For better or worse, Benchmade has decided their business model is "sell more expensive knives to fewer people" rather than "sell less expensive knives to more people." It works for a number of manufacturers of consumer goods where they can leverage their brand name in the market. If it helps Benchmade survive, more power to them. I'd rather see them continue manufacturing than see them fold. For me, I'll buy used Benchmade knives at discounted prices if there is something that really jumps out at me but I'm not going to seek out something new.
They cover the budget side with the Bugout and then they do the premium knives for the higher end market. Its the exact same business model as when the Griptilian was their baseline.... but the prices have creeped up a little too much imo.
@@adamimberti6948 "budget" is relative, I guess. The cheapest full size Bugout is still $160 and change. That's hardly a "budget" price when you compare to what Kizer, Civivi etc are bringing to the market right now.
I had the absolutely different response. I spend about 20 mins with it in hand at a store and my first thought was this is nice but there is no way in hell im spending $400+ on this knife.
I bought one from Smoky Mountain Knife Works after handling it at the Benchmade booth at Blade Show. I wasn't expecting to like it so much until I got it in hand, so I ended up splurging. I haven't regretted it, although it is admittedly pricey!
Look at the new AM8 knive that just dropped. S90V, carbon fiber inlay and micro milling all over. 60-62 HRC and it’s $150. IMO there are already 2-3 companies that do a better axis lock than Benchmade now too.
I like the design but it's too expensive for what it is. Benchmade pricing seems to be a 100% premium because it's a Benchmade. I've lost too many knives to carry something that expensive edc.
I was the same way, once I had it in hand at River’s Edge Cutlery… I couldn’t resist. Great action, nice and slicey, solid feel and action. If you compare it to other Benchmades… the milling the extra work to A new axis lock style… It does kinda add up. Glad I got it. Buy once, Cry once.
I like benchmade but haven’t purchase one in years. The last was the original ranger green bugout when it was 136…once upon a time. I’ve wanted a 940-2 Osborne for years but $207 (todays price) feels steep.
Looks like a great day at the park!!! So nice and quiet 👍 I’m loving the Narrows design and concept, but, and more realistic price point needs to happen. Maybe less expensive steel and aluminum handles? How about a model at the $200 range? Y’all have a great day!!!😁👍
Im most likely going to get one eventually. I like the prices being high because it keeps people who want bigger paper weight collections away. Benchmade makes knives that will last a lifetime. You can be one and done buying a Benchmade so why not spend the money. Anyone complaining most likely has a Civivi collection that costs more than the Narrows and rarely sees any use
A Chris Reeves Sebenza 31 in MAGNACUT is $155 cheaper. You can get a Kershaws 50 year anniversary Tilt in a composite of 14c28n and cruwear for $80 cheaper. There is zero justification for this Benchmade being as much as it is. Get what you like but let’s not pretend it’s not in fact overpriced.
I own about half of the Benchmade knives you have on the table and some you don't have on the table. Haven't held the Narrows, the price is ridiculous regardless of its design or materials. I'll never own one. The prices of Benchmade knives has been going up fairly steady for the last few years, last one I bought was a pink Bugout for the wife. Might be one of the last unless something changes... Good video guys. Thanks.
I've always taken issue with Benchmade's prices. Some of them are reasonably priced. But a lot of their knives are just a bit too pricey for my liking, and don't even get me started on their automatics!!
Definitely intriguing from Benchmade, admittedly pricey but like others have said with the all titanium and milling etc….it adds up. I bet I’d like it if I held one because I like thin full sized knives. My current favorite is the SPK Lamia which is another thin, full size titanium knife.
I like Benchmade. My first over $100 dollar knife was a Benchmade. But I would have to say some of the other comments were spot on. If your not whale who can drop a few k on knifes a month. The rest of us are willing to take that $522 and get 2 knifes with the same steel or better and are just as cool.
These days you can get 5 Banger knives for that money. Honestly you can find 10 $50 knives that are better than top end knives 8 years ago. But the $100 price range is full of amazing stuff now.
The Spyderco Pm2 is $164 in cpm s90v same blade size pick up some tyi scales for 75 - 100 and you could almost buy 2 for the $522 price. Sell the teal omg scales for 40 -50 $ and you could for sure.
