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

my Mini stryker is my favorite EDC, rugged little knife that wears nice. One of the smoothest benmade's I own. I just picked up the Hk 14715, very similar larger knife. I guess the Stryker price scares some away, I do not see many reviews. No regrets at all with the mini, I may pick up its big brother I like it so much.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
Why do we keep poking a dead horse? Benchmade changed their pricing guidelines...move on.

I started using Benchmade's after the MAP Fiasco. I see others are pointing to Spyderco as a better alternative and I have no issue with Spyderco except that they don't make knives that I like to carry (so far). I had a PM2 and I would take a Griptilian over it. I just didn't like the knife. Right now I have a 940 in my pocket and although I agree it's a pricey knife (for me) it is one of my favorites. It carries sleek and slim, is light, but is still solid. It seems to me that BM, ZT, and Spyderco are the big three of production knives on the forums. I choose BM over ZT and Spyderco because in general I like their designs better. ZT's are heavy and overbuilt for the most part and Spyderco's just carry weird for me. Also BM takes care of their customers I've gotten numerous pocket clips, know that my blade can be sharpened for 5 bucks, free Omega springs if they fell, and can have my blade replaced for $30.00. Spyderco does not always have clips and they do not replace blades. ZT's customer service is about on par with BM but again the majority of their folders are super heavy and are assisted opening. I don't care for either of those things.

The "price increase" doesn't bother me because I wasn't around before and I'm not comparing the price of the knife I can buy now to the price of the knife I could buy before. I think the knife that I buy and the service I get is worth the current asking price.
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Hear! Hear!
 
I'll take my 940 over a sebenza (calm down guys, its just my taste). I wish they were still cheaper, but I also think they have the best lock in the industry and can charge a premium for it. But I'd have WAY more of them if they'd go back to regular pricing.
 
Ive been a BM fan for almost two decades :eek: Obviously, I love their designs, axis lock, service...Overall happy with what I get... But it is getting damned expensive. Some models are obscenely so especially when compared with what other brands offer at the same pricepoints. I suppose, you can't look at it that way anymore and just take it for what their worth by themselves. The "entry fee" since MAP enforcement has lessened the number of BM's I have purchased and have passed on knives I would have purchased. Very recent examples are the 484-1, 761, and the SHOT mini Ruckus. Those would have been no brainers pre-MAP for me.
 
I have a few Benchmade knives :) all but three bought before MAP, those are a #14800HK, #32 balisong, and a #761. Will I buy more? Yes, I'm sure I will. Does the MAP bother me? A little, but not enough to keep me from buying a knife I like :) All the knives on my want list I have to save up for anyway, so... :rolleyes:
 
People will pay for what they want. If it hurts BM's bottom line, they'll change it. To say they're overpriced is subjective at best when you consider what others are paying for different brands (like Strider)
That said, I've owned two Axis locks, and I'll never get another. I'm always having to fidgit with the pivot and replacing the springs way more than what I should. I'm holding out that they'll come out with their own SAK in the hunt line. Otherwise, I have what I want from them.
 
I bought a 940-1 and yes it was kind of steep. I emailed BM asking for a low-rider clip and 3 days later received a package with (2) low rider clips and 4 screws at no charge. One clip was stainless and one black. How many companies do this?
 
I've recently changed my view on some of these. I have always hated the sound of a full size Grip. It simply sounds like a plastic toy. Still, I have always liked the shape of the handle and the overall dimensions. While most BMs hit my hand all wrong, the Grip is a great fit.

I bought my brother and I BM 551s, and am just fine with the price.
 
Being one of Benchmades newest dealers I applaud their efforts with MAPP pricing. Everyone complains about not seeing enough good quality Brick and Mortar Stores in existence anymore, well Benchmade is trying to help the ones that exist, stay in business, and cause others to come to the market. Benchmade was one of the reasons we opened a Brick and mortar store.

I will be the first to say that I was not a huge Benchmade fan. Mostly because I have not been an axis lock fan. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have always been a ZT knut. It was hard at first taking a ZT out of my pocket and carrying my Benchmade Triage (it appealed to me most). Now I am very glad I did. Don't get me wrong I still love my ZT's but I have a new found respect and like for Benchmade Knives. I think they are worth the money and after carrying my Triage for almost 2 weeks now, I would definitely buy another one in a second if something happened to mine! Great knife and truthfully a great company to work with!

IMG_8289[1] https://www.flickr.com/people/57703464@N02/
 
bluemetalchurch said:
Why do we keep poking a dead horse? Benchmade changed their pricing guidelines...move on.

I started using Benchmade's after the MAP Fiasco. I see others are pointing to Spyderco as a better alternative and I have no issue with Spyderco except that they don't make knives that I like to carry (so far). I had a PM2 and I would take a Griptilian over it. I just didn't like the knife. Right now I have a 940 in my pocket and although I agree it's a pricey knife (for me) it is one of my favorites. It carries sleek and slim, is light, but is still solid. It seems to me that BM, ZT, and Spyderco are the big three of production knives on the forums. I choose BM over ZT and Spyderco because in general I like their designs better. ZT's are heavy and overbuilt for the most part and Spyderco's just carry weird for me. Also BM takes care of their customers I've gotten numerous pocket clips, know that my blade can be sharpened for 5 bucks, free Omega springs if they fell, and can have my blade replaced for $30.00. Spyderco does not always have clips and they do not replace blades. ZT's customer service is about on par with BM but again the majority of their folders are super heavy and are assisted opening. I don't care for either of those things.

The "price increase" doesn't bother me because I wasn't around before and I'm not comparing the price of the knife I can buy now to the price of the knife I could buy before. I think the knife that I buy and the service I get is worth the current asking price.
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:thumbup:

This just about sums up my feeling perfectly. I have always had good luck with every BM I have purchased, though I will admit to not being a hard user. I too didn't start getting into them until the MAP enforcement so it doesn't effect me as badly as others (plus I get an LE discount). Their customer service has been awesome every time I have had a question about something and I have gotten many clips and studs at no charge by just asking. Top notch in my book. I don't mind paying a bit extra for that kind of support and the fact the its an American company that still produces in the US. I also love the Axis-lock, for its ease of opening, strength, and also how easy it is to close. Nothing (except maybe the Arc-lock) is comparable to me. I haven't found anything that can kick the humble 710 out of my pocket except maybe my 710-1401 ;)
 
The cow said:
I'm always having to fidgit with the pivot
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Blue Loctite or teflon tape fixes that problem.

and replacing the springs way more than what I should.
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After 16 years of owning Benchmade knives, I have never had to replace a broken omega spring. And I've owned/used quite a few. Multiple mini-Grips, multiple Rifts, Contegos, a couple Adamas, Presidio... I owned a 710 shortly after they were released in 1999 and kept it until 2009. Not once did I have to get a spring replaced. Just what the heck do you do to break them??
 
I have been a huge benchmade fan in the past. Owned knives of a variety of price ranges. They were all nice, some very nice, some "nice enough."

But what they are charging....not really interested. It's got to be appealing & convince me that it's appealing enough to overcome the price tag.
 
I have owned many, and more often than not, I would say they're not worth MAP. There have been a few cases where I believe I got my money's worth.

746 - Excellent F&F, pretty much flawless out of box, scary sharp
HK 14715 - For $100, it's a steal for what you get IMO
908 - it just speaks to me, nearly perfect out of box
BC 15020 - Great G-10, great steel, great F&F
 
Even though this is a year old thread...

I'd gladly pay $150 for a 551 Griptilian. It's an excellent knife.
 
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