NickZac
Ultimate Member
Maryland Shooters Official Forum Knife: CURRENT STATUS
OK…bear with me! This will get kind of long, but my goal is to put all of the information in here to explain the status, the proposed future, the processes, any updates, and what still needs to be decided upon to allow the ensuing discussion to finalize the course of action to what will hopefully become the “Benchmade-Maryland Shooters 2014 LE Forum Knife”!!! Woot woot!
KnifeWorks, the company that handles most of the limited edition Benchmade runs, is the company that has the most experience with forum knives and fantastic pricing. Their pricing was the lowest option by a significant margin. They will engrave the knives for free however we desire. And so the below pricing includes the engraving, however it may be.
Benchmade and their AXIS (click HERE to learn about this system) was, by a landslide, the most mentioned maker & operating system in the first thread...the Benchmade Griptilian is one of the least expensive AXIS knives, and it is one hell of a nice knife capable of damned near anything. For those who like USA products, this knife is a 100% USA-designed & made product. The Grip line is also 100% ambidextrous, one of the easiest knives to open, uses a manual opening to avoid any legal issues with automatic or assisted, and uses one of the best locking mechanisms on the plant (AXIS). It is one of the most liked folding knives ever made. It can compete with knives costing over twice its MSRP. The Griptilian is a high performance cutting tool and I dare promise you that you will fall in love with it.
KnifeWorks can do a Griptilian or Mini Griptilian in various configurations for us.
The knives I got the most specific quotes on are the Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian and Benchmade 551 Griptilian (full-sized) because they are Benchmade's most popular models, and they will be the best value for this sort of group buy. Essentially, the more basic the run is, the cheaper each knife will be, and the easier the logistics. Based on pricing, I would advise we do one or both of the knives below in the standard drop point with thumb stud, plain-edged, 154CM blade, with a handle color of either black, tan, dark green, or dark blue (rather than something more exotic). Keeping the configuration uniform is partly what will allow the price to be so low, and the standard options are the most common configurations because they are arguably the best for general purpose usage (EDC or every day carry, which is what the Grip is built for.)
If the run is varied, then I would advise we make the ONLY variation be a Mini and Full-sized model. The more variation, the more complicated, the longer the time, and the more expensive it gets...complicated forum knives rarely succeed. As this is the first go (and there can always be more if this is successful), I think that is even more reason to avoid significant variation/unusual options. Something like just the standard model with the black handles & satin engraved blade would look and perform great, and keep this much easier to do.
For most people, I would argue that the Mini is going to be the best EDC of the two (and it is less expensive.) At 2.9 inches of blade, it is not "mini" at all and a better choice for usage around non-knife people or in areas that may have length limits maxing at 3 inches. The Full-Sized is a big knife. Both are capable of heavy tasks.
Engraving-wise, based on the previous thread, it sounds like most people would like to see "Maryland Shooters" and "2014". I would also advise we add "# of 100" as it makes each knife unique and makes the run more special. The engraving specifics can be debated later tho...first the knife as there isn't anything to engrave without...
So here is a hypothetical on two proposed base knives, and an explanation of the process, which will follow the core question which will determine what comes next...your take and your interest in doing this...
If this isn't a good proposal, feel free to say something as I am just throwing things out and trying to use the previous thread as a general basis. While it is hard to pick one knife everyone will like, I dare say the Griptilian can fill this role as well or better than any other single model as it has the value, ease of operation, blade steel, ergonomics, and performance that will please.
====================================================================
The Specs on the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian 556 AXIS & Benchmade Griptilian 551 AXIS
Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian AXIS
(smaller-sized, standard drop point blade)
TOTAL PRICE: $71.50 each, includes engraving (shipping TBD)
Benchmade's Page for the 556
KnifeWorks Page for the standard 556
Specifications:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmade 551 Griptilian AXIS
(full-sized, standard drop point blade)
TOTAL PRICE: $78.50 each, includes engraving (shipping TBD)
Benchmade's Page for the 551
KnifeWorks' Page for the standard 551
Specifications:
====================================================================
Details on How This Would Work
Quantity: We will need a minimum of 100 based on the previous thread and a discussion of how many needed in order to get the best pricing...you will never find these knives for so low again so they can make the most awesomest gifts you have ever given!!!
