Long post - sorry. Don't misunderstand me, Benchmade knives are my favorite, and I just bought 3 in the last week. I will continue to buy them.
I have been unsuccessful buying Benchmade via the net (over the past 8 years) due to quality issues, so I have resorted to brick and mortar and pretty much full retail. I really need to handle and inspect them before buying.
One and a half weeks ago I went out looking for some new knives. I wanted a 940, a 950, a 755, and a 746. I went to 3 different stores. I handled 3 755's, 3 746's, 2 950's, and 1 940.
Of the 3 755's, all 3 had some type of issue - 2 had very noticeable vertical blade play, and the 3rd was solid, except the clip was bent literally .25 of an inch away from the handle. I had to pass on all 3, esp
Of the 3 746's, 2 handle vertical blade play and uncentered blades. I purchased the 3rd one.
Of the 950's, one had an uncentered blade such that the blade hit the liner when closing or opening. I even requested that the guy behind the counter try to tighten the pivot bolt to see if centered it. It did not work. The second was actually a 950-1. It is nearly perfect, so I bought it. I prefer the 950, but I also like the 950-1, so I bought it.
I only got to handle 1 940. I bought it - overall quality was good - lockup solid, blade centered. After some time at home, I noticed that the grind towards the tip is off on one side compared to the other. It makes it look like the tip is bent. Looking at it from above, on the left, it goes straight to the tip. In the right, it curves very slightly as you get to the tip. It is relatively minor, and most people wouldn't notice. I accept it.
I have had countless other episodes with Benchmade knives - all the way back to 1998 - at both Brick and mortar and via the net. I have had to send several back. I have well over 20 Benchmades, and almost all have a very minor issue (such as a blade slightly off center, a scale that doesn't line up perfect with a liner, a spacer that sticks out too far), but they are what I would consider acceptable. I can't be too picky when it come to a production knife. However, vertical blade play, a bent clip such as the one on the 755, a blade off center enough to rub against a liner are unacceptable. 4 or 5 of my liner locks even have developed blade play with minimal use, and they have been retired well before they should have been.
I bought a Morpho that was literally missing screws and the spacer fell out when I opened the knife. Back it went. The next one from another website had the clip bent out so far it was no longer useful. I went to bend it back, and the titanium snapped. I ordered another from Benchmade and eventually got it resolved. I have read about others that have had no problems, and I am surprised.
Thoughts?
I have been unsuccessful buying Benchmade via the net (over the past 8 years) due to quality issues, so I have resorted to brick and mortar and pretty much full retail. I really need to handle and inspect them before buying.
One and a half weeks ago I went out looking for some new knives. I wanted a 940, a 950, a 755, and a 746. I went to 3 different stores. I handled 3 755's, 3 746's, 2 950's, and 1 940.
Of the 3 755's, all 3 had some type of issue - 2 had very noticeable vertical blade play, and the 3rd was solid, except the clip was bent literally .25 of an inch away from the handle. I had to pass on all 3, esp
Of the 3 746's, 2 handle vertical blade play and uncentered blades. I purchased the 3rd one.
Of the 950's, one had an uncentered blade such that the blade hit the liner when closing or opening. I even requested that the guy behind the counter try to tighten the pivot bolt to see if centered it. It did not work. The second was actually a 950-1. It is nearly perfect, so I bought it. I prefer the 950, but I also like the 950-1, so I bought it.
I only got to handle 1 940. I bought it - overall quality was good - lockup solid, blade centered. After some time at home, I noticed that the grind towards the tip is off on one side compared to the other. It makes it look like the tip is bent. Looking at it from above, on the left, it goes straight to the tip. In the right, it curves very slightly as you get to the tip. It is relatively minor, and most people wouldn't notice. I accept it.
I have had countless other episodes with Benchmade knives - all the way back to 1998 - at both Brick and mortar and via the net. I have had to send several back. I have well over 20 Benchmades, and almost all have a very minor issue (such as a blade slightly off center, a scale that doesn't line up perfect with a liner, a spacer that sticks out too far), but they are what I would consider acceptable. I can't be too picky when it come to a production knife. However, vertical blade play, a bent clip such as the one on the 755, a blade off center enough to rub against a liner are unacceptable. 4 or 5 of my liner locks even have developed blade play with minimal use, and they have been retired well before they should have been.
I bought a Morpho that was literally missing screws and the spacer fell out when I opened the knife. Back it went. The next one from another website had the clip bent out so far it was no longer useful. I went to bend it back, and the titanium snapped. I ordered another from Benchmade and eventually got it resolved. I have read about others that have had no problems, and I am surprised.
Thoughts?
