Save Your Money | Benchmade Mini Narrows | Review

[@metal_complex]

My Amazon page! The gear I use here on the channel! - www.amazon.com/shop/metalcomplex Metal Complex's recommended knife/gear retailers! - beacons.ai/metalcomplex Thanks so much for watching! You can support my channel on Patreon here - www.patreon.com/metalcomplex MC stickers! - www.redbubble.com/people/metal-complex/shop?asc=u

[@seancollins3711]

Love the honesty, this is why we come here. Benchmade, get yourselves together, you look silly.

[@kushviper]

The Scrappy-Doo of knives is hilarious

[@thepowerwithin2217]

I love that it was like taboo and hated to talk s*** about Benchmade but now everybody's pretty much on the same page.

[@caseypate3500]

I’m glad you’re honest and impartial with your reviews, recommendations.

[@seangriffin107]

Unless they changed the springs from the standard sized Narrows, the springs are not Omega springs. Benchmade developed a new spring system because the Narrows is too slim to use Omega springs. Rest of the review checks out-too much money for the total package, which itself is pretty niche use case. That said, I picked up a regular Narrows on sale for $300 on a dealer’s clearance and, for that price, it’s not a bad choice if you want an ultra light carry.

[@christopherdavisson617]

That's what I love about your videos/opinions. You are always very honest and straightforward.

[@bengoldstein26]

I do enjoy when u rip apart a knife (any knife, no matter the price) we have seen so many great knifes come out and all we hear is the same talking points over and over from all the channels Its nice to have a change once in a while

[@caidenjones918]

The example I always like to use when speaking about Benchmades egregious pricing is TRM. Small batch, in house production in the USA, incredible machined titanium, properly heat treated 20CV. For $125 less.

[@johannessmith1369]

But it's not thin!?!

[@metal_complex]

It's very thin.

[@Monsoonpain]

I just got the TRM Atom. It's amazing. I never thought of getting a Benchmade

[@Monsoonpain]

​-TRM Atom has a very thin blade stock.

[@Cahwai]

@@Monsoonpaini’ve had an atom and now a neutron whose lived in the pocket for about 3 months and yeah they’re stupid thin.

[@48mastadon]

"The Scrappy-Doo of knives..." That was good.

[@cgarrand78]

This was absolutely one of the best knife reviews I've ever seen.You sounded so frustrated and disgusted about the whole thing and than friggin Jeff opened his mouth and pissed you off.I was laughing through the whole thing.I've hated the Narrows since it was announced and I knew the price they were going to charge was going to piss me off even more.This made my whole day!

[@MapleFoxGMS]

You can buy a sebenza for that price! Crazy. Benchmade really needs to fix their pricing across the board.

[@joeftan]

I agree, but it’s a whole lot more than just their pricing. They’ve lost all sense of ingenuity and don’t listen to the consumers. They just release color variations of the Bugout/Mini, along with a bunch of plastic OTFs. The fact that they’re Made in USA is no excuse. For example, look at TRM, ABW, Spyderco, and especially recent Kershaw releases. For this price, how could one choose this over a CRK, Hinderer, Spartan SHF, etc? I used to be a fan of Benchmade, and still like the few I have, but they’ve made themselves irrelevant, especially in the current hyper competitive environment.

[@MapleFoxGMS]

@@joeftan I hear ya, it definitely goes deeper than just pricing. I still own a couple BM that I also like, but if I had to buy new, wouldn't even bother looking at their current stock. I've got a lot of the other competing brands competitively priced blades like the deka, bel air etc. and they are just so much more bang for the buck. It only gets worse once you move up into the $200-300+ price range, recently got a Protech TR3 manual and have been loving that one.

[@earlwoods8253]

Ty for acknowledging the price tag right off the bat, and thank you for consistently putting out great content.

[@Oso_Gordo]

Thanks for the honest opinions, regardless where a knife is made, or the materials used, you should receive value for your money. I've been surprised that some of the lower price knives from China, Taiwan, and other countries may not be the premium materials, but the overall build quality as good or better than some "big name US made knives. Also, unless you are purchasing a trophy to look at and brag about (not a bad thing), you are just buying a marketing campaign.

[@SinistralCitizen]

I thought these used the Torsion spring instead of the Omega srpings?

[@GoodmaneYT]

You're correct. You can see the torsion spring in the video.

