2014 Forum knife snag...........
Up-date
Looks like we hit a snag.
Benchmade has a new policy. Their minimum run size is now 1000 pieces.
With everyone undecided about what they would and would not buy plus the new minimum,
I am not sure this can happen.
300 was a tough number to hit last time.
1000 seems like mission impossible for this small forum.
End of Up-date
Looks like we hit a snag.
Benchmade has a new policy. Their minimum run size is now 1000 pieces.
With everyone undecided about what they would and would not buy plus the new minimum,
I am not sure this can happen.
300 was a tough number to hit last time.
1000 seems like mission impossible for this small forum.
End of Up-date
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I understand the sentiment that wants to keep it here, but this isn't the only forum with BM fans. A sacrifice of exclusivity might be the only way to get it going.
That said, maybe it would also get more support if the project was held several years. What about the BKC 30-year anniversary in 2018? Or the ten-year anniversary of the forum (DNS record created September 2004 according to whois).
2c
EDIT: 2014 is next year anyway. Brain fart.
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Does this mean the end of single dealer LE?
I can't remember many of those that were 1,000 pieces.0 -
I don't see any way we could ever do 1000 pieces, even if we included bladeforums, I still can't see it happening.
Too bad, but oh well. thanks for trying, MCM.
I'm also wondering if this will affect other LE's. not many of the LE's over the last few years have been that large of runs, I hope this doesn't mean less dealer exclusives.0 -
Just make it a "Gold Class" Forum Knife. They don't run a 1000 of those. 
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I think an exception to the rule is in order for the very loyal BM customers on their very own forum. 0 -
Thanks for trying, Mark.
1000 pcs. seems impossible but maybe we can convince Les to make an exception in this special case.0 -
+1. 1,000 units is not going to happen. Those M4 Grips last year were only runs of 300. Even the Shot Show Grip was less than 1,000...it was 750.quote:Originally posted by JRaysp:
I think an exception to the rule is in order for the very loyal BM customers on their very own forum.
Hopefully they'll be willing to do a smaller run like 300 if we only do it every 3 years. In that situation, I would hope they would allow us a little more latitude on which models we can use.
like "something" mentioned, I also hope this new policy doesn't ruin KW's & GPK's ability to offer us the great LE's we've come to expect.0 -
+ whatever it's up to now.
I certainly hope this doesn't have a negative impact on LEs but I can't imagine 1,000 of any LE selling well. Like others have already said, even the SHOT show run was only 750.
I guess this makes the Forum Rift much more special now.0 -
forum rift for sale $1200.!!!! 0 -
I think a Ritter Mini-Grip in SV90 or SV110 could easily sell 1,000 or more. Proof is; look at which Benchmades are selling the most above their cost. 0 -
I guess that's the business way of saying no thanks...thanks for trying Mark 0 -
Well this is definitely a disappointing turn. Looks pretty bleak for us at this point. 0 -
That seems like a rather short sighted business decision. Makes me wonder why they have changed their policy after so long. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by w30hammer:
I guess that's the business way of saying no thanks...thanks for trying Mark
This is what Iam thinkin too.
quote:That seems like a rather short sighted business decision. Makes me wonder why they have changed their policy after so long.
This one also ........ It seems to me like there just really busy making big orders and dont wanna mess with us small frys.
Us small people (collectors) keep them going IMHO ....... Our word of mouth advertiseing I would think is the best that they can get.
If I had the company , I think I would set aside one machine and one man to make all short runs and special orders, then you keep everyone happy,happy , happy .....LOL
Iam still a BM fan , but this is disappointing news.0 -
hmmm ... sad news .... special attention to our community does not appears to me to be impossible and would say a lot about the company .... sad .... 0 -
1,000 piece LE minimum is ridiculous. I don't think even the biggest online dealers would want to commit to that.
If this means less BM LE runs then that means more money in my pocket.0 -
Sigh....
