Overpriced Benchmade Axis Stryker?

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coyrs

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Mar 20, 2014
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Just a quick question. I recently considered buying a Benchmade Axis Stryker until I saw it listing for around $150. I have a Spyderco Manix 2 which is comparable to the Stryker in many ways(154CM, G10, overall length/weight, ss liners, similar locking mechanism) and cost me $90 shipping included. I am not trying to knock Benchmade or the Stryker fam, just looking for some clarification.
 
The manix comes with s30v now too... If benchmade still allowed to dealers to offer discount codes I would have snagged one of the new strykers as soon as they came out. The blade shape looks great and I don't usually like tantos.

Without the discount I'll have to pass... They just aren't competitively priced anymore.
 
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That pretty much sums it up. Benchmade's MAP pricing is what's turning a lot of people off now.
 
I have a 913 Stryker and I also have a Manix 2. I like the FFG Manix 2 more than the hollow ground Manix 2, but I like my 913 more than either Manix 2. I find that the Manix 2 is overshadowed by other Spyderco knives and thus there is less demand for it and it can be found for a good price. The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is comparable with the Manix 2 in some ways but much more popular and therefore more expensive. But still the Paramilitary 2 is usually less than the Benchmade. There are more expensive Spyderco knives and people buy them, people also buy the higher priced ZT models, and expensive brands such as Microtech, CRK, Strider, etc., so there will be people that like the Benchmade enough to buy it. But I'm sure that Benchmade sales will be significantly affected.
 
coyrs said:
Just a quick question. I recently considered buying a Benchmade Axis Stryker until I saw it listing for around $150. I have a Spyderco Manix 2 which is comparable to the Stryker in many ways(154CM, G10, overall length/weight, ss liners, similar locking mechanism) and cost me $90 shipping included. I am not trying to knock Benchmade or the Stryker fam, just looking for some clarification.
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Al Mar knives cost around $200 and have VG10 blades and G10 handles. People pay for the beautiful hand fitting and company's reputation.

Value is defined by more than the materials. It factors in reputation, demand for the design, and other things.

The Stryker is easily worth $150 (if you can get over the Axis lock :barf:) if the buyer understands the design and can appreciate Benchmade's custom quality fit and finish.
 
MatthewSB said:
Al Mar knives cost around $200 and have VG10 blades and G10 handles. People pay for the beautiful hand fitting and company's reputation.

Value is defined by more than the materials. It factors in reputation, demand for the design, and other things.

The Stryker is easily worth $150 (if you can get over the Axis lock :barf:) if the buyer understands the design and can appreciate Benchmade's custom quality fit and finish.
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Some Al Mar knives (folders) are mostly assembled by Moki, a company in Japan that also assembled Spyderco knives. The fit and finish is very hit and miss. There have been many knives with warped blades, sloppy fit and finish on the lock, and very gritty pivots. I have also seem several models while handling them that are absolutely perfect specimens.
 
MatthewSB said:
The Stryker is easily worth $150 (if you can get over the Axis lock :barf:) if the buyer understands the design and can appreciate Benchmade's custom quality fit and finish.
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Here's the problem that I have noticed with Benchmade. The Stryker might well be worth $150, but most of the older Benchmade customers, the guys that were used to paying below BM's new 15% MAP limit, are used to the lower prices. When you are used to a pricepoint, and a company effectively changes it without really changing the product, people generally are dissatisfied.

For example, the standard BM Griptilian 551 was $76 shipped last summer, now that same knife is $100. The griptilian's a great knife, but after it retailed for $76 so long, its a $76 knife that I can't see being suddenly worth $100. I can only speculate, but I bet that sales of griptilians are way down from this time last year for this reason.

Lastly, to say that Benchmade's production knives have a "custom quality fit and finish" gives them too much credit. Benchmade makes a good knife, but they are production pieces, nothing more, nothing less. Purchase accordingly.
 
MatthewSB said:
People pay for the beautiful hand fitting and company's reputation.

Value is defined by more than the materials. It factors in reputation, demand for the design, and other things.

The Stryker is easily worth $150 (...) if the buyer understands the design and can appreciate Benchmade's custom quality fit and finish.
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This pretty much sums it up for me. Benchmade makes awesome quality knives, and in the USA. Those who appreciate that, will, those who don't, won't.

"Haters gonna Hate" - Mr. Spark
 
I just got a LE contego as a gift. The uneven grind is disappointing for a knife this expensive. I also got a Kershaw scrambler, sharper, centered sub 40.00 knife. Shame on BM.
 
I am used to the older BM prices. I think they were very competitively priced a few moths ago. I have passed on 3 BM models so far - this one included - due to the new price point.
 
Bugout Bill said:
Yup. An unfortunate decision, hopefully the free market will persuade Benchmade to discontinue the practice.
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Bill, That is true free market for Benchmade to have a minimum price set at map. If people don't like that they are free to purchase other brands.
 
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