I was going through some pictures of mine and noticed a strange thing with 2 of my 960's. I can't solve this mystery, but I'm sure there's an answer. Here it goes.
I have doubles of 960 (w/white MOP) and 960-1 (w/black MOP). Both models are circa 2003 if I'm not mistaken. So far, so good. Upon closer look I saw that the blades are sporting different logos. As pictured bellow.

960


960-01


All four blades are 154CM. All four have correct print.





To my knowledge there were 3 LE variations of 960 to go up to 500 knives. 960, 960-01, and 960-02. I do have a 960-02 with CF inserts and the butterfly on the logo is pictured with antennas, as I believe it should. So the chance of someone swapping blades is slim to none.

My question is, WTF?

Another thing I noticed, the anodized ti backspacer on the 960-01 should be purple, on the knife with the antenna-less logo backspacer is green. The only other 960's with faux black MOP inserts were 960-08 (birds eye damasteel blade) and 960NM-01 (Special un-numbered run for Neiman Marcus, 440C Blade). All three have purple backspacers.



Again, the question is, WTF?


Any input on this is appreciated

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

Weird. I'd Call Benchmade and see if they could explain it. I wonder if they have a Benchmade Historian?

I ran into a guy the other day that worked for Browning. We chatted for a bit and I asked what he did for them and he was a historian. A historian of past Browning products.

That is truly weird.

Just looked at my -01 and I have the logo with the antenna.

I just purchased a white pearl proto from harlantaylor...although it hasn't arrived I checked the pic posted here:
http://s248.photobucket.com/al...current=IMG_9891.jpg

It to has the logo with the logo with the antenna.

So this is truly a mystery...the only 960 I know of with the green backspacer is the BLU or is there more?

Someone out there must know something???

quote:

Originally posted by canadianknifenut:
So this is truly a mystery...the only 960 I know of with the green backspacer is the BLU or is there more?

Someone out there must know something???

You're right, 960-BLU has green backspacer, and I just checked the only other one (that I have access to) is 960CFP Gold Class. One is a 50pc run, another is 100. I doubt someone would mutilate either one.

Ummmm....yea I dunno bud!

Strange... Wish I could help.. All I can tell you is, pertaining to the logo, the only knives I have access to right now are by 635, 580S and 921 and they all have the logo without antennas .

The transition of logos happened August-September of 2003. You can tell from the dates on these prototypes.

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

Good lookin three hole Skirmish

That is interesting if they were before 2003.

I can take them off your hands for cheap.

The 960-02 has antennas for sure!
Could these be the Neiman knives?
These are from a later date as the original 960-01.
Maybe they got swoped boxes.
In that case the boxes should read something like 960NM-01 and 960NM-02.
They had the same mop insert but I'm not sure on the backspacer color.