Things Benchmade does that Drive me up a wall...

[bearcut]

Out of curiosity, which knives did you look at that had pinned handles (I didn't think there were any models left with pinned-construction except for a very few - one being the Caly 3 - which is part of the reason I don't own one anymore to be honest)? I used to hate back-locks but lately, I've bought more back-lock models than anything else (other than possibly compression locks when these next two Sprints come in).

I'm seriously looking at the Benchmade Morpho 32 but I don't know a thing about bali-songs - does anyone actually use one for EDC?

I looked at the Caly 3 CF, which I used to own but, like you, hated because of the pins, and no washers for crying out loud! I looked at the Mayoob and several other pinned models, but I can’t remember which ones they were. They weren’t the cheapo models, I already knew I didn’t want any of those. I was surprised at how many nicer models were pinned.

Lockbacks just aren't user friendly for me. I guess I just got used to Axis, liner and framelocks.

Denver has one of the shittiest selections of knife shops I’ve ever seen. There isn’t one decent knife shop in this town. The biggest selection of knives I’ve seen here was at Spyderco, and they don’t have anything I want. Sheesh. Thank goodness for the internet.

I have a BM Mini-Morpho 32 that I EDC, it works well for that. (I guess BM has made one knife I liked since the Rukus!) It isn’t sheeple friendly though, I have to be very discreet with it sometimes when deploying it. Otherwise, it’s a nice pocketknife. It is definitely slower to deploy than a thumbstud -one -hander though. My how times have changed.

Back to to the origional post about BM's. You know, I just thought of a BM I want: the Shoki 480-1. It looks like a nice small gents knife. Who cares if it doesn't lock up like a bank vault?

I thought about getting the 470 Emmisary, (Osborne re-make), until I saw they put a stupid assist in it. Thanks BM, another loser....

 

[shaneotool]

I want the 940 blade in the 943 body.
I want G-10 scales for the barrage.
I want to buy a griptillian with Wilkins scales pre-installed for a decent price from the factory.

 

[jossta]

Dude, get the AFCK. It's everything you want and the most badass Benchmade ever. Or and Adamas. Those are my 2 favs.

 

[CQC86]

http://www.gpknives.com/images/benchmade/15030-2[large].jpg

How about a compromise. D2 and with no thumbstud, but with walnut handle and axis.

 

[KB3UBW]

what do you guys think about the modified sheepsfoot that benchmade has? right now im looking at pulling the trigger on a full sized grip but im not sure if i want thumb studs and a drop point or a thumb hole and the modified sheepsfoot. any advice?

 

[TheModernNeanderthal]

what do you guys think about the modified sheepsfoot that benchmade has? right now im looking at pulling the trigger on a full sized grip but im not sure if i want thumb studs and a drop point or a thumb hole and the modified sheepsfoot. any advice?

I would get the regular. The sheepsfoot is very hollow ground and the studs work fine.

And some of the things I would have thought they would have done a long time ago they haven't. Like a mini barrage version of the 581 with g-10, bolsters and m390

And yes. The fact they come out of box like a butter knife is disconcerting, if they are cutting that corner, what other corners are they cutting????

 

[chewy667]

It is pretty crazy out of the 6 Benchmades I have it was 50/50 on it coming out of the box sharp. I have never got a kershaw or a spyderco out of the box that wasn't scary sharp. I think benchmade needs to get their shit together on the sharpening. As far as their designs I like some of the newer ones. The Adamas, LFTI, MPR, and the new 810 Contego all look cool. It's a shame that such a premier knife company doesn't take more pride in the most important part of the tools they produce. When you buy a Benchmade "I hope it's sharp" should not even be a question!

 

[EricV]

For Pete's sake they need to make a grip with factory g10.

Great thread to read through, very funny

 

[bd51]

I agree with almost everything the op said. If they could make some minor adjustments, they would have the perfect knives!

 

[Elsilrac1]

The Rukus or Mini-Rukus is the best if you ask me.

 

[Jesse B.]

And I HATE getting a brand new knife and it's too dull to use.

if a company is saving money by not putting the extra work into sharpening the edge of that particular knife, they should probably charge less for it, and not more.

The fact they come out of box like a butter knife is disconcerting, if they are cutting that corner, what other corners are they cutting????

