The 49SPL has landed

Gollnick

Gollnick

Musical Director
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Mar 22, 1999
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While we hear a lot about balisongs that are going to be shipping any day now, I actually got to put my money on the table today and walk away with a Benchmade Model 49SPL.

The wood on mine is darker and has less contrast than the prototype, but as significantly more grain and character. The pieces are matched perfectly side-to-side.

I'm not sure that I'm entirely pleased with the polishing of the blade, but we'll see.

Les's signature is right on the blade.

The spring latch works perfectly. Everything about the whole experience is great.

Oh, and Sniperboy, your's is on the way too.
 
Benchmade employees were given first dibs on the 25 available 49SPLs. There were NOT given any discount. I am now told that ten pieces sold within Benchmade. So, only fifteen are being offered outside of Benchmade. I'm one of a fairly elite little group. Pictures soon.
 
I'm one of a fairly elite little group.
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So modest:rolleyes: ...and btw, Condrads!!! cant wait to see pic's.
Oh, you didnt happen to hear the latest as to shipping of the 49-01's did you?
 
Great news on the 49-SPL, but somewhat disappointing that on such a limited and desirable knife, BM would let their employees have first choice on these knives, and not their customers. Without the customers, a company does not need employees. The potential existed for all these knives to go to employees, and none to reach the public.

However, one could say, that with such a limited number of knives, BM could have kept them all entirely within BM, and offered none of them to the public. Although, as I said, a company must satisfy, or even delight their customers, or they will eventually cease to exist.

Just my $0.02 on business
 
Edgefinder I hate to say it but employees miss out on a lot of specials that leave BM. We usually wait behind customer orders before we can buy a knife. I count myself REAL lucky to be getting 1 of the 25 49SPLs. Besides if we help build 'em, shouldn't we be allowed to buy them too? I can't wait to play with mine. It was fun flipping the proto but to flip my own will be even sweeter!:D
 
uhm... this fine piece costs $600 ?! :eek: wow, that's more than i have atm ;)

but why is it so expensive? the bm homepage says it's only 100 of them... that is perhaps why :D
 
I don't know how much longer I can stand the anticipation of my 49-01. Oh well, I guess its a good complain to have.;)
 
$800 bucks, eh? my gawd ;)
that should be a really really really really nice balisong, then.
49-SPL... what's so special about that model, then? i only saw the 49-01 at the benchmade page...
 
The special thing is that it will have Les's signature on the blade. BTW I'm signing autographs as well, but mine are much cheaper:D .
 
Considering you were insturmental in bringing this project along, and did the photography, it's only fitting that you should have one of the first 49SPL's out of the door!;) Please let us know what you don't like about the blade polish. To address a previous question about the difference between the 49's: The SPL has Les' signature and is highly mirror polished, handles, blade, and all; the -01 is a brushed finish and doesn't have the signature laser etched onto the blade; not quite as much hand work. Signature right on the blade.......uhmmmm......sounds like something Jody would have done. :cool:
 
Of course we assume you are aiming and shooting pictures as we type :) ....fire up that camera Chuckster!

I do agree with John (sorry Bill)...about the offering of such a limited number of knives to employees first. It's certainly Les' call obviously, but when only 25 are made, I do think customers need to have the first shot! Personally I didn't want the mirror finished blade anyway, but for those that do/did..., I'd opt on the side pleasing the consumer first, and maybe letting the BM staff get the first shot at "Protos" at a somewhat reduced price. I think that would make everyone happy, and produce a later secondary market for the Prototypes that employees decided to sell to collectors.


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
So, help me understand this, some are saying that Benchmade employees cannot also be customers?

By the way, the employees have to wait until all other customers orders are shipped.
 
maybe re-reading this will help edgeman:
Edgefinder I hate to say it but employees miss out on a lot of specials that leave BM. We usually wait behind customer orders before we can buy a knife. I count myself REAL lucky to be getting 1 of the 25 49SPLs. Besides if we help build 'em, shouldn't we be allowed to buy them too? I can't wait to play with mine. It was fun flipping the proto but to flip my own will be even sweeter!
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What i get from it is that for the majority of models, employees must wait untill customer orders were filled, but in this specific case they were allowed to purchase one of the only 25 made if they wanted. hope this helps...
 
That is correct. In most cases, BM insists that employees wait until the customers are served. But, in this case, employees were allowed to reserve one of the 25 if they so desired before the remainder were offered to the public. The employees were given no discount at all. I think it was a nice thing for BM to do for the people who work hard on these and other fine knives. Most every BM employee is a knife knut and it must be really, really hard for them to watch all the best knives going right through their hands and right out the door.
 
Originally posted by edgeman
So, help me understand this, some are saying that Benchmade employees cannot also be customers?

By the way, the employees have to wait until all other customers orders are shipped.
Click to expand...
Edgeman.., I probably didn't write/explain that very well..., and of course I think BM employees can be "Customers" too. The point I was attempting to make..(obviously poorly), was that this particular knife (the 49SPL).., was not offered to all "Customers".., it was offered first to BM employees, and secondarily to the rest of us. I suspect if BM employees had pre-purchased 30 of them, the strategy would have changed to a run of maybe 50??? I think it's great for BM to make management decisions that solidify the loyality and stability of their staff. Having said that..., I personally would never set up this PARTICULAR dynamic on a run of 25 knives.

I also don't own and operate a cutlery company, so the comments I made are simply an "Outside Opinion". My dealings with BM over the years have been consistently positive, and I've found very few (if any) company that backs their products as Benchmade does.

I simply disagree with this single strategy on this single item, because I think there are alternatives that would make this discussion a non-issue.


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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