Hey guys,

I've used Benchmade's new custom knife ordering system on their website to order a custom Griptilian.

Here's Part I where I go over the system on their website, and place the order:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COzxOj7hdyY

In Part II, the custom knife I ordered arrives. Unfortunately, there are problems to report:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5OXI4Xfjr4

Enjoy and let me know your thoughts!

The sharpness not being satisfactory IS an issue. Few blades come from the factory with an adequate edge. In some cases just plain dull. It is an issue and has been accepted by me and most of the guys for a long time. I have to sharpen every new blade I get from Benchmade. On more than 3 occasions they have had the knife in their facility 2 or 3 times. Each time sharpened. Each time dull.

Super lame how they messed up the lasermark, but I think you answered your own question...you don't know why it couldn't have been right? Sometimes when you are an early adopter of a product/system there are bugs to be worked out, as you said, the system is in its infancy, so there are bound to be kinks in the process. The C/S I have no doubt will take care of you.

On the bright side, the Grip looks pretty cool!

quote:

Originally posted by Dr Forthington Pringles:
The sharpness not being satisfactory IS an issue. Few blades come from the factory with an adequate edge. In some cases just plain dull. It is an issue and has been accepted by me and most of the guys for a long time. I have to sharpen every new blade I get from Benchmade. On more than 3 occasions they have had the knife in their facility 2 or 3 times. Each time sharpened. Each time dull.

Well, I don't entirely disagree with you on this issue - I wish all manufacturers shipped their knives as sharp as Spyderco does. However, I tend to see this issue as a matter of personal preference, and don't mind sharpening my Benchmade's to my personal level of satisfaction. So I sort of give manufacturers a bit of a free pass on this issue.

quote:

Originally posted by Rolex John:

quote:

Originally posted by Dr Forthington Pringles:
The sharpness not being satisfactory IS an issue. Few blades come from the factory with an adequate edge. In some cases just plain dull. It is an issue and has been accepted by me and most of the guys for a long time. I have to sharpen every new blade I get from Benchmade. On more than 3 occasions they have had the knife in their facility 2 or 3 times. Each time sharpened. Each time dull.

Well, I don't entirely disagree with you on this issue - I wish all manufacturers shipped their knives as sharp as Spyderco does. However, I tend to see this issue as a matter of personal preference, and don't mind sharpening my Benchmade's to my personal level of satisfaction. So I sort of give manufacturers a bit of a free pass on this issue.

My turn ....... I disagree , I dont wanna feel the need to sharpen........
Ive got tons of knives that I dont use at all and want them sharp out of the box , just because ....... a new in box knife should be sharp.
You sharpen the knife and the value goes down like a car off the lot.

Ive never had a spyderco not sharp out of the box ....... so far anyway.BM knives vary to much out of the box , all are sharp but some are sharper than others.
I will say Ive never had a totally dull one.

dj, you've clearly never bought a TR model. Those things are NEVER sharp.

Good video Rolex John. I hope they take care of you to your satisfaction.. watching the video, they should have put the lasermark on the back; that's completely obvious. I bet they get you fixed up without issue.

Someone jump in and correct me if I'm wrong (no worries, right? ) but I went back and fiddled with the customization order page and it doesn't seem obvious at all which side of the blade is the front or back for purposes of ordering a graphic or lettering. I might have missed it. Either way, it should be clear on the order page which sides Benchmade considers front and back.

quote:

Originally posted by Carson:
dj, you've clearly never bought a TR model. Those things are NEVER sharp.

Good video Rolex John. I hope they take care of you to your satisfaction.. watching the video, they should have put the lasermark on the back; that's completely obvious. I bet they get you fixed up without issue.

I didnt watch the video ...... I was just stateing my opinion on the sharp out of box statement .......... dj
Maybe I should watch the vid ???
I have ordered a knife from there custom shop .... along time ago and still waiting for it to be sent ......it seems to take them some time , but I dont care , I,d rather have it right than come half azz and disappointed when it does come.
In all honesty .......I shouldnt of ordered the knife in the first place ...... its not like I needed it ...LOL

quote:

Originally posted by dj:
Ive never had a spyderco not sharp out of the box ....... so far anyway.BM knives vary to much out of the box , all are sharp but some are sharper than others.
I will say Ive never had a totally dull one.

plus...