I think as consumers in America our tolerance for price gouging is running thin we are all getting robbed every time we go to pay for anything gas food water you name it then Benchmade comes out with this awsome knife and puts that ridiculous price on it that knife should be like 280 ish imo
I think you made a good choice buying the Narrows if you like it. I think this is going to be limited production run. Life is short buy whatever makes you happy. 😎 👍👍🇺🇸
That thing is $500!!!? Come on man. Benchmade lost me before the Bugout price went through the roof and now we have the superior and less expensive DEKA and Manix 2 lw. In the end, it’s a choice. I’ve chosen to pass on any future BM products.
I have this knife and paid much less than the $522 It's a cool niche piece and I like the lightweight and thinness With the blade being thin as it is Magnacut at about a 63RC should have been used as it's much tougher than M390 I do like my Anthem better though
Watched till the end. Enjoyed the video, you’re fun together. I’ve got over a dozen Benchmade and like them all. I’d really like to have a Narrows. But, not more than $350. So I guess I’ll never own one.
well it is kinda expensive for non-US resident like me haha how is it compare to SOG Ultra XR? in term of thickness. i watched your old SOG Ultra XR video before, is the coating on Ultra XR holding well after years? i saw other people complain about it.
Too much for my wallet, I have the money just won’t spend it on an expensive knife. Lol I just bought Kubey Duroc so you know my limit $50. Nice collection you have of Benchmades.
I've always wanted a Benchmade but never pulled the trigger. A little while ago I was determined to buy one but then I saw the Hogue Doug Ritter and got that instead. I regret nothing and saved a whole lot of money. I want to like Benchmade but they're making it hard as of late. I'm actually somewhat okay with the price of this one how given it's actually kind of innovative and cool.
Love Frankie's sound effects 😂 $522!?! Holy Crapola... Dang. I think I'll just watch the rest for Bird and Frankie, cause that's wayyyy beyond my budget.
Cool knife but I'm worried it is going to eat pockets though. It's hard to get in and out of my very thin pocket material. They should have chamfered the countersunk weight saving pockets
For $500+ I got my eye on a mcnees 2, 3.5 . No offense still got plenty of benchmades. Would you compare that to the anthem? I know you guys weren't too fond of that one back in the day
Simple answer: Yes, it is! It’s a good knife for sure, great material, slim (too slim for my taste). But Benchmades are too expensive in general and this model exaggerates it. Sorry, Benchmade, but that’s overdone profit taking. I mean the fact that you can get good deals on it shows that there must be a huge margin. 350, yes. But not 520!
If Benchmade can get the price down to $400 it would still be expensive but a lot easier to digest. If I was going to spend $500+, I'd just spend a little bit more and locate a anthum before buying a narrows.
I’m sure the Narrows is a good knife, but what, $522? That’s about 2X what it is worth, to me. I started collecting with Benchmades, but I want more for my money.
I think benchmade is trying to get into the luxury goods market. By pricing their products high, they create a demand as people see high priced goods as superior. Buying and owning luxury goods give people a feeling of increased status and some cases superiority. Luxury goods also gives people higher self esteem, walking around with a high priced item makes you feel cool and awesome. But if you ask me, it is all artificial. Spending more money on a luxury item doesn't necessarily mean you are getting a much better product. The extra money you are paying is mostly going to the status it provides and perceived "coolness" of this expensive item. So I think benchmade feels it cannot compete with companies that produce solidly built products for reasonable prices, instead they're going for the luxury goods side of the knife market.
I have a fancy-schmancy Bugout. Cool aluminum handles, M390 blade steel, it's a cool knife (although 2 of the handle screws fell out after a week... had to buy some 3rd party replacements) but is it $100 better than my titanium/LC200 Kizer Drop Bear ? Not really. But this ? Benchmade are losing the plot. It's a cool knife, but 5+ bills ? Benchmade are becoming the Apple of the knife world. Slightly better than average products at exorbitant prices.
I guessed $234. When I heard $500+ I puked in my mouth a little. This better be in a new and futuristic steel that comes from the future. I'll watch the rest of the video.
The narrows uses a mini, mini coiled spring, not the Omega spring on the crossbar lock. I’ve got dozens of knives with crossbar locks using Omega springs and have never had an Omega spring failure. The Narrows looks great, love how thin it is but $500 is too much.
