Benchmade Knives

[kannonfyre]

I saw the Model 190 drop point hunter on the benchmade website and am thinking of getting that knife as a promotion gift to myself. (rose in paygrade yesterday)

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=190

Whaddya guys think of this knife? Is the $110 cost resonable to pay?

On another note, I am also thinking about the Benchmade Offsider. According to them it's a "red" class blade and not "blue" or "black" class.

http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/anewclass.asp

They say that the the "red" class knives are mostly made overseas and are hence cheaper....however, does that mean that the famed Benchmade quality is compromised?

 

[TMM]

quality wise, i would opt for the Blue Class drop point hunter.

the Red Class is for people who want the Benchmade name but with lesser prices, and ofcourse a compromise to quality. depending on the abuse you will give it, the Offsider might be fine.

the Blue Class knife is worth the $110, imo. i've never used it, but i have a Griptilian which is a Blue Class. sharp.
check out www.newgrahamknives.com for cheap prices on a bunch of different knives. it's where i got my Griptilian.

~TMM

 

[Camjr]

Kannonfyre,

I looked at that specific knife when purchasing my last fixed blade hunter. It felt good, and I have two Benchmade folders, so it seemed like a natural buy.

I ended up purchasing the Beretta Loveless drop point hunter instead and have been VERY pleased with it. It has a great balance and design, and had held an excellent edge for some time. Also, less than $60.00. I may still pick up the Benchmade. Can't have too many blades.

http://www.berettausa.com/product/product_knives_main.htm

 

[Sir Aardvark]

Hi K!

I PM'd you.

 

[scubie02]

depends on what you want the knife for. I have 4 Benchmade knives, largely because I like the Axis lock, and its harder to find anything but liner locks these days. The main fault I find with Benchmade knives is that they overharden their steel and they are too brittle, so the blades chip easily. If you were going to use the knife for hunting, the blade geometry and shape isn't the best for dressing game. If you're just using it for a tote around knife, they are fine.

 

[hso]

I think that's a little expensive for a 440C fixed blade slab sided knife. I would expect that knife to be worth ~$80-$90.



http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...e_and_tool/crkt_kilbuck_signature_hunter.html

http://www.888knivesrus.com/product/CR2750


Or a better knife for a similar price.
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6013

 

[mattman the gun fan]

the 190 looks very nice but 110$ dollars?

 

[kannonfyre]

Any other comments about Benchmade's classification of their knives into "red", "blue" and "black" types? Does "red" really imply poorer quality?

 

[redneck]

$110 is just the suggested retail, I bet you can find it for around $75 online. Try www.newgraham.com

Benchmade knives are very good quality, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one from their line up if it looked like a knife I could use and was in my price range.

 

[Coronach]

They're good production knives. Don't pay MSRP.

Mike

 

[c_yeager]

Dont buy knives directly from Benchmade. They are the ONLY retailor of benchmade knives that charges full MSRP. They do this to avoid undercutting their own dealers, i dont think they actually expect to sell knives through their own site (although i bet they do anyways). Check out www.newgraham.com or www.1sks.com among others already suggested.

 

[Daniel T]

Does "red" really imply poorer quality?

Some people might think so. I actually own one, so I have a different opinion.

The "red" class knives are made in Taiwan on CNC machinery. They use the same 440C steel that domestic Benchmade knives use and have the same sharpness gaurantee and warranty. I'm not sure where the "compromise to quality" comes in, as I have yet to see it.

 

[kannonfyre]

Finally bought the BM 190 a few days ago. It took my local retailer :banghead: ages to get it imported. Anyhoo, it handles and points real nice but for anyone of you guys out there who own benchmade fixed blades......how do they stack up to other blades as last ditch self defense tools?

 

[hso]

A freak'n $10 butcher knife makes an effective "last ditch self defense tool".

You bought a 4" hunting knife with a D2 blade. It will be sharp and hold an edge well. It might rust if you don't care for it. It will cut and puncture. It's desigend to cut more than puncture. It ain't a fighter, but it will serve.

 

[Malice]

I have several Benchmade knives.

Red class knives? Nothing wrong with them.

Generaly, I only use the red class ones. My two favorite are the fixed blade (gamer fecas?) and the lockback (dunno the model).

I have a couple blue class knives, but if the 1/3 price red ones can do the job, why muss up the expensive ones?

Definitely go to New Gaharm. Dont pay MSRP.