New Benchmade Redoubt 430...Why?

[MBG]

Is anyone else scratching their head about this new model? It looks like a slightly recontoured Griptilian with D2 for an extra $40 MSRP. It doesn't seem different enough to warrant a place in the catalog. If it was just a Griptilian update I could see it.

I would have expected it to either be a value model, which in my mind it should be cheaper than a Grip due to the steel, or a premium with better materials. When I first saw it, I thought the scales were aluminum with inlays and I assumed it would use a premium blade steel, maybe even CPM-M4. It could have been a great (and better looking IMO) alternative to the Super Freek

Unless there is something internal that makes it worth more than the Grip I really don't know what BM is thinking.

Either way, I can't wait to see one in person, but I don't think I would spend Grip +$40 money on it.

 

[DocJD]

what BM is thinking.

Probably just a way to charge a premium for something "new" .

Common practice , not just BM of course .

 

[Alberta Ed]

Looks nice. And it's CPM-D2, which should be an improvement.

 

[powernoodle]

Follow the money.

 

[Murdamook]

Every knife company has multiple knives that occupy the same space. It has different ergonomics, for one. And a different steel. Should they go through and remove every model that could be redundant?

 

[RousingRabbles]

I really don't know what BM is thinking.

This is a question I have asked myself consistently for the past year. So often they get so close to a well thought out design, and then fumble on the execution. I was literally just looking at their new offerings before I saw this post, and had the same thoughts again. The Taggedout as a more expensive bugout, or the Redoubt as a more expensive Grip with no better features was a huge miss. The blades look good, but if they had just utilized g10, micarta, or titanium scales they could have had a hit. I'm intrigued by the Weekender, but I'll wait till it drops $100 on the secondary before trying it out. Ultimately Benchmade, and all the other big US manufacturers seem to be out of ideas, and think that putting a new name on an old design is going to justify the price hikes that come with inflation and their dropping profits.

I'm probably off on this, but I believe we have Demko to thank for this race towards the bottom with these subpar materials at premium prices. He unfortunately taught a lot of companies that fanboys care more about hype then they do about materials.

 

[DavidABQ]

Deleted

 

[Shorttime]

It's about as close to the original version of the folding Izula as we're going to get. If they do something different with the handle, I'd be interested.

 

[ChrisB507]

Ugh, I am also scratching my head on this one. The Houge/Ritter would be the way I would go if I wanted something similar.

 

[DustinK]

Different blade steel and different handle shape.

I'm beggining to think people just like to complain about knives they have no intention of buying anyways.

 

[pholder]

Nothing new catches my eye, rather than try to make something new that’s not too appealing, I think there is enough followers to bring back older models : 710-707-705- Afck with new steel

 

[MBG]

Probably just a way to charge a premium for something "new" .

Common practice , not just BM of course .

This is what this feels like to me as well.

 

[MBG]

Looks nice. And it's CPM-D2, which should be an improvement.

I didn't notice that it was the CPM variant, I don't really know enough about CPM-D2 to comment, but it certainly might make this knife more compelling.

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

I’m totally with the OP on the subject. The only Benchmade from this year’s lineup I would consider would be the Weekender, sadly, nothing else interests me.

 

[toker]

I didn't notice that it was the CPM variant, I don't really know enough about CPM-D2 to comment, but it certainly might make this knife more compelling.

It's a decent tool steel. Nothing special in this day and age.

 

[MBG]

Every knife company has multiple knives that occupy the same space. It has different ergonomics, for one. And a different steel. Should they go through and remove every model that could be redundant?

I don't know. Spyderco for instance has a lot of knives that are nearly identical, except the dimensions are different enough to make things interesting. Maybe if I can handle one I will see it differently.

If it sells then I can't fault them, just seems like a missed opportunity from my perspective.

 

[MBG]

Ugh, I am also scratching my head on this one. The Houge/Ritter would be the way I would go if I wanted something similar.

The RSK is a no-brainer over this model considering the price IMO.

 

[Rupestris]

It exists because if Benchmade started 2022 with only a couple half baked slip joints, an expensive fixed blade and an OTF, someone would start a thread complaining about what was new.

 

[RousingRabbles]

I'm beggining to think people just like to complain about knives they have no intention of buying anyways.

That’s a fair take, but the reality is we’re just knife enthusiasts who want knife companies to give us a reason to give them our money. I’d be more than happy to buy a Benchmade if I felt the price was justified by their offerings, but unfortunately for them they are telling me my money is better spent elsewhere.

 

[MBG]

Different blade steel and different handle shape.

I'm beggining to think people just like to complain about knives they have no intention of buying anyways.

If I didn't have any interest in the knife I wouldn't bother posting about it. I have no intention of buying any of the other 2022 releases, but this one caught my interest. After looking at the specs/price it would take some mental gymnastics to convince myself that there is any justification to purchase it or even recomend it as a purchase for someone who doesn't already own a Grip. I would almost certainly buy one if it was in the $100 range or if it cost $180 and came in CPM-M4 or Cruwear. Maybe CPM-D2 makes it worth it, I don't know.