What is going on with Benchmade?

I

illumination

Joined
Nov 21, 2005
Messages
125
It seems that at least half of their knives have been discontinued...

And the newer knives seem more stylish / less functional than the old ones.
 
Their designers are changing drastically. I'm going to miss the AFCK, but I do like the new Blackwood stuff.
 
The new Benchmades I have bought this year have proven to be gems.
The smallest details are included in the designs and the fit and finish has gotten even better.
Tiny improvements to the locks and finishes show that Benchmade continues to put work into their already great products.
Put up and buy one and you will be impressed.
 
I am looking foward to seeing the replacements for the 806, and the Ares. Their new knives seem to be very functional to me. Take a look at the new 610. Not exactly a pretty knife but it looks very funtional. Then of course the Skirmishes, don't see many people disliking those. Of course time will tell but they seem to be doing a good job to me.

TBG
 
I'm very disapointed in BM's lineup right now. They have nothing at all that I would even want to use.

The 610 looks really ugly to me. I think it's THE worst looking knife they have ever made.

If they continue like this I'll start buying Spyderco only.
 
I agree, with the TSEK and AFCK (and mini-models gone) what's next doing away the the 940 or 710??? I don't like most of their new stuff either, more of my money going to Spyderco.
 
at long last, a production folding henchman!!!! But then they have to mess it up with that crazy handle - vastly limiting its appeal. And it's such a pain to replace the handle on an Axis-lock knife . . . darn. But I'll bet it feels great!
 
when I heard the TSEK was goin I bought a new one, guess I'll have to do that with the ares as well. These are my fav two bencmades. I agree that benchmade has been making some poor choices recently.
 
I agree with you guys that BM's designs have gotten more stylish and less functional. Something that I really do not like, but that's just me, the majority of the buying public would probably prefer it this way. The 610 has a normal drop point blade, yet people are complaining that the blade is boring. Which of course, is fine, I just have a different opinion.

I also agree that their quality has improved, which is great.
 
BM's Bali-Song line needs to be beefed back up. They've treated us to a few limited editions here and there lately, but there's some models that are sorely missed, like the 31, 47 and the 43.
 
Wow, that 610 looks pretty sweet! :thumbup: I'd like to get a hold of one and see how it feel in-hand. It's got a pretty long blade, too, which I like to see.
 
I for one hope they change VERY dramatically. Other them the Ritter Grip, all their offerings pretty much look exactly the same. (except for the skirmish which I don't like)
 
Planterz said:
BM's Bali-Song line needs to be beefed back up. They've treated us to a few limited editions here and there lately, but there's some models that are sorely missed, like the 31, 47 and the 43.
Click to expand...
See model 46DM in the Gold Class section. It might be pricy, but she's a beuty.
 
The 610 is disapointing because it's a Blackwell but w/out the blade appeal?! I mean go to his website, all you see are gorgeous grinds...so what happened? BM hit a homerun with the Skirmish, I think they fouled this one off. I'm not a huge fan of Ti so i'd like to see a 630/635 w/liners and G10 and an Axis lock.
The 610 looks really ugly to me. I think it's THE worst looking knife they have ever made.
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Have ya SEEN the Gravitator? Now THAT'S ugly. Although oddly comfortable in the hand, but w/out the visceral appeal and axis lock it's just another ugly knife. But still, nothings as ugly as the Spydie Civilian!:barf: :D
 
My 2 most favorite folders are the Benchmade 805 and the 721s...My 2 EDC's, and both DC'd by Benchmade...But I'm still not mad enough to jump off the "Benchmade ship", and swim back to "the other knife company". For me, I'll take "the old" over "the new", but on the other hand, I do like some of the new Benchmade designs/collaborations...
 
Bring on the change. I consider benchmade quality to be #1, and I love the Benchmades I have, but their lineup was filled with 5 different versions (on slight variations) of the same knife....roughly equal length, choice in steels, axis lock, etc. No point. It's not that big of a deal when there's the stylistic difference of the 940 versus the minigrip...

The blackwood has rekindled my interest. I was pretty confident I was going to buy a 710, but now I have to check this one out.

I think it looks fantastic, personally. Though I'm not much for the colors. And I don't like how it looks when closed.

May be too huge too, will have to try it out.

I agree about the balis, too....the 42 is actually my least favorite Benchmade bali because of the weehawk blade, which I personally don't find attractive on a bali. Grabbed a 41MC while I still could.
 
I think it's disappointing when a good design knife is discontinued. I've wanted an 806 D2 for a few years now...I'll have to snatch one up before they are gone!

It's obvious as to why BM and other companies discontinue models and change their line-ups from time to time - older models become collectors, and it promotes new designs. So far, we've seen all of 2 new BM designs here?

You see this trend in the automotive industry, and in other consumer products. Simple economics. Consumers want newer products and technologies. A company has to look at sales and profits first if they are to continue; if they carry certain models "forever" how long until the production costs outweigh the profits? Most people buy 1 or 2 of a model, and only replace them them if they are lost or become damaged. How many Skirmishes did they sell this year vs. AFCKs?

While knife nuts are the sort to be die-hard followers, new designs can also make or break a company. The purpose of any business is to make a profit. If they aren't making a profit, they cannot use new technologies or stay in business for long.

I'd say be patient and see what else BM has in store.
 
I really like the RUCKUS but it is bigger than I want in a folder. Drop the blade down to 3.5" and then I would buy it. When folders start getting 4" or more I switch to a fixed blade.
 
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