What Benchmades do you think are and aren't worth it after MAP?

[Halvis]

"I don't like the MAP princing." ... "free cookies taken away." ... "I didn't read the whole thread because i don't have time for random b.s.. I just wanted to add, what other knife company replaces blades for $30 dollars, does laser engraving for $5 dollars, pays for return shipping, and gives out free clips/screws.. CRK doesn't, Spyderco doesn't, CRKT doesn't, EKI doesn't, Hogue doesn't, Strider doesn't, William Henry doesn't, Cold Steel doesn't, Hinderer doesn't, KAI does majority of that at slight higher prices..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM_p1Az05Jo&feature=kp

 

[Macchina]

I too have about 20 (owned over a hundred over the years) pre-MAP Benchmades and won't buy another at these prices. It's Spyderco for me now when I want something in the $100 price range.

 

[loonybin]

Since the policy change, I've started buying my Benchmades from a local brick and mortar store. Their prices aren't great but they're pretty much the same as on-line prices now, but I get to handle the knives before I buy them and I can also pay in instalments with my credit card or get a discount for paying cash. Plus, if I have any issues with the knife, the store takes care of it (I'm outside the US).

Ostensibly, this is exactly what Benchmade wants. They could have gone about it differently though, by allowing the brick&mortar-only stores (ALL Benchmade dealers must have a physical storefront) to offer the same kind of unspoken discount that the big online stores did.

I like Benchmade because of its customer service. BKC is a business, and they proudly produce high quality knives. At least for Blue & Black class, I can live with it.

One of my folding knife requirements are "able to open close" one handed, and ambidextrously. I have tried Spyderco Ball baring lock, bolt-lock and SOG arc lock, but nothing beats AXIS lock. Do I like the current MAP? No, but until other knife makes can com up with it, i.e. ZT makes lighter folder 2~4.5 oz, 3.5"+ with ambidextrous lock, I will continue to favor BKC. Their craftsmanship has been excellent, at least to my collection. YMMV.

My "worth it" list of current production.

810-1401
908/903
HK 14715

"Will get @ street price"
810
710
950
940
Barrages
Adamas

Also here is my hesitation toward switching to other makers.

ZT: Like their CS, but as you can see general blade shape of ZT, I don't think they can make narrower blade easily. AS benchmadebear has mentioned, it is a bit too bulky and heavy.

Spyderco: I own few Manix2, Sage 3, PolMdl, Dragonfly2. Exception of few blade, I am not that much into leaf shaped blade. 2 thing I like from them. One is that they adopt CQI (Constant Quality Improvement) Like some Japanese manufacture, the company always improve their product. Unfortunately, IMO BKC doesn't do it often enough, or they would only do with LE and not to be made again.

<Rant>
(I want RIFT in M390 with liners cross drilled!!!)
</Rant>

Yeah, still fan of BKC but more of "wait to see" attitude toward some of their model.

MFL

I agree with you on basically everything.

Yeah, I didn't know if they called them stonewashed or satin, guess I didnt pay enough attention while researching them but it is all good. Thx. for clearing it up! I found one with a satin blade at a better price then I had seen online anywhere so I hope I like it!

Like I said earlier! If by chance I dont like it, I hope I can recoop my funds back cause I didnt pay retail! LOL

You'll love it. I'm selling my 581 because I love the Rift design that much, but my 586 is staying put. The only thing that might displace it would be the 484.

 

[BMCGear]

Ostensibly, this is exactly what Benchmade wants. They could have gone about it differently though, by allowing the brick&mortar-only stores (ALL Benchmade dealers must have a physical storefront) to offer the same kind of unspoken discount that the big online stores did.


I agree with you on basically everything.


You'll love it. I'm selling my 581 because I love the Rift design that much, but my 586 is staying put. The only thing that might displace it would be the 484.

Are you getting a Rift again? I'm carrying a 940 but man I have the itch to get an 810 or a 950 (even though I don't care for the handle jimping on either) again because I love the blade shape of the reverse tanto. The 940 will be my EDC but having a Contego around for the heavier stuff might be cool.