[@Pzykoh_Tey]

Thanks for the honest review MC. I'll do the shameless plug 😁 Instead of getting BM Mini Narrow, get the full DLC Excalibur, you will still have $75 left in your wallet. 🤙

[@cainmiranda1204]

😂🤘🏻

[@cintage]

Totally understand your point. I’ve got two custom knives ( one Nico Baumann and one Vincenzo Balistreri) that cost 500€ ( = ca. 500$) each, but they are 100% handcrafted by just one artisan. 500$ for a production knife with unspectacular material ist just crazy.

[@Gamezrodolfo77]

The way you feel about this Benchmade is how I think about every Benchmade. I've never understood the fanbase.

[@JohnDoe-zb7dz]

Your straight up uncompromising honesty is so valuable in a channel. So many better knives in this price category as your reviews have demonstrated. There are only a few BM I would consider owning. This is definitely not one of them, even if the price was realistic. Thanks for video.

[@henryg683]

I’m sure diehard benchmade fan people would definitely love this one but I guess it seems like a lot of people would be interested in getting something more budget friendly for their collection!!???

[@OreoDave]

"The Scrappy-Do of knives!!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@brianlash154]

Benchmade priced me out a long time ago, and to keep up the insults they produce jokes like this

[@kinguin7]

Still pretty happy with my $240 Hogue Mysto. Also with titanium, also USA made, and a decent bit of Magnacut.

[@micahdanielson123]

I can’t imagine spending over $100 more than I spent on my WE Attor just to get this

[@Cyanoblades]

If you want a super thin knife get a Quietcarry Drift.

[@m4jqp]

I picked this little guy up a while back and I can appreciate your sentiment on this knife. I'm not a Benchmade fan but I love small footprint knives. At the end of the day though, I've been carrying it and have enjoyed having it in my pocket (not necessarily sparking the proverbial joy). I'm fortunate enough to not need to stress over the price tag. I also got it on sale 25% off, which helps a bit to straighten out the value to price ratio.

[@andrewhenry1419]

Just save yourself almost $400 and get a Vosteed Parallel. And a TRM. 😑

[@jocemarine6247]

And for à little more the fantastic and stellar Reate GTR😅

[@Pete-wr4kj]

In that price range, Chris Reeve.

[@clavididk1236]

I'm getting the rex 45 smock I need it missed the m4 version 😔

[@iamarawn]

Zero tolerance hinderer 0562ti. Sort of the same size, made it the US, 20cv with titanium handles. 320 dollars. Sounds like a better option.

[@openplz3000]

Honest review. I have to say I like their new auto. BM needs to get back to the basics, make stuff we want and that is reasonably priced as they are quickly pricing themselves out of the market with stuff the community doesn't want IF it were half the price.

[@ix8750]

"Its smaller and annoying, the scrappy doo of knives"....Bro....Hahahaha i lost it

[@Hellionmasks]

i would love a benchmade... but i will never buy one unless they were priced fairly like other companies. BM get your head out of the sand. Thanks MC for your honest reviews.

[@markpotvin4505]

"The Scrappy Doo of knives" ! lmao. Funniest line I've heard in months.

[@spirona]

“The Scrappy Doo of knives.” Sure, I watch her content and see because I learned a lot and cover a lot of different items at different price points in aesthetics. The real reason I watch your content is for gems like this. I hate be made yet. I knew this would be an amazing viewing experience you never disappoint! Now I’m gonna head on over to the bench made Reddit for him to let them know about this video. With your esteemed standing in the Reddit community, I’m sure they will love you and me both for it. 😏

[@stearnsbingham552]

There are lots of people out there who have knife money, not so many with knife knowledge. Plenty of people will buy. Not me, I crossed benchmade off my list years ago. I don’t even glance at their catalog listing, much less peruse it like I do other knife manufacturers. Why look at a knife you love but is grossly overpriced and likely missed a run through QC?

[@phantomstrike3310]

I have 2 Benchmade knives. The first one I bought was the Pika when I was over in Iraq. Great knife, it served me 2 combat tours. The second is a North Fork that I got on clearance for 100 bucks where i work. I would not have paid the original 225 dollar asking price. The Demco AD 20.5 I just bought for 100 bucks on sale.....Benchmade is absolutely nuts with their asking prices. The Civivi Vision FG In Damascus I paid 100 bucks for............I sell guns and knives as my job, and I will never recommend a Benchmade..........they have lost their minds, but some people keep buying them.

[@ClubEDCguate]

Perfect example of not reading the room Benchmade 👀

[@mschwoebel]

It seems to me this is some sort of executive knife, like a Mnandi or William Henry. They just didnt seem to take that direction when advertising and promoting it. They really should have tried to use some aspects of the Anthem in its design I think.

