New Products for 2013

I would like to have in my collection of large knives, Benchmade model 171 chopper
it will ever produce? how can I have one?
 
jkulysses said:
I'm not usually a huge fan of Benchmade designs but I would love to hold this knife in hand because it looks amazing! What model is this and what is the price range?
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BM 300SN

I'm on the other side. Didn't pay attention or really care for it at first glance but after I got to see it in person, hold and open the knife a couple of times, it grew on me a lot.
I still wish the scales were slimmed down a little, however, the bulky size allows for a relatively nice grip. I know people also complain about the weak detent resulting in a weak flipper mechanism, but it pivot action is so smooth that I could care less. Trying out my buddy's kershaw skyline, his also has a very weak detent which results in partial opening without a wrist flick.
 
4" blade, 5" handle - frame lock folder. Possible choil for choking up for fine cuts / detail work. Titanium scales, titanium/G10 combo - either works.

Return of the Rukus, Skirmish or equivalent.

Love the Contego - hits a lot of sweet spots for me. It seems to be a popular model.
 
Benchmade has the 940 beefed up into the Contego, I'd love to see that happen to the 941, great pointy blade on that, seems like an easy update using the Contego framework
G2
 
Benchmade said:
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So what do you guys think of our new products for 2013 so far? What is your favorite? What are we missing?
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Haven't had a chance to handle any of them yet, but I'd have to say just from eyeballing them that the 300 and the Volli are the two most interesting to me. I'll be able to handle them a little later when the B&M I use for that gets them in.

I would really like to see a return of the 720 (G10 or micarta instead of aluminium) with an original clip or Bowie style blade. That was a perfect EDC size for me and I think an outstanding competitor to the wildly popular Para 2. I've had both of them and they seem very similar in size and weight. The AXIS lock gives the 720 an advantage over the compression lock for the left-handers that don't adjust well to the comp lock.
 
For me, the Bushcrafter looks like a solid performer, and the THawk looks pretty cool.
 
I'd like a 940 in a handle other than green/purple.

Stick the 940 blade in the 943 handle and it would be a top seller...
 
The new releases for 2013 don't do anything for me. I agree that none of the new models are going to become core anchor models that define Benchmade like the griptilian, etc.... I think you are missing out on a nice niche market for a production higher end griptilian line with premium blade steel (New 62-64RC heat treat M4 without the black coating, M390) and top notch handle material like G10 (toxic green!), Carbon Fiber, Micarta (ivory would be wicked!) and Titanium.

Also, when are you going to bring back the Bradley Alias 1 and 2? These were excellent models and would fill a void in your current lineup.

Another area would be a nice sub 3" blade, full flat grind no thicker than 2mm, knife designed for those of us in an office environment, very thin in the grips, deep pocket carry clip that wasn't bulky like the spyderco wire clip, polished G10 handle.
 
Benchmade said:
2ywwkfa.jpg


So what do you guys think of our new products for 2013 so far? What is your favorite? What are we missing?
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Benchmade,

Thank you for soliciting feedback and making this subforum. Overall, Benchmade is my favorite production knife company and makes the best knives in the $125-$200 price range. I am providing this feedback because I value your products and want your to succeed. The new folders offered this year are completely unappealing for several reasons.

Your new lineup is devoid of innovative manual action folders. Instead, you chose to ride the flipper trend (BM300) and push assisted-opening folders that have either been released (Emissary/Triage), fall within a specialty niche (Triage), mimic previous designs (Volli), or attempt to capitalize on "sleeper" success in 2013 (Emissary). These knives are unappealing due to the assist opening mechanism, which axis locks do not benefit from, and various design aspects.

Your manual action folders are the best in the market: 551, 710, 810, 275, and 940 to name a few. These are the bread and butter of your company, and your develop resources should go into perfecting new models that build upon their successful designs. I suggest responding to common criticism against each knife (i.e.-551 is too fat, the blade shape should be more like the Ritter model, and the plastic handles feel cheap) in an innovative way, along with weaving in new develop ideas, to create next-generation manual action folders.

The only knife that is mildly appealing to me is the Bushcrafter, but I am puzzled over the use of S30V steel for a knife type that generally uses carbon steels. As for the other selections, Balis do not appeal to most consumers for a number of reasons associated with their exotic deployment. A "breaching" hatchet is not something most people need.

Instead, most people want and need your manual action axis folders. Develop those. Make them lighter, stronger, and better slicers. Offer more blade grinds (FFG please). Focus on developing knives that fill the "larger" EDC role and carry like much smaller knives (940 and 710 are great examples). Do not follow trends--ignore the excessive jimping craze, flippers, pant-ripping g-10, etc. Set your own trends: high end steels, textured and colored G10, axis lock perfection, competitive pricing, etc.

And keep kicking (expletive) this year.
 
I really only like the Bushcrafter 162 out of the new line, but that's okay there are still plenty in the existing line I need to obtain. I would also LOVE to see a return of the Skirmish. PLEASE!!!
 
I am wearing my 581 right now. I like the Adamas. Love my 950 in M4, but not in 154(chips too often).

The design of the 300 is good, but 154 chips out on me too much so I probably won't buy it.

What I want is a few blades in the black class in M4, M390 or Elmax, AXIS lock and a blade design with belly or at least more width. Think ZT03xx blade design.

I have the 755 but it's too small (add a bit of swedge or drop and scale up to 3"+), make that an AXIS lock with a 3.5" - 4" blade in M390, M4, 3V or Elmax and I will probably buy 3, plus a couple more as gifts. Not 154 or D2 please.
 
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Just picked up the Hk Scorch 14925SBK. I am very pleased with the "snap" on this one. Great Job,
 
I would like to see a solid Ti balisong - I bought the 63, and it is very nice, but a Ti would be awesome.

best

mqqn
 
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