 

[uofaengr]

The Ritter mini grip was worth it before and more worth it now.

 

[sir_mike]

You'll love it. I'm selling my 581 because I love the Rift design that much, but my 586 is staying put. The only thing that might displace it would be the 484.

I looked at the 484 but just didnt like it as much compared to the 586. I also like the 810-1401 and the reverse tanto style but that blade is too long for me to daily carry!

 

[pnsxyr]

I have been seeing PM2's on Amazon for around $125. The temptation is becoming more than I can bear. I wish you still had your PM2, I would definitely give you my Grip and a chunk of cash to take that overhyped Spyder out of your hair.

Retailers are often selling PM2s for $105-110 shipped. Some of which are on this forum.

 

[pnsxyr]

I didn't read the whole thread because i don't have time for random b.s..

I just wanted to add, what other knife company replaces blades for $30 dollars, does laser engraving for $5 dollars, pays for return shipping, and gives out free clips/screws..

CRK doesn't, Spyderco doesn't, CRKT doesn't, EKI doesn't, Hogue doesn't, Strider doesn't, William Henry doesn't, Cold Steel doesn't, Hinderer doesn't, KAI does majority of that at slight higher prices...

I have several knives from all different manufacturers over the years and majority of them have awesome customer service, but they all end up with the end user having to pay more if theres a problem 5 years down the line.

just saying.

KAI replaces blades for $10, and they do not charge premiums for their premium blades. I have had them replace blades for me in CPM-154 and CPM-S30V. I think one was $15 because it was DLC coated. ZTs are generally $30 IIRC and that includes steels like M390.

Benchmade has fantastic customer service. But they aren't in some exclusive club compared to others. KAI has equally good service with good initial pricing and fantastic warranty pricing. Both KAI and Benchmade make some fantastic knives. It's also worth noting that, like KAI, Benchmade generally does not gouge when it comes to their premium blade steels. There may be a small premium, but it's generally only like $5-10. When the 710M2HS was in production, they replaced a 710HSSR blade for me at about the same cost of the ATS-34 model.

 

[Pachwenko]

I think that a few of their knives are definitely worth it, I would pay 200$ maybe more for a 940, and that's about it the other knives besides gold class seem to have fair prices. Whether or not you would pay that is up to you lol. My next knife and 2nd collector knife will most likely be a Spyderco Slysz Bowie but if something else comes along ill get that, maybe a para 2? All subject to opinion but as you asked for mine, I would say if you want it and like it then go for it, most knife makers make knives and price them so that you get what you pay for, in Benchmades case that's good customer service and unique knives with OK quality control and for most people that's fine.

 

[BMCGear]

KAI replaces blades for $10, and they do not charge premiums for their premium blades. I have had them replace blades for me in CPM-154 and CPM-S30V. I think one was $15 because it was DLC coated. ZTs are generally $30 IIRC and that includes steels like M390.

Benchmade has fantastic customer service. But they aren't in some exclusive club compared to others. KAI has equally good service with good initial pricing and fantastic warranty pricing. Both KAI and Benchmade make some fantastic knives. It's also worth noting that, like KAI, Benchmade generally does not gouge when it comes to their premium blade steels. There may be a small premium, but it's generally only like $5-10. When the 710M2HS was in production, they replaced a 710HSSR blade for me at about the same cost of the ATS-34 model.

KAI may only charge $10 but ZT charges $30 which is more in line with BM.

