Benchmade used to offer good values. They were attractive, durable, high performance designs made in America with premium materials and tight tolerances. I had a 2550 Mini Reflex Auto and it was one of the best knives I've ever owned. It was around $145 in 2015...bought it the day my god given right to self defense using the method of my choice was affirmed in my state. I tried the updated 2551 a couple years ago when I lost my 2550 and it was over $200 with tax, and the pivot was sloppy (even the dealer agreed it was poor QC and adjustment wouldn't fix it).
Their value proposition is horrendous now. They are asking ultra premium prices for plastic handled knives and old designs using mid grade steels with questionable quality control in my experience. The $125 bugout has a plastic handle. It's a great knife IF you replace the handles, but then it's $200+ and many other options open up. The $175 redoubt has a plastic handle. Maybe you thought you'd upgrade and get an auto, how about a $250 claymore? ERR, plastic handle. Ok, the $300+ shootout has to be well made right? Ok, this is embarrassing for a $300 knife...also a plastic handle. They must all then have super exotic blades then? Also, no. Many are D2, 154CM, or S30V. What about a Phateton? Well, it's $400 now but is essentially identical to what USED to be called the HK turmoil, which used to be $200 lol. What about the MIGHTY INFIDEL!? Sigh...it's nearly as much as a new Glock, with the same 15 year old design and the same D2 steel found in $30 chinese folders
The it's made in america so the cost is high argument is BS. There are many US made makers that offer much higher value, like Microtech, Guardian Tactical, Pro Tech, Kershaw US, and the list goes on. The Benchmade name was built to mean something, and now they're selling it out in the name of corporate greed.
Buy American but buy something else until they get back to caring about knives as much as they do money.
I've always wanted a Spyderco so I can practice my Spydy flick lol. Its admittedly less than stellar at the moment.
My encounter with the sloppy 2551 could have been a rare instance. Even still, QC should have caught it for a $200 knife. Despite that, I feel the shift to plastic components at these prices is in itself the quality decline, which is intimately woven into the overpricing in my opinion. They are two problems born of the same change. Go plastic but cut the price, or keep or raise the price but keep material quality high. Don't cut materials AND raise costs, significantly.
I'm carrying a Microtech UTX85 in M390 at the moment. Fantastic knife. Never misfires, and after 9 months of use without sharpening it, the blade is still LITERALLY sharp enough to shave with lol. I paid $250 for it from an official dealer, tax included. It has the same lifetime warranty, all metal construction, and was made in North Carolina.
If anyone is looking for a knife for personal carry, or as a gift, feel free to respond with preferences and a budget and I'll be happy to give some suggestions. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a quality pocket knife!
* * * IF ANY BENCHMADE ASSOCIATE IS READING THIS, THEY'D BE WISE TO RESEARCH HOW SEARS AND SPECIFICALLY THE CRAFTSMAN BRAND OF TOOLS FELL OFF THEIR PEDESTAL. THEY CHOSE PRICE OVER QUALITY, THEN HAD LOWER QUALITY AND HIGH PRICES, AND NOW STANLEY IS THANKFULLY TRYING TO REHABILITATE THE NAME * * *
Spyderco…
Not sure about a drop in quality but I do feel Benchmade is getting too expensive.
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Good pricing, though I don't see them listed on Benchmade's list of authorized dealers - neither their main Brooklyn, NY location, or their Lakewood, NJ location. Tends to make me worry about knockoffs.
I stand corrected, thank you @RP1000. I didn't see it under either address listed on their Lifestyle @ Focus website we were directed to. However, it appears they are an authorized dealer under Focus Cameras - 1201 JERSEY AVE, NJ NORTH BRUNSWICK US
Good pricing, though I don't see them listed on Benchmade's list of authorized dealers - neither their main Brooklyn, NY location, or their Lakewood, NJ location. Tends to make me worry about knockoffs.
