very disappointed

K

koj11

Gold Member
Joined
May 11, 2004
Messages
198
I received what was going to be my new edc today. I went with a Benchmade 705 from New Graham. The knife's fit and finish are great, and I love the axis lock (this is my first one). The blade, however, is by far the dullest of any new knife I have EVER Purchased. My current neglected edc (a CRKT m16 that has gone unsharpened for almost a year) is easily twice as sharp. This was also my first Benchmade, and to say I'm disappointed doesn't even come close... I guess I send it back (to New Graham or to Benchmade???) and wait another couple of weeks to get my knife back and just hope for the best??? This may be my first and last Benchmade. Ugh...

:grumpy:
 
I have neither the equipment or the experience to sharpen it myself at this point (although I plan on pursuing that in the future). Besides, I feel I shouldn't really have to sharpen my new knife. I don't think I'm expecting too much to actually think the knife should be sharp out of the box.
 
I have yet to get a knife with a 'factory edge' that I could not improve. Even the ones that come 'sharp', I can get 'sharper'. I have no experience with BM though.
 
I've owned several Benchmades. The first time I ordered a tsek, it was a frickin' butter knife. That was the only time I ever felt a dull Benchmade out of the box. I sent it back and got a new Tsek. It was razor sharp. Once in a while, they slip by. I assure you it is not a common occurence with Benchmade.
 
The fit and finish on BM's always seem great. Getting a really nice edge is a 50/50 toss up. That's really the only complaint that I have with BM knives.
 
Do, do, DO learn how to sharpen a knife by yourself. It is by far more important than having an expensive blade. All knives get dull eventually, and learning to sharpen it by yourself is a very useful skill. I would gladly take a sharp 5$ POS stainless knife over a 100$ dull superknife.
It's not that expensive either. Buy a sheet of 100 grit paper, a sheet of 220 grit, a sheet of 400 grit, a sheet of 1500 grit, and a bottle of Noxon. Reset the angle with the low grit, polish up to 1500, and then strop it on a paper with a dab of Noxon rubbed into it.
 
I have 5 BMs Griptilian, Ares, Mini Dark Star, McHenry&Williams 710HS, Nimravus 140HS - all of them were sharp out of the box - this is just bad luck I think (actually I never see dull knife out of the box). Hovewer I always put my own edge on any new knife.

I am strongly reccomend you to buy Spyderco Sharpmaker with diamond rods. Really easy to get almost perfect edge.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
koj11, ElectricZombie really said it all:
The fit and finish on BM's always seem great. Getting a really nice edge is a 50/50 toss up. That's really the only complaint that I have with BM knives.
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I'm sorry Benchmade got off to a bad start with you. The 705 is a great knife (I have the 710 myself) but even the best of knives eventually gets dull, and it's never too soon to learn to sharpen.

Please look through our BladeForums.com Knife FAQs, especially the section on Knife Sharpening by Joe Talmadge. (Always read anything you come across by Joe Talmadge! :) )

klattman brought up a good point, too:
I have yet to get a knife with a 'factory edge' that I could not improve. Even the ones that come 'sharp', I can get 'sharper'.
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This weekend I got together with the guys at the NJ Knife Collectors Association meeting. One man brought in a new knife that he had used lightly and was surprised to find the original razor edge was now dull.

What happened was, this very fine knife had been sharpened to the next to the last stage: it had been sharpened to a burr, a wire edge, and when he used it, the wire edge rolled over, leaving the blade feeling dull. All it really needed was a good stropping.

The problem with Benchmade, if problem it is, is that they sharpen knives to a strong working edge, not a razor edge. They put an obtuse secondary bevel on it, so although it isn't hair-popping sharp, it will not get any duller easily, either.

It probably needs reprofiling to be as sharp as you want. You are an inspiringly aspiring knife knut, but you will never be a true knut until you can do it yourself! :D
 
Is the sharpmaker easy enough to use and learn on that I can safely use it for the first time on this knife without screwing it up or would I be better off for now to send it back for a replacement (Being in Washington, I'm fairly close to the factory)? Maybe there is someone relatively close to me (Spokane, WA area) that I could meet up with to show me how it's done or get me started right?
 