 

[RevDevil]

"I don't like the MAP princing." ... "free cookies taken away." ... "I didn't read the whole thread because i don't have time for random b.s.. I just wanted to add, what other knife company replaces blades for $30 dollars, does laser engraving for $5 dollars, pays for return shipping, and gives out free clips/screws.. CRK doesn't, Spyderco doesn't, CRKT doesn't, EKI doesn't, Hogue doesn't, Strider doesn't, William Henry doesn't, Cold Steel doesn't, Hinderer doesn't, KAI does majority of that at slight higher prices..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM_p1Az05Jo&feature=kp

ZT/Kershaw does. Besides, if you really took a minute to add up the cost of all those "freebies" as you call them, they really aren't free. You are paying for them. It's built into the cost of the item. Factor in how many people are sending their items back for some kind of replacement/repair work as well. Free isn't as free as you may think it is. Carry on.

 

[jfalkos]

This whole issue turned me off from Benchmade. $100+ for a griptilian in 154cm? No thank you. For $10-$20 more I'll take my PM2. I sold all but two of my BM's.

This is the kind of reaction that I think is crap. A company raised their prices, so you sell all of their products that you already own?

 

[MatthewSB]

It's not just the fixed high prices that bother me, it's that they use Omega springs in just about every single model that they sell now which means that at some point, or maybe several, I'll have to pay $15 to ship it in for warranty work because they won't sell high breakage parts for spares.

I wish they'd do special runs of the Ares, Stryker, and AFCK with liner locks. I'd buy a pair of each...

This is the kind of reaction that I think is crap. A company raised their prices, so you sell all of their products that you already own?

Thanks to the new high prices, he was probably able to sell them for more than he paid for them when they were priced reasonably.

 

[Lennyo3034]

Benchmade changed their policy on how dealers sell their knives. That is not the same as a price increase. This was to help their smaller dealers, and BM isn't actually seeing the extra money. The number of customers this affects is relatively low compared to BM's total sales. Believe it or not, BM sells way more knives over a counter than online. This really only affects a small number of people, who happen to be active on this forum. Those that think they are going to teach BM a lesson by not buying BM anymore need to get over themselves.

FWIW, as far as price for what you get, Spyderco had a better value even before the MAP changes. I will continue to buy from both.

 

[loonybin]

Are you getting a Rift again? I'm carrying a 940 but man I have the itch to get an 810 or a 950 (even though I don't care for the handle jimping on either) again because I love the blade shape of the reverse tanto. The 940 will be my EDC but having a Contego around for the heavier stuff might be cool.

Already have another. I found a used 950BK for less than the price of a HK14715 with plans on acid etching and stonewashing the blade and hardware, dying the scales, etc. My 14y.o. decided the black blade looked better with his green/black scales, so the scales were swapped, and my 950BK became his, and his 950 Prototype became mine. If my son kept the box like I told him to do, I may sell it to someone who wants to collect prototypes and get myself another Rift to modify. Otherwise, I'll give this one an acid bath, stonewash, and dye the handles either green/black or blue/black.

I looked at the 484 but just didnt like it as much compared to the 586. I also like the 810-1401 and the reverse tanto style but that blade is too long for me to daily carry!

The Rift is the perfect fit in between the Contego which is too large for many, and the 940, which is too small for many. Having owned all three, the 950 is my favorite.

I wish they'd do special runs of the Ares, Stryker, and AFCK with liner locks. I'd buy a pair of each....

The Ares was never made in a liner lock, so you're talking a completely new knife. Bringing back the Stryker and AFCK in liner lock would be nice IF they make left-handed versions as well. The 910-LH that I had was very nice. The 910 that I had handled didn't work too well for me.

 

[pnsxyr]

KAI may only charge $10 but ZT charges $30 which is more in line with BM.

As-noted.

 

[anthony cheeseboro]

The HK14715, is the only kind of BM I have bought since MAP because it is not covered by the new BM policy.

It's a great deal!:thumbup:

 

[Spudly94]

The newish benchmade axis Stryker knives is something i would like to try , but no one seems to have them and giving information about them , are people not buying them cause they think they are overpriced or are they just don't know about them

 

[Krissig12]

This is the kind of reaction that I think is crap. A company raised their prices, so you sell all of their products that you already own?

Exactly what I thought......

 

[Dutter574]

I agree with you 100%