Now the price is still absurd, but the all black dlc blade and carbon fiber with red liners special edition coming out this summer looks pretty spiffy I'll give ya
One small change that played out well is the 162 had handles flushed with the tang. 163/165 is not flushed and sticks out just enough where you can feel it being grippier but no look cheap. That doesnt justify the prices though but thought it was a neat improvement. The overall ergo is better than the 162 as well. But also, not $200 better. I think low to mid 300 will be more fitting of a price for the Cruwear models and mid 200s for the S30v. Or better yet, get rid of the S30v and use S35vn for a slight upgrade, price it at 260 and call it good. But nope, BM just trying to sell base model Mercedes at AMG prices.
I really like the profile of the 162. Once I knew they were going to discontinued the 162, I purchase another along with the Puuko. Might get a 3rd one.
I handled one in the store. The handle shape is very blocky and uncomfortable. I immediately ordered a 162 while I could still get one. The one thing that they did improve from the 162 to the 163, is the sheath. I had to order an aftermarket sheath for the 162, which added $150.00 to the cost.
This is my second comment after seeing your video earlier today and finding out that the 162 is discontinued. I ordered one and was lucky enough to find it at the older price. Like everyone else I like the old version more and I like the old price even better.
I have the original 162 along with a plethora of others with more than a few being Benchmade. I like those just fine but the new prices are unrealistic.
I hope benchmade chokes on these backing up because no one buys them for that price. I'll stick with bradford and white river for the same materials, same qc, better warranties, better sheaths, and $150 cheaper in general.
Hey Gil, Very funny comment about the box size - "Um, Maybe they got a great deal on that size of packaging . . . I don't know."😆 LOL! I've seen Benchmade do this before with other knives (i.e. having a huge box for much smaller knives). For example, when I bought the tiny BM 101BK Follow-Up (a NECK KNIFE!), it came in the same big blue box as the Adamas Fixed Blade! Even so, that 163-1 Bushcrafter Box is HUGE! Anyway, very helpful you gave a detailed comparison of the original BM 162-1 Bushcrafter; I have the OG darker green model, and was considering if I should get the new one or not, so this helps. Also an excellent idea to do the comparison with the Anonimus. Just some feedback - one thing I thought would be helpful is to show a slower, more detailed hand grasp on the mini, because I'm wondering if I can get a comfortable, full "4-finger" grasp on the handle. That's a minor issue to an otherwise great review! By the way, BE CAREFUL with the Kydex Sheath on your original Bushcrafter 162-1 knife - I ordered the Kydex sheath to replace the leather sheath on my BM 162, but one day I accidentally bumped into a wall when it was on my belt (not even that hard), and the Kydex belt loop cracked in half at the top - rendering it unusable 🤬 - had to go back to the leather one!
Ive held the version in cru wear and cf nice knives nowhere near worth the price tag. The new pricing is an insult and unjustifiable. Only Benchmade thats priced reasonably these days is the 940
The Benchmade 163BK is $600 here in Canada, before tax which is an extra $100 plus shipping. And that's the sale price. So basically you're looking at $800 at regular price. Am I missing something here or is this just a bad dream. In any case I ordered the 162 last week before they sell out.
Love my 162, but the sheath was crap. So, I made my own. But then again, I paid $20 for the knife at REI… Man, Benchmade must think their customers are idiots at that price & for that sheath. SMH
For that kind of money, I’ll stick with a Reiff knife which is same price point but much better knife for the money! Benchmade is way overpriced for what you get! Much better options available! Benchmade pricing themselves out of business!
Benchmade is going insane. I hope the clones will eventually take over in terms of build quality. I'm tired of this idiots milking people just because their stuff is allegedly made 100% made in U.S.A. which is a plain lie. $400 for a s30v fixed blade? With g10 handles? With rivets instead of screws? That is like 1920s level of craftmanship.
Measuring the boxes?? And also, Ive never seen such a confusing video. Terrible. Cant you talk about why this things cost so much. Maybe you did but I couldn't keep watching... What's so different from a $20 knife from Walmart
Holy chit…$400…peeps…adventure sworn’s hand crafted knives are $500 and…their R-series with beautifully machined coke bottle handles..in 3v…with amazing sheath…are $300…I have a lot of knives…from $17-$550…and by far…ADVENTURE SWORN IS THE BEST!!
Insane price for an s30v fixed blade with a g10 handle
just wait until you see the price on the blacked out version coming out later this year 😳
It’s a great knife, for 130 bucks.
Granted, I've not seen these in the flesh to fully judge, but based on pics, videos and price... let's just say I'm glad I picked up a 162 last year.
Now the price is still absurd, but the all black dlc blade and carbon fiber with red liners special edition coming out this summer looks pretty spiffy I'll give ya
It's the same knife for $100 more LOL
Thanks for helping me make up my mind. I'm going to order a 162 before they go out of stock I like that old style more.
This is a concise and clear review. I like the format and the delivery.
thank you! 🙏
One small change that played out well is the 162 had handles flushed with the tang. 163/165 is not flushed and sticks out just enough where you can feel it being grippier but no look cheap. That doesnt justify the prices though but thought it was a neat improvement. The overall ergo is better than the 162 as well. But also, not $200 better. I think low to mid 300 will be more fitting of a price for the Cruwear models and mid 200s for the S30v. Or better yet, get rid of the S30v and use S35vn for a slight upgrade, price it at 260 and call it good. But nope, BM just trying to sell base model Mercedes at AMG prices.