Here's hoping for a reversal/oops, I made a mistake update from BM.0 -
If this is for all LE's, that's seriously going to cut back on the amount of LE versions made. I think that would cause them to lose business to companies like spyderco who are always doing sprint runs.
Personally I rarely ever buy a non LE, they're just not good enough. Almost every production model they've ever made had some flaw that was corrected in one LE version or another. Also, I'm not very interested in current models that aren't M390 or M4, so if I'm ever going to buy one that isn't currently produced in one of those steels, it would have to be an LE. I also don't want the same exact knife ten thousand other people have. On top of that, a lot of us have every production model we want, only way to get us to buy another is by creating a different version of it. Very upsetting from a enthusiast stand point.0 -
quote:Originally posted by DeathOfAllThings:
If this is for all LE's, that's seriously going to cut back on the amount of LE versions made. I think that would cause them to lose business to companies like spyderco who are always doing sprint runs.
Personally I rarely ever buy a non LE, they're just not good enough. Almost every production model they've ever made had some flaw that was corrected in one LE version or another. Also, I'm not very interested in current models that aren't M390 or M4, so if I'm ever going to buy one that isn't currently produced in one of those steels, it would have to be an LE. I also don't want the same exact knife ten thousand other people have. On top of that, a lot of us have every production model we want, only way to get us to buy another is by creating a different version of it. Very upsetting from a enthusiast stand point.
+1... only regular production BMs I own are a 615 and an 806. I just love the extra flair and upgraded materials, and a bit of rarity doesn't hurt, either. I really hope this doesn't end up reducing the number of LE runs that we see every year, but I don't know how it can't.0 -
I hope I said it correctly in my 1st post, would not like to mis-represent anyone. Its not completely off the table. Will talk more at SHOT show. But for now its not happening. I am not too shocked really. The other Co. mentioned that does special runs has an 800 min with another 400 as optional.
All it means is you have to get it right and know what folks want.
Not the end of LE's. Just a new rule.
Will keep plugging on this, no worries.
Will relay back what I find out.0 -
quote:Originally posted by DeathOfAllThings:
If this is for all LE's, that's seriously going to cut back on the amount of LE versions made. I think that would cause them to lose business to companies like spyderco who are always doing sprint runs.
Personally I rarely ever buy a non LE, they're just not good enough. Almost every production model they've ever made had some flaw that was corrected in one LE version or another. Also, I'm not very interested in current models that aren't M390 or M4, so if I'm ever going to buy one that isn't currently produced in one of those steels, it would have to be an LE. I also don't want the same exact knife ten thousand other people have. On top of that, a lot of us have every production model we want, only way to get us to buy another is by creating a different version of it. Very upsetting from a enthusiast stand point.
+100 I agree whole heartedly with DOAT on this one.
So, under this new rule both the Forum knife and the more recent LE707 would not be possible?
That, my friend, is a deal breaker!
I for one am highly disappointed.
I hope you are mistaken MCM.
If not, things will be changing from my end too!
It is a sad day indeed.....0 -
I can't really talk bad about the standard fare offered by Benchmade, but the only knife I want and don't have from the regular catalog is a 162 Bushcrafter.
This is purely speculation on my part and I haven't talked to anybody else before about it, but I am wondering if they decided that some of the limited runs were getting too close to the Gold Class knives which prompted them to put a prohibitively high order # to keep so many LE's from coming through and reducing the demand for their own Gold Class. That 707-1201 and the Forum knife Rift could have passed for Gold Class with relative ease or very, very minute changes. Some of the LE's recently have been more limited than GC knives as well. Just my thoughts.0 -
Disappointed for sure. Not too upset though. These forum knives are gravy. Not something that should be expected. No matter what other manufactures or forums do. Totally happy w/ BM regular production offerings. If I only bought gold class or LE, Id have...2,...maybe 3 knives.
