First Production Knives?

pbcg · Jul 7, 2016

Question for my fellow enthusiasts. I often see members state that they are put off by blades that are marked "First Production". In some cases that they will even pass on first production knives because of the marking's. Why is that? Is it the aesthetics or something else?

My personal feeling is I could take it or leave it. I don't think it adds any desirability or monetary value in general but don't think it takes away desirability or value either. Maybe in the case of a rare long discontinued knife it might make it a little more special to me but even then not by much.

What's your opinion?

Gratuitous pic:

billym · Jul 7, 2016

Man I am not a flipper guy but the lines on the 928 are SWEET!

I don't personally care but if I can avoid having first production numbers on the blade i will because it seems harder to sell FR numbered knives here on BFs.
Often, having a FR numbered knife is a sign you couldn't wait any longer to own that new model.

P_Meticulous · Jul 7, 2016

pbcg said:
Question for my fellow enthusiasts. I often see members state that they are put off by blades that are marked "First Production". In some cases that they will even pass on first production knives because of the marking's. Why is that? Is it the aesthetics or something else?

I like a clean, no-text, blade. I don't even like the format that BKC uses for their LE's.. It looks tacky IMO.. A good example of the right way to serialize a LE is their Gold Class format..

I also like to wait for any reported issues with the first production run..

Bryan J · Jul 7, 2016

Funny, I've emailed three or four online dealers looking for a non- first production Proxy. They are not yet available. Personally, I don't like the stamp. I feel it detracts from the aesthetics of the knife, so I avoid buying FPs if possible.

A-MAC · Jul 7, 2016

I avoid them. All the extra writing on the blade is a turn off for me.

jkarp_53 · Jul 7, 2016

I always wait for the un-marked production models. Over the years, I've learned that subtle changes are often made after the first run. As far as value, FP aren't worth any more. Actually, the only ones that Do are the prototypes.

sharp_edge · Jul 7, 2016

So what exactly does "first production" mean? Is it the veey first batch (e.g., 100) of a model? And after the first batch there will be no that marking but everything else is just the same as knives in the first batch? If so, what is the point of even indicating the first production?

I agree markings like this is generally a turn off.

jkarp_53 · Jul 7, 2016

I've often wondered how much marketing is involved in this process. There is a famous episode, where knives were marked 1/1000. Once we learned that what it really meant, was every one of these was ONE OF one thousand. It was a big mistake for Benchmade to do this, because we enthusiasts ALL thought we were getting the first one.

Ever since, I wait patiently for the ones without serial numbers to show up in the usual locations.

P_Meticulous · Jul 7, 2016

jkarp_53 said:
Over the years, I've learned that subtle changes are often made after the first run.

Yup,

I picked up a 761 a year after it was originally released.. By that time, the supposed detent issue was already fixed by BKC.. Mine was superb.

Also (and correct me if I'm wrong), wasn't the original G10 on the tan 275 coated/painted on? BKC changed that after some complaints right? I know my original tan 275 has coated G10 :grumpy:. And didn't BKC smooth out the G10 after complaints of roughness on the original 810? I think they also fixed something on the original 810 backspacer/glass-breaker.

'tis why I like to wait now...

pbcg · Jul 8, 2016

P_Meticulous said:
Yup,

I picked up a 761 a year after it was originally released.. By that time, the supposed detent issue was already fixed by BKC.. Mine was superb.

Also (and correct me if I'm wrong), wasn't the original G10 on the tan 275 coated/painted on? BKC changed that after some complaints right? I know my original tan 275 has coated G10 :grumpy:. And didn't BKC smooth out the G10 after complaints of roughness on the original 810? I think they also fixed something on the original 810 backspacer/glass-breaker.

'tis why I like to wait now...

You are correct, early 275BKSN models (Sand/Tan G10) had painted G10 that was later changed (about 2 years ago give or take) to a solid Sand colored G10. These painted G10 models extended well beyond the first production run. If you have an older painted one BKC will change out the grips for you to the solid sand G10 if you send it in.

BKC hasn't made any changes to the G10 on the original 810. I confirmed this with BKC and thought so because I currently have 3 ranging from the early release to the last one I bought about six months ago directly from BKC. Of the three I couldn't find any discernable difference between them in either look or feel. Maybe some slight variance you might expect from any production knife. The earlier one I have is by far the smoothest.

As you know though, BKC did release the 810-1401 (Knifeworks exclusive) that has noticeably smoother less aggressive Blue/Black G10 and no glass breaker with M390 steel. The 810-1401 does differ from the 810 in that regard.

As far as the 761 I have a first production model, loved it so much I bought a second one some time later when I was able. The detents on both seem perfect to me. What an awesome knife. No doubt one of my all time favorites!

jonearlt · Jul 16, 2016

Unless it's marked limited or prototype I prefer non-first production. I just dont like those particular markings on my blades. Value wise, to me, is less if they are marked as such. I know realistically they are the same, but I won't buy one unless it's super cheap.

gull wing · Jul 17, 2016

Too much clutter. One small non sensational logo is all that's needed.

mikefromli · Sep 10, 2016

damn this thread just configured an bought the grey blue griptillian with the sheepsfoot blade enablers!

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pbcg · Jan 11, 2017

I was lucky enough to get one of the 810DLC-1602 forum knives. Looks like they listened to peoples thoughts on large writing on the blade or were trying something new and went small with the blade markings.

Wonder if that's what we'll see going forward on Limited Edition's and First Productions?

I'm wondering if they changed the format like we see on the 810DLC-1602 would people feel differently?

T.K.C. · Jan 11, 2017

I can not stand a lot of writing on my blade. It is something that has ALWAYS bugged me.

BMCGear · Jan 11, 2017

pbcg said:
I was lucky enough to get one of the 810DLC-1602 forum knives. Looks like they listened to peoples thoughts on large writing on the blade or were trying something new and went small with the blade markings.

Wonder if that's what we'll see going forward on Limited Edition's and First Productions?

I'm wondering if they changed the format like we see on the 810DLC-1602 would people feel differently?

That's a step in the right direction. The less that is written on a knife, the better for me.

Impulse600 · Jan 11, 2017

Bryan J said:
Funny, I've emailed three or four online dealers looking for a non- first production Proxy. They are not yet available. Personally, I don't like the stamp. I feel it detracts from the aesthetics of the knife, so I avoid buying FPs if possible.

I saw one yesterday at bladegallery

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