Today was a great day.... I finally took a trip to the factory

Joined
Nov 4, 2006
Messages
19,374
I've been using and collecting BM knives for close to 20 years. I've always wanted to visit the factory, but every time we go up to Portland, we end up running out of time.
Not tomorrow :D It's my birthday and the wife said I could go anywhere I wanted to go :cool:
 
Last edited:
Happy Birthday and enjoy the long awaited visit!

Remember lotsa pic,s :D

Kris,.
 
Happy birthday.. should be a good day all around..I'm planning on buying a new BM tomorrow myself.
 
Happy birthday Mike!! Let me know how it was.. I'm expecting some pics, put a good word in for a 556-1!!!!
 
Happy birthday, Mike!
 
Thanks guys...

Happy birthday Mike!! Let me know how it was.. I'm expecting some pics, put a good word in for a 556-1!!!!

Thanks Adam. It was cool. The building itself is big, but the showroom isn't as big as I expected. It was still very cool though to see all of the models in one place.

Happy birthday, Mike!

Thanks Mack. I thought of you when we went to Cabelas today. I remember you saying your yard isn't far from there
 
Here are a few pictures I took today... In the center of the showroom where the cash register is, it is surrounded by 4 large glass cases full of knives, but I couldn't get a good picture of each individual case because of light reflection. I did take one as I walked through the door showing the showroom, but for some reason it didn't come out well. Photographer I'm not :D

Anywho, here are a few...

BMCABELAS%20001_zpsl4wscrqc.jpg


bmcabelas54th%20005_zpseuzhdcmc.jpg


This is the window you go to for LifeSharp services or other work... There was a guy that came in when we were there and had two knives sharpened. He was only there for about 5 minutes, and he was headed out the door with sharp knives...

bmcabelas54th%20003_zpsvzrhzep1.jpg


This is a cool video of the work that takes place at Benchmade. It's almost like a tour, but it isn't...:D

bmcabelas54th%20002_zps3dgi36hr.jpg


BMCABELAS%20008_zps9bocazqb.jpg


The knives in the next two pictures are only a small portion of the knives on display. These are probably only about 1/4 of the total knives...

BMCABELAS%20007_zpsf3ltv72p.jpg


BMCABELAS%20006_zps1x8qw8we.jpg


BMCABELAS%20005_zpsv3b4wrg7.jpg


BMCABELAS%20004_zpstcbolk9r.jpg


BMCABELAS%20003_zpsxamaenq3.jpg


BMCABELAS%20002_zpsouixzkip.jpg
 
Last edited:
Good pictures. Did you buy any knives from there on your bday? I would have to, but I'm all the way in alabama so it would be a special trip for me.

P.S. Nice rig you got there! How do you like it?
 
Thanks. No I didn't buy any knives. I was going back and forth between a CF 940 and a CF Nakamura, but couldn't decide which I liked better. I think I like the Nak better though because I'm not a huge fan of long slender blades, and the Nak is very comfortable in my fairly large hands. Either way, the 943 is still a very nice knife... And to be quite honest, I am leaning more towards ordering another Custom Mini Grip.
I've been on the fence about ordering another one, but I wanted to see the colors in person first. I have wanted a purple Mini because my wife has an early purple 440C Mini and I really like it, but wasn't sure if the colors had changed. I also like the Neon green but thought it might be way to bright. I have an early Lime green 440C Mini, and like the new Neon green as well. It is definitely brighter than the older Lime green... I did leave with a black BM coffee mug though :D

Re: the rig, the pickup in the picture isn't mine. If you look closely in the window on the building, you can see the doors of mine. Mine is a little bigger :D

2012%20dodge%20015_zps3cp2iyrd.jpg
 
Last edited:
Nicer then! Its actually kind of interesting seeing that big ram 2500 and you saying you have large hands, but being a mini grip man. I love the mini grip also! We (my wife and I) have 3 so far.
 
Hope you had a good bday Mike and good photos. Do they let you put your hands on any models you like there? Anything I havent had id be fondling if they let me. Would like to go someday myself. My favorite is the beat to hell auto/army display.
 
Last edited:
Thank you very much for sharing the pics & experience with us.
 
Nicer then! Its actually kind of interesting seeing that big ram 2500 and you saying you have large hands, but being a mini grip man. I love the mini grip also! We (my wife and I) have 3 so far.

:D I know I'm a little different about my choices in knives. Even though I have fairly good sized paws, I have always liked my knives on the smaller side of things...
I guess it started with my grandfather many years ago when he told me, You don't need a huge knife for working on a deer or elk. They aren't as easy to carry, and you
can only use so much blade at once... It stuck with me over the years, and I have done the same with my other knives as well.

The Mini Grip is just one of those knives that felt just right the first time I picked one up, an din all the years I have been using them, I never felt like I didn't have enough knife for the task.

Hope you had a good bday Mike and good photos. Do they let you put your hands on any models you like there? Anything I havent had id be fondling if they let me. Would like to go someday myself. My favorite is the beat to hell auto/army display.

Thanks Ulf. It was a great day... Yes they will let you fondle all of the knives in the cases, for as long as you want. They encourage it... That even includes the Gold Class display knives.
The U.s Army display is very cool. As I stood there looking at the knife with the bolt through it, I tried wondering what the soldier was thinking, and what situation he was in at the time.
The other knife in the case had either taken a bullet, or been in an explosion because the aluminum handles are severely bent, and you can see the marks from impact.
I was going to ask the girl working in the store about it, but it had gotten a little busy in there...


Thank you very much for sharing the pics & experience with us.

Your welcome. Thanks
 
Back
Top