When did Benchmade stop making this pocket clip?

[GermanyChris]

I had an AFO in the Army and I recently found and purchased one and I'm trying to date it.



I'm hoping this is in the 2003-2004 era but my googlefu is failing probably because I don't know what this clip is called. Help me out folks when did Benchmade stop making this clip and go with the more spoon like version?

 

[Nikkogi]

The split arrow clip comes standard on the Benchmade Nakamura

 

[billym]

They still make it. It is called the Split Arrow clip.

 

[GermanyChris]

The split arrow clip comes standard on the Benchmade Nakamura

Split arrow DOH..that should help my googling

 

[Nbrackett]

Just got a few in the mail today from BM.

 

[Lee48]

Benchmade still makes this type of clip. It's been standard on several of my more recent purchases.

 

[GermanyChris]

Since the pocket clip is obviously a bad way to date it is there a good way?

 

[GermanyChris]

There is obviously a difference in font between the 522 foreground and 9050 in the background. Did the font change at any particular time?

 

[Lee48]

Until someone does an accurate and exhaustive research project, I'm not sure there is a way to accurately date them. Dating would be easier if all knife companies used year of production symbols like Buck and Case or serial number each knife but most companies don't. And most have slight to major variations in features and materials throughout their production periods that are virtually impossible to track to a specific date.

 

[Reswob]

You can call BM and find out when the 9050 was discontinued. That will at least tell you the newest it could be.