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.

 

Sorry, one more post here. My attempt at summary I guess.

Each and every user is going to decide (assuming that he or she are actually the decision makers) for himself what is good for him or her and at what price point.

I would wholeheartedly encourage you to go to the nearest knife store and check everything out yourself. I also guarantee that if you will get the bug your taste in knives is going to evolve, perhaps quite significantly.

Don't listen to too many reviews. Why? Because most of them nowadays are really not coming from the knife users...and I mean it. Those folks are knife owners, but hardly any is actually using those knives as intended. Fidgeting and flipping the blade back and forth is pretty damn far from the intended purpose of any knife. Yet those people are slowly taking over the market while proclaiming themselves as experts.

I've witnessed myself an interesting conversation between the knife maker and one of those flipping fellows. It's like they came from the different planets almost and in the end the flipping guy left the stand offended offering the knife maker not so polite words. What set him off was the knife making guy saying that he makes knives for cutting.

Also, there is a never ending race for another super steel between some of the makers and those who refuse to participate are often finding themselves with the target on their backs that were put there by the flipping/racing crowd.

It's up to you to decide what is going to be important on your knife. Common sense may take you really far here.

Good luck and have fun whatever you do.

 

Well, this afternoon my son wanted me to go to our favorite cutlery shop. Turns out he wanted to get me an early birthday present, since all the activities involved in moving to another state involve us being busy.

He told the guy behind the counter to ring up a Benchmade Mini Crooked River. He said the one he owns is his favorite among all the nifty knives he's bought, and he felt I really needed to own one.




Just have to shift the pocket clip to the other side for 'offside' LH carry (since I often pocket-holster a snub .38/.357 or LCP in my RH front pocket).

 

Well, this afternoon my son wanted me to go to our favorite cutlery shop. Turns out he wanted to get me an early birthday present, since all the activities involved in moving to another state involve us being busy.

He told the guy behind the counter to ring up a Benchmade Mini Crooked River. He said the one he owns is his favorite among all the nifty knives he's bought, and he felt I really needed to own one.




Just have to shift the pocket clip to the other side for 'offside' LH carry (since I often pocket-holster a snub .38/.357 or LCP in my RH front pocket).

Very nice. I am thinking about getting one actually. Lately the regular 940 became my EDC favorite. Such a long blade in such a tiny package...that still gives me full control with cutting, even with all the more demanding scenarios. I much prefer 940 over the Bugout.

 

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.

 

..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.

 

The Osborn (i.e. the 940) is a really solid knife. I have a regular one with the green aluminum scales and it takes and keeps a great edge, has a great hand feel and the quality is excellent and made in the USA. Good value for the money too in my opinion. I can see myself buying one with carbon scales to save weight and carry to work.

The blade shape is a bit different but for doing chores it's great and I can see fileting a Trout with it also.

I had a Bugout with carbon scales that I lost a couple of months ago. That had been my daily carry for over three years. It was light, sharp as a razor and very utilitarian. I seriously miss that knife. Now the Osborn is my regular carry to work.

 

Said it earlier in the thread, the 940 with carbon scales is my favorite blade to carry. I've used it to clean a trout more than once.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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 wish they still made the flash 2 w/tanto blade, was one of the best knifes for like $53. IMO
If you ever want to sell, let me know.
I carried mine for like 5-6 yrs.
I prob have 200 or more and another 75 stolen. Kershaw, Gerber, Boker, most days edc.

 

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.

 

I love these threads.
I actually read through most of the posts and out of all the "not worth it" only two actually mention why.
One of those said his came in dull, which would have to be the first Benchmade I've ever heard of to come that way.
The other was even worse: "It was dull junk that fell apart."
Ahhhh, yeah, OK. Perhaps buying your "Benchmade" at a flea market might explain something.

I've had a Benchmade Barrage for a few years now and it has been a great knife. Crazy sharp, and stays that way pretty well. I haven't even had to get it resharpened (which Benchmade does for free). The AXIS Assist thing is very cool and works perfectly.

