Who is buying these new Benchmades?

[RocketFoot]

Do you have a Demko Knife? If you do then you must realize it has as much "plastic" as any Benchmade knife and more than many! As the owner of a nice new Demko AD20S and a new Benchmade Adira I must say the two compare very closely, with the edge, in my opinion, going to the $200.00 less expensive Benchmade.

View attachment 2671026

I have several Demko's in G10 and Titanium. Your AD20 is G10 (Garolite composite) fiberglass which most consider to be a more premium material than injection molded thermoplastic or Grivory which I believe the Adira is made from. I'm not saying Grivory is bad by any means...I have many knives with plastic scales that I do love! I just feel that the Demko AD20 is a little more premium than many of the Benchmade offerings. Now if you are talking about the Adamas from Benchmade...that is a different story! The Adamas is a steel lined, G10 monster that I rate up there with my Demko's!

 

[Sibyrnes]

I have several Demko's in G10 and Titanium. Your AD20 is G10 (Garolite composite) fiberglass which most consider to be a more premium material than injection molded thermoplastic or Grivory which I believe the Adira is made from. I'm not saying Grivory is bad by any means...I have many knives with plastic scales that I do love! I just feel that the Demko AD20 is a little more premium than many of the Benchmade offerings. Now if you are talking about the Adamas from Benchmade...that is a different story! The Adamas is a steel lined, G10 monster that I rate up there with my Demko's!

I am comparing my Adira to AD20S, and if you get the chance to you might be surprised!

 

[RocketFoot]

I am comparing my Adira to AD20S, and if you get the chance to you might be surprised!

I understand, but I'm saying the AD20S has nested steel liners vs. the partial liner and back spacer in the Adira. Everything in the AD20S is steel except for the scales. I don't dislike the Adira, but the AD20S still wins my vote for "more premium" that's all I am saying. Have you ever had your knives apart? You might be surprised.

 

[DMG]

Has coffee become this artisan crafted thing now though?

I walk in to a shop and get these specialist bean blends by trained coffee makers who put smiley faces in the froth.

That should theoretically cost more.

(It is not an artisan crafted thing I care about. But the country of origin of a knife is not something I care about either.)

Thinking about it. Production Knives are going the artisan route as well.

I remember when I did not know the designer of a Production knife. Now that is put forward in marketing.

And theoretically has worth.

Thinking about my Civivi vision. Which is a Sneck design. I don't know who he is.

No. That refers to the cost of a regular cup of coffee. But fancy coffee isn’t new. Starbucks (for example) has been around for over 50 years.

The frothy stuff and lattes cost 2x as much.

 

[Sibyrnes]

I understand, but I'm saying the AD20S has nested steel liners vs. the partial liner and back spacer in the Adira. Everything in the AD20S is steel except for the scales. I don't dislike the Adira, but the AD20S still wins my vote for "more premium" that's all I am saying. Have you ever had your knives apart? You might be surprised.

Sorry for the not so great photos of my AD20S

 

[DMG]

Too soft??? They run it at 61-63 IIRC

Too bad the steel wasn’t a little softer probably wouldn’t have chipped on ya LOL

It looks like kershaw may be doing Magnacut right but they and ZT have a history of running steels soft.

If someone wants to send me a bel air, I’ll try it out

 

[RocketFoot]

Sorry for the not so great photos of my AD20SView attachment 2671136

If you look on the top of the inside, your AD20S should have nested liners that run about 3/4 the length of the knife...they are also partial liners but they cover more area than the BM liner. Like I said, nothing wrong with either knife, but in my opinion, the AD20 seems and feels more solid with less flex than the Adira.

Here is the inside of my AD20S (I added an aluminum back spacer)


And here is the inside of an Adira

 

[Sibyrnes]

Error

 

[mitchnola]

I like Benchmade and I have bought several of their knives but I am not a big fan of the materials they are using! They may be quality materials but for the kind of money they are asking, I have discovered other options like Demko, Spartan and even Microtech. It seems like you get a much more solid product from these guys vs. Benchmade. Even the Taiwan made Demko 20.5 has more value (or maybe perceived value) thank a $250 plastic Benchmade knife.

Although, I also don't see a lot of the appeal in the long list of $500 range EDC knives that all seem to have the same boring look and boring frame locks! No offense to anyone but I don't understand why anyone would buy these high dollar, cookie cutter knives when there are other options out there that are...well, more exciting? I don't even have a desire to own a Sebenza or Zaan because of this...they just seem plain, over priced and boring. Now if CRK came out with a new model that had a Shark Lock or Ram Lock...that would top my grail list! Again, please take no offense...this is just my opinion on the matter at hand! I may ponder over this but I would never discourage anyone from spending their hard earned money on whatever pleases them! Variety is the spice of 'Knife!'

I used to feel exactly the same way in regards to knives in the $500 price range. Couldn’t understand how any knife could be worth that much.

That changed after going to my first bladeshow and getting to finally handle a hinderer. I was instantly blown away by the quality of the build and functionality. Not to mention it felt completely indestructible. I bought two that first day and never looked back. Curious if you’ve actually been able to handle any of these cookie cutter midtechs? And if so completely respect your opinion, cause there’s a valid argument from anyone that a $500 pocket knife is absurd. But the fact is, there’s not a hobby out there that you can’t spend absurd amounts of money on.

