You thought you could do without a benchmade?

V

vesik

Joined
Jan 12, 2001
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In the past, I've never been particularly attracted to Benchmade knives. I'm what you could call, a Spyderco kinda guy. That's until I went to this page:

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/benchmade/

HOLY S**T! Look at those pictures!!! Until I saw these pictures, I had NO idea how beautiful these knives were. My 710 is now on order.
 
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, because other than the new on that looks like a Spyderco, and the benchmite, IMO they all look almost exactly the same.
 
Pulled back all of my for sales and for trades because I don't think I can go without Benchmade.
 
Got issued a 710 a little bit ago and must say it is a super work knife, super smooth and I love the axis lock. Only time will tell if it starts loosening up at pivot and gets sloppy after hard use for 2-4 months like other BM's I have been issued.
 
Originally posted by vesik
In the past, I've never been particularly attracted to Benchmade knives. I'm what you could call, a Spyderco kinda guy. That's until I went to this page:

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/benchmade/

HOLY S**T! Look at those pictures!!! Until I saw these pictures, I had NO idea how beautiful these knives were. My 710 is now on order.
Click to expand...
I was also a Spyderco kind of guy (still am somewhat), but when I got my first Benchmade (a "730"), that was "it"...Then I got a "710", and a couple days ago, a "705" to go with my "710". I'm hooked!
 
Another convert checking in. I didn't like them much either, thought they were too pricey for what you got. Then I saw my brother's benchmade river knife. He's a hardcore climber/kayaker, big walls, creek boating waterfalls etc.. and if he hasn't beaten it to death, that means it's pretty tough. So I thought more of them after that, then saw my buddies Nimravus and that was it. Got my paycheck friday, went to the local B&M and bought a Cub, cause they were out of full sizes. Just ordered a full size and a Tanto yesterday. Can't wait. Although I'm not really into folders right now I have to say I do like the look of the 630 though, and that new Snody design looks sweet too.
Lagarto
 
I liked benchmade products and still do. My favorite new knife is the Pardue 530. But beware the company is changing. Heretofore they were proud to be American made, only used premium steels and were proud of their inovations. Now they have multiple "grades" of knives some of which are not made in America. They no longer feature premium steels in as high a percentage of their product line. They changed the steel from 154CM to 440C in some products. Blackwood and Benchmade have "stolen" the Spyderco hole opening system and are using it w/o permission (the opening hole is a registered Spyderco trademark.) This is not being "innovative" and is somewhat dastardly. Who knows what the future has in store for Benchmade?
 
Originally posted by brownshoe
I liked benchmade products and still do. My favorite new knife is the Pardue 530. But beware the company is changing. Heretofore they were proud to be American made, only used premium steels and were proud of their inovations. Now they have multiple "grades" of knives some of which are not made in America. They no longer feature premium steels in as high a percentage of their product line. They changed the steel from 154CM to 440C in some products. Blackwood and Benchmade have "stolen" the Spyderco hole opening system and are using it w/o permission (the opening hole is a registered Spyderco trademark.) This is not being "innovative" and is somewhat dastardly. Who knows what the future has in store for Benchmade?
Click to expand...

It's too bad BM isn't all American like CS, Kershaw, or Spyderco. Oh wait, they aren't either. I must say, 440C is a crappy steel. Oh wait, it's definitely no worse than AUS6, AUS8, 420HC, or 440A that other manufacturers are using. Still, it would be nice if they offered D2, M2, or S30V. Oh wait, they do. Who knows what the future has in store? Oh wait, I do. I'm going to order at least 4 more BMs this year.
 
That's harsh brownshoe...

Benchmade is still producing the blue line of knives and they are outstanding knives...

The red line of knives are good value knives...if people buy it and are satisfied with the red line then there shouldn't be a problem...wherever it's made doesn't matter...

Not everyone wants to pay for premium steel...if the knife does its job for them then they are satisfied...benchmade are not forcing you to buy anything from them...they still produce the blue line if you want it...

I'm sure the steel that benchmade chose to use in the red line of knives are usable and good steels...although not up to the standard of some other steels...

But if you want premium everything you can argue why doesn't spyderco produce all handles in G10 instead of FRN...why not use S30V for everything...the way i see it all steel has its use...even crappy ones can be used on display swords...nobody wants to pay for an S30V lord of the rings sword only to hang it over the fireplace....