It is pretty crazy out of the 6 Benchmades I have it was 50/50 on it coming out of the box sharp.

Most of my Benchmades came acceptably sharp but a couple were not, and I agree that blows. On the plus side, there is a sticky from June of last year on the Benchmade forum titled: "Addressing NIB Benchmade Sharpness Issues" -- so the company is not unaware of the issue. How that awareness has translated into action I cannot say but hopefully they're producing sharper, more consistent edges. Time will tell.

 

[jangy jr]

The mini griptilian was the first good knife I bought in 2003. I still carry it sometimes and it now has fancy new Wilkins scales. It is almost perfect. The Ritter grip with Wilkins scales is the ultimate combo, and I highly recommend it to anyone on the fence. Yes it is expensive, but so what, life is short. It really is my all time favorite carry knife. I recently bought a 555 mini grip with the thumbhole and sheepsfoot blade. There is a noticeable difference in quality compared to my old 2003 and Ritter models. The thumbhole had a deep grove with a burr in the steel. I was a bit dissapointed, but i was able to sand it smooth. It seems there is a slight lack of care recently at Benchmade QC. All that said, they make fantastic tools, and I will continue to buy more in the future.

 

[jay2pointoh]

Why do they go on about their extensive CAD designing and precision aero space grade laser cutters and still put out knives with exposed tang issues?

My $50 mini grip (with 154cm and noryl handles) is nice and smooth all around when closed. My $200 barrage (with M390 and aluminum/g10 scales) has this tang problem. Why? It's so aesthetically disappointing.

 

[Planterz]

illiams is synonymous with Benchmade, but the Axis Lock is like 75% of the reason I want a Benchmade in the first place (they are kind of famous for it and it's a pretty cool lock). I've found several models that are perfect in every way, but are only available in liner-lock, button-lock, etc. While I'll still buy those models, I really want an Axis model that I like. I've even had an Axis spring take a dump on me and I still want a decent knife with an Axis lock (it's that cool).

Or, they make it only as an assisted AXIS lock. There have been many BMs that have been made with linerlocks or assisted AXIS locks that I would have bought if only they were made with regular AXIS locks.

I HATE the axis lock

I know I'm biased, but why do you "HATE" the axis lock?

 

[Cosmic Superchunk]

I must admit I'm not as enthused about Benchmade knives as I used to be, but I do own several Benchmade knives that I really like. The only REAL criticism I have about their designs is the tip down thing with linerlock models. I know that they claim to do it because they feel that tip down is the safest way to carry a linerlock folder, but that's really subjective and is really my only pet peeve about their knives. I have no problems with their Axis locks, although I would like to see a G-10 version of the Griptilian.

 

[nickortizzle1035]

i love benchmade knives alot, but i too cannot get over the fact that almost every knife i have purchased from them came butterknife dull... also, why do they feel the need to discontinue so many of their awesome models. i want a rukus and skirmish very much, but i'll be damned if i am going to pay the outrageous ebay prices!

 

[Sulaco]

My new Delica 4 FFG kicked every Benchmade I owned out of my pocket and in to trade against other things. I am a huge fan of the AXIS lock, but there's something to be said for simple done right. And I agree about BM's QC issues. I had to send back a good many of mine to get right, sometimes more than once.

 

[ibute21]

I want the 940 blade in the 943 body.
I want G-10 scales for the barrage.
I want to buy a griptillian with Wilkins scales pre-installed for a decent price from the factory.

You mean the 942? They exist, but you'll have to pay a premium as they are discontinued.
The 581 has G10 and aluminum bolsters. There have been variants of the 580 with G10 as well.
And agreed regarding the Griptilian. It's the only Benchmade I've had multiples of but have traded off or sold to friends.

 

[Keyman]

I save my money for Benchmade LE models. They all have better something....steel or handle material or both. I really like the Ritter Grips, mini and full size. Especially in M2 or M4 or soon hopefully in M390. After I get a LE model I re-scale it. After a little pimping, they're perfect for me.
Here's my Ritters in M4.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

I guess this qualifies as a swedge?

And this has one too. Why don't you like a swedge enough to not buy a knife? I haven't noticed them hurting performance in an EDC role.