[@scottyh.6992]

I do like it. Just not enough to spend $500 on it.

[@pessimisticprofessorfarnsw3241]

Working in manufacturing, I don't think Benchmade could do this for 300. May have been best to gold series a limited number and move on but instead they doubled down. I have the original one in black and like it and how it carries but I got it 20 percent off, no tax at a gun show which made the price bearable to me.

[@joelamaro4525]

A small Sebenza which I think is a better made knife using both more handle material and blade material and in a better knife steel for $425 tells me that Benchmade could get pretty darn close to $300 for the mini narrows.

[@jocemarine6247]

It's a beauty. Reate is a very high end knifes compagny. This GTR get everything. Precision, micromilling, execution, material and à stellar look😃 When I see Benchmade selling their mini Narrows 500.00 it make me sick

[@potatosnacks5571]

19:15 Could you give an example of an alternative?

[@IchNixHabenUsername]

TRM Neutron 2

[@giantfatberg]

Vosteed Parallel and Quiet Carry Drift Large or the regular Drift for that mini feel

[@Xentis03]

@@giantfatbergah yeah I have the Vosteed Parallel and while it’s a super slim and slice knife the axis action is poop. Fun knife, but has objectively bad action.

[@potatosnacks5571]

@ that was an expensive comment… $380 later

[@potatosnacks5571]

@ I’ll update when it comes in

[@Bobs_Pocket_Knives]

It's wild that they would even send these out to reviewers. 😂🤷🤦

[@timmederich]

I love my full size Narrows only because I got it for the cheapest price possible. Free! cuz I won it here on GAW!!! 😆🤷 It is ridiculously thin and light. I'll give it that much. But it's way overpriced and feels kind of flimsy in the hand.

[@redriver6541]

I quit paying the Butterfly Tax many years ago....... If I'm going to overpay for something....... It's going to have a round hole and be made in Golden Colorado Earth.

[@kinguin7]

Spyderco, while maybe overpriced, is generally much less so than definitely this model and probably Benchmade in general but that goes back and forth by model maybe.

[@ryanhoffmann9341]

Tha Kershaw Bel-Air does everything this knife does, and some things better, for 1/3 the price.

[@sswwooppee]

Benchmade has made buying a pocket knife an intelligence test.

[@christopherjohnsey1072]

In a way, the Narrows reminds me of the Adamas. I love the Adamas, but it feels somewhat incomplete on the enthusiast side. It’s uncomfortable in the hand without wrapping it but you really wish they’d have just sent it with scales from the factory. The Narrows just kind of utilizes handle scales more worthy of being liners than handles. Fortunately for Adamas owners, you can find aftermarket scales or wrap it but with the Narrows you’re just SOL.

[@BrokenSpurEDC]

I agree, for $500 I want some kind of wow factor. This screams, I am knife and I do knife things also I’m $500

[@jako1234567890jako]

Id love to know your opinion on the Spyderco Chaparral. It seems like both Benchmade and Spyderco tried the same thing, but one failed and the other (in my opinion) succeeded massively. The Chaparral is one of my all time favourites but this Benchmade does nothing for me

[@franksalem8580]

I own the Narrows and love it. But you convinced me to pass on this smaller version especially since I bought the Kershaw Mini Iridium which is okay but not great after loving the full size Iridium.

[@adambecker4661]

I don't think they're omega springs in the narrows or mini narrows

[@mikeydudek2885]

I really like it. I like super thin knives, idk why. It’s just neat to me I guess, but I agree, $500 is way too much for that knife. That’s why I got the SOG Ultra XR as the bootleg version, lol.

[@TimeToTravel-u2x]

Id take a Kizer over 95% all Benchmades at 1/2 the price

[@joelamaro4525]

100%

[@bindrankin4159]

@MC the shrl links haven’t been working for me. on your channel and neeves and other channels. edit. and that is over 4 devices. iphone, 2 ipads and PC

[@mj1653]

Lets not forget that after the new year price increase that all US manufacturers shove down our throat the regular plastic and S30v bugout will probably be pushing $200 bucks. Insane...

[@zteacherr5992]

$500 is insane

[@earlwoods8253]

Just to make a point about the price how much would it cost to modify my American made pm2 with those American made titanium scales like yours.

[@dat_boi3372]

The scales are 85 dollars. They’re made by Flytanium. They’re the lotus Ti scales.

