Bento

Wolverine666 · #1

I'm just looking to get some info and opinions (good or bad) on a site I'm considering buying some Spydercos from. The site is Bento Box Shop. I know a few of you guys have mentioned this site before. I just wanted to know if they (and their merchandise) are reputable. Are they good to deal with ? Are their knives all 100% brand new from the Spyderco factory ? How's their shipping ?

I have always dealt with GPKnives and Knifeworks. They both have excellent service , prices and merchandise. I'm hoping Bento has the same. Especially since Bento has a couple Sprint Runs I really want. Please let me know what you know. Thanks guys.

Alchemy1 · #2

I just bought two of the blue para 2's from them. I got in on the second batch and had a little wait since I ordered before they had them and it was during the holiday season. Everything was conducted through pay pal so I got the typical pay pal emails, but no specific Bento communication. The knives came in and were brand new and EXCELLENT! This is the only experience I have had with them, but aside from the lack of direct communication they are a solid, legit, website.

JNewell · #3

I bought the CPM-M4 Manix 2 and the M390 Para 2 from them. In both cases, they were highly responsive to emails, friendly and easy to deal with, shipped promptly with tracking information sent by email, and both knives were perfect in all respects. I'm sure you'll get other data points, since in real life "stuff" happens, but they're two for two with me. I have no connection to them other than these two purchases. :spyder:

gbelleh · #4

Yes, they're reputable. They just did a dealer exclusive with Spyderco (the blue Para2). They can be a little more expensive, but they have a lot of hard to find models.

Orion's Belt · #5

I've never head a bad thing about BBS. They still have the M4 Manix in stock and M390 PM2s which is making my wallet cringe. If I didn't have a M390 Millie coming, I'd be all over both of those.

Wolverine666 · #6

JNewell wrote:I bought the CPM-M4 Manix 2 and the M390 Para 2 from them. In both cases, they were highly responsive to emails, friendly and easy to deal with, shipped promptly with tracking information sent by email, and both knives were perfect in all respects. I'm sure you'll get other data points, since in real life "stuff" happens, but they're two for two with me. I have no connection to them other than these two purchases. :spyder:

Nice. The CPM-M4 Manix 2 and the M390 Para Military 2 are two of the ones I really want. And I want that Carpenter BD30P Manix 2 as well. I just wasn't sure if the knives on the BBS site were brand new or "seconds". I would only ever buy brand new knives.

JNewell · #7

Wolverine666 wrote:Nice. The CPM-M4 Manix 2 and the M390 Para Military 2 are two of the ones I really want. And I want that Carpenter BD30P Manix 2 as well. I just wasn't sure if the knives on the BBS site were brand new or "seconds". I would only ever buy brand new knives.

No reputable dealer would sell a second without disclosing that, at least not knowingly.

:spyder: Beware if buying through other channels, especially auction sites... :o

Hoffa · #8

I've had good dealings with BBS as well. Products delivered as promised, and quick to respond to emails. The new Spyderco catalog show's the 2012 Manix 2 will get S30V steel, but looks like still in a hollow grind. I picked up the Carpenter BD30P (Carpenter's version of S30V) from BBS since it offered a FFG blade at a price a bit over the standard Manix 2. If Spyderco were going to a FFG blade on the S30V Manix, I'd probably have a hard time justifying the extra cost of the Sprint, but if you want FFG, I think it's a good option. I also jumped on the M390 Para 2 and am very pleased with it.

hunterseeker5 · #9

They have good service and desirable knives. Their prices are a touch high, but they're carrying the knives people want so I guess the market will dictate the price.

IIRC they have now commissioned TWO super desirable sprints just for us now the M4 manix and the M390 para2. Thats reason enough to like 'em.

Stugots-II · #10

I have bought 5 or more knives from them in the past. The fact that they have a very basic site, higher pricing and no phone number or address can make any buyer weary. Not to mention they say they don't accept returns. I have noticed many other reputable dealers though not accepting returns on sprints and such.

In my experiences though, they have answered emails to satisfy all my questions/needs. The products I have received have been fine for the most part, but as I have learned with any dealer you can get a knife here and there with QC problems. They are production knives and they are only selling them and Spyderco sent them out.

So yeah go for it

INFRNL · #11

There are a few things that we all dislike about BBS but as a company as a whole, they are good. My blue PM2 was perfect but my M4 Manix had excessive lateral blade play; had to send it to golden and still not 100%, but very useable.

If you can get past some of their pricing; you will have no issues. Also do not waste your time requesting them to look over the knife cause they will not change anything. You get the pick of that time and nothing more. If its defective or anything, you will need to send it to Golden.

Blerv · #12

Some knives are exclusive only to them. Haven't heard any bad yet of the service and I can't fault them for F&F (they don't make them).

Price wise I think they are middle of the road. At least they are trustworthy though. As trustworthy as the other good dealers that is.

wsdavies · #13

I bought a Superhawk from Bento through Ebay...The shipping was fast, and the knife was in operfect shape.

Wolverine666 · #14

Well so far it sounds good to me. The only thing that made me hesitate was the lack of phone number and very simple site. But if that's how they operate and everything is brand new then so be it. I have had a couple knives here and there that were less than perfect from other sites. But like you guys said , theses are production knives and it happens once in a while regardless of the site purchased from.

The mere fact that BBS has some hard to find Sprint Runs makes me salivate. And that , my friends , is what it's all about. Thanks to all for the info and opinions.

Now what Sprint Run am I gonna buy ??? Haha.

Blerv · #15

Dealer get knives from Spyderco. No dealer gets the crappy ones :confused: . It's random chance if a knife comes all wonky and in my experience very rare. Everyone has different nitpicking sensitivities though.

I'd rather have good service than a fancy site. Some impressive ones offer bad prices, worse service, and other issues. Bento is the only place to get the M4 Manix2 and M390 Para2 "exclusives" so if you want those, well :) .

Sprints are available all over.

Wolverine666 · #16

Blerv wrote:Dealer get knives from Spyderco. No dealer gets the crappy ones :confused: . It's random chance if a knife comes all wonky and in my experience very rare. Everyone has different nitpicking sensitivities though.

I'd rather have good service than a fancy site. Some impressive ones offer bad prices, worse service, and other issues. Bento is the only place to get the M4 Manix2 and M390 Para2 "exclusives" so if you want those, well :) .

Sprints are available all over.

I want those.

ronfaircloth · #17

I've bought several Spydies from them, both pre-order and in stock items. Never a problem. I've found them excellent to deal with in all respects.

fuzzydog · #18

I have gotten two knives from them...the Blue M390 which was great and the M4 Manix which was not....I asked if I could exchange it for a higher dollar item that they had but they will not do exchanges or returns at all...which I will grant it says on their site although it is at the bottom and frankly I had not read that far (which is on me I know).

I sent my M4 Manix to Golden and it was made right although it did cost me the shipping.

I would use them again but only for something that only they had.

I have had great experiences with other dealers and am generally limiting my purchase to them.

Donut · #19

They are a good dealer. The shipping is a little bit expensive, and sometimes the prices are a little bit high. They have stock with some pretty tough to find models, which is probably only because the price is higher than normal.

I have asked them questions before and got very clear answers in a reasonable amount of time. I would not hesitate to suggest them if someone is okay with their price.

KardinalSyn · #20

I was interested in the blue PM2 and wrote to them asking if they will ship half way around the world. I got immediate responses and more than that, BentoBox staff were very helpful. I would also say caring about helping me out.

Unfortunately, I did not buy the knife due to customs issues at my end but I have had good communication with them. I think I was a special case for them. Not many order Spyderco's online from Sri Lanka.