"First Production Run" Mean anything?

[fulloflead]

I keep getting "First Production Run" Benchmades.
I'm not even trying. I just ended up with about 5 of them.

Why?

Does this MEAN anything?
Are they really worth more than regular run?
I've just been using them, so it's not like it matters. I'm just hoping they're not somehow worth LESS or of less quality than the regular run.
There must be a MILLION of these things out there since I seem to see them everywhere and I've ended up with 5 by ACCIDENT.

What's the deal, dudes?

 

[Josh Feltman]

Ah, Benchmade is notorious for making first production and pre production knives out of inferior steel (if you can actually call it steel). The steel in these knives is so poor that they are dangerous to use. I would be happy to dispose of them properly for you if you will send them to me
--Josh

 

[Gollnick]

There must be a MILLION of these things out there since I seem to see them everywhere and I've ended up with 5 by ACCIDENT.

Not quite a million. They've been tending to mark about the first 500 each new model. What it means is that you're just an early adopter.

Will they ever be worth anything? Well... the collectible value of such a thing depends on how many were made and if they're individually serial numbered. BM has not been individually serial numbering lately. In the long run, these specially-marked BMs will probably end up being worth a few more bucks than their later bothers. But five hundred pieces is not so few that any of your childern will likely go thorugh law school thanks to Dad's tendency to buy the first of every new Benchmade out there.

 

[Easyrider]

I have to agree with Chuck. Now I do know someone who is a big Benchmade collector and he goes after the Prototypes. According to him the Pre-productions aren't that collectable. As was already mentioned, they may be worth a couple of extra bucks to a collector over the standard issue Benchmade.

 

[fulloflead]

Originally posted by Josh Feltman
Ah, Benchmade is notorious for making first production and pre production knives out of inferior steel (if you can actually call it steel). The steel in these knives is so poor that they are dangerous to use. I would be happy to dispose of them properly for you if you will send them to me
--Josh

Ahh! Send me your address and $4.00 for shipping and I'll send these to you. You can put them in your personal incinerator and "dispose" of them for me. Whew! I'll be glad they're gone!

HA! You ALMOST had me!
Seriously, I was sitting here with my mouth open. I had to read the other posts before my goosebumps went away!
Good one, dude!

Inferior steel...
@#*%! Now I have to go in the bedroom and change my underpants and take a shower. I'll be right back...


OK, I'm back.

First of all, I was mistaken. At least one of the knives says "Pre-production"; maybe more - I'd have to check. Does that make a difference?

Josh Feltman & Gollnick, THANKS! That's kinda what I was guessing. That's fine. I won't feel bad about using them! Because I BOUGHT them as users and not collectors.

I WAS a bit worried about the first one I got. It was the D2 Axis AFCK. The lock was really rough when I got it. When I opened it hard it was very hard to close as compared to my regular-production Ares which was smooth from the start. Fortunately, after about a week of use, the D2 AFCK is every bit as smooth as the Ares. That's fine with me. I'm sure they just make them a little tight so they wear well.

I DO wonder why there seems to be an abundance of them, though...
Do they ever make changes after the "Pre-Production" or "First Production" run?

 

[Samuel]

Yeah they do, the bastages... lol The 806D2 now comes with bronze bushings/spacers and more pocket clip positions (4 vs 2)...