I think it's quite overpriced for what it is, and it's market segment. Then again, Benchmade always charges a lot when Titanium is used. They've probably used the Chris Reeve yardstick for pricing even though much of the industry (Including other US makers like Tactile) have more aggressive pricing these days. I don't think many people would bat an eye if it was that price or a bit more if it was considered a Gold Class knife. I could see that playing out in 2 ways. Either keep it as an exclusive gold class, and give another go at a titanium integral, as it's rivaling the price of the Anthem... Or adorn it with an exotic blade steel (most likely Damasteel), and fancify the pivot collar, Axis nubs or thumb studs. That could have opened the door for them to launch a Blue Class version alongside it or shortly after with either steel or aluminum handle scales and S30V blade in about the same price range as the rest of their Blue Class knives. Yeah, they can always do a 748-2 model with altered materials like they've done with the 940 and Bugout, but I think either of the 2 scenarios above looks better from a PR standpoint. Ultimately though, buy what you want as long as you can afford it. I am a little curious on if you still would have pulled the trigger if a discount wasn't made available.
I’m Glad you guys like it and are enjoying it nothing wrong with that I’m just kind put off by benchmade and the unnecessary price increases
For better or worse, Benchmade has decided their business model is "sell more expensive knives to fewer people" rather than "sell less expensive knives to more people." It works for a number of manufacturers of consumer goods where they can leverage their brand name in the market. If it helps Benchmade survive, more power to them. I'd rather see them continue manufacturing than see them fold. For me, I'll buy used Benchmade knives at discounted prices if there is something that really jumps out at me but I'm not going to seek out something new.
They cover the budget side with the Bugout and then they do the premium knives for the higher end market.
Its the exact same business model as when the Griptilian was their baseline.... but the prices have creeped up a little too much imo.
@@adamimberti6948 "budget" is relative, I guess. The cheapest full size Bugout is still $160 and change. That's hardly a "budget" price when you compare to what Kizer, Civivi etc are bringing to the market right now.
I had the absolutely different response. I spend about 20 mins with it in hand at a store and my first thought was this is nice but there is no way in hell im spending $400+ on this knife.
I actually like the thinness and weight but the price is waaaaaaay too expensive.
I bought one from Smoky Mountain Knife Works after handling it at the Benchmade booth at Blade Show. I wasn't expecting to like it so much until I got it in hand, so I ended up splurging. I haven't regretted it, although it is admittedly pricey!
Benchmade is slowly pricing themselves out of the market.
They are slowing being beat out by other companies with better materials at better prices.
There is a TON of competition…
Look at the new AM8 knive that just dropped. S90V, carbon fiber inlay and micro milling all over. 60-62 HRC and it’s $150. IMO there are already 2-3 companies that do a better axis lock than Benchmade now too.
Even spyderco has the PM2 in S90V for $164 I think the teal color.
@@BrandonGavin_EDCyeah if I'm blowing $500 on an axis style lock I'm going for the Dropbear in damasteel.
@@Mortismors hell yeah
Went back over 3 years and watched you both find the lost BugOut, good job 👍 and thanks for the Narrow Looks 😎
I like the design but it's too expensive for what it is. Benchmade pricing seems to be a 100% premium because it's a Benchmade. I've lost too many knives to carry something that expensive edc.
I was the same way, once I had it in hand at River’s Edge Cutlery… I couldn’t resist. Great action, nice and slicey, solid feel and action. If you compare it to other Benchmades… the milling the extra work to
A new axis lock style…
It does kinda add up. Glad I got it. Buy once,
Cry once.
We were there today and guess what? They had sold out of Narrows knives! 😆 😆
Yeah I kinda bought the last one.
I like benchmade but haven’t purchase one in years. The last was the original ranger green bugout when it was 136…once upon a time. I’ve wanted a 940-2 Osborne for years but $207 (todays price) feels steep.