Benchmade is on crack with their prices.
I really like the profile of the 162. Once I knew they were going to discontinued the 162, I purchase another along with the Puuko. Might get a 3rd one.
I handled one in the store. The handle shape is very blocky and uncomfortable. I immediately ordered a 162 while I could still get one. The one thing that they did improve from the 162 to the 163, is the sheath. I had to order an aftermarket sheath for the 162, which added $150.00 to the cost.
Agreed...sheath is very cool with quick release...and yes this knife DOES feel blocky
I like the 162 better
Yep so do I
As do i
This will drive up prices on the original 162 for sure. Better to buy it now than later if you've been considering it.
Yeah I'm glad I picked up an original 162 back in 2018 at a much, much lower price point than a newer one at today's pricing.
This is my second comment after seeing your video earlier today and finding out that the 162 is discontinued. I ordered one and was lucky enough to find it at the older price. Like everyone else I like the old version more and I like the old price even better.
@@James-ke5sx man you lucked out! You’ll love the 162…solid blade
On a bushcraft/ hunting knife that groove is called a gunk catcher
Great video, well done
Thank you 🙏
I have the original 162 along with a plethora of others with more than a few being Benchmade. I like those just fine but the new prices are unrealistic.
I hope benchmade chokes on these backing up because no one buys them for that price. I'll stick with bradford and white river for the same materials, same qc, better warranties, better sheaths, and $150 cheaper in general.
Hey Gil, Very funny comment about the box size - "Um, Maybe they got a great deal on that size of packaging . . . I don't know."😆 LOL! I've seen Benchmade do this before with other knives (i.e. having a huge box for much smaller knives). For example, when I bought the tiny BM 101BK Follow-Up (a NECK KNIFE!), it came in the same big blue box as the Adamas Fixed Blade! Even so, that 163-1 Bushcrafter Box is HUGE!
Anyway, very helpful you gave a detailed comparison of the original BM 162-1 Bushcrafter; I have the OG darker green model, and was considering if I should get the new one or not, so this helps. Also an excellent idea to do the comparison with the Anonimus. Just some feedback - one thing I thought would be helpful is to show a slower, more detailed hand grasp on the mini, because I'm wondering if I can get a comfortable, full "4-finger" grasp on the handle. That's a minor issue to an otherwise great review!
By the way, BE CAREFUL with the Kydex Sheath on your original Bushcrafter 162-1 knife - I ordered the Kydex sheath to replace the leather sheath on my BM 162, but one day I accidentally bumped into a wall when it was on my belt (not even that hard), and the Kydex belt loop cracked in half at the top - rendering it unusable 🤬 - had to go back to the leather one!
Does the 162 seem to take a toother edge??
Hmmm not sure what you mean by "toother". Can you explain?
Ive held the version in cru wear and cf nice knives nowhere near worth the price tag. The new pricing is an insult and unjustifiable. Only Benchmade thats priced reasonably these days is the 940
The Benchmade 163BK is $600 here in Canada, before tax which is an extra $100 plus shipping. And that's the sale price. So basically you're looking at $800 at regular price. Am I missing something here or is this just a bad dream. In any case I ordered the 162 last week before they sell out.
smart move getting the 162 while you still can
Love my 162, but the sheath was crap. So, I made my own. But then again, I paid $20 for the knife at REI… Man, Benchmade must think their customers are idiots at that price & for that sheath. SMH
Benchmade is hi, asking that much for a fixed blade
For that kind of money, I’ll stick with a Reiff knife which is same price point but much better knife for the money! Benchmade is way overpriced for what you get! Much better options available! Benchmade pricing themselves out of business!
BM is not helping themselves with new knife enthusiasts to the market
The only improvements in my mind is a better leather sheath, everything else is worse imo
Yep
Benchmade is going insane. I hope the clones will eventually take over in terms of build quality. I'm tired of this idiots milking people just because their stuff is allegedly made 100% made in U.S.A. which is a plain lie. $400 for a s30v fixed blade? With g10 handles? With rivets instead of screws? That is like 1920s level of craftmanship.
@@D2G10 agreed..I wish BM would come out and publicly state how they can justify that price
Damn! Over $100 more for the same knife? I might have been born at night but it wasn't last last night 😂😂....No thanks!
Price😮 for g10😮 and s30v🙈🤮 and plastic sheath 😆🤣🤣🤣
Measuring the boxes??
And also, Ive never seen such a confusing video. Terrible.
Cant you talk about why this things cost so much. Maybe you did but I couldn't keep watching...
What's so different from a $20 knife from Walmart
Thanks for your feedback. I'm always looking to improve.
Benchmade is run by clowns. $400 for a g10 and s30. Good gawd. I hope Benchmade loses money so they can get their head out of their a$$es.
Og is better.. and it ain’t even that good
Holy chit…$400…peeps…adventure sworn’s hand crafted knives are $500 and…their R-series with beautifully machined coke bottle handles..in 3v…with amazing sheath…are $300…I have a lot of knives…from $17-$550…and by far…ADVENTURE SWORN IS THE BEST!!