WHat would you do if all the airlines provided only first class seats?

This way BEnchmade has allowed more people to own a quality knife...
 
Well said Point44. I have one of the new Red Class knives, the mini Ambush and it's really top notch.
Matt
 
Originally posted by Point44


Not everyone wants to pay for premium steel...if the knife does its job for them then they are satisfied...benchmade are not forcing you to buy anything from them...they still produce the blue line if you want it...
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INHO, that's exactly it. In order to survive in a highly competitive market (and world) these companies have to be able to reach out to all segments of the market. Not everybody who wants a quality knife is in a position to lay out $100, $200 and more. In the long run, it's fairer for everybody to have a wide variety of choices within a single manufacturer's domain. It'll keep that company financially viable for a lot longer time.;)
 
The other thing is that the 530 is based on the 350, it's not an exact adaptation, so the fact that it's coming out in 440C doesn't mean that's following suit with any other knives in the blue line. In fact, of the three new ones I've read about, two will have S30V and one will have 154CM as their blade steel.

For the Red line, at least the 160 is still being made in the USA, so not all of the new line will be made overseas. And the American made ones, which temporarily were without "Made In USA" logos will have those logos back making the other ones rare collector models.

I'm not happy about the round opening hole on the BM630, but none of the involved parties have stated an unwillingness to work together.
 
Originally posted by brownshoe
Blackwood and Benchmade have "stolen" the Spyderco hole opening system and are using it w/o permission (the opening hole is a registered Spyderco trademark.) This is not being "innovative" and is somewhat dastardly. Who knows what the future has in store for Benchmade?
Click to expand...

That has been discussed at length in another thread. Let's not ruin this thread by needless namecalling. There are two sides to that story and its not going to get settled here.
 
Thanks for the link, very well done site, Benchmade should spend as much time and care on their own webpages promoting their products. All I can say is if the photos and presentations there impressed you, then get thee to a knife shop! Nothing compares to first hand experience.
 
Originally posted by Point44

WHat would you do if all the airlines provided only first class seats?

This way BEnchmade has allowed more people to own a quality knife...
Click to expand...

What a great analogy!
 
I just ordered a Benchmade 730ARES on e-bay this evening. I have had a Mini-Stryker for about three years...it is my "3 piece suite" knife. Very well made, jewel of a knife. Had'nt thought about Benchmade in a while...been busy buying Spyderco's, Emerson's,etc. But everytime I read some of Glockman99's posts, damn if he does'nt turn me on to some good kit. Thanks to him, I keep an AlMar SERE 2000 in my briefcase, and now I have ordered a BM730. I don't think I will regret it:)
 
If the airlines all had first class seats, it'd be the old Midwest Express, which was great. I used to fly em whenever possible.

The future of benchmade can be shaped by its past. Take my favorite Benchmade model of late, the Terzuola Park Avenue. First released with boron carbide coated 154CM steel blade and a sterling silver pocket chain. Cost was $120. A real gem, one of their TAK or Technically Advanced Knife series. One year later, the boron carbide coating is gone, the blade steel is 440C, the sterling silver pocket chain has also disappeared. Cost is still $120. The TAK line has disappered too.

Who gives a hoot what spyderco does, benchmade used to be all american and proud of it. Now its not.

Say what you want but the other threads were pretty clear on the Blackwood/Benchmade knife. Glasser has stated directly that the hole is not being used with permission, by either Benchmade or Blackwood. The first part of the story is the thievery, the second will be if Glasser gets his protection from the courts. Either way, its been common knowledge in the "knife community" for years that Spyderco is the hole company, particularly at Benchmade where they used to have permission to use the hole. Other custom knifemakers have asked and obtained permission for use of the hole. Blackwood has not. Seems pretty straight up to me.
 
Which knife did Benchmade RELEASE that has a hole being used without Spyderco's permission? If anyone has in possession of this knife could you post a pic. I'd like to see it and judge for myself.

Also, if all companies remained 'all-american' you wouldn't be the land of cheap consumer goods. You'd be paying everything at a premium. If you like that then i can't argue with that.

People want cheap goods. Workers want higher wages. You can't win 'em all...simple economics. Labour is more expensive in the US than in Taiwan or wherever Benchmade makes 'em. Benchmade is a company. The aim of the company is to make profit. If they can make a profit producing good value quality goods then why complain?

You want All American...make your own knife...

Don't be a knife snob.
 
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