Looks like a great day at the park!!! So nice and quiet 👍 I’m loving the Narrows design and concept, but, and more realistic price point needs to happen. Maybe less expensive steel and aluminum handles? How about a model at the $200 range? Y’all have a great day!!!😁👍
Thanks David
Im most likely going to get one eventually. I like the prices being high because it keeps people who want bigger paper weight collections away. Benchmade makes knives that will last a lifetime. You can be one and done buying a Benchmade so why not spend the money. Anyone complaining most likely has a Civivi collection that costs more than the Narrows and rarely sees any use
A Chris Reeves Sebenza 31 in MAGNACUT is $155 cheaper. You can get a Kershaws 50 year anniversary Tilt in a composite of 14c28n and cruwear for $80 cheaper. There is zero justification for this Benchmade being as much as it is. Get what you like but let’s not pretend it’s not in fact overpriced.
I own about half of the Benchmade knives you have on the table and some you don't have on the table. Haven't held the Narrows, the price is ridiculous regardless of its design or materials. I'll never own one. The prices of Benchmade knives has been going up fairly steady for the last few years, last one I bought was a pink Bugout for the wife. Might be one of the last unless something changes... Good video guys. Thanks.
I've always taken issue with Benchmade's prices. Some of them are reasonably priced. But a lot of their knives are just a bit too pricey for my liking, and don't even get me started on their automatics!!
Damn you birdshot, now I got to start saving money for a new knife, lol, outstanding video
I love my Narrows too.
Definitely intriguing from Benchmade, admittedly pricey but like others have said with the all titanium and milling etc….it adds up. I bet I’d like it if I held one because I like thin full sized knives. My current favorite is the SPK Lamia which is another thin, full size titanium knife.
I struggled with paying 460 out the door but for a slicey edc it’s hard to beat. I have nicer heavier knives but this one carries so well!
Sure is 😊
I like Benchmade. My first over $100 dollar knife was a Benchmade. But I would have to say some of the other comments were spot on. If your not whale who can drop a few k on knifes a month. The rest of us are willing to take that $522 and get 2 knifes with the same steel or better and are just as cool.
These days you can get 5 Banger knives for that money. Honestly you can find 10 $50 knives that are better than top end knives 8 years ago. But the $100 price range is full of amazing stuff now.
The Spyderco Pm2 is $164 in cpm s90v same blade size pick up some tyi scales for 75 - 100 and you could almost buy 2 for the $522 price. Sell the teal omg scales for 40 -50 $ and you could for sure.
I think as consumers in America our tolerance for price gouging is running thin we are all getting robbed every time we go to pay for anything gas food water you name it then Benchmade comes out with this awsome knife and puts that ridiculous price on it that knife should be like 280 ish imo
Exactly...I'd never pay 500+ but 280 yep... this knife is great I would love it
I think you made a good choice buying the Narrows if you like it. I think this is going to be limited production run. Life is short buy whatever makes you happy. 😎 👍👍🇺🇸
Its limited to as many as they can sell
@@jamesstephenson2346 Obviously
👍 beautiful but got to let this one go.very professional blade.
Got the 26.00 clone in. Awesome. Super light and sharp.
I like the narrow Benchmade knife. But I really like Frankie's watch!!
Hey I dig it very Nice !
That thing is $500!!!? Come on man. Benchmade lost me before the Bugout price went through the roof and now we have the superior and less expensive DEKA and Manix 2 lw. In the end, it’s a choice. I’ve chosen to pass on any future BM products.
I want it!!! I’m buying!! Love it
😆😆👍👍
I have this knife and paid much less than the $522
It's a cool niche piece and I like the lightweight and thinness
With the blade being thin as it is Magnacut at about a 63RC should have been used as it's much tougher than M390
I do like my Anthem better though
I love it in my pocket.
Same!!
Watched till the end. Enjoyed the video, you’re fun together.
I’ve got over a dozen Benchmade and like them all. I’d really like to have a Narrows. But, not more than $350. So I guess I’ll never own one.
Thanks
Hey I’d love to get my hands on one of those bad boys!
You might just want one
Hey always wanted a Benchmade
2nd 🥈
Great video!😊❤
$522.00 LOL
Benchmade needs to pull its head from its ass.
Competition is kicking its ass.
Awe man. I peeped that Nakamura. I had a -1 version I traded years ago and the numpty scammed me. I miss that one.
I want the admas,if you sale it let me know!
Got a few Benchmades not cheap but very good .
I like my Benchmade's and the warranty is good as well. But I've always preferred my kizer's and twosuns over my Benchmade's.
