My opinion, most of them are a hard no on value vs cost. They have their entry friendly knives and I’m sure they have clearances occasionally. This is coming from someone who’s owned two, still owns one. Are they great, hell yes. I just wouldn’t spend the funds they ask on some of their heavier duty knives.

My EDC is a Boker Kwaiken OTF auto. Affordable, and three years going strong so far.

Fun story behind the Benchmade I have currently, it’s not actually a Benchmade. It’s a Pacific Cutlery identical to this one…

I couldn’t say it was ground by Jodi Samson, but it’s from that era. Here’s the funny part: I was buying a gas station novelty balisong knife just for the fun of it, the cheap things you see in display cases, worth almost every penny of the $5 price tag, but not quite. The fella behind me in line says “man I’ve got one of those in my truck I’ll give you.” Turns out someone dropped it between the seats, he didn’t know who owned it, and was such a homophobe (my opinion, not his) that he didn’t want something with a butterfly on it because I guess it threatened his sexuality. So of course I took it off his hands. Even flipped my wrist a little when I said thank you, just for fun.

 

I had one of their auto knives back in the day and in my opinion, no, not worth the cost.

 

I don't think they are that great, but I also don't think they are that expensive.
You're paying for the name, logo, and advertising, and a fairly basic knife. Couple hundred bucks is about right.
If you want a real high quality knife, the cost goes up quickly.

 

No. If you want the AXIS type lock buy a Hogue Ritter RSK (top quality) or, if you want something cheap enough to lose, even a Walmart slide lock folder.

I've had to put the edge on all three Benchmades I've purchased new. They all came out of the box dull as mud.

 

Poor value for ok knives.

You won't wear it out but I haven't bought one since the Ritter Grip was released.

If it's not a Balisong I don't bother with them anymore.

 

It really depends on the buyer. I have a handful of Benchmade knives and don't regret buying any of them.
They're work horses, not works of art... unless you get a custom. Try not to treat it like an expensive knife. They have a great warranty that includes sharpening so take advantage of that if you want.

 

They are my goto. I have at least 18...maybe more. Never had a dull one from the factory, not even close. Never broke one either. I like the Axis lock, much safer design than a liner lock. I like their older steels, but that's with all brands, the new ones are a btich to sharpen. Yes, they stay sharp longer, but putting a true edge back on requires a diamond stone or belt sander.

On a side note, Spyderco is down the road from me. I like their US made knives at least as much as Benchmade; however, their attitude towards the public irks me. At SHOT show they won't let you take any pictures of their knives and their factory only sells auto-knives to LE - even though auto knives are legal in Colorado. They didn't honor their lifetime warranty on a Japanese steel kitchen knife I bought from them after the handle cracked. It was some $200 knife and they offered a $50 in store gift card. Prices in their showroom in Golden, CO are higher than any other store too - but they have a great selection of new and old models.

 

I have a few Benchmade knives. I like them. Warranty is good.

With that said, I always carried a CRKT knife on me at work and personal time.
It was easier to accept losing a $30 knife than a $250 knife.

 

I have used them for years, and they are 150 miles from me in Oregon City, where I have friends and relatives. They were nice and accommodating on a visit, free sharpening for the life of the knife. My auto opener, (on the right), has been through no small amount of work. Cutting all sorts of things while I was a full time firefighter/paramedic, using it all the wrong ways to knock out door pins, break glass, cut clothing and all sorts of crap. (They said maybe one more sharpening, and then $30.00 for a new blade.) The one on the left, our middle son and I bought one each together when he got home from the Marines. It is very smooth. Holds an edge well, and cleans up well after I use it while painting or other chores, as they are not safe queens. I have multiple Spydercos, an Emerson, SOG, and a Chris Reeve's Sebenza, and multiple Kershaws. I would buy one again without reservation. We are fortunate that there are multiple very good knives out there from multiple manufactures. Bottom line, my Benchmade knives have always worked for me. Individual results may vary.

 

Some brands just become “Status Brands” after all the marketing. Better than others? I think not but American brands are just expensive, wish it were not true but it’s just the reality.

 

On the fence for years, yes the Butterfly tax seems a little much for me.
I can't afford to lose one,
I still cry about my Sog Flash 2, I lost working in the rain at night. lol
Most knifes seem high to me, on a fixed income. YMMV

 

No, not really I have one a Griptillian.. it was on sale was the ONLY reason I got it.. but the cost to true value no thats not there... its almost like a brag to friends/others more than it is its worth it because its just THAT much better, My Ontario Knives do the same job as the benchmade and cost 1/3 the price. I think you stop getting value worth the cost around $50 range give or take..IMO sure above that you may be getting different metals but other good but cheaper brands also have that but no for the most part anything in that $100+ range youre paying for a name

 

It's a high quality knife brand known for good customer service.

