I’m not really a Benchmade guy. This Bailout is the only Benchmade currently in my collection, but I have had it for years. It has stuck around because it’s excellent and there really is nothing else like it. It has a thin blade, seemingly well heat treated steel ( I have sharpened it at least three times since buying it and it performs the way I would expect M4 to perform from my other knives in M4), an incredibly useful tanto blade shape, the axis (crossbar style) lock, PB washers, aluminum scales ( the scales the bailout come with are fantastic but I opted for AWT), and more. If I lost this knife today, I’d buy it again as soon as possible at retail prices. It’s THAT GOOD of a knife.
Most of the places of the internet that I frequent that discuss knives lately have been negative about Benchmade prices. Even more negative than other popular knife companies, even though most of them are raising prices. Even WE knife is selling knives for over $400 without integral titanium construction.
I think maybe Benchmade would benefit from focusing a bit more on lower priced designs. I would personally love to see them release something with injection molded scales, 440c or 154cm and a lockback for under $115 to interest budget conscious knife guys.
The amount of times I have read people suggesting that Benchmade is on crack is starting to make me concerned. Are they expensive? Sure. Are there other more affordable options? Yes. Is there anything else on the market exactly like the Bailout? No. I can’t get the Bailout or anything even close from anyone else but Benchmade and I applaud them for taking a chance on such a unique design. I know the Hogue Deka is objectively a better option than the Bugout in alot of ways, but it still isn’t quite a Bugout when it comes to weight so I even consider the Bugout to be without an exact equal in the market.
Am I the only person who thinks like this?
by mcsquirgle
4 Comments
I think the current price of the Narrows completely exemplifies the community’s sentiments with Benchmade’s pricing.
As a Canadian, they’re unreasonably expensive. The M4/aluminum scaled Bailout goes for $351 here. Hell, even a base 940-2 (the g10 scale version) is $270.. They don’t offer anything special anymore. I’d rather carry my Crossbar Vosteed Raccoon than my 940.
Benchmade already has a knife that should cost $115, it is the griptilian. If Spyderco can do a sub $100 Tenacious and a titanium handled one for $140 then Benchmade can make a Griptilian with a good steel and be below $150. Just my take.
As for integrals, they are all costly. I’m amazed WE does any for less than $500. Even Microtech farms them out.
I would like to see the 940 get full scales and some more steel options. Also a larger variant would be welcome.
The problem is that they do have “lower priced designs” but they still carry high price tags. If Benchmade had the QC and tolerances to reflect the price then it probably would be different. They have a famous warranty program but I’d argue that is not what should be helping sell a knife. The two biggest benchmade talking points that I’ve seen are: high prices and bad QC. Also their grivory feels like shit compared to something like spyderco FRN but that’s just my opinion.
Hundred 100% agree with OP, I’m working on a video where I’m gonna discuss that everything US companies are charging for knives is a bargain. It is better and cheaper to buy a $200 bugout than a $50 chinesium with similar materials.