Benchmade used to offer good values. They were attractive, durable, high performance designs made in America with premium materials and tight tolerances. I had a 2550 Mini Reflex Auto and it was one of the best knives I've ever owned. It was around $145 in 2015...bought it the day my god given right to self defense using the method of my choice was affirmed in my state. I tried the updated 2551 a couple years ago when I lost my 2550 and it was over $200 with tax, and the pivot was sloppy (even the dealer agreed it was poor QC and adjustment wouldn't fix it).
Their value proposition is horrendous now. They are asking ultra premium prices for plastic handled knives and old designs using mid grade steels with questionable quality control in my experience. The $125 bugout has a plastic handle. It's a great knife IF you replace the handles, but then it's $200+ and many other options open up. The $175 redoubt has a plastic handle. Maybe you thought you'd upgrade and get an auto, how about a $250 claymore? ERR, plastic handle. Ok, the $300+ shootout has to be well made right? Ok, this is embarrassing for a $300 knife...also a plastic handle. They must all then have super exotic blades then? Also, no. Many are D2, 154CM, or S30V. What about a Phateton? Well, it's $400 now but is essentially identical to what USED to be called the HK turmoil, which used to be $200 lol. What about the MIGHTY INFIDEL!? Sigh...it's nearly as much as a new Glock, with the same 15 year old design and the same D2 steel found in $30 chinese folders
The it's made in america so the cost is high argument is BS. There are many US made makers that offer much higher value, like Microtech, Guardian Tactical, Pro Tech, Kershaw US, and the list goes on. The Benchmade name was built to mean something, and now they're selling it out in the name of corporate greed.
Buy American but buy something else until they get back to caring about knives as much as they do money.
Benchmade used to offer good values. They were attractive, durable, high performance designs made in America with premium materials and tight tolerances. I had a 2550 Mini Reflex Auto and it was one of the best knives I've ever owned. It was around $145 in 2015...bought it the day my god given right to self defense using the method of my choice was affirmed in my state. I tried the updated 2551 a couple years ago when I lost my 2550 and it was over $200 with tax, and the pivot was sloppy (even the dealer agreed it was poor QC and adjustment wouldn't fix it).
Their value proposition is horrendous now. They are asking ultra premium prices for plastic handled knives and old designs using mid grade steels with questionable quality control in my experience. The $125 bugout has a plastic handle. It's a great knife IF you replace the handles, but then it's $200+ and many other options open up. The $175 redoubt has a plastic handle. Maybe you thought you'd upgrade and get an auto, how about a $250 claymore? ERR, plastic handle. Ok, the $300+ shootout has to be well made right? This is embarrassing for $300 knife...also a plastic handle. What about a Phateton? Well, it's $400 now but used to be called the HK turmoil, and used to be $200 lol. What about the MIGHTY INFIDEL!? It's nearly as much as a new Glock, with the same 15 year old design and the same D2 steel found in $30 chinese folders
The it's made in america so the cost is high argument is BS. There are many US made makers that offer much higher value, like Microtech, Guardian Tactical, Pro Tech, Kershaw US, and the list goes on. The Benchmade name was built to mean something, and now they're selling it out in the name of corporate greed.
Buy American but buy something else until they get back to caring about knives as much as they do money.
Spyderco…
Not sure about a drop in quality but I do feel Benchmade is getting too expensive.
Not sure about a drop in quality but I do feel Benchmade is getting too expensive.
I've always wanted a Spyderco so I can practice my Spydy flick lol. Its admittedly less than stellar at the moment.
My encounter with the sloppy 2551 could have been a rare instance. Even still, QC should have caught it for a $200 knife. Despite that, I feel the shift to plastic components at these prices is in itself the quality decline, which is intimately woven into the overpricing in my opinion. They are two problems born of the same change. Go plastic but cut the price, or keep or raise the price but keep material quality high. Don't cut materials AND raise costs, significantly.
I'm carrying a Microtech UTX85 in M390 at the moment. Fantastic knife. Never misfires, and after 9 months of use without sharpening it, the blade is still LITERALLY sharp enough to shave with lol. I paid $250 for it from an official dealer, tax included. It has the same lifetime warranty, all metal construction, and was made in North Carolina.