I would definitely pay $350 for it. More than that for a production knife and I’m priced out
well it is kinda expensive for non-US resident like me haha
how is it compare to SOG Ultra XR? in term of thickness.
i watched your old SOG Ultra XR video before, is the coating on Ultra XR holding well after years? i saw other people complain about it.
I like the Narrows but I have others I really want more with better steel!!
It looks like benchmade is selling this knife with just the liners and no scales for more money.
Correct
Too much for my wallet, I have the money just won’t spend it on an expensive knife. Lol I just bought Kubey Duroc so you know my limit $50.
Nice collection you have of Benchmades.
I’ve had it in hand a few times. Nice knife. Lowest price I found, $435….still too much for this knife.
I've seen a few blade tests with it and the heat treat seems to be garbage. Like chipping or rolling with in a few cuts out of the box
I could see this priced between $200 and $300... but not $500+. That's WAY crazy.
Doesn't matter how much it is, I'll never give them my 🤑
$300 too expensive. Ridiculous! For that price I can buy 2 Protech Malibu's.
I've always wanted a Benchmade but never pulled the trigger. A little while ago I was determined to buy one but then I saw the Hogue Doug Ritter and got that instead. I regret nothing and saved a whole lot of money. I want to like Benchmade but they're making it hard as of late. I'm actually somewhat okay with the price of this one how given it's actually kind of innovative and cool.
The Ritter hogue is so good!
@@BrandonGavin_EDC it's everything I wanted from a Benchmade from a company I like more. It's perfect
You need to try a taggedout. So thin and slicey
So what's the skinny on the Narrows?🤣
We should have thought of that 😂 😂
Love Frankie's sound effects 😂 $522!?! Holy Crapola... Dang. I think I'll just watch the rest for Bird and Frankie, cause that's wayyyy beyond my budget.
It’s ok, we love having you as a viewer!!
Not doubting it’s nice but it’s not worth what Benchmade is charging.
Just got a Kunwu tao x. Talk about a smooth crossbar lock. 😮
They certainly look nice. Have yet to handle one
@BirdShotIV try one if you get a chance...I was torn between the tao and the pulsar, but I found a good deal on a tao x
$522 is not overpriced for that. $322 would be overpriced. $522 is absurd.
There’s black one now for an additional 20 bucks lol
M390 has the same properties as cts-204p
Yes it does 👍
Absolutely too expensive for a production knife especially from a large manufacturer like Benchmade
🤣 there's a question mark in the thumbnail
It makes my Sandrin such a much better value and better lock.
Worth about $250 max in my opinion.
I’d like to see a few of those on ETSY later tonight! Oh, I don’t like a thin knife handle myself…
3rd 🥉
well this question will save me 16:51... YES!! Just kidding I'll watch the video and F$#$$#%! HELL YES!!
For that $ you should get 3.
In the life world today, thin is the new sexy! But I am old school, and I prefer something I can get my hand round!
They need to change the steel to 7Cr17MoV and raise the price to$700
😂😂
Way too expensive, Benchmade has lost the plot with their pricing. There must be a ton of people who just don’t care and buy it for the brand.
Cool knife but I'm worried it is going to eat pockets though. It's hard to get in and out of my very thin pocket material.
They should have chamfered the countersunk weight saving pockets
I will never pay more than 250$!
Of course it's overpriced it's a benchmade, yeah they're nice but not 500 + nice
12:10 Still being here because we like the 🔪? No sir. We just love you guys
😆😆👊👊
For $500+ I got my eye on a mcnees 2, 3.5 . No offense still got plenty of benchmades. Would you compare that to the anthem? I know you guys weren't too fond of that one back in the day
The Anthem was nice but I guess it wasn’t as much of a standout for me personally.
-bird
Ultra-thin Magnum
Hey
1st 🥇
Counterfeits are already available on Amazon and dhgate for $30.
That sucks
Simple answer: Yes, it is!
It’s a good knife for sure, great material, slim (too slim for my taste). But Benchmades are too expensive in general and this model exaggerates it. Sorry, Benchmade, but that’s overdone profit taking. I mean the fact that you can get good deals on it shows that there must be a huge margin. 350, yes. But not 520!
If Benchmade can get the price down to $400 it would still be expensive but a lot easier to digest. If I was going to spend $500+, I'd just spend a little bit more and locate a anthum before buying a narrows.