Just my opinion once you get over the $100 mark in the pocket knife segment it's likely not "worth it" from a practical tool perspective.

My Kershaw Blur will accomplish every task a bench made folder will. My older SOG Flash II will do everything my Kershaw will.

Each brand and style have certain features you may like better than others. But you don't "need" a $200 knife to have a quality cutting instrument.

 

I have 3 Blurs with the Tanto and serrations. I had to look up what style I have after reading your post. 1 is mine, 2 came my way after pop passed.
Anyway, great knife. Back when we bought them they were around $50, a bit pricey now.

 

Excellent knives, but the price is too high. There are a great deal of other brands that will furnish equal quality and steel (or better) for much less. I just picked up a Bestech Swordfish button-lock folder with CPM Magnacut steel for $120. Cold Steel also has a number of offerings in CPM steels…so does Buck. I’ve never known a person to complain about their Benchmade, but the prices keep me from pulling the trigger on one. I feel the same way about Hogue and Zero Tolerance knives.

 

There is no universal answer. Too many people, too many tastes and expectations. Most folks don't look at the details. Price is what drives the sales. Those aren't cheap knives, but they aren't really expensive neither. From the engineering point of view, the Axis lock is great. Example - look at the hard use knife from Spyderco - Manix. The lock strength is actually limited by four screws that hold the locking mechanism in place. Any of them can get loose at any moment. Strength of the Axis lock is basing on the solid steel liners that would need to crack or deform for the lock to disengage. Of course there is an argument about the omega springs. Valid. Yet, you would need both of them brake simultaneously for the knife to stop working. I have close to 20 different Benchmade knives. Used them since 2015 fairly regularly, but I'm not a hard user. I don't fidget with them though. None of those omega springs ever broke on any of my knives. Action is typically smooth, even though initially you may need some time to make it smooth. Contrary to some internet opinions these knives are fairly easy to take apart as long as you have the proper tools. I keep buying them on a secondary market to find the ones that I really like and save money. IMHO the best value among Benchmade knives is the Presidio line, but Griptilian is good as well, especially with the G10 scales. Good luck and enjoy your knife! You did good.

 

I enjoy them, but like CS and Spyderco too. Try a BM with some AWT scales, hard not to stroke off to it.

 

My answer is completely different.

VALUE
The skill is in the person and not the tool.
Over 60 years ago, I shot my first deer. You didn't need an expensive knife to skin a deer; only needed a simple tool and skills.

Decades ago, I took my first knife fighting class in folding knives. I used an Ernie Emerson designed Benchmade knife with a thumb stud. If you don't have knife fighting combat skills, you can waste a lot of money buying the "best" in the market.

BENCHMADE DESIGN KNIVES
Over the years, the Benchmade business model has been to hire young, competent knife designers. After awhile, a dispute may arise and the designer leaves and forms his own company. Benchmade has had this happen. One day, I was impressed by the designs of this young guy, Ernie Emerson. I bought 6 blades from Benchmade at dealer pricing and decided not to sell them at retail. Years later, I transferred one to a mentor at my cost and he displayed it to Ernie at a shot show and was told it was an 06 model.

My avocation was buying used and abused tools/knives/axes/swords and restoring them. What is the value of a 50 cal military ammo can filled with Benchmade folders in bidirectional Benchmade sheaths? could be very valuable if shtf. Doesn't take up space. I give knives as gifts to relatives - Kershaws, Spydercos, Leatherman, SAKs. I have not yet given a Benchmade knife as a gift.

 

I think a lot of their knives are overpriced to begin with and its mainly the name you’re paying for. That said, i do like you can have the blades replaced. Spyderco (my current pocket knife) you cant get a new blade if it breaks or needs replacing. I definitely would not buy a hunting/skinning knife from benchmade if thats what you’re looking for. Plenty of quality and more reasonably priced knives that can fulfill that roll.

 

Many valid points. I would be sad to lose a benchmade as well.

However, the blade steel typically being S35V, S90V, and now CPM-MagnaCut makes these knives about standard priced for premium steel and a lifetime warranty.
...If someone cares about that type of thing.

 

Benchmade makes some pretty decent offerings.

The "Butterfly tax" is real, but they aren't the only American company boosting the MSRP of their knives into a low orbit. Spyderco is rapidly escalating the pricing of their knives into heights where the air is thin, too.