As far as the adira vs the demko, I’d go for the adira over the ad20 primarily because of the blade shape. Never handled the adira but I have handled a few ad20’s and while great knives I just can’t get past the blade shape. Just looks like it would be best at spreading mayonnaise. Just my opinion though.

 

[Sibyrnes]

Believe me, when I spend almost twice as much for one knife as another, I really want that knife to be great. When making comparisons, I’m rootin’ for the expensive one every time. I really like my AD20S and I’m glad I bought it, especially since they are local to me, BUT, that Adira is sweet - I mean look at that blade

 

[RocketFoot]

I used to feel exactly the same way in regards to knives in the $500 price range. Couldn’t understand how any knife could be worth that much.

That changed after going to my first bladeshow and getting to finally handle a hinderer. I was instantly blown away by the quality of the build and functionality. Not to mention it felt completely indestructible. I bought two that first day and never looked back. Curious if you’ve actually been able to handle any of these cookie cutter midtechs? And if so completely respect your opinion, cause there’s a valid argument from anyone that a $500 pocket knife is absurd. But the fact is, there’s not a hobby out there that you can’t spend absurd amounts of money on.

Oh yeah, I have handled some XM18's and stuff like that and I agree that they are amazing!! I was referring to all the knives that kinda look the same and you can't even tell what knives they are when people post collection shots and stuff, LOL! But yes! I do agree with that! Hinderer's and even the CRK's are definately over built and very solid! I just feel like I want something more exciting for that kind of money, ya know what I mean, Haha!

 

[Maximumbob54]

I remember when I did not know the designer of a Production knife. Now that is put forward in marketing.

And theoretically has worth.

Probably been around for a while now but I only recently notices some vendors allow you to filter by designers.

 

[RocketFoot]

Believe me, when I spend almost twice as much for one knife as another, I really want that knife to be great. When making comparisons, I’m rootin’ for the expensive one every time. I really like my AD20S and I’m glad I bought it, especially since they are local to me, BUT, that Adira is sweet - I mean look at that blade

Indeed! Again, I'm just splitting hairs here! They are both great knives! I am not a Benchmade hater at all! I currently own 4 of them!

 

[mitchnola]

Oh yeah, I have handled some XM18's and stuff like that and I agree that they are amazing!! I was referring to all the knives that kinda look the same and you can't even tell what knives they are when people post collection shots and stuff, LOL! But yes! I do agree with that! Hinderer's and even the CRK's are definately over built and very solid! I just feel like I want something more exciting for that kind of money, ya know what I mean, Haha!

For sure, and I get what ya mean. It’s all about what gets those juices flowing. I think the shark lock is awesome, just can’t get past the blade shape. Take some hinderer/crk blades and put em on the ad20 and I’d have a bunch of em.

 

[RocketFoot]

For sure, and I get what ya mean. It’s all about what gets those juices flowing. I think the shark lock is awesome, just can’t get past the blade shape. Take some hinderer/crk blades and put em on the ad20 and I’d have a bunch of em.

Yes! Wouldn't it be cool if knives were customizable like AR15's! Maybe we are on to something here!!

BTW, Demko does have a bunch of different blade styles...have you seen the different ones? Here is a graphic from their site with some of the different shapes...

 

[jbib]

I suspect most complaints are the pricepoint not the knife. At that price in my opinion they must convince the customer they are purchasing a custom knife not a "regular" model. Appears they aren't doing a very good on the custom knife angle.

 

[mitchnola]

Yes! Wouldn't it be cool if knives were customizable like AR15's! Maybe we are on to something here!!

BTW, Demko does have a bunch of different blade styles...have you seen the different ones? Here is a graphic from their site with some of the different shapes...

I’ve seen em all though looking at em now, I do kinda like that spear point. I really appreciate your advocacy of what you like. I’m known to do the same. Have you ever heard of Les George?

 

[RocketFoot]

I’ve seen em all though looking at em now, I do kinda like that spear point. I really appreciate your advocacy of what you like. I’m known to do the same. Have you ever heard of Les George?

Oh Yeah! I'm a fan! I like Harsey, Chaves & Laconica designs too!

 

[MarbReds]

I wanted a Bugout and would pit micarta scales on it. But it’s just too much and Benchmade just raised their prices on them another $20 in July for the bare bones blue handled one.
I have a lost Kershaw somewhere in the house and am carrying a Buck 112 right now. I like the look of the 112 with micarta scales on it. As soon as this one store gets them back in stock they often have sales. Right now they do have the G10 version so there’s that. Kershaw has some nice affordable US made knives too.

I quite like the micarta on my Adamas. I wish BM used it more often.

 

[tony281sc2]

Yes! Wouldn't it be cool if knives were customizable like AR15's! Maybe we are on to something here!!

BTW, Demko does have a bunch of different blade styles...have you seen the different ones? Here is a graphic from their site with some of the different shapes...

I was not a fan of the original clip point and shark foot that have been around for a while….the harpoon and spear point look pretty cool, but the best one IMO is the Bowie