I’m sure the Narrows is a good knife, but what, $522? That’s about 2X what it is worth, to me. I started collecting with Benchmades, but I want more for my money.
I think benchmade is trying to get into the luxury goods market. By pricing their products high, they create a demand as people see high priced goods as superior. Buying and owning luxury goods give people a feeling of increased status and some cases superiority. Luxury goods also gives people higher self esteem, walking around with a high priced item makes you feel cool and awesome. But if you ask me, it is all artificial. Spending more money on a luxury item doesn't necessarily mean you are getting a much better product. The extra money you are paying is mostly going to the status it provides and perceived "coolness" of this expensive item. So I think benchmade feels it cannot compete with companies that produce solidly built products for reasonable prices, instead they're going for the luxury goods side of the knife market.
I have a fancy-schmancy Bugout. Cool aluminum handles, M390 blade steel, it's a cool knife (although 2 of the handle screws fell out after a week... had to buy some 3rd party replacements) but is it $100 better than my titanium/LC200 Kizer Drop Bear ? Not really. But this ? Benchmade are losing the plot. It's a cool knife, but 5+ bills ? Benchmade are becoming the Apple of the knife world. Slightly better than average products at exorbitant prices.
Thanks for commenting 👍
Bird likes them thin. Frankie likes them thick.
🤔🤔
For me it's way to expensif...
I have 2 griptilians a small and a normal one...
This one is not for me....sorry...
I think I'm going to get the Kizer Varatas it'll be thin enough.
I guessed $234. When I heard $500+ I puked in my mouth a little. This better be in a new and futuristic steel that comes from the future. I'll watch the rest of the video.
Thanks for watching 😂 😂
What is it with Benchmade using yesterday's supersteel on their new models? Over $500 and not even magnacut, yeesh.
CAN FLYTANIUM BAIL'M OUT, WITH ADD-ONS
Nothing like a good bm..
somebody had to
The narrows uses a mini, mini coiled spring, not the Omega spring on the crossbar lock. I’ve got dozens of knives with crossbar locks using Omega springs and have never had an Omega spring failure. The Narrows looks great, love how thin it is but $500 is too much.
Benchmade Narrows priced at $520ish with a $9.99 bug out clip on it..Horrible
and yet, I love the clip 😆
I would never buy a benchmade. Double the butterfly tax now is not gonna fly with anyone if they can't even get heat treats right
What is wrong with their heat treatment?
@BirdShotIV shoddy at best and the worst crossbar lock on the market hurts too
Yep. Too expensive. All ya had to say was Benchmade.
I do love Benchmade but their pricing needs an intervention
Benchmade is a joke. Half way to James Brand nowadays. Their materials and QC dont justify their price.
I’ll probably never own a benchmade now not feelin the company after this
I think it's quite overpriced for what it is, and it's market segment. Then again, Benchmade always charges a lot when Titanium is used. They've probably used the Chris Reeve yardstick for pricing even though much of the industry (Including other US makers like Tactile) have more aggressive pricing these days.
I don't think many people would bat an eye if it was that price or a bit more if it was considered a Gold Class knife. I could see that playing out in 2 ways. Either keep it as an exclusive gold class, and give another go at a titanium integral, as it's rivaling the price of the Anthem...
Or adorn it with an exotic blade steel (most likely Damasteel), and fancify the pivot collar, Axis nubs or thumb studs. That could have opened the door for them to launch a Blue Class version alongside it or shortly after with either steel or aluminum handle scales and S30V blade in about the same price range as the rest of their Blue Class knives.
Yeah, they can always do a 748-2 model with altered materials like they've done with the 940 and Bugout, but I think either of the 2 scenarios above looks better from a PR standpoint.
Ultimately though, buy what you want as long as you can afford it. I am a little curious on if you still would have pulled the trigger if a discount wasn't made available.
Frankie's been working on her "controversial" sound effect, I can tell.
One of the most expensive production Benchmades and it’s a Blue Class?!
Benchmade too expensive. ALWAYS too expensive.
Benchmade lost me as a customer a few years ago. Overpriced with sorry heat treat.
Yes it’s expensive. Your better off buying a coldsteel code 4 which are super slim and run 75-100. I think they copy coldsteel