Talk of Benchmade availability problems?

I started off collecting BMs about 10 years ago. I had the mini AFCK, the Pinnacle and a couple of the M2 blades. I knew of Spyderco but didn't like their designs.
For the past couple years I've avoided BM. Spyderco has totally eclipsed them in my opinion. A lot of my positive feelings towards Spyderco stem from the way their CEO handles his customers on this board. I don't get much of a warm, fuzzy feeling from Les de Asis.
I also cooled on BM because their production fell. It became hard to find certain, current-production models and they didn't seem to come out with as many new designs, or exciting designs.
Another reason I began to favor Spyderco is the thinness of their edges. They routinely come from the factory ground thin with a razor sharp edge.
I can tell you that Les de Asis has never liked internet dealers, in my opinion. I emailed him about 10 years ago to question the sloppy quality control found on many models leaving the factory. It was hit or miss, back then. You might get a lemon. Anyway, I was gratified that he responded personally to my email. His response was that I should watch out for "shop worn" knives bought from internet dealers. He implied that the knives I received were intentionally misrepresented.
 
Wow, we have no idea how this will affect anything yet, and people are freaking out. I will stand behind this, 8 years of court appointments by the last administration gutted any resemblance of corporate regulation. Corporations will do what is in their best interest, which is maximize profit. We will see how it goes.
 
Really, with exception of a few customs and automatics I have, all of the production knives I own were purchased online at considerable discount from MSRP. If BM does what this thread implies, I will never again purchase a BM. When they start approaching custom pricing, a blue box BM is not worth it.
Really, I have well over 100 knives, why do I need another at an outrageous price.
 
I think this is a horrible move on benchmade's part.. Now I dont understand much about buisineess (See i cant even spell it), but, as someone mentioned eariler that they want a more High end production rep.. But dont they allready have that rep? Spyderco, Benchmade, And Kershaw, in my opinion, are the top dogs of the production knife world.. I cant find a reason why they would do this, wont this put more sales into the hands of their competeters? Ok lets say you buy directly from benchmade, your looking for a mini-grip you pay msrp or 90 bucks.. You can usually get for 60 give or take a few.. Whats keeping you from going to spyderco and buying a similar knife, like the Delica? All I can say is that I got my first reasonably priced benchmade... befor.. this..
 
David Lowry said:
I guess all in all it really doesn't matter to me. I own one Griptilian that I can replace with a Spydie or Kershaw if it breaks or I lose it.

Plus if BM prices go up.....I am not really affected as I already buy mostly only Spyderco and Kershaw and Buck. Spyderco is raising prices too. About 10% across the board. With that said, my 2009 knife purchases will be going to Kershaw, Buck, Case, and GEC. Either that or I will buy nothing in 2009 and save up for a Sebenza. :)
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I loaded up with 3 Grips and 2 Ritter Grips, which I consider to be some of the best knives made.

I don't think that you can go wrong with Kershaw, Buck and Case, as I would be proud to own any of them. I think that in 2008, I spent around 2 grand on knives. Given that, the thought of dropping 5 bills on a Sebenza, just gives me cramps. It is way out of my comfort zone. I applaud those that will pay for a Sebbie, but I am not one of them.
 
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This is really sad news. Benchmade is my favorite knife company, but I cannot see myself paying full retail price. I wish there was a spokesman who was on the forums
 
I recall Leupold (scopes) doing something similar a couple of years ago, basically trying to reel in the internet companies taking too much business. Oddly :) the pricing of Leupold is virtually the same everywhere now, some offer extras and free shipping.
 
My thoughts is how many brick and motar stores that will handle Benchmade are there out there anymore. I only know of two in San Antonio one is in the front of a gunstore and the other is in a mall and maybe carries like 5 diffrent models. You cant tell me they make more off the very few dealers saleing a few knives at msrp than the 100's of knife shops saleing at a decent discount. Heck they arnt Rolexes I've seen guys with hunting rifles and shotguns worth more than my first two cars carrying an Academy bought Buck 110. The problem with MSRP is people like us that know about knives arnt going to pay the extra cause we know where we can find equal or better knives for less and people that dont know arnt going to want to spend 100+ on a knife. Oh well there is only one Benchmade I want and it was as much about the novelty as it was about anything so I guess I can just buy something else.
 
