tugboatI don't know the answer to your question, but this statement in their warranty coverage would seem to exclude this purchase otherwise:
"Knives purchased on the internet through discount websites, mail order outlets, or through any other unauthorized source, and knives which are determined by Benchmade to be counterfeit (see Counterfeit Goods Notice below), are not entitled to our warranty coverage."
tugboatYep, if you're willing to pay for shipping and handling they'll sharpen your knife for you. But why would you want to be w/out your knife for up to 2 weeks. Learn how to sharpen yourself. It ain't that difficult to do.
JAFOThis only relates to poor fakes from China and elsewhere. I own every knife that Benchmade ever made and bought them everywhere and never had any issues. However, if you don't know Benchmade knifes and you pick up one for a reaaaaaly low price and send it to them, you will not get it back if Benchmade determines it to be a fake. It's not only that they won't sharpen it, but they will keep it on top of it.
DesastorI kind of figured they would probably take care of it, regardless of the policy statemnt. I looked at the Lifesharp paperwork, and there's no requirement to list place of purchase, supply a receipt, etc. Mainly it's you agreeing that they keep it if they determine it's fake.
JAFOYep, I have sent in my knife from lots of different places and countries. I never sent a receipt, nor have I ever been asked to do so. My dealer, a guy in the know, told me about these folks that keep buying seemingly cheap Benchmades' over the net only then to learn via a polite Benchmade letter that they had bought an unauthorized copy. Apparently copies floating around on the web vary in quality from really crappy to really, really good. That makes it, in my humble opinion, dangerous to buy from a source that is not vetted. I probably would heed the old saying "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably ain't" before thinking that I am going to save a shitload of money.
Any authentic Benchmade knife is always under warranty, regardless of where you got it. http://www.benchmade.com/warranty-service
- Nolan Kidwell Benchmade Customer Service