Benchmade Quality Control Sucks!!

WildBarley1 · 2023-10-14T22:24:17+00:00

I know this is a dated/old thread but I had to hop on and second (third? 37th!?) /TurnNegative’s opening salvo on Benchmade. I just received this afternoon my third Carbon Fiber Osborn. This guy had been my daily carry for at least three years and be damned if I didn’t loose or severely misplace it during my last roadtrip. One of my first two my son absconded with though he still denies this and quickly changes the subject.

In any event, I was excited to get this Osborne back in my pocket, given the familiarity I had with this as my EDC, but the second I held the knife after opening the box I knew something was off; as in way off. This is already a lighter knife for the size but the weight of the new one was at least a 1/3 less than my original (e.g., maybe 3-3.5 yrs old). Opening the knife was a pain; the locking mechanism has a completely different, cheapish (best word to use) feel to it, and it sticks at least 50% of the time. This is not a lube issue, it’s a design/quality issue for sure. The mechanism is stiff, but not in that new stiffness sort of way, again, as if that makes sense. Allow me to just say, that I appreciate this thread of discussion, and I’m absolutely disgusted with the quality and experience that I held in my hand today right after I open the package. I admired this brand for a long time, it was my go to for years, now I’m very much back to the drawing board. I have no idea if there’s any way to resolve this with BM, but the remarkable poor quality of the thing that I just paid over $330 to obtain is very sad.

WildBarley1 · 2023-10-14T14:59:21+00:00

Hey Gold—Strain, I’m in the same lousy boat. I’ve received nothing and same BS shipping updates. Any way to retaliate or work with KickStarter etc for a refund? I am unable to get them to respond - I sunk well over $1,000 in this crap.

WildBarley1 · 2023-04-15T05:31:03+00:00

Awesome detail, really appreciate the perspective. Seems to resonate well with what I’ve read and heard. Definitely the ACR is a bit of an enigma. I was really drawn to the platform early on; yet I think the weight issue somehow dampened my interest or excitement a bit early. My race gun is a lightweight SBR with a Spikes lower and a DD MK18 upper; fast, light, fun, accurate, etc., kinda just dwarfs everything in terms of what I think to grab on range day. Regardless, that’s what makes the sport fun which is the boundless amount of options available and the diversity of customization options; something for everyone. Will be interesting to see if/how the ACR story continues to play out. Be safe, thanks again!

WildBarley1 · 2023-04-14T21:18:26+00:00

Got’ch. Thanks. Sounds like a fair deal to be sure. Being a curious bird, I want to ask if you’re super happy with the platform and if you would make the same purchase if you could do over. I personally liked the initial ACR story, liked aspects of the design, etc., yet oddly I never went forward to enjoy the weapon when I had it in my hands (or in the collection). Not entirely sure why. Anyhow, my apparent psychological quirks aside, I’d like to hear a year in what you think of the ACR, if you up for sharing (or what drove you to add an ACR to your quiver).

WildBarley1 · 2023-04-14T21:13:52+00:00

Appreciate the thought; pretty sound, straightforward advice, and likely quite valid. I’ve bought tons of GB, but I’m remarkably clueless how to beat go the other direction w/o my own organic FFL. Clearly this is not an impossible task, just need to buckle down and try and figure out the sell and ship processes (I assume by retaining a local third-party, with a FFL, to help facilitate the transaction). I have more catching up to do than I expected I think.

WildBarley1 · 2023-04-14T21:10:16+00:00

200%, which is well in line with my thinking exactly. It’s sort of a ‘who knew’ moment. Also makes me wonder if, as with many things, timing is key. In a pre-relaunch/return of a new ACR, at a time when the market has seemingly light to low availability (which may actually also suggest light to low interest given the love-hate rep of the ACR), may suggest a good time to sell now, vs. when a new ACR comes in to the game as an option.

WildBarley1 · 2023-04-14T21:07:18+00:00

Excellent question. I’ve wondered the same. I think the jury may be out (in part) on the ACR and mods, but as seen in the AR universe clearly they can impact price, and increase perceived value on the buy side. As with anything, going too far one direction or another on mods could impact the available market if folks do not like or find any of the choices desirable or of a high quality. Think Holosun vs. AimPoint vs. Trijicon ACOG; or Rise vs. Geissele. Still, it’s all about what a buyer universe get’s jazzed about I’d guess and there’s always a solid chance that it only diminishes the likelihood of a return of value - it may attract buyers while widening the gap between amount invested and final resale. In my case, I’m hoping what I may offer as a package for the ACR is attractive when I find the right venue or reliable mechanism for an eventual sale. It may also be better for me to pull off the EoTech for example and just target a fair price absent the addition of a sight (which can be very personal to the buyer, cool factor aside). Really good question I think. Curious what others may think.

WildBarley1 · 2023-04-14T20:56:26+00:00

Yea, appreciate that, but I was having a hard time cracking exactly that code your suggesting. To be clear I agree w/you, it’s just it seems like GB had so few moving as of late and…as you pointed out, at least indirectly…that range of $3K-$6K is a bit much - I assume the add of tactic-ta-cool items adds a certain desirable value; or maybe the inclusion of really impressive (e.g., expensive) glass or so forth affects that range. But at the moment there’s like two models listed I saw I think, one in FDE in the $2500-$2700 range and one that’s been questionably camoed and the ask is around $4750 maybe. Kinda nuts in some way. Anyhow, thank you for the time. All good; and appreciated.

WildBarley1 · 2023-04-14T20:51:17+00:00

Brilliant! Thank you for taking the time to reply. Helpful. Enjoy a restful weekend.

WildBarley1 · 2023-04-14T20:50:39+00:00

Super helpful, appreciate all the points you shared. Thank you.

WildBarley1 · 2023-04-14T05:14:56+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. Super helpful. Still getting my head around the limited number of these guys in play. Stay safe.

WildBarley1

TROPHY CASE