[@The-Endless-Dream]

9:07 Scrappy doo of knives😂, what an apt description

[@andrewlyons7629]

Ohhhh Benchmade, how I hope you read the comments. Not going to lie, the half a dozen comments you will see that say “but I like” you will take that and run instead of listening to 99.9% of the community but yall need to get your crap together.

[@skizzzikOne]

-200 and I would still think its a pretty high price.. But well im from europe and I often think.. wow why murica knife so high price

[@cgarrand78]

Benchmade is scared to send anything else after that mauling! LOL

[@mwm302]

I've got two Griptillians from 20 years ago (in S30V, a new ultra-steel back then) for about $100 each. Never bought a Benchmade since

[@Thomamps]

I know what you mean about a $500 knife. My current maximum is $300 but I have found a knife I think is worth the money and I'll be selling some of my collection to pay for it. My personal valuation, what I would pay, is $150 for this specimen.

[@wc4201]

So if I understand you correctly… you didn’t like it? lol damn, MC went TF off lol

[@potatosnacks5571]

I want this knife really bad (full size) and have the ability to buy it at half off. But I can’t morally support their decision to make this knife. I love the actual knife, it’s almost perfect for me if it was 1/3 the price

[@franksalem8580]

You would not be disappointed with the full size knife. I own one and love it but I got it for under $500.

[@potatosnacks5571]

@ how is the anodizing holding up?

[@franksalem8580]

@@potatosnacks5571 It still looks like new.

[@Carl-bd1rf]

I’d get it @ $79

[@marccooper7376]

I've got the Vosteed Parallel and I'd have the Parallel over this Benchmade anyday and that price is ridiculous.....give me well made Chinese stuff over the extremely over priced USA companies every time

[@CristoffelBonorand]

I know people who love it, but I would probably agree with you. I payed my fair share for knives that I think are not worth it objectively, but they have a certain panache. The Paysan for example. Horrible knife, but horribly cool. The Narrows can have this coolness factor for some ppl, but certainly not the majority.

[@none4now-k9c]

I honestly don't know how people can sit in an office and hold the thing in hand and say "this is a 500 dollar knife" what are they smoking? It's annoying that they have not taken the hint from a large chunk of the knife community. All they want to do is swindle diehard Benchmade fans out of their money. Thanks for having the balls to say this is garbage for the price. 180 bucks....maybe. 500? It's insulting. Idk who they think they are?

[@Cid_1]

Benchmade are either in financial trouble or are completely shameless. Just looking at their new releases and prices. You have the Narrows/Mini, Seven10, and the Bushcrafter CF/Mini. The Bushcrafter in Cruwear and poorly finished CF is $450!!! That's more or the same as you pay for a Custom made knife in Cruwear and a lot better looking and finished CF. They really need someone new in that company to get them back on earth, so they don't end up as another company of the past. I don't enjoy shitting on Benchmade, but until they start improving it has to be done.

[@TejasEDC]

Just got a 1 of 1 Jack Wolf from the DLT Trading 12 days for less than this knife. I like Benchmade knives but their pricing is out of control…

[@norrisfong6445]

US made vs Chinese made labor is my first thought for the price.

[@TejasEDC]

@@norrisfong6445 the JWK I got was full custom modded for DLTs 12 days by Knife Modders…. Still less than this knife. Knife modders work isn’t cheap and I got the most expensive one available lol. That’s saying something

[@rks9612]

I love light knife for carry! Absolutely hate heavy clunky knife pulling pants down! At home I often wear swimming shorts and then bugout is probably best! I agree that price for materials you get is not reasonable! Also having such a thin knife makes it uncomfortable for heavy cut! In other words.. Narrows is for extremely narrow costumer base!

[@briansavage932]

Whew. This was some tough love.

[@thomasray7551]

I have a 400 dollar Shootout that I have the same feelings for. VERY CHEAP feeling and took damage to the pommel from an insignificant drop. The action is something left to be desired as well. I could have gotten metal scales rather than plastic "grivory" and also a blade that didn't rub the inside. I love the Adamas and a few other benchmade knives but overall their quality for price has gone to crap.

[@yankee2yankee]

Most knives with those materials cost $200, or less. I just bought a knife (my fanciest knife ever), a full dress Artisan Cutlery Boa, in full Timascus and S90V, for what the Narrows costs (not sure about the mini)! What I’m saying is that the Narrows knives are ordinary high quality knives for extraordinary high quality knife prices… I think I would be disappointed with a Narrows, at $500! I think I could get at least 2 knives as good or better, for the price of a Narrows. Benchmade can’t make that knife for $80, but nobody is asking them to! For $200-$250, the Narrows, if you like it, would be a fair deal. Other knife companies, including American companies (e.g. Spyderco), do it every day. And right. If you LOVE the Narrows, it might be the perfect knife for you! Carry yours proudly! It’s your decision to make. Most of us like the way it looks well enough!

