subsequent thoughts on "&*#@($ing Benchmade"....

J

jsitm

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Jan 31, 2001
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I read the post...very interesting.

I think it's hard to get a realistic evaluation of any company just from a personal prespective. However, since so many of us are displeased by Benchmade's treatment of customers, there may be something to that notion. I wouldn't be surprised because once a firm catures a big market share, & has a loyal following, it faces the temptation to rest on its laurels & let things slide. IF there is other serious competition (rarely true in most corporate-ruled industries), then other firms will step in & fill the breach. That mistake nearly destroyed IBM. Maybe this is true of Benchmade.

Also, Chris Reeve is just one man, right? His company is pretty small, I bet. At least compared to Benchmade. If it is small, then there is no need for large amounts of time & $$$ spent on maintaining the organization. Benchmade, OTOH, is HUGE, & the larger & more complex you get, the more effort it takes just to keep everything in the firm running smoothly. That may have something to do with Benchmade's lack of response to customers.

I also posted this because I've been carrying my small Axis-Lock for a while now (don't know the model #, but it says "McHenry & Williams" on the blade), it doesn't keep an edge very well. Why is this so? Is my sharpening technique out of whack? Am I using it enough that the steel is wearing down faster? That's hard to believe because I don't cut stuff with it every day, but when I do cut stuff with it, it can be anything from an apple to rope to hardwood. Why do I have to sharpen it often?

Just thoight I'd add my $.05.
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jsitm
 
Interesting. I though all of Benchmades venom and poor customer service was aimed at people in the trade. I guess some of it's spilling over into the end user domain as well.

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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by jsitm:
I also posted this because I've been carrying my small Axis-Lock for a while now (don't know the model #, but it says "McHenry & Williams" on the blade), it doesn't keep an edge very well. Why is this so? Is my sharpening technique out of whack?
</font>
Click to expand...

That's a BM 705; the large model is 710.

You may not be sharpening it properly. If you get an edge that doesn't last, you may be putting too fine an edge on it, and it rolls over. You may only need a couple of swipes on a steel to straighten it, in that case. If this is what it turns out to be, use a broader angle on the secondary bevel.

The Spyderco Sharpmaker, for example, will put a 30 or 40 degree angle on an edge, but the 30 may be too sharp for hard use.

 
If you look at their constantly evolving lineup, and consistently improving quality, use of innovative designs, etc., I'd say Benchmade is one of the last companies I'd accuse of "resting on their laurels".

You probably are just getting a wire edge on your 705. I have several ATS-34 Benchmades, some of which have been used very hard, and have no problem with edge-holding. I use a Sharpmaker 30 degrees included on most of my folders. Usually touch up whatever knife I'm using for daily carry with a few strokes once a week-and I do alot of cutting in a week.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by OwenM:
If you look at their constantly evolving lineup, and consistently improving quality, use of innovative designs, etc., I'd say Benchmade is one of the last companies I'd accuse of "resting on their laurels".</font>
Click to expand...
Depends. IBM was mentioned earlier, I'd say excellent example. I remember those times well. One of the major reasons for that wa s the same, Totaly ignoring customers opinion and requirements... Then there was Microsoft who was not so ignorant by that time...

Donno
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I like BM knives, not that I wish them something, bad but like I've said after years of asking for thet Axis lock on AFCK at least 1 person could've spent 5 min and written 1 message on their forum?



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Gator,
I have to wholeheartedly agree with that last. I did email BM (Travis) about an Axis AFCK, and got a quick response, in which he told me to "stay tuned". Been staying tuned for several months, since, and no news, yea or nay. They do monitor their forum closely, so how hard would it be to give a response? Maybe there are problems/details/whatever that we don't know about, and they can't give a definite answer. Oh well, have to wait and see.
btw, I don't think they ignore customer's requirements. Sometimes we forget that we forumites are actually a minority in the knife-buying world. Sometimes they ignore MY requirements
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They have serious problems IMHO.

W.A.

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