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I have bought a benchmade from the build it program before. It was 2014. I was just curious to see if anyone bought a new mini griptilian in the new g10 or new blade types.
 
Smooth_Operater said:
I have bought a benchmade from the build it program before. It was 2014. I was just curious to see if anyone bought a new mini griptilian in the new g10 or new blade types.
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I've got a mini with a 20cv sheepsfoot and black hardware on the way but no g10. Gonna get custom scales. I guess I'll have a custom custom mini grip.
 
I've been eyeing the custom grips too. Can anyone tell me if the G10 scales and the 20cv/M4 steel are here to stay or are the going to just be a limited run?
 
556hunter said:
I've been eyeing the custom grips too. Can anyone tell me if the G10 scales and the 20cv/M4 steel are here to stay or are the going to just be a limited run?
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Got an email from Benchmade announcing the new options in the custom builder.

"THE NEXT LEVEL OF CUSTOM KNIFE HAS ARRIVED!
Now offering G10 handles and 20CV and M4 premium steels"

Doesn't sound like a limited run from the wording.
 
jkarp_53 said:
So why would Benchmade offer it's 'Build It' option? Profit as I see it. But overpricing has it's issues when a bargain becomes less than a bargain. I built my custom Grip a few different ways and came to the conclusion that I'd rather buy a 908, and Did wind up buying a 531-1501. Both already came out to be the better deal, and I put a few bucks back in my pocket in the process.
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After vacillating both privately and publicly here on this thread, I'm gonna end up like Joe and pass on the "Build It" option. I too kept assembling the Grip I wanted on the BM site, but came to decide it just wasn't worth the $240+ price tag. I'd like to have a sheepsfoot Grip, but think I'll just wait for something good to pop up here and settle for the 154CM over a higher grade steel and add some aftermarket scales. I've already got the 908-1501 that Joe mentioned and his reference to the 531-1501 led me to find one here BNIB for a nice price and I'll keep the rest of the $ difference in my pocket for now.
 
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