Well, IMO Benchmade pretty much ruined the brand.
A big loss to knife community
I hope they have big plans for the future. For the time being, it's a bummer.
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I hope they have big plans for the future. For the time being, it's a bummer.
I have a strong feeling what they wanted was not the brand, otherwise why change it so significantly, but rather access to the designers. I don't know what Paul Poehlmann's contract is, or any of the other designers, but my guess is that it was the easiest way for benchmade to get them.
My other guess is that it eats up a competitor in some of their key models. The longhorn/blackfoot are very comparable to the griptilian and presidio models, and maybe even the rift. But I can't see that being a dominating motive.
I just got into knives a year ago. I missed the lw harseys and now bm gutted this brand. Sucks.
***edit -- I also just noticed something, on the LW webpage, the address is the same as Benchmade's now.
My other guess is that it eats up a competitor in some of their key models. The longhorn/blackfoot are very comparable to the griptilian and presidio models, and maybe even the rift. But I can't see that being a dominating motive.
I just got into knives a year ago. I missed the lw harseys and now bm gutted this brand. Sucks.
***edit -- I also just noticed something, on the LW webpage, the address is the same as Benchmade's now.
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I guess BM wanted LW to complement its model range in the areas, where BM brands do not have established positions yet. So their idea probably was to use LW models to strengthen H&K as tactical brand, and use whatever is left for outdoors... Then they would have the most popular and fastest-developing niches covered...
I believe there is nothing wrong with the idea. Just the execution could be so much better! The way how it is done - they may just waste their whole investment. Instead of repositioning it over some period of time, developing new models and relocating the existing in stages and with proper marketing and technical support, they have done it.... the way how they have done it! That is a shame! If they do not fix the problem really soon, it will cost them dearly!
I believe there is nothing wrong with the idea. Just the execution could be so much better! The way how it is done - they may just waste their whole investment. Instead of repositioning it over some period of time, developing new models and relocating the existing in stages and with proper marketing and technical support, they have done it.... the way how they have done it! That is a shame! If they do not fix the problem really soon, it will cost them dearly!
Giving BM some of the benefit of the doubt, it may just have simply been that LW was not profitable with its former model and BM might have made the decision to change that. I mean for LW to sell when it was profitable meant it was either the owners wanting to monetize their investment or they got paid a ton. If it was the latter, I doubt BM would have gutted the brand so much.
Having said that, I still hate whats happening.
Having said that, I still hate whats happening.
It's a destruction of a once fine brand. Lonewolf started out with overseas production, but it was very high quality and in Italy. Of all the knife companies started up in the last 10 years or so, they seemed to have some of the best new concepts and designs. The fact they could make the Paul lock and make it work consistently was a testimony to both their design and production capabilities. I seriously doubt Benchmade can match them in quality, particularly if they make the Paul line with their production crew.
Anyone know what happens to the current LoneWolfs when they need service, particularly the Paul. Will or can Benchmade provide service? Sometimes the Paul lock gets a little loose and needs an adjustment.
Anyone know what happens to the current LoneWolfs when they need service, particularly the Paul. Will or can Benchmade provide service? Sometimes the Paul lock gets a little loose and needs an adjustment.
I am not a company source, but I read that all LW warranties are now handled by BM.
I'm just glad I have a LW Longhorn coming next week. I've been on the fence over the Longhorn ever since it came out, but never pulled that trigger. Finally saw one in plain edge with the checkered black G-10 on a closeout price and bought it.:thumbup:
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Well, IMO Benchmade pretty much ruined the brand.
A big loss to knife community
agreed. When I heard benchmade bought out LW I had a long discussion with my local knife shop guy about how we both hoped they wouldn't totally mess up the LW line.
The fit and finish on my LW knives are excellent...I am very disappointed in what happened and honestly it has soured me from even buying any more benchmades. they took what was a fantastic brand and more or less through it out.
Have you seen this "new" Benchmade 3800 NTK? It´s the old LW D2 Double Action knife, only with new steel, coated blade and Benchmade logo.
http://www.benchmade.com/products/3800
(( XXXX )) I have no better word to explain what I´m thinking about what Bechmade company is doing.
http://www.benchmade.com/products/3800
(( XXXX )) I have no better word to explain what I´m thinking about what Bechmade company is doing.
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Well, IMO Benchmade pretty much ruined the brand.
A big loss to knife community
I couldn't agree more guys. I'm really disappointed that I didn't know about them sooner and snag more of their knives. I can't seem to get over the disappointment from when I first heard they were bought out
Ok, I got my Lone Wolf Longhorn G10 yesterday... I had T1 Rosewood once, but I sold it. If I knew, that Lone Wolf knives are going to end like this, I would never sell it, damn. It was great little kinfe.
But I´m really impressed with Longhorn. I like its size, fit and finish and great curved blade. What a slicer!
But I´m really impressed with Longhorn. I like its size, fit and finish and great curved blade. What a slicer!
Benchmade has a larger strategic plan in buying those other companies. It is not just to swipe some designs. I agree that benchmade has not been all that forward in innovative designs lately, but it is quite easy to do what they have done in the past with Snody, Ritter, etc. and get some great designs.
BM is not exciting me like they once did, that is for sure. I wish BM had not made the decision to chase the lower end market by using a steel like N680.
I swear that many of the decisions BM has made last must be made by a hermit sales manager and VP of accounting, without talking to customers or designers.
Spyderco on the other hand, their designs and etc clearly have everyone at the decision making table.
BM is not exciting me like they once did, that is for sure. I wish BM had not made the decision to chase the lower end market by using a steel like N680.
I swear that many of the decisions BM has made last must be made by a hermit sales manager and VP of accounting, without talking to customers or designers.
Spyderco on the other hand, their designs and etc clearly have everyone at the decision making table.
If they're not careful, going for the lower end market, sooner or later they'll be competing with these guys, and knives like the one below, and it won't be pretty for BM.
(this little gem set me back all of $15, including postage. Hard to find any fault with it.)
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Well, IMO Benchmade pretty much ruined the brand.
A big loss to knife community
I agree! What a shame!
I bought 4 longhorn g10 and 1 cheyenne g10 just recently. I will probably hit the paul line soon. I am up to 5 longhorns, 3 cheyennes, and 2 blackfoots...