[@slayer7682]

The 761 Monolock, my personal favorite Benchmade.

[@younglilbabydrama]

765 is mine. Mini monolock

[@Talix.]

At this point who is still buying Benchmade's? I have 250+ knives and not a single Benchmade.

[@Knifes-and-Gear-Insights]

Typical Benchmade. That's why I only owned 1 so far (which btw was probably the only decently priced Benchmade for what u get, the Mini Adamas carbon fiber), but I even sold that. In my personal opinion 95% of Benchmade's knifes are at least overpriced by 30%, if not more. Yes they are USA made but plenty of companies that make USA made knifes are way cheaper. Not saying the Narrows is a "bad" knife per se, but the price tag of it and many other Benchmade knives is simply too much for what it is.

[@MY-T-SHARP666]

I do not have a problem with Benchmade knives but their prices!?

[@ttattx]

Just buy the MC Excalibur and you'll still have leftovers for an accessory or two

[@jonathanwatson268]

Scrappy-Doo 😂😂 perfect comparison, no notes.

[@brianpersten926]

one of my fav's

[@Frostbite1090]

You put a T10 in the pivot, the body screws could still be T6 though lol not sure. They are know for T6 body on some older models I've had but on this model its probably T8 I'd wager but i dont follow BM closely at all. Clip screws look T6, body visually I can't tell.

[@phillippitts6294]

500$ ? That’s ridiculous 😅

[@USMC_NATE]

If people would stop buying at high prices, it will drive the prices down. It's that simple. They will be forced to lower their prices, or they will go out of business. The world can continue without Benchmade, especially with what other companies offer currently.

[@thomasleutwiler4588]

I think the knives from this manufacturer are simply too high. This is not a Swiss Army knife😂😂

[@Carnivorous_edc]

These knives are a good example of a company taking advantage of its fan base. 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@Frostbite1090]

Completely agree, Benchmade makes some bad decisions IMO. I know they let down the balisong community with the Necron and 6X(overpriced steel handles) before it. Well and 8X. I haven't tried the Necron heard it was maybe OK but steel liners and sort of high price. the 6X without Ti handle replacements was useless, and people hated the 87 design. 51 were fun but people want the OG 4x style bali in a bunch of blade shapes rereleased.

[@penncutlass]

I don’t think it uses omega springs

[@plutoorbitdream]

9:23 you grabbed the T10 bit thinking it was a T8…

[@metal_complex]

Looks like I did but the white part that contains the bits actually slides in the green case so it just lined up with the t10

[@plutoorbitdream]

@ if you look closely at the bit in your hand it’s a T10.

[@piperkennard1039]

They have to give a knife like that to a reviewer to review cuz nobody in their right mind is going to spend that kind of money for that kind of knife. Benchmade relying on their name to sell everything but their name means less and less nowadays. I call it the knife for the man or female that has more money than they know what to do with and they don't care if it's 20 or $1,000 they'll buy it anyway just because it's a Benchmade😂😂😂😂 thanks for sharing brother 🤙

[@prithwisdey7181]

If anyone wants to buy an extremely thin knife, buy the Vosteed Parallel for $129 with titanium and 154cm.

[@GabrielCarterEGA]

Probably your last free Benchmade

[@earlwoods8253]

I don’t think benchmade is going to send you anything else. 😂

[@jeffhamilton4587]

Hey! My name is "Jeff " and I'm a nuclear engineer. I wouldn't spend a penny for that stupid overpriced piece of benchmade!

[@larrycasaletto2331]

​It appears you do by responding to his comment😂​@@TimeToTravel-u2x

[@Jacrispy223]

No one cares!

[@kinguin7]

​@@Jacrispy223one replier seems to... 🤔

[@robertbrunello]

My name is Jeff

[@maybefrank8345]

We don’t take kindly to your type round here “Jeff” Best be movin on to the next town

[@FlyawaytunaKnives]

It just can’t compete at all with other USA made knives in the same price range (Hinderer, Chris Reeve, etc.) This and the full size where DOA

[@timanderson9216]

I feel the same about Scrappydo 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Nkdc333]

I handled it the other day and I somewhat appreciated the build quality. Definitely overpriced and the clip looks super cheap. But the build is neat even if it’s not your style.