I do the John Kerry on this. I get mad when a production knife shows up with a pi$$ poor edge and didnt say a word when two CR One piece knives show up dull.
 
The Sharpmaker comes with very detailed instructions and a video. I'd say it's the closest thing to a foolproof sharpening system you're gonna find. Also, if you get hung up, this is an excellent source for help.

Too bad that happened to ya'. BM don't always come with the worlds greatest edge from the factory, but usually sharp enough to remove at least a few arm hairs, and never as dull as what you're describing. You sure they didn't send ya' a trainer? :D

Put an edge on that BM, an' give 'er a chance, I really don't think you'll be disappointed.



On a side note...

I can't be the only one that's thinking of the Bucks, Cases, Schrades and other slipjoints that hardly had an edge when ya' got 'em? First thing ya' did was get out the ole Bench stone when ya' brought 'em home- It was simply expected.

Too bad to hear of these unfortunate experiences, but by and large I still believe were absolutely spoiled rotten in todays market.
 
The good news about the Sharpmaker is that it comes with an instruction booklet and an excellent video to lead you through the learning process. The bad news is that once you get started you will immediately want to sharpen every knife in the neighborhood.

It is not entirely as easy as the intructions make it. Some people become instant experts; others find that all their knives do not respond equally well. There are a very few warnings you need to keep in mind.

First is that a knife that needs resharpening or touching up is easy to get back to "dangerously sharp" :) But a knife that needs to be reprofiled may need a lot of work -- or the additional diamond rods, which cost about as much as the Sharpmaker itself. Still, we are talking about an investment in maintenance that will keep your equipment working perfectly, and will soon lead you to understand what sharpening really is.

There are tricks that help you work on a difficult job: use a black marker to coat the edge of the knife, and as you sharpen, you will see where the Sharpmaker is honing, and where it isn't touching. If it is taking all the black off, you're fine. If it is taking off only at the top of the bevel or only at the very edge, you will be working at it longer.

Another hint is to stroke evenly but lightly -- don't press the blade against the rods or you will eventually put uneven pressure on them and damage the rods and not sharpen the blade well, either.

Hold the knife firmly with your thumb along the back of the blade and the tip slightly raised. Stroke slowly and rhythmically, and eventually, you will fall into a pattern, controlling the work confidently.
 
koj11 said:
Is the sharpmaker easy enough to use and learn on that I can safely use it for the first time on this knife without screwing it up or would I be better off for now to send it back for a replacement (Being in Washington, I'm fairly close to the factory)?
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One more point to keep in mind is that your Benchmade comes with a Life Sharp policy, whereby they will resharpen it for you any time you need to send it in.

I think it makes more sense to do it yourself, but if you aren't happy with your own results, send it in! They'll fix the edge up for you.
 
Any chance that maybe New Graham sent me a used or returned knife? There are no marks on the knife itself, but the box is scratched up in spots. Is the blue box it comes in supposed to be shrink wrapped or otherwise sealed? Mine was not.
 
The boxes are not sealed. Knives can be handled, but rarely used to cut stuff that would dull it, unless it was a demo that was THAT badly used it. Many have complained that BMs don't come sharp enough
 
I've actually seen more variation on sharpness on the 705 than the Griptilian models. It's still an awesome knife though!
 
koj11 said:
Is the sharpmaker easy enough to use and learn on that I can safely use it for the first time on this knife without screwing it up or would I be better off for now to send it back for a replacement (Being in Washington, I'm fairly close to the factory)? Maybe there is someone relatively close to me (Spokane, WA area) that I could meet up with to show me how it's done or get me started right?
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It was the first system I ever used that I was able to finally sharpen a knife myself.The video shows what to do,and is very easy.Should not damage or scratchthe knife if you follow the simple instructions,easily the most "foolproof".Sometimes it takes a bit of time on the sharpener to get it razor sharp,but it is something you can do on the coffee table while watching t.v. It's almost fun to sharpen your knives.
 
Sorry to hear about that-you must have just gotten one that slipped through the cracks.
I have bought over 20 new Benchmades and have never had this problem.

Benchmade has great customer service so dont be afraid to call them.
 
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