If you don't like Benchmades current offerings then look elsewhere for purchase needs you have. No big deal.
While I will agree with this statement, I doubt Benchmade would like to do so.
That is the problem with their offerings. While many out there don't know any better, and they will still buy the same knife year after year until discontinued; those that actually talk about knives (us) will not.
How many here would agree that if we are around and something needs to be cut, there is often a reference made like "Oh, Bill** has a knife."...
If anyone is going to be suggesting a new knife to someone, carrying a new knife, the new alloy, ctek handles, et al, it will likely be one of us, and for better or worse, we influence those around us. I know that I personally am responsible for four people now carrying knives daily. If I had a benchmade in my pocket, maybe they would too. As it stands, none of them (nor I) currently carry a Benchmade.
Once they (Benchmade) start stretching their legs, and seeing what else is out there for regular production runs, I will start looking more seriously at the brand... I love the lock, but I do not like S30V.
For comparable coin, I can get frame locks, liner locks, bolt locks (which are very close in action), and Caged BB Locks (also similar once broken in) all with upgraded alloys.
Which would I carry, a Griptilian in S30V or a Manix 2 in Maxamet or Cruwear for the same coin?
I will tell you what, my purchase will be based upon the alloy, not the lock since they are similar enough that the alloy more than makes up for it...
Edited for specificity and grammatical reasonings.