If anyone is looking for a knife for personal carry, or as a gift, feel free to respond with preferences and a budget and I'll be happy to give some suggestions. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a quality pocket knife!
* * * IF ANY BENCHMADE ASSOCIATE IS READING THIS, THEY'D BE WISE TO RESEARCH HOW SEARS AND SPECIFICALLY THE CRAFTSMAN BRAND OF TOOLS FELL OFF THEIR PEDESTAL. THEY CHOSE PRICE OVER QUALITY, THEN HAD LOWER QUALITY AND HIGH PRICES, AND NOW STANLEY IS THANKFULLY TRYING TO REHABILITATE THE NAME * * *
Not sure about a drop in quality but I do feel Benchmade is getting too expensive.
I have had way worse luck with Spyderco than Benchmade. I have tried two and returned two. Blades were way off center and the knife just didn't seem assembled cleanly. For a $130 knife i expect a centered blade and a smooth action. My Bugout has been solid from day 1.
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Their value proposition is horrendous now. They are asking ultra premium prices for plastic handled knives and old designs using mid grade steels with questionable quality control in my experience. The $125 bugout has a plastic handle. It's a great knife IF you replace the handles, but then it's $200+ and many other options open up. The $175 redoubt has a plastic handle. Maybe you thought you'd upgrade and get an auto, how about a $250 claymore? ERR, plastic handle. Ok, the $300+ shootout has to be well made right? Ok, this is embarrassing for a $300 knife...also a plastic handle. They must all then have super exotic blades then? Also, no. Many are D2, 154CM, or S30V. What about a Phateton? Well, it's $400 now but is essentially identical to what USED to be called the HK turmoil, which used to be $200 lol. What about the MIGHTY INFIDEL!? Sigh...it's nearly as much as a new Glock, with the same 15 year old design and the same D2 steel found in $30 chinese folders
The it's made in america so the cost is high argument is BS. There are many US made makers that offer much higher value, like Microtech, Guardian Tactical, Pro Tech, Kershaw US, and the list goes on. The Benchmade name was built to mean something, and now they're selling it out in the name of corporate greed.
Buy American but buy something else until they get back to caring about knives as much as they do money.
My encounter with the sloppy 2551 could have been a rare instance. Even still, QC should have caught it for a $200 knife. Despite that, I feel the shift to plastic components at these prices is in itself the quality decline, which is intimately woven into the overpricing in my opinion. They are two problems born of the same change. Go plastic but cut the price, or keep or raise the price but keep material quality high. Don't cut materials AND raise costs, significantly.
I'm carrying a Microtech UTX85 in M390 at the moment. Fantastic knife. Never misfires, and after 9 months of use without sharpening it, the blade is still LITERALLY sharp enough to shave with lol. I paid $250 for it from an official dealer, tax included. It has the same lifetime warranty, all metal construction, and was made in North Carolina.
If anyone is looking for a knife for personal carry, or as a gift, feel free to respond with preferences and a budget and I'll be happy to give some suggestions. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a quality pocket knife!
* * * IF ANY BENCHMADE ASSOCIATE IS READING THIS, THEY'D BE WISE TO RESEARCH HOW SEARS AND SPECIFICALLY THE CRAFTSMAN BRAND OF TOOLS FELL OFF THEIR PEDESTAL. THEY CHOSE PRICE OVER QUALITY, THEN HAD LOWER QUALITY AND HIGH PRICES, AND NOW STANLEY IS THANKFULLY TRYING TO REHABILITATE THE NAME * * *
Not sure about a drop in quality but I do feel Benchmade is getting too expensive.
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https://www.benchmade.c
Edit:
I stand corrected, thank you @RP1000. I didn't see it under either address listed on their Lifestyle @ Focus website we were directed to. However, it appears they are an authorized dealer under Focus Cameras - 1201 JERSEY AVE, NJ NORTH BRUNSWICK US
https://www.benchmade.c
https://www.benchmade.c
Appreciate the redirect on the address, I've updated my comment.
