Why do popular Benchmade models get discontinued?

[jkarp_53]

Who said the Ares was/is popular? How many people actually carry an Ares? I have never met a person carrying one - except the person I sold one to.

Notice that the Leopold versions still show up and haven't gained in value. Even the regular versions of the Ares have yet to see a big increase in value.

That's a really interesting comment...I don't know anyone either when I think about it. I did own a standard 732 with satin blade and black scales and loved it...but maybe others haven't the same interest. I sure love the blade shape on that thing.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

I think it's just to add to the prestige. As other people have said Benchmade tries to figure out ways to seem more special, more elite, more precious. The people they are targeting are more collectors than users, likely spend $500-1,500 on knives every year, and don't want the same thing over and over again.

I disagree. It doesn't matter how prestigious a discontinued knife is, if they aren't selling it, they're not making any money. They can be the most prestigious knife company in the world but if they aren't making money they're not going to stay in business.

I find it amusing that the haters like to complain about Benchmade new MAP pricing policy even though they can still be had for the same price as before the change. But I have not one time heard anyone complain about ZT and other's MAP pricing policy and I haven't been able to find the couple knives I have looked for, for any less than MAP pricing. It's almost like its getting popular to give Benchmade a hard time lately.

 

[Incahiker]

Who said the Ares was/is popular? How many people actually carry an Ares? I have never met a person carrying one - except the person I sold one to.


Notice that the Leopold versions still show up and haven't gained in value. Even the regular versions of the Ares have yet to see a big increase in value.

Well... my assumption was because they made a ton of different versions of it.. why would they just choose the ares to do this too? Look at the 940 and the 710... rarely do you see one with a different color handle, carbon fiber, etc...

It is just odd that the ares is the one they chose to make a million different variations too vs the other knives. Figured it was because it was popular. Guess not. It is easily one of my favorite benchmades besides the TSEK.

By the way.. I am not giving benchmade a hard time.. I thought it a viable question is all. I like benchmade just fine.

 

[dmowmow]

I just lost my favorite 3100 and it's discontinued, probally because they now make a taiwanese version. I'm not sure of what to replace it with.
If anyone has one they want to sell or know of where I can get one, let me know.

 

[cziv]

Look at the 940 and the 710... rarely do you see one with a different color handle, carbon fiber, etc...

My two favorite (and only remaining) Benchmade knives. I think the gold class 710 comes with some fancy addditions but I forget what they were. It looked very nice and verrrry expensive, last time I checked.

 

[orthogonal1]

Well... my assumption was because they made a ton of different versions of it.. why would they just choose the ares to do this too? Look at the 940 and the 710... rarely do you see one with a different color handle, carbon fiber, etc...

It is just odd that the ares is the one they chose to make a million different variations too vs the other knives. Figured it was because it was popular. Guess not. It is easily one of my favorite benchmades besides the TSEK.

By the way.. I am not giving benchmade a hard time.. I thought it a viable question is all. I like benchmade just fine.

I always figured the color variations were intended to drum up sales. "Oh, what a purtee color" and all that.

Aren't there green, blue, silver and red versions of the 940 out there?

Limited runs seem to push sales - look at Spyderco and Kershaw as they do it also. What better and inexpensive way to offer a "new" knife than to change the blade material, scale color, etc. of an old design? Minimal investment and all that.

I've noticed a lot of knives seem to become "great" only after being discontinued. "Oh man, the Ares was the shnizzle and the Dodo was the snaz".