GPK pricing for Benchmades

[RedRaiderRick]

Looks like GPKnives just went to full MAP prices on Benchmade knives. That's a huge increase. Like 30%.

[texoma]

I own a handful of Benchmade knives haven't purchased one recently
to me Benchmade knives are over priced to begin with
I'm sure other dealers will follow GPK

[Railsplitter]

I don’t recall ever buying a Benchmade from GPK but I did notice that they used to state “Call for pricing” and now they just list the price.

[bestgear]

Benchmade has always had a strict MAP policy (https://dealer.benchmade.com/media/wysi ... Policy.pdf) but I guess now they are strictly enforcing it. I find the brand overpriced but well marketed; much more economical options in todays global economy if you can live with China stamped on your knife.

[junderwood]

Here is what I got from GPK yesterday, sounds like BM cracked the whip :

Hi Jesse,

Thank you for contacting us!  Unfortunately, Benchmade has updated their pricing policy to exclude the "Call for Price" workaround we've been using for the last few years.  

While we hope to find a new way to offer super competitive pricing, we will have to hold their MSRP/MAPP for the time being.  I'm very sorry for any frustration or inconvenience.

Please let us know if you have any further questions!

[doglegg]

Here is what I got from GPK yesterday, sounds like BM cracked the whip :

Hi Jesse,

Thank you for contacting us!  Unfortunately, Benchmade has updated their pricing policy to exclude the "Call for Price" workaround we've been using for the last few years.  

While we hope to find a new way to offer super competitive pricing, we will have to hold their MSRP/MAPP for the time being.  I'm very sorry for any frustration or inconvenience.

Please let us know if you have any further questions!

Knice that you got a reply.

[RedRaiderRick]

I have about a dozen BMs that are well made with good steels. I like them all but but not at MAPP pricing. This will push me back to ZT and Kershaw.

BM MAPP pushes prices into Microtech territory which is next level quality. I don't think BM is competitive there.

[Railsplitter]

I like Benchmade knives a lot but if I’m being honest, that’s only because of the Axis Lock. Like Tom stated above, there are plenty other options for the Crossbar Lock now that Benchmade’s patent has expired.

Hogue doesn’t get talked about much around here but they make a fantastic knife called the RSK with a Crossbar Lock. It’s a collaboration with Doug Ritter, Chairman of The Knife Rights Foundation and its 100% made in the USA with USA sourced parts. The price is much more reasonable than Benchmade and the quality is every bit as good if not better.

The bottom picture is my knife and I can’t say enough good things about it.

They also make an automatic version of the same knife at a reasonable price.

[bestgear]

….there are plenty other options for the Crossbar Lock now that Benchmade’s patent has expired

totally agree Rick

for example only, here’s a bugout killer for $69: https://www.bladehq.com/item--Vosteed-C ... ta--188571

the Vosteed Corsair.

[Railsplitter]

Another Made in the USA option for a Crossbar Lock folder is Buck. They announced their “Range” series of Crossbar knives at SHOT Show but they aren’t available yet.

Projected release is “early summer”. Prices range from $115 to $220 depending on the size of the knife and the blade steel.

[RedRaiderRick]

Good thread participation guys. I will check out Hogue. I thought they were all China knives. Here is the Microtech take on the axis lock. It appears to be a huge step up in strength.

[Railsplitter]

I would love to get one of those Microtech MSI models but the blade exceeds my legal carry limit. If they made one with a 2.9 inch blade, I would already own one.

Thanks for sharing those pics. That’s the first time I’ve seen a top view of that lock.

[RedRaiderRick]

There is an excellent video at GPK on the Microtech Ram Lock. The entire mechanism is in a self-contained block. It uses a single heavy coil Spring on a post instead of small omega springs built into the scales. This allows single-sided operation without risk of wearing out or breaking or dislodging omega springs.

[Jeepergeo]

So Benchmade wants to be a market enforcer and price regulator. Is Benchmade trying to be big brother just like government? So much for the free market by knife vendors. I hope self-respecting knife vendors will stop playing Benchmade's game and stop selling Benchmade knives. Consumers won't be hurt because there are much better knives out there at and even well below the Benchmade price point.

[Railsplitter]

I can’t name any specific makers but I know that Benchmade isn’t the only knife manufacturer who enforces MAP pricing. Others do it too but Benchmade sticks out like a sore thumb because of their high prices.

When the MAP prices are reasonable, we may not even realize it’s being enforced.

[bestgear]

My #1 retirement “job” was working at an old school knife shop in Delaware. They are dealers for numerous manufacturers including Benchmade, Case, Boker, ZT, Kershaw, Victorinox, Leatherman, Chris Reeves and about 3 dozen more. All manufacturers have always enforced a MAP policy “to the best of their abilities” to create a level playing field.

The workaround that GPK employed was not to advertise the MAP price but to “call for pricing” where they would sell for less than MAP in violation of their agreement and in turn creating an unlevel playing field.

If you have your heart set on Benchmade and want a deal, there’s a boat-load on the secondary market many with nothing more than being coon-fingered. Those knives are exempt from manufacturer MAP scrutiny.

[bestgear]

I would love to get one of those Microtech MSI models but the blade exceeds my legal carry limit

I admire your self control and your law abiding spirit Rick. I can’t say that I’ve never colored outside of the lines but that’s me, bravo for staying within the lines set by your state.

I pity your bank account once your laws are more closely aligned with other states!

[Railsplitter]

I would love to get one of those Microtech MSI models but the blade exceeds my legal carry limit

I admire your self control and your law abiding spirit Rick. I can’t say that I’ve never colored outside of the lines but that’s me, bravo for staying within the lines set by your state.

I pity your bank account once your laws are more closely aligned with other states!

Thank you, Tom. I’m always afraid that I would be that one guy who got caught. It’s frustrating sometimes because almost nobody around here abides by that law.

I bought a Benchmade Mini Bugout in person at Scheels right here in town and the representative that opened the case for me had a full size Bugout in his pocket which exceeds the 3 inch blade limit here. I could give hundreds of other examples.

That’s funny about my bank account because it is oh so true! I’d be a knife buying maniac!

[Jeepergeo]

The free market and open competition is the best leveler of the playing field.

[bestgear]

The free market and open competition is the best leveler of the playing field.

no argument here and since Benchmade sells directly to the consumer and wants to maintain a dealer network, MAP is the only way it all works.

[RedRaiderRick]

I don't mean to rag on BM but another reason I think MAP is too much to pay is their pocket clips. I find them thin and flimsy compared to Microtech. Most seem to be parkerized which seems to instantly wear. I was once carrying a full size Adamas and caught the clip on something as I walked by. With what felt like minimal resistance the clip bent 90 degrees. It was easy to hammer relatively flat again. The Microtech MSI, for less money, has a thick Titanium clip that is super solid that grips the pocket securely.

Again I have plenty of BM and I like them but not at MAP pricing.