Benchmade mystery solved - feeback actively sought
benchmade 300 154cm assist open axis flipper - blue / black griptilion style scales - semi serrated - reversible black anodized pocket clip - push button lock - knurled knobs on blade - open frame
So I have had this knife for over 5 years - won it an a friends of the NRA banquet dinner along with a nice updated lensatic compass and little plastic skull beads on 3 part lanyard orienteering distance marking tool (damned if I can think of what it's called - the correct nomenclature escapes me)
On the benchmade knife blade is laser etched "PILEDRIVER" which has to me at least been the center of the mystery - the definitive piece to solving the puzzle
The 300 and 300-1 were Benchmades first and second friction free axis flipper folders - ie the first non fixed blade models the company ever produced
I had been asking and inquiring about my benchmark Piledriver for years and getting nowhere - getting blank stares or "that boys not right" head shakes
But I recently subscribed to the benchmark YouTube channel and signed up to their forums and the benchmark cognoscenti deigned to illuminate my mind and educate me on the subject
There is no Piledriver model made by benchmark - they have never produced a knife named piledriver - it's outside of the auspices of their name and identification process
In addition you will not find many 300 model benchmade folding knives - as it was quickly replaced by the still offered 300-1
So here is how they explained things to me...
Unlike benchmade when introducing a new product because this benchmade 300 154cm axis flipper was not only a newly catalogued model but their "First Flipper" or "First Folder" to be introduced on the market they made a limited run of promotional models intended for early release.
These were sent to magazines or web sites or consumer agencies for testing and review - and examples also went to organizations as prizes or donation give away such as the NRA and the NWF and Ducks Unlimited and Blade Magazine for charity auction or raffle ticket assignment.
At this time benchmade had obtained a new advanced capability laser etching device - and they were laser etching all sorts of stuff playing with and testing out the capabilities and limitations of the machine.
So someone had the bright idea to laser etch the first 150 production Benchmade 300 154cm axis flipper folders that were to be released upon the industry trade folk and associated friendly organizations
Some received initials and nicknames - some received unit designations or MOS abrieviations - or organization initials
Per benchmark my "PILEDRIVER" laser etched knife went to a former wrestler - but they would not identify the individual (their privacy policy precludes this)
They asked several times to buy the knife back and offered to give me 3 new ones - along with several other inducements
Apparently most of these laser etched promo Models had olive drab or khaki green scales (monotone - no black highlights) and only 10 had a partially serrated blade (the balance being an uninterrupted straight edge)
A very few pieces had blue scales with black highlights - and even rarer are the maroon or flat burgundy colored scales
A handful had stainless pocket clips instead of blacked out pocket clips
2 had blacked out non reflective matte finish blades
They were very nice people - and explained that they had been worried that this flipper folder would not be well received on a market flooded with similar offerings from well established brands.
Comments and remarks and observations are not only welcome but actively solicited.
Mike
So I have had this knife for over 5 years - won it an a friends of the NRA banquet dinner along with a nice updated lensatic compass and little plastic skull beads on 3 part lanyard orienteering distance marking tool (damned if I can think of what it's called - the correct nomenclature escapes me)
On the benchmade knife blade is laser etched "PILEDRIVER" which has to me at least been the center of the mystery - the definitive piece to solving the puzzle
The 300 and 300-1 were Benchmades first and second friction free axis flipper folders - ie the first non fixed blade models the company ever produced
I had been asking and inquiring about my benchmark Piledriver for years and getting nowhere - getting blank stares or "that boys not right" head shakes
But I recently subscribed to the benchmark YouTube channel and signed up to their forums and the benchmark cognoscenti deigned to illuminate my mind and educate me on the subject
There is no Piledriver model made by benchmark - they have never produced a knife named piledriver - it's outside of the auspices of their name and identification process
In addition you will not find many 300 model benchmade folding knives - as it was quickly replaced by the still offered 300-1
So here is how they explained things to me...
Unlike benchmade when introducing a new product because this benchmade 300 154cm axis flipper was not only a newly catalogued model but their "First Flipper" or "First Folder" to be introduced on the market they made a limited run of promotional models intended for early release.
These were sent to magazines or web sites or consumer agencies for testing and review - and examples also went to organizations as prizes or donation give away such as the NRA and the NWF and Ducks Unlimited and Blade Magazine for charity auction or raffle ticket assignment.
At this time benchmade had obtained a new advanced capability laser etching device - and they were laser etching all sorts of stuff playing with and testing out the capabilities and limitations of the machine.
So someone had the bright idea to laser etch the first 150 production Benchmade 300 154cm axis flipper folders that were to be released upon the industry trade folk and associated friendly organizations
Some received initials and nicknames - some received unit designations or MOS abrieviations - or organization initials
Per benchmark my "PILEDRIVER" laser etched knife went to a former wrestler - but they would not identify the individual (their privacy policy precludes this)
They asked several times to buy the knife back and offered to give me 3 new ones - along with several other inducements
Apparently most of these laser etched promo Models had olive drab or khaki green scales (monotone - no black highlights) and only 10 had a partially serrated blade (the balance being an uninterrupted straight edge)
A very few pieces had blue scales with black highlights - and even rarer are the maroon or flat burgundy colored scales
A handful had stainless pocket clips instead of blacked out pocket clips
2 had blacked out non reflective matte finish blades
They were very nice people - and explained that they had been worried that this flipper folder would not be well received on a market flooded with similar offerings from well established brands.
Comments and remarks and observations are not only welcome but actively solicited.
Mike
0
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Bet the guy was Mark William Calaway Or The Undertaker. Who made the wrestling move the Pile driver famous. 0 -
I have pondered long and hard as to who the original recipient might have been...
An MMA fighter has been suggested.
Mike0 -
+1quote:Originally posted by grumpygy
Bet the guy was Mark William Calaway Or The Undertaker. Who made the wrestling move the Pile driver famous.0 -
In for this most generous Giveaway offer. [:D]
- Ken "Piledriver" Bravo -0 -
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1
In for this most generous Giveaway offer. [:D]
- Ken "Piledriver" Bravo -
Mackenzie has declared after death dibs...
I was not aware you could call after death dibs - but I am not fully versed in the dibs game code of conduct or rules of play
Plus she made me pinky swear - and I see no way out of that.
Mike0 -
Speaking of Blade Magazine.. Friend who lived south of me a few miles..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackie_Collins0
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