(you can order as many as you like as there are no quantity limits!!!)
Payment: two possible ways:
1) The traditional method is one person (usually site owner or staff) collects the money from those in the Group Buy. They give KnifeWorks their personal or company credit card number. That credit card is charged when the knives arrive for engraving. If MD Shooters handled this transaction and had this ability, we could do something like a “round up” so that a few bucks can be donated to MD Shooters in appreciation of the Forum Knife and to help keep the site running.
...OR...
2) We come to an arrangement with KnifeWorks in which each person can pay them individually using a Credit Card. They rarely do this, but would be willing to despite this being a much more complicated route. This WILL be a logistical nightmare, however…
Note that because engraving means a knife cannot be resold else-wise as a new knife once it is engraved, payment IN FULL is required before delivery. KnifeWorks does not places charges for these types of orders until the knives ship from Benchmade, at which point they charge the card.
Turnaround: It will take two-to-four weeks for KnifeWorks to get the order from Benchmade, and around a week to engrave 100-200 quantity...so 4-5 weeks for the entire process of placing the order to having the knives ready.
Shipping: two possible ways:
1) Have them all shipped as a single package to one person where they can be distributed in-person and mailed to those not able to pickup (KnifeWorks would not charge to send them all in this fashion as a single shipment)
...OR...
2) Have KnifeWorks ship each item individually to each buyer (this will cost more money per-knife and is arguably money that need not be spent)
(option 1 strongly advised because we can save a lot on shipping this way as we are all so close...those further away can work something where I or the site owners can ship via USPS First Class to them for a lot less than if KnifeWorks ships 100+ knives individually)
Meeting In-Person: a few people suggested perhaps a meet and great in-person. In addition to sounding like a hell of a lot of fun, doing this would allow to hand out knives to those who can attend (which avoids individual shipping)...those who cannot then could have the option to pick up from whoever holds the knives, or just have it shipped USPS First Class to them for a lost less than having KnifeWorks do this.
Colors: we can do a specific color handle if it is one KnifeWorks carries...a black, tan, or dark green handle is probably going to make the most sense over the more wild of colors.
====================================================================
Specifics on Color Variation
HERE ARE IMAGES OF THE COMMON COLORS:
(note that a black blade will increase price and the finish is not as durable as satin nor is the engraving, so I suggest staying with a satin blade as it is cheaper and more durable)
(the black looks really good in person, hides dirt and marks the best of all, and goes with any occasion…so it’s not a bad color by any means so I’d be cool with any color including black!)
Base/Standard 556 Mini with satin blade and black handle (pictured above)
Base/Standard 551 Full-Sized with satin blade and black handle (pictured above)
556 Mini with black-coated blade and dark green handle
556 Mini with black-coated blade and tan/sand handle
556 Mini with satin, partially-serrated blade and blue handle
====================================================================
====================================================================
====================================================================
MD Shooters is cool with the run, SO NOW THE BIGGEST QUESTION...
Based on the given information, if we did a run of Benchmade Griptilians in which you could choose one or both of the size options (no quantity limit), are you going to participate?
Please specify your response in the poll…it allows multiple answers to help gauge quantity, so PLEASE CHECK ALL OPTIONS THAT APPLY TO YOU!!! and THANK YOU!!!
(I realize with not all details completely finalized, you may not be able to commit 100% but if you are mostly sure, that is what I need to know…plus quantity because this cannot happen if not enough interests exists)
====================================================================
====================================================================
====================================================================
OK…bear with me! This will get kind of long, but my goal is to put all of the information in here to explain the status, the proposed future, the processes, any updates, and what still needs to be decided upon to allow the ensuing discussion to finalize the course of action to what will hopefully become the “Benchmade-Maryland Shooters 2014 LE Forum Knife”!!! Woot woot!
