Prototype benchmade question

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Pkempson

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Oct 8, 2013
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Just wondering... I just picked up an 477-1 marked "prototype 2014" I know the first productions are marked #xxx of xxx. But how rare or how big are the batches for prototypes typically? And what does that do the value if anything?
 
Pkempson said:
Just wondering... I just picked up an 477-1 marked "prototype 2014" I know the first productions are marked #xxx of xxx. But how rare or how big are the batches for prototypes typically? And what does that do the value if anything?
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Benchmade "Prototype" knives are not always marked #xxx of xxx. Most are just marked "prototype." Lots of people just consider them a marketing ploy. Here on BF someone stated that they are a preproduction run to show people at trade shows and such. I figured they are a prodution run to get the bugs out before they start their 1st production run. Everyone I know is of the same opinion, they are just another standard production run unless they have special steel, scales or in some way limited. Just etching the word "Prototype" on the blade is not normally enough to bring high prices if it is a common Benchmade.
 
It does not offer any additional monetary value. It may do the opposite actually as many people don't like writing all over the blade.
 
I agree with sabre, I've got quite a few BM prototypes, but the only ones that I would value higher than the standard models are the limited edition prototypes and a couple I have that were changed before they made it to final production. There are some prototypes out there that never made it to production, those are the ones that I'd like to find.
 
RevDevil said:
It does not offer any additional monetary value. It may do the opposite actually as many people don't like writing all over the blade.
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Eh, I'd argue that for every person who dislikes the extra lettering, there's another who gets a kick out of the idea that it's a prototype.
 
nick21 said:
Eh, I'd argue that for every person who dislikes the extra lettering, there's another who gets a kick out of the idea that it's a prototype.
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Of course, you have the new folks that fall for the marketing stuff and the others that know better from experience. ;)
 
I have a prototype griptilian that I asked the same question on. Everyone said use it. It was the same price as a normal one, otherwise I would not have gotten it. I think it's neat and so do non knife people. From what I was told there can be from 15-50 made but really depends on the knife. I doubt anyone really knows the exact number. Just use and enjoy it.
 
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