Is it worth the money? Stupid question because the answer is completely dependent on the owner.

Is a Ferrari worth $200K?
Is a '59 Les Paul Sunburst worth $10K?
Is an Atlas Artemis worth $8K?
Is an Aston Martin Valkyrie worth $3.5M?

To some, yes. To others, no.
If that's your jam and you have the means? Sure, why not?

If $200 is an acceptable price to you for a pocket knife, then yes it's worth it.

 

In my opinion - 5+ years ago, there was a pretty significant jump in quality between most knives and the knives from Benchmade and Spyderco. In recent years, the quality of knives from some less expensive brands has improved to the point that the gap isn't as big - and the prices of knives from Benchmade and Spyderco have increased and improved the value proposition of the "lesser brands".

 

Yes they are worth it. I've had them for years. My son is in Naval Special Warfare and there is a reason all their issued knives are Benchmade.

 

Well... that's not true. I can't think of a single knife made by BM beyond the Auto Stryker or AFO sold at the P/BX that are issued.

Current issued knives are the Ontario MK 3 Navy Knife and the Cold Steel SRK. Of course they can buy whatever they like but BM isn't issued to anyone that I'm aware of, let alone the sole issued knife.

 

I’ll let this answer the question! 🙄

 

Prices are going up for most of the US makers. Look at Spyderco Bodacious. As ridiculous as some of the Benchmade knives. Look at the secondary market. Best value you can possibly get. Many knives are new, still in the factory boxes. Just finished working on the used Presidio 520 in 154CM. Couple of light scratches on the blade. Bit dusty. I paid whooping $70 US for this knife. Aluminum scales, steel liners, phosphor bronze washers. Big, strong pivot . Super nice knife. Cleaned it, oiled it, adjusted the pivot to my liking and removed the scratches. Less than 2 hours of work. Good for another 20-30 years and Benchmade will send me the parts if I will ever need any. They helped me before. No questions asked. No cost involved.

 

Another "Benchmade Osborne fanboy" here.
Here are my Benchmade Osborne folders in three handle materials (i.e., anodized black aluminum, anodized green aluminum, G10 in black, G10 in orange, and carbon fiber), as well as three different steels (i.e., 154CM, S30V, and S90V). I just love the sleek overall profile, the blade of a perfect length, light weight and very solid Axis lock. I carry one of them everyday.

The only thing is that I personally don't think the "reversed tanto" blade shape is very appealing. So, I have reshaped all of my Benchmade 940 blade to a more conventional "drop point" shape.

 

Impressive set. So what are your favorites for both scale material and steel?

 

Another S30V fan. Easy steel to live with every day. S35VN is another almost identical I love. To be honest, Magnacut feels similar to me when sharpening. I have a lot in those three steels.

 

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.

 

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 think it's dumb to concern yourself with value on something like this if it fundamentally does what you want it to do better than the alternatives. Realistically what are you talking about, a $200 delta? Who cares? Get the knife you want and be happy with it.

 

 

It depends,

I have a Benchmade Osbourne 940. That is the only pocket knife I will carry. I lost it last year and tried a whole bunch of other less expensive but "just as good" knives. Ended up buying another 940 Osbourne just like the one I lost. But I didn't pay full price for either of them. Out of pocket was $125 for both of them a decade apart.

I have a bunch of other benchmades and the rest are kinda meh knives. I will say I have an old Stryker and that thing has been beaten to snot at work and is just fine after 30 years of abuse.

 

I view them as expensive for what you get. They’re not bad knives, they’re actually good knives, but they’re certainly not appreciably better than some other brands that cost less.

Thing is, you can ask this question about any number of brands. Is a Sebenza worth $600? Is a XM18 worth $450-600? How about Olamics or Spartans or Medfords or Striders? Those are just some of the higher end production folders, to say nothing of the customs and semi-customs.