KnifeWorks, the company that handles most of the limited edition Benchmade runs, is the company that has the most experience with forum knives and fantastic pricing. Their pricing was the lowest option by a significant margin. They will engrave the knives for free however we desire. And so the below pricing includes the engraving, however it may be.
Benchmade and their AXIS (click HERE to learn about this system) was, by a landslide, the most mentioned maker & operating system in the first thread...the Benchmade Griptilian is one of the least expensive AXIS knives, and it is one hell of a nice knife capable of damned near anything. For those who like USA products, this knife is a 100% USA-designed & made product. The Grip line is also 100% ambidextrous, one of the easiest knives to open, uses a manual opening to avoid any legal issues with automatic or assisted, and uses one of the best locking mechanisms on the plant (AXIS). It is one of the most liked folding knives ever made. It can compete with knives costing over twice its MSRP. The Griptilian is a high performance cutting tool and I dare promise you that you will fall in love with it.
KnifeWorks can do a Griptilian or Mini Griptilian in various configurations for us.
The knives I got the most specific quotes on are the Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian and Benchmade 551 Griptilian (full-sized) because they are Benchmade's most popular models, and they will be the best value for this sort of group buy. Essentially, the more basic the run is, the cheaper each knife will be, and the easier the logistics. Based on pricing, I would advise we do one or both of the knives below in the standard drop point with thumb stud, plain-edged, 154CM blade, with a handle color of either black, tan, dark green, or dark blue (rather than something more exotic). Keeping the configuration uniform is partly what will allow the price to be so low, and the standard options are the most common configurations because they are arguably the best for general purpose usage (EDC or every day carry, which is what the Grip is built for.)
If the run is varied, then I would advise we make the ONLY variation be a Mini and Full-sized model. The more variation, the more complicated, the longer the time, and the more expensive it gets...complicated forum knives rarely succeed. As this is the first go (and there can always be more if this is successful), I think that is even more reason to avoid significant variation/unusual options. Something like just the standard model with the black handles & satin engraved blade would look and perform great, and keep this much easier to do.
For most people, I would argue that the Mini is going to be the best EDC of the two (and it is less expensive.) At 2.9 inches of blade, it is not "mini" at all and a better choice for usage around non-knife people or in areas that may have length limits maxing at 3 inches. The Full-Sized is a big knife. Both are capable of heavy tasks.
Engraving-wise, based on the previous thread, it sounds like most people would like to see "Maryland Shooters" and "2014". I would also advise we add "# of 100" as it makes each knife unique and makes the run more special. The engraving specifics can be debated later tho...first the knife as there isn't anything to engrave without...
So here is a hypothetical on two proposed base knives, and an explanation of the process, which will follow the core question which will determine what comes next...your take and your interest in doing this...
If this isn't a good proposal, feel free to say something as I am just throwing things out and trying to use the previous thread as a general basis. While it is hard to pick one knife everyone will like, I dare say the Griptilian can fill this role as well or better than any other single model as it has the value, ease of operation, blade steel, ergonomics, and performance that will please.
====================================================================
The Specs on the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian 556 AXIS & Benchmade Griptilian 551 AXIS
Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian AXIS
(smaller-sized, standard drop point blade)
TOTAL PRICE: $71.50 each, includes engraving (shipping TBD)
Benchmade's Page for the 556
KnifeWorks Page for the standard 556
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 2.91 in., plain edged
- Blade Thickness: 0.12"
- Blade Material: 154CM
- Blade Hardness: 56-61
- Overall Length: 6.78 in
- Closed Length: 3.87 in.
- Blade Style: Modified Drop Point
- Clip: LH/RH Reversible, tip up
- Lock Mechanism: AXIS
- Weight: 2.56oz.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmade 551 Griptilian AXIS
(full-sized, standard drop point blade)
TOTAL PRICE: $78.50 each, includes engraving (shipping TBD)
Benchmade's Page for the 551
KnifeWorks' Page for the standard 551
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.4in., plain edged
- Blade Thickness: 0.115
- Blade Material: 154CM
- Blade Hardness: 59-61
- Overall Length: 8.02in.