The Shot Show Grip was 750 + 250? serrated. More than one LE had "Hidden" #'s I remember discovering this w/ the 615-2. The serrated were marked 1-X, on top of the orig #.0 -
quote:Originally posted by kirbysdl:
Or the ten-year anniversary of the forum (DNS record created September 2004 according to whois).
The Benchmade Forum has been around for longer than that, as I joined in late 1999/ early 2000, and it was already going strong.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Patrick:
Disappointed for sure. Not too upset though. These forum knives are gravy. Not something that should be expected. No matter what other manufactures or forums do. Totally happy w/ BM regular production offerings. If I only bought gold class or LE, Id have...2,...maybe 3 knives.
The Shot Show Grip was 750 + 250? serrated. More than one LE had "Hidden" #'s I remember discovering this w/ the 615-2. The serrated were marked 1-X, on top of the orig #.
The real issue here is not the Forum knife..its the effect this could have on the LE's. My 556 M4 Mini Grip is my favorite and most used knife. It was a 500 piece limited run so it wouldn't even exist if this policy had been put in place a year or so ago. For a $100 it was a steal IMO.
I can't afford the Gold Class knives and I really don't consider those working knives. I would be to scared to use one due to the possibility of losing it or breaking it.0 -
Most of my LE's, if not all of my LE's, would not exist.
The 707, M2 Ritter's, M4 Ritter's, M4 Presidio's, M4 710, the Forum knife....
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It is indeed very disappointing to find out that BKC has changed their policy for minimum numbers.
I have to agree with many of you they must be busy filling major orders and don't have the time to produce these minor runs. Also we don't know if they have had issues with the smaller dealer making these order and not fulfilling their end of the bargain.
I have faith that Les and the BKC family will find a way to continue to offer the Forum knife to Forumites. I only have one Forum knife, the original and would be willing to get a second if it's something I like. Like many of you I am sure, I own a significant number of BKC's and I see the Forum knife as both a reward for the Forumite loyalty and a showpiece for BKC.0 -
Nimmy, I hope you are right. I hope that bkc will still consider a smaller run for their faithful.
I definitely agree with KM and DOAT that the majority of bm production knifes are not that exciting. Usually the LE versions are just enough of an upgrade that I'll bite. Maybe the minimum increase for LE orders is aimed at taking back that piece of business back from distributors.
The only upside I see from this policy change is that the LEs that we do see will be around for more than a day or two. I have missed quite a few limited runs that really excited me only because i found out about them the next day.0 -
I can understand, I bet small runs are not very cost effective for the company. It is like breaking out your 24 inch electrice griddle to make 2 pancakes. Plus limited runs are often a warranty hassle as there is not a lot of time to learn how to make them right. Both Benchmade and Spyderco have had issues with LE or Sprint Runs in the past (from a fit and finish issue) and you do, there often are not parts to fix the issue. 0 -
I have posted recently - well, in the last twelve months anyway - that all my favorite Benchmades are knives that Benchmade doesn't make. More specifically, they are blade swaps, LEs, Custom Grips, etc.
That isn't as true as it once was. Since then, I have added the Volli, Contego, and 275 Adamas in stock form, and they are awesome. They show that Benchmade is moving toward custom grade contoured handles in their premium models. As long as that trend continues, I will continue to be interested. Look at the Bushcrafter. Hand made contours.
So hopefully, even if LEs like the Camp Cantremembershi+ Grip are less available, new models will continue to be hand made caliber in terms of steels and handle design.
Further, the Gold Class only Sibert knives are an interesting precedent. Will there be more Gold Class only user grade models like the 7505-132 produced, maybe even in unlimited-unlimited quantities? Hmmmmmm...Benchmade does seem to be going through a contraction in the number of models offered, but that would be fine if we saw a healthy expansion of the Gold Class in user grade materials, in the under $500 actual retail range.
Having been a Benchnut for almost twenty years now, I've learned to take a long view. There have always been things that looked like setbacks to collectors from time to time. So far, there have always been innovations that more than make up for them.0
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