MGF

At an LGS the other day and saw a fairly decent folder on top of the display case. Substantial aluminum scales, flipper, spring assist, liner lock. All black. Seemed quite solid. I opened it (with permission, of course) and was surprised to see the Benchmade butterfly. I asked to see the box. Looked legit as hell. Even had the little message from Les Asis on the back.

Guess what...a fake.

Now, I don't feel terrible, 'cause I only dropped $35 and it's a serviceable enough knife. I'll throw it in a bag or toolbox as a spare. It's not an utter POS. The particular model I got scammed on was D003. You can Google it to see pix. Apparently, I was not the first fish to bite.

What bummed me was this was at an LGS I was visiting for the first time. It will be the last time. I have an extremely hard time believing a GS owner cannot tell legitimate Benchmade products from Chinese knockoffs when purchasing inventory. In other words, I'm convinced he knew he was selling fakes. He just lost all of my potential future business over a pocket knife. Damn silly, IMO.

Anyway, thought I'd toss it out there in case any of you guys run into this knife. Like I said ... it ain't horrrible, but it ain't a Benchmade, either.

I'm sticking with my real Kershaws, Benchmades and Spydercos for my EDCs.

(BTW, I did confirm with Benchmade that this is a counterfeit. Wouldn't want to be blowing smoke.)

txshurricane

Wow. How can that be legal?

MGF

Very much doubt it is. Box was a perfect fake, as a matter of fact. Damn logo on the blade was pretty good, too.

Like I said, it's not a POS, so I'll hold onto it as a spare. And, at $35, I'm not going to raise hell or anything ... but that GS has lost all my future potential biz. I wouldn't buy 50-pack of .22 LRs off him now.

bearone2

i wouldn't know a real one from a fake one & why i'm happy with my inexpensive s&w.

MGF

Hell, bear, I've got a little S&W "Cutting Horse" model that's a pretty nice little knife. I'm not a knife snob...what works, works.
'Course, my biggest decisions when dressing for the day are which pocket knife to carry and which ballcap to wear.
I'm sort of 48 going on 14.
But I'm having fun, so WTH?

bearone2

what do we say if they can't take a joke........

MGF

Walked into the newspaper the other day wearing a light, mint-green fishing guide's shirt, khaki cargo pants, OD belt and desert tan jump boots ... all topped by a lovely gun club cap (clay breaking mid-air motif, course).

One of my reporters says, "Why do you dress like Ranger Rick?"
I said, "Cuz I can. Now shut up and go write something interesting."

I like my life; and I'm guarding against further promotion. S'all good!

And I aggravate the non-gun people. When they say, "But you've got a gun!" I say, "I haven't had "A" gun since I was 10."

My brother-in-law (true story) emailed me and and wanted to know what I thought about "assault rifles" the other day. I emailed back a pic of a Sig 551-A1 and said, "Here's mine!"

Thank you. I'll be here all week. Tip your waitresses and try the fish.

TravestyTrav

LOL!

Getting back to the topic, that's definitely a shame to see such a fine knife counterfeited. Benchmades are great, and they're my personal favorite for an everyday pocketknife. I'll definitely keep this in mind the next time I go shopping for one.

It's also a shame to see at GS owner either being so ignorant of his products or so unscrupulous in his business practices. Whichever he is is unexcusable, and you did the right thing in deciding not to frequent his store anymore. I'd do the same.

And yes, counterfeiting a Benchmade knife is trademark infringement, and is just as illegal as any other counterfeit branded product. Unfortunately, the agencies that enforce such laws are far too over burdened and will likely never get around to putting an end to these knock-off knifes.

bearone2

for the gs owner to have a benchmade product in the case for $35 makes you wonder what else on display is bogus.

TravestyTrav

Indeed.

MGF

Told Benchmade about it via email. A rep confirmed it wasn't their product, but he didn't ask for any further details. My guess is they already know all they need to know, or they are so flush with legit production and sales they're not taking time to go after this counterfeiter.

It's definitely made in China. Found all kind of sites selling it, genuine-looking packaging included. Damn shame.

And, for sure, that LGS will not see me come through the door again. Too bad for them. I shoot a lot, and in a lot of gauges and calibers.

It's not like I need any more folders or fixed blade knives, but if I do, I think I'll just go to New Graham Knives' site and deal with them. They're terrific customer service folks and their wares are exactly what they are purported to be.

As to clowns like this LGS, well, F' em. I will let all my gunning/outdoorsmen (and women) friends know: "Avoid this shop. Instead, go see so-and-so, and tell 'em I sent you." My kind of shops are those where the guys & gals want to work with you. All I look for is reasonable buys and decent treatment as a consumer; I want those decent shop owners to make a living. It's in all our best interests. Plus, heck, some of them have become friends I shoot with.

There are innumerable good people in the shooting sports. One clown will certainly not color my view.