quote:

Originally posted by dj:

quote:

Originally posted by Dr Forthington Pringles:
I have been chatting in forums for many years. This is the only one I have ever stayed with this long. I have learned so much from people smarter than me. Not to mention the courtesy I see here.

Meanning , that you have learned from everybody I cant think of no one that isnt smarter than you
IAM ONLY KIDDING NOW ,put down the gun.

Uh, well he hasn't learned anything from me.

quote:

Originally posted by danlberry:

quote:

Originally posted by dj:

quote:

Originally posted by Dr Forthington Pringles:
I have been chatting in forums for many years. This is the only one I have ever stayed with this long. I have learned so much from people smarter than me. Not to mention the courtesy I see here.

Meanning , that you have learned from everybody I cant think of no one that isnt smarter than you
IAM ONLY KIDDING NOW ,put down the gun.

Uh, well he hasn't learned anything from me.

Sorry Dan , I forgot about you

I like analogies, and I have been thinking about other things we buy and use that are comparable to knives in this way;
What else do we buy that ranges from the disposable, to heirloom? From mass produced, to limited high end production, to truly one of a kind customs?
Furniture, clothing, and jewelry were the first 3 things that popped into my head (probably because my wife is sitting across the room in my recliner, in her new shirt, looking at her rings )
Obviously, the equivalent furniture, clothing or jewelry to a Blue class Benchmade is not going to be found at Wallyworld. I don't put up with the equivalent of a dull, off center blade in "Blue Class" furniture, clothing, or jewelry. Why should I in a Benchmade?

That being said, I really like the Benchmade knives I have owned, and will buy more. I just sell, or return the off centered ones.

quote:

Originally posted by dj:

quote:

Originally posted by Dr Forthington Pringles:
I have been chatting in forums for many years. This is the only one I have ever stayed with this long. I have learned so much from people smarter than me. Not to mention the courtesy I see here.

Meanning , that you have learned from everybody I cant think of no one that isnt smarter than you
IAM ONLY KIDDING NOW ,put down the gun.

I am honestly surprised to see how civil everything stayed and that no one really blew up on me. It's important that I make these points now.

I really like this forum and enjoy visiting it when I am in good enough health to get on the computer. There are a boat load of good people here to do business with and people on this forum are the only people I am willing to send a Money Order out prior to having a product delivered and I have never had a bad experience here. The information I have gotten here has always been awesome and the pass-arounds that are done here are great. There are few other forums that allow open trading and selling as well (for reasons which I cannot understand). Because BM lets you sell, collectors can get nice knives, including LE knives, without having to pay 3 to 4 times retail on eBay or similar sites. Additionally, buying knives from BM hobbyist has the major advantage that BM fans have an eye for perfection where as a third party seller may not notice defects/blemishes/usage/damage that a true hobbyist would catch in a second.

I also really like the people at Benchmade. They, as a general rule, go out of their way to help the consumer with any issues if they can. They also are very lax on what is posted on the forum. If you post criticism on most other forums, you get members saying offensive things and the company usually locking the thread.

By saying I think the quality of Benchmades have declined, I voice this as 1) my opinion and 2) is not being compared to other makers purposely. The designs, service, and overall quality of Benchmade has made them the leader in production cutlery and they have become an industry standard in which most other knives are compared. My frustration stems from the knives not having as tight of tolerances as it seems they once have had. Starting a few years ago with the HK line and a few Osborne LE lines, Benchmade began to make knives which blurred the line between production and custom knives as these knives would have a fit and finish, overall design, and tolerances on a par or beyond most custom knives. These knives were a bit more expensive but popular. Benchmade then expanded their Gold Class knives to an impressive selection with many having prices which your middle class hobbyist can afford.

Some of the recent knives I have recieved have had some problems which were more of an annyane than anything else. Blade that are not razor sharp can be sharpened in a few minutes and if this is not possible, sent back to BM for free. The point made about coming from third party dealers does make some sense. The knives I have had the most problems with may not have came from authorized dealers so in the future, I should look more carefully before buying.

Perhaps I am too picky, perhaps I got a grayscale item, perhaps someone just had a few bad days at BM, perhaps something happened which I may never know. Anyways, I appreciate all the info and plan to buy Benchmade's as they are still far ahead of the rest of the crowd. Take care!

+1 and Good words, Zac. Hope you're taking care of yourself!

Zac,

I don't think you have to apologize to anyone for voicing your opinions. I read these and many other forums, and there have been plenty of cases of issues with BM knives lately. I have experienced these issues myself besides reading about them.

I love Benchmade, and I want them to continue to be the best. I want the best for Benchmade and their customers.

Edit:
I just want to add that all my Benchmades have come from the same NEW stock highly reputable dealer.

I too have been in poor health in the last couple years, I have had two major surgeries in the last year. So I wish you the very best. Take care.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: streetmaster,

I have read someone in this tread, saying he was sad, that his new BM do not cut his finger... the knife wasn't sharp enough...
Well I would tell you.. I just get a brand new 710BKD2... and was extremly sharp and I get a finger cut not really happy about it...
but I'm okay... I have even hear that this model with the D2, could not be as sharpen as could be, but this is not the case with this one.

Knife was centered, sharpen as hell, no movement, fast deployment, everything in order... really it seems to me as perfect as can be...

and I have to say I'm a perfectionist but I have not found any issues with this one...

quote:

Originally posted by Mark G.:
Off center blades, dull knives.. You all must just be unlucky or picky.

In the last decade I have purchased over 200 Benchmade knives. I have never had a knife rub a liner... An Axis spring break. I have not had a "dull knife" since 2003. I have had some strangely ground serrations, one bad old stock liner lock... and that whole 670 thing...

In that time, I have way more problems with other well respected brands than Benchmade.

But then again, apparently I have no idea what I am talking about.

Or maybe I am just super lucky? I guess I will go use my well made knives and play the lottery.

If there is a problem with a Benchmade knife they will go WAY beyond nice to fix it. If there is a problem with a design, they will get it right. I don't see what all the bitching is about... I don't have problems with Benchmade or thier knives. They get it right, if they don't they will make it right. Pretty good if you ask me.

I'm gonna have to agree with Mark. I've been here for a while (not as long as Mark or some others but none the less). I've owned BM, Spyderco, Kershaw, Emerson, Strider, and many others. Probably over 70 Benchmades, 150 Spyderco's among others. Benchmade and Spyderco have better fit and finish than the others. I am preferential to Spyderco but Benchmade has better consistant fit and finish.

In fact, since Benchmade was my first "good knife" I am thinking about getting back into a few Benchmades.

Prices: Spyderco prices are going through the roof more than Benchmade in my opinion. I can still get a nice HK 14205 for a good price but to get a Paramilitary or Military I have to pay about $40 more.

In the beginning (2003 or so) I got a few "dull" BM knives, but since they changed their sharpening from the factory (2005 or so) I've had no problems at all.

Yeah I know it's been a while since I posted.....well I'm back.

Welcome back David!