Stryker dull out of the box. Will Benchmade reprofile?

StuntDouble

StuntDouble

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2004
Messages
2,413
I just got an Axis Stryker today. It's an excellent knife, great action and fit and finish, but the edge is abysmal. It would require me to totally reprofile it, and frankly, I'm kinda tired redoing edges on brand new knives. If I sent it back to Benchmade with a note asking them to thin and sharpen the edge, are they likely to do it?

I'm just curious if some other folks have had similar experiences, and what the outcome was.
 
I wouldn't be happy either. Was it bought new? Benchmade will probably sharpen it for free or send you a new knife. Give them a call or email. I'm sure they will do you right.
 
Hey Ulf,

Yep, it was bought new. I was kinda surprised because I had heard things turned around as far as the factory edges went. I guess it's just my turn to have an unlucky month.
 
Placing high expectations on any factory sharpening where your blade is ran across a high speed grinder then quickly buffed to kinda remove the burr is setting yourself up for disappointment.

I am not a old man but even in my up bringing it was almost standard that a knife needed sharpening right out of the box. I would have never though to send it back to the place where it was not done to my expectations the first time.
 
It's not that I expect to have a perfect edge out of the box, but I at least like to find an edge that will attempt to cut. I don't mind reprofiling an edge to make it better suit my purposes, but I get aggravated when I have to reprofile a knife so I can actually use it. When I saw posts from folks that have gotten scary sharp edges out of the box, it gives me hope that maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones. So far, I'm still waiting.

I guess it's a moot point now. Last night I went ahead and reprofiled the edge and now the Stryker is allowed to ride in my pocket.
 
Jason B. said:
Placing high expectations on any factory sharpening where your blade is ran across a high speed grinder then quickly buffed to kinda remove the burr is setting yourself up for disappointment.

I am not a old man but even in my up bringing it was almost standard that a knife needed sharpening right out of the box. I would have never though to send it back to the place where it was not done to my expectations the first time.
Click to expand...

Many other manufacturers of less expensive knives are much more consistent with their factory edges. This is one area of Benchmade QC where they fall short. It's mentioned a lot here and on BM's own forum and yet it doesn't improve.
 
TechDoc said:
Many other manufacturers of less expensive knives are much more consistent with their factory edges. This is one area of Benchmade QC where they fall short. It's mentioned a lot here and on BM's own forum and yet it doesn't improve.
Click to expand...

They may be "consistent" because they automate it with machines, somewhere with either dirt cheap labor or automated.

BKC does it by hand after assembly in Oregon. I agree with Jason. I don't expect factory edge of production knife to be what I prefer for my blade given that it is hand sharpened. (Unless custom made artisan type of knives)
 
Wunderbar, it's the tanto model with a combo edge.

There are other companies that hand sharpen and do a great job of it. I have to agree with TechDoc though, in that my Stryker has near perfect fit and finish, but that edge, man. Like I said a couple times now, all I want is an edge that will cut out of the box. Just give me something to work with.

Knives are made to cut, and if they can't do that from the factory, it makes them kind of pointless.
 
Not everyone has the skills these days to sharpen their knives. Yes, one of the first things I do is to examine the edge out of the box. If I spent the hard earned cash for one of these, at their prices, I would expect at least a working edge. That's the least they could do for us. They lose money by being sloppy.
 
My 908 and every other Benchmade I've bought the last few years has been crazy sharp out of the box.
 
I must be lucky. In 17 years I've never gotten a dull BM out of the box. A few uneven grinds yes, but always sharp. I remember some years ago there were a lot of complaints about blade sharpness and BM acknowledged it and appeared to address it. Wouldn't surprise me if one slipped threw though, thing's happen.. If I got a dull knife I'd send it back. Even though I could sharpen it I think a new knife should be sharp out of the box.

As far as sending it back and asking BM to re sharpen it I think the answer to that is obvious as they offer free sharpening for life.
 
Last edited:
pbcg,

I think my main concern is whether they would actually improve the edge, or would it come back with a very obtuse grind.

Honestly, the more I use Benchmade's combo edge, the more I'm tempted to pay for a plain edge blade. I was hoping the combo would grow on me, but it really cuts down on the non-serrated portion on this particular knife.
 
StuntDouble said:
pbcg,

I think my main concern is whether they would actually improve the edge, or would it come back with a very obtuse grind.

Honestly, the more I use Benchmade's combo edge, the more I'm tempted to pay for a plain edge blade. I was hoping the combo would grow on me, but it really cuts down on the non-serrated portion on this particular knife.
Click to expand...

In my experience, they will improve the edge, and not re-profile it.
 
StuntDouble said:
pbcg,

I think my main concern is whether they would actually improve the edge, or would it come back with a very obtuse grind.

Honestly, the more I use Benchmade's combo edge, the more I'm tempted to pay for a plain edge blade. I was hoping the combo would grow on me, but it really cuts down on the non-serrated portion on this particular knife.
Click to expand...

Of the knives I've sent in over the years that were sharpened incidentally the edge was always excellent. Like it was given special attention.

Maybe your best bet is to call them and ask directly. I don't know if they will entertain a request for a 'custom edge" of a specific angle or thinning but I'm sure they would give you a properly sharpened blade in return.

Every time I've dealt with their customer service they have seemed more then willing to go out of their way to make me happy. Don't expect you would be treated any differently.
 
pbcg said:
Of the knives I've sent in over the years that were sharpened incidentally the edge was always excellent. Like it was given special attention.

Maybe your best bet is to call them and ask directly. I don't know if they will entertain a request for a 'custom edge" of a specific angle or thinning but I'm sure they would give you a properly sharpened blade in return.

Every time I've dealt with their customer service they have seemed more then willing to go out of their way to make me happy. Don't expect you would be treated any differently.
Click to expand...

That's good to hear. I wasn't looking for a custom edge, so much as one that was a little less blunt. I was able to a somewhat decent edge on it, but I might still send it in to see what kind of magic they can perform. I ordered a 531 at the same time, and other than the grind at the tip being a little buggered up, the edge on that knife was great. So, from that and what I've seen from other folks, I know they're capable of putting a sharp edge on a knife.

I think I'm just having bad luck with edges this month is all.
 
i bought mine and i'm not impressed with the edge either. it could definitely be a lot sharper. i was able to shave with my old kershaw out the box, but not this benchmade.
 
iLikeBeer said:
i bought mine and i'm not impressed with the edge either. it could definitely be a lot sharper. i was able to shave with my old kershaw out the box, but not this benchmade.
Click to expand...

Did you get the combo edge, or the plain edge model?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top