- Closed Length: 4.62 in.
- Blade Style: Modified Drop Point
- Clip: LH/RH Reversible, tip up
- Lock Mechanism: AXIS
- Weight: 3.75oz.
====================================================================
Details on How This Would Work
Quantity: We will need a minimum of 100 based on the previous thread and a discussion of how many needed in order to get the best pricing...you will never find these knives for so low again so they can make the most awesomest gifts you have ever given!!!
(you can order as many as you like as there are no quantity limits!!!)
Payment: two possible ways:
1) The traditional method is one person (usually site owner or staff) collects the money from those in the Group Buy. They give KnifeWorks their personal or company credit card number. That credit card is charged when the knives arrive for engraving. If MD Shooters handled this transaction and had this ability, we could do something like a “round up” so that a few bucks can be donated to MD Shooters in appreciation of the Forum Knife and to help keep the site running.
...OR...
2) We come to an arrangement with KnifeWorks in which each person can pay them individually using a Credit Card. They rarely do this, but would be willing to despite this being a much more complicated route. This WILL be a logistical nightmare, however…
Note that because engraving means a knife cannot be resold else-wise as a new knife once it is engraved, payment IN FULL is required before delivery. KnifeWorks does not places charges for these types of orders until the knives ship from Benchmade, at which point they charge the card.
Turnaround: It will take two-to-four weeks for KnifeWorks to get the order from Benchmade, and around a week to engrave 100-200 quantity...so 4-5 weeks for the entire process of placing the order to having the knives ready.
Shipping: two possible ways:
1) Have them all shipped as a single package to one person where they can be distributed in-person and mailed to those not able to pickup (KnifeWorks would not charge to send them all in this fashion as a single shipment)
...OR...
2) Have KnifeWorks ship each item individually to each buyer (this will cost more money per-knife and is arguably money that need not be spent)
(option 1 strongly advised because we can save a lot on shipping this way as we are all so close...those further away can work something where I or the site owners can ship via USPS First Class to them for a lot less than if KnifeWorks ships 100+ knives individually)
Meeting In-Person: a few people suggested perhaps a meet and great in-person. In addition to sounding like a hell of a lot of fun, doing this would allow to hand out knives to those who can attend (which avoids individual shipping)...those who cannot then could have the option to pick up from whoever holds the knives, or just have it shipped USPS First Class to them for a lost less than having KnifeWorks do this.
Colors: we can do a specific color handle if it is one KnifeWorks carries...a black, tan, or dark green handle is probably going to make the most sense over the more wild of colors.
====================================================================
Specifics on Color Variation
HERE ARE IMAGES OF THE COMMON COLORS:
(note that a black blade will increase price and the finish is not as durable as satin nor is the engraving, so I suggest staying with a satin blade as it is cheaper and more durable)
(the black looks really good in person, hides dirt and marks the best of all, and goes with any occasion…so it’s not a bad color by any means so I’d be cool with any color including black!)
Base/Standard 556 Mini with satin blade and black handle (pictured above)
Base/Standard 551 Full-Sized with satin blade and black handle (pictured above)
556 Mini with black-coated blade and dark green handle
556 Mini with black-coated blade and tan/sand handle
556 Mini with satin, partially-serrated blade and blue handle
====================================================================
====================================================================
====================================================================
MD Shooters is cool with the run, SO NOW THE BIGGEST QUESTION...
Based on the given information, if we did a run of Benchmade Griptilians in which you could choose one or both of the size options (no quantity limit), are you going to participate?
Please specify your response in the poll…it allows multiple answers to help gauge quantity, so PLEASE CHECK ALL OPTIONS THAT APPLY TO YOU!!! and THANK YOU!!!
(I realize with not all details completely finalized, you may not be able to commit 100% but if you are mostly sure, that is what I need to know…plus quantity because this cannot happen if not enough interests exists)
====================================================================
====================================================================
====================================================================
