What's the story with the 757 Vicar?

jstrange said:
Sorry to derail the Vicar thread, but I think the lack of communication is the idea being discussed here, at least in part.
Click to expand...

No worries as you are right on point, and everyone else who is discussing the lack of information, moderator and or Benchmade participation in this sub forum.

The purpose of my post was to try and get some information from Benchmade concerning the 757 Vicar and the sudden unannounced change. At least unannounced as far as I can tell? This after I pre-ordered the knife thinking I was getting one thing but turns I will be getting something very different.

That not withstanding, the underlying or root issue here is as you and others have stated, the lack of Benchmade's presence in their own forum or any real interaction with the fan's.

I also "Hoped" that Benchmade would respond to this thread and provide amplifying information about my question and other questions and issues that have arisen of late.

All the best!
 
Perhaps they are all off for the holidays and will get back with us after the first.
 
jstrange said:
Perhaps they are all off for the holidays and will get back with us after the first.
Click to expand...

For the last 5 months? Nah....No holiday lasts that long. I think a good mod(s) for this forum would be the guy and girl that make the videos. ;)
From what I've seen in other companies (not knife related) when a top to bottom reorganization takes place, bureaucratic corporate cultures usually take over and then things slowly start circling the drain. Being on a first name basis with a company mod makes things much less formal, puts people at ease, and calms things down pretty well.
 
Benchmade was my first real "quality" folder. The first time I held a Benchmade I realized that my love of knives that began when I first admired my grandpa's knife as a small child was going to quickly progress from a rather passive admiration of SAKs and simple camping knives to an outright passion. I loved my first Benchmades. I actually really like both versions of the 757. I really am on the fence about getting the 761. The only reason I'm on the fence has more to do with what Rev and others have alluded to here. There seems to be a growing corporate detachment at Benchmade. I am hesitant to spend $300+ on any knife, let alone one from a company that has had some QC issues as of late, when I can take those same dollars to a company I know I can (and have) get personal responses from the owner of the company or at least one of their higher ups either in this forum, their company forum, or on Facebook. Benchmade's relationship with their customers seems a lot like a marriage that has gone stale. Please Benchmade, please! Woo us. Take us out to dinner (or just build the best knife for the money and respond to our concerns). Give us a reason to fall in love all over again.
 
Hmm...

I guess I'm one of the odd men out that actually thinks the new blade shape looks better than the old one. Either way though I wouldn't buy this knife personally. Even though Benchmade isn't very active on this forum I have seen them take care of customers with complaints about products/needed help; such as the guy that broke his blade or the guy that had issues with his new M390 knife. I have also ALWAYS gotten someone on the phone when I call Benchmade. I've also had really good luck emailing them. A couple of times it has taken two weeks but someone has gotten with me.

But yea, I see why people are complaining about ordering a knife that they think will have one blade shape and then it's changed.

P.S.

Benchmade, If you're reading this I will take a job to help with social media and the forums! :D
 
Just an observation, this is the only tip-up liner lock that BM's ever produced to my knowledge. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but traditionally every BM non-Axis liner or framelock has been tip-down, haven't they? A welcomed change, IMO.
 
Professor said:
Just an observation, this is the only tip-up liner lock that BM's ever produced to my knowledge. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but traditionally every BM non-Axis liner or framelock has been tip-down, haven't they? A welcomed change, IMO.
Click to expand...

I'm not a Benchmade expert and am pretty new to the company/forum but I believe you're correct.
 
Well, it's Monday. maybe Benchmade will see this thread and reply...

Would really like to know if there was an announcement I missed? and or hear some feedback from BM as to the reason for the change.
 
I really like the new blade shape, actually.

The site lists a "combo edge" variation along with the plain. I wouldn't be shocked if the tanto recurve is going to be the combo edge version since they said before the recurve would count as a serration under LifeSharp.
 
pbcg said:
Well, it's Monday. maybe Benchmade will see this thread and reply...

Would really like to know if there was an announcement I missed? and or hear some feedback from BM as to the reason for the change.
Click to expand...

Seems like the only place Benchmade has any activity is on Facebook.
They haven't put up any Youtube vids in almost a year, and their forum had 9 guests the last tome I checked.
 
cncpro11 said:
Seems like the only place Benchmade has any activity is on Facebook.
They haven't put up any Youtube vids in almost a year, and their forum had 9 guests the last tome I checked.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info. I was thinking about just calling and asking but not so sure customer service will be all that up on production changes? We'll see, I may just post on FB and see if I can get a reply to my question that way.

Thanks again!
 
I just called. 4 rings until an operator answered. I was immediately transferred to a customer service representative who explained the change to me in detail. He said that the curve in the blade was classified as a "single serration" and that in their initial attempt to produce the grind, there was too much variance from blade to blade being produced without significantly increasing hand work. It was determined that the hand work required to maintain consistency in production of the grind would require a very significant increase in the cost of the knife so Shane Sibert was consulted for a redesign (the blade shape is his) and the knife was completely re-tooled (which has pushed street date back). He said Mr. Sibert lives nearby Benchmade, is a great guy, and that he bumps in to him at the grocery store. This is what I was told.
 
jazub said:
I just called. 4 rings until an operator answered. I was immediately transferred to a customer service representative who explained the change to me in detail. He said that the curve in the blade was classified as a "single serration" and that in their initial attempt to produce the grind, there was too much variance from blade to blade being produced without significantly increasing hand work. It was determined that the hand work required to maintain consistency in production of the grind would require a very significant increase in the cost of the knife so Shane Sibert was consulted for a redesign (the blade shape is his) and the knife was completely re-tooled (which has pushed street date back). He said Mr. Sibert lives nearby Benchmade, is a great guy, and that he bumps in to him at the grocery store. This is what I was told.
Click to expand...

Thanks for calling Benchmade and relaying the information. I had thought about doing the same. Benchmade comes thru when it counts.
 
Update:

I called BM about the 757 Vicar and they explained that the reason for the change. They weren't able to reproduce the radical recurve design of the original Salvo, at least for mass production with their machinery.

So that's why they changed the design. They couldn't make it happen en-mass, at least staying true to the original design at the current price point so they went with another Sibert design they felt consistent with it's intended use, a strong, tough, capable knife.

At least they were honest about it and I get it. It's one thing for a custom shop to do when you have days / weeks to make a single blade at a time and quite another when you have to mass produce one.

I feel a lot better now knowing what's going on and I also relayed that several authorized BM retailers still have the "old" design on their sites available for pre-order. The CS rep said they would pass this on to the powers that be so updates can be made.
 
Last edited:
This is what you get when you put a clip point Adamas blade together with a Contego backspacer, hidden Barrage pivot, and a bad sense of humor on the overlays. I am a benchmade fan. I own 20 but this one looks like it came out of the gas station. Just my opinion, nothing more.
 
LOL!

Jazub, I posted and then saw your post. Looks like we were calling / posting around the same time.

Glad to get a answer and thanks for calling also!
 
seroiusly said:
This is what you get when you put a clip point Adamas blade together with a Contego backspacer, hidden Barrage pivot, and a bad sense of humor on the overlays. I am a benchmade fan. I own 20 but this one looks like it came out of the gas station. Just my opinion, nothing more.
Click to expand...

The Vicar wasn't a bunch of existing BM designs and parts thrown together.

It's an original custom Sibert design, based on his Salvo.
QLBFsGm.jpg

rKPr2ZG.jpg
 
pbcg said:
LOL!

Jazub, I posted and then saw your post. Looks like we were calling / posting around the same time.

Glad to get a answer and thanks for calling also!
Click to expand...

haha. At least we got our stories straight :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top