Opinions of Benchmade

Stick to your computer as long as possible if you can. I would use a computer if I had the choice but we are moving and the Internet is down. It's awesome if your bored around town and want to talk about blades though.

Sorry about going off topic. Continue the fighting now!
 
BM's are great knives. Expensive and considering price point some Spydies with significantly lower price have better finish in my experience. My current fave is BM 930 Kulgera which is with Spyderco Sage 1 "one to keep" but 930 wasn't without "problem" The bevel is lightly uneven when compeared sides and the bevel looks like its been grounded by a chainsaw. It took bit time to make it actually look like $200 knife when smmoothing down bevels... (its $250 with VAT in here) so... but it performs really well, feels good, has good balde profile and xcellent lock. Action is also butter smooth.

However, Benchmades prices are expensive because they're 100% made USA knives. That always adds price when knife is made in a Western Country that has higher cost for everything.
 
The earlier Benchmade knives were great in the fit and finish dept - my first BM folder was around 1996 (still have it) and it's a great knife. They seemed to fall into a period where fit and finish were not so good. I think they are making strides to get better.

Their designs used to excite me - but the last few years have left me yawning.

I will still buy Benchmade - but I'm not as much of a fanboy as I used to be.
 
Patryn said:
I have carried a number of different benchmades and have yet to have an issue with them. I have an early production run Ritter Grip that I carry and use, and a 710HS that I carried and used pretty damned hard.
The 710 saw daily pocket time, and usually daily use, in my warehouse job for over 4 years. It's sat in my toolbox (dust, grime, wood chips, etc) and has yet to ever give me a single problem.
I have an early production 770 that I carry much more than I use. It's my 'evening' knife. I tend to sit there and flick it open and shut almost unconsciously, so it has been cycled thousands of times over the years.
I carried an 835HS for a few years. No, it's not an Axis lock, and the handles are Zytel if I remember corrrectly. The blade stood up to a crapload of punishment though. I never had a major issue keeping an edge on it unless I hit something like a hidden staple.

Mind you, these are all knives from a few years back. I haven't carried or used any of their more recent models, and I have heard of some issues more recently. The one thing that hasn't changed is their Customer Service. If something does need to be fixed they are top notch in trying to make it right. Some people will never be pleased no matter how much is done for them, but for those without a personal grudge, they'll fix us up every time. If one of my springs does eventually break, it won't stop me from carrying, using, and trusting that knife once it's been fixed after the years of trouble free service it's given me.

Just my 2¢ of course.
Click to expand...

Dude, I have read that comic that your avatar comes from. It's a pretty brutal and awesome.That is all...
 
Overall, I'm very happy with my benchmades, I have a 551, 527, and 556, and I have had two more 556's, one in D2, and a 940, which I sold, regret now, and plan on buying another. The only issue I've found is the factory edges are usually VERY obtuse, and it takes time to re-profile them to where I want (usually about 30 degrees inclusive). I've had no issues with the axis lock or edge retention. When I got my 527, the action was very gritty and there was the tiniest hint of up and down play, too much for an axis lock but about the same as a typical lockback. I sent it in and in a week it came back better than new, with a spare parkerized clip and screw set and absolutely no issues. I'll continue to buy Benchmades, I think the issue is not that Benchmades are a bad value for the money, but that Kershaws are a GREAT knife for the money.
 
Benchmade's customer service seems to be top notch. They pay for just about everything, and seem very inclined to make any issues you may have right. I'd go as far to say that BM's customer service is top of the line when it comes to production folders. Who else will sell you a new blade for $25-$35, or change your backspacer to standoffs for free? The Lifesharp service seems nice, but I'm picky with my edges.

I don't mind putting my own edge on a blade, and I've never had a single QC issue with Benchmade. The only thing that does get under my skin is how they handle the dealers and keeping the prices up at MSRP.
 
i use to think benchmade was the best. but after having a few that would not hold an edge. the blades had side to side play. so now i carry spyderco's
 
I love Benchmade. I own more of them than any other kind of folder. I can attest to the issues with the 154CM; I've got a 530 that just won't hold an edge. But there are a few that really stand out for me, and will always be a part of my collection. Monochrome was my first non-cheapy knife, and I still love it. Doesn't get carried much, because I love my Ritter Grip and Stag Arms Manix 2 more, but it will always be in my collection, and I carry it periodically for old times sake. 14650 is one of the best small knives ever. When I need a small knife, I grab that one. As annoying as that 530 gets, it's the lightest knife I've ever carried, and makes a good backup blade for all that. I love the designs, and honestly, when you find a store that has top notch prices, they're not too expensive either. And the Ritter Grip is one of the best knives out there, short of a CRK or something really high end. But for 120, it's a pretty great knife.

Besides, BM customer service is fantastic. Don't like your knife? Just send it in, and they'll fix it. They're very good about that sort of thing.
 
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