Their value proposition is horrendous now. They are asking ultra premium prices for plastic handled knives and old designs using mid grade steels with questionable quality control in my experience. The $125 bugout has a plastic handle. It's a great knife IF you replace the handles, but then it's $200+ and many other options open up. The $175 redoubt has a plastic handle. Maybe you thought you'd upgrade and get an auto, how about a $250 claymore? ERR, plastic handle. Ok, the $300+ shootout has to be well made right? Ok, this is embarrassing for a $300 knife...also a plastic handle. They must all then have super exotic blades then? Also, no. Many are D2, 154CM, or S30V. What about a Phateton? Well, it's $400 now but is essentially identical to what USED to be called the HK turmoil, which used to be $200 lol. What about the MIGHTY INFIDEL!? Sigh...it's nearly as much as a new Glock, with the same 15 year old design and the same D2 steel found in $30 chinese folders
The it's made in america so the cost is high argument is BS. There are many US made makers that offer much higher value, like Microtech, Guardian Tactical, Pro Tech, Kershaw US, and the list goes on. The Benchmade name was built to mean something, and now they're selling it out in the name of corporate greed.
Buy American but buy something else until they get back to caring about knives as much as they do money.
Their value proposition is horrendous now. They are asking ultra premium prices for plastic handled knives and old designs using mid grade steels with questionable quality control in my experience. The $125 bugout has a plastic handle. It's a great knife IF you replace the handles, but then it's $200+ and many other options open up. The $175 redoubt has a plastic handle. Maybe you thought you'd upgrade and get an auto, how about a $250 claymore? ERR, plastic handle. Ok, the $300+ shootout has to be well made right? This is embarrassing for $300 knife...also a plastic handle. What about a Phateton? Well, it's $400 now but used to be called the HK turmoil, and used to be $200 lol. What about the MIGHTY INFIDEL!? It's nearly as much as a new Glock, with the same 15 year old design and the same D2 steel found in $30 chinese folders
The it's made in america so the cost is high argument is BS. There are many US made makers that offer much higher value, like Microtech, Guardian Tactical, Pro Tech, Kershaw US, and the list goes on. The Benchmade name was built to mean something, and now they're selling it out in the name of corporate greed.
Buy American but buy something else until they get back to caring about knives as much as they do money.
Spyderco…
Not sure about a drop in quality but I do feel Benchmade is getting too expensive.
Not sure about a drop in quality but I do feel Benchmade is getting too expensive.
My encounter with the sloppy 2551 could have been a rare instance. Even still, QC should have caught it for a $200 knife. Despite that, I feel the shift to plastic components at these prices is in itself the quality decline, which is intimately woven into the overpricing in my opinion. They are two problems born of the same change. Go plastic but cut the price, or keep or raise the price but keep material quality high. Don't cut materials AND raise costs, significantly.
I'm carrying a Microtech UTX85 in M390 at the moment. Fantastic knife. Never misfires, and after 9 months of use without sharpening it, the blade is still LITERALLY sharp enough to shave with lol. I paid $250 for it from an official dealer, tax included. It has the same lifetime warranty, all metal construction, and was made in North Carolina.
If anyone is looking for a knife for personal carry, or as a gift, feel free to respond with preferences and a budget and I'll be happy to give some suggestions. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a quality pocket knife!
* * * IF ANY BENCHMADE ASSOCIATE IS READING THIS, THEY'D BE WISE TO RESEARCH HOW SEARS AND SPECIFICALLY THE CRAFTSMAN BRAND OF TOOLS FELL OFF THEIR PEDESTAL. THEY CHOSE PRICE OVER QUALITY, THEN HAD LOWER QUALITY AND HIGH PRICES, AND NOW STANLEY IS THANKFULLY TRYING TO REHABILITATE THE NAME * * *
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Not sure about a drop in quality but I do feel Benchmade is getting too expensive.
The 535BK-4 for $170 and 535BK-2 for $130 are great buys!
Check out this on the BK-4: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l4RjMEi