I am sure Benchmade didn't make this decision lightly and without a great deal of research. I owned a brick and mortar full line gunshop for quite a few years with my Dad. We saw this same thing happen with various companies and despite all the hue and cry in the long run it worked out better for the company, the dealers, and the customers. Everyone here is predicting doom and gloom yet you have no idea how things will work out. What this does do is give some control back to the company in terms of customer service. It helps combat some of the counterfeiting as well, tho if you think you are buying a real Benchmade knife from someone in China for 5 bucks...well...let's just say "here's your sign".

Why not wait and see how things shake out before swearing you'll never buy another Benchmade knife?
 
Absintheur said:
It helps combat some of the counterfeiting as well...
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Could you please explain how?

If Benchmade knives become available only through brick & mortar stores, prices are going to go up. I have never seen B&M stores with lower prices than on the internet, never.
 
I didn't read all these post so, apologies if this has already been said.

There might be fewer on line stores selling Benchmade but I doubt that the prices to the consumer will change much.

Think about it this way.
1. Manufacturers price their goods to meet specific market price points in which they want to compete. This is why BM has its 3 levels and various price points in those levels.
2. The more hands in the distribution chain the more cost and profit must to that person.
3. By eliminating a distributor in the distribution chain means that Benchmade can keep that distributor's profit and handling costs.
4. I do not know Benchmade's specific plans but I doubt it is eliminating ALL distributors. For example, they might grant distributionships to those who make specific sales levels, or purchase from Benchmade levels, in geographic areas of the world and/or adhearing to selling rules.

5. Eliminating distributors does not mean internet only stores can not buy directly from BM or sell them. They may have to buy at minimum amount and have an inventory of the knives instead of using drop shipping from a distributor.

Ultimately Benchmade must price thier products competitively. There are many mfgs of knives. The market rules in the mfg. knife world. Through the internet we will find the best price.

So I doubt BM prices will change to the consumer.
 
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I worked at a gun store that carried Benchmade and I was in charge of ordering stock. I know we used to pay exactly 50% of the MSRP so that did leave some wiggle room in the pricing. This was about 6 years ago though. Things may have changed. I got some of my favorite BM knives during my stint there.
 
dextersp1 said:
1. Manufacturers price their goods to meet specific market price points in which they want to compete. This is why BM has its 3 levels and various price points in those levels.
2. The more hands in the distribution chain the more cost and profit must to that person.
3. By eliminating a distributor in the distribution chain means that Benchmade can keep that distributor's profit and handling costs.
4. I do not know Benchmade's specific plans but I doubt it is eliminating ALL distributors. For example, they might grant distributionships to those who make specific sales levels, or purchase from Benchmade levels, in geographic areas of the world and/or adhearing to selling rules.

5. Eliminating distributors does not mean internet only stores can not buy directly from BM or sell them. They may have to buy at minimum amount and have an inventory of the knives instead of using drop shipping from a distributor.
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These are fair points, but the worry of prices going up is more based on previous actions and stories about BM. MAAP, De Asis literally walking away from a vendor because he sells the knives too cheaply, problems some sites have had with getting stock. BM is offering Ti handles and more lock variety and custom designs in their Red class, so I can see them pushing the pricing up on their classes. I wonder if the consumer will accpet a Red BM as being the same as a Spyderco, and pay higher prices similar to the H-D or Bradley badged knives for other Blues.
 
A lot of companies are run by their marketing departments. Some lying salesman becomes the CEO and R&D suffers because marketing starts telling them how to do their job. It gets ugly because the scum start hiring more scum and it just builds up.
 
I have a good number of Spyderco and Kershaw knives, plus some Lone Wolves, Bucks, SAKs, Opinels, etc. -- maybe 40 in total, including some higher priced stuff like a CF Native, Kershaw Titanium Bump and Kershaw Offset.

I only own two Benchmades. When I compare them to the others, they seem way overpriced. I travel in the US a good bit and like to visit a local knife shop when I can. I don't mind paying the 20% - 25% more it usually costs to buy at shop vs. online, but the Benchmade prices and comparative markups always seem almost silly.

I was in Bass Pro shops this week, for example, and saw a Benchmade Griptilian selling for $99. (Bass seems to be priced higher than online and a good bit lower than small shops.) The New Graham price for the same model is $62.50. I have seen it for $125 or higher in local mom-n-pops, though.
 
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