Emerson and Buck still offer some decent deals on their knives.

For good bang-for-the-buck among imported knives, the Chinese company WE Knife has a standard Civivi line, and recently a budget line, Sencut, both of which offer really surprising quality for the price point. The WE Knife line can be really expensive, though, unless you browse carefully and avoid the exorbitantly priced high end steels and handle materials.

 

No.

I have several Griptillians and a minI-griptillian. I haven’t purchased a new Benchmade in over a decade. I look at their website monthly.

Look at the PSK they introduced last year. $400…$450 with carbon fiber scales. Called the personal survival knife or kit (I’ve seen both names) it can’t meet the demands of a survival kit. If It was all I had..sure. Strictly on value I can get a Gransfor Bruk axe, a Silky saw and a decent folder for way under $400.

We live in an age where you can pick up a decent folding knife for $30. While premium steel or the next super metal is cool I have a Buck 110 which is 35 years old and hasn’t failed yet.

I like Benchmades. I’ve heard good and bad things about their Bugout. But $600 for a Narrows? Pass.

 

I have several Griptillians and a minI-griptillian. ...

We live in an age where you can pick up a decent folding knife for $30. While premium steel or the next super metal is cool I have a Buck 110 which is 35 years old and hasn’t failed yet.

I like Benchmades. I’ve heard good and bad things about their Bugout. But $600 for a Narrows? Pass.

Yep. I have a Mini Grip I picked up in '09 for a little more than $60. Worth it at that price point, I'd think. Mine has 154CM steel.

It's pretty easy to find a good quality folder with a good working grade steel at $30-$50, which isn't that much more than it could be done for in the 70's. Granted, we have some higher end steels available nowadays, and the 'mid-range' steels of today were once the super steels of not that many years ago.

Hell, in the 70's many knife companies were using 400-series stainless and AUS8 without telling us what steels were being used, and we cheerfully gobbled them up. 'High Carbon' 440C was a common benchmark for connoisseurs looking for something other than carbon steel. (Well, properly smelted and heat-treated 440C is still nothing to sneeze at for many tasks.)

My son gave me a Bugout he didn't like. Green handle scales and black S30V blade. It was okay-ish. I had to reprofile the edge from 20 to 22 degrees, and it took an acceptable edge, but the rest of the folder was ... meh. I ended up gifting it to a retired Marine Gunny who needed a pocket knife with a better blade than a run-of-the-mill 8Cr13MoV I'd previously given him.

I think some of the newer offerings from Benchmade are nice, but the prices would cause nosebleeds. My son waits to pick up some when he gets enough points on his REI membership that he gets a 30% off coupon, and then he picks something from the Benchmade folders in their display case. That's almost about of a discount to balance out the Butterfly Tax.

The company does make some nice Gentleman's Pocket Jewelry, though.

 

..I'll put this out there for those on the fence. Head over BladeForums and buy used for your first sample.

No reason to drop that sort of coin on a new knife if you are unsure.

 

My only three benchmades. There is definitely a butterfly tax now. I bought these awhile ago. I don’t really collect knives anymore so I’ll be keeping these for sure. They are well built knives with a nice heat treat on their steels. I’ve never had an omega spring break or gotten one that was dull right out of the box. The bugout gets a lot of hate, but I bought it when they first came out and the price wasn’t bad , don’t think they’re worth it anymore with the new pricing. It’s an outstanding lightweight edc tho. I’ve had mini griptilians and other variants of the bugout , all given away or sold off. Some people love them and some don’t. I actually prefer spyderco, but they’re getting a little bit high priced also. Spyder tax is real. The griptilian offerings are nice workhorses.

 

I bought a Benchmade 20 something years ago and paid over $200 for it THEN. Total POS. Edge didn't hold, the blade lock failed on it several times and once I could have lost a couple fingers because of it. The assisted opening had a little locking switch on the spine that was crap. I reached into my pocket a couple times and found the thing had opened in my pocket. I had a buddy who had his Air Force issued Benchmade open by itself in the cargo pocket of his pants while he was deployed, and it stabbed him in the calf when he went to jump up into a vehicle. I have many knives and can pretty much find all of them, I know that POS is around here somewhere but I have no idea where and don't care. Also, back then the rumor was, and I think it was even on their website, that if you sent it to the factory for repair or sharpening they would keep it and not send it back to you if it was not legal in your state.

I carry a Kershaw Blur with the S30V blade that was less than $100 and is twice the knife that that *****made knife ever was...

 

Imho, too expensive for what you get... Benchmade intrigues at times... until I see price/value... then I say NO
"back in the day" these only cost 100 bucks