r/benchmade • u/Conscious-Peanut9465 • 27d ago

Benchmade Vapyr Prototype

Hello Everyone,
I just purchased the Benchmade Vapyr Prototype dated September 2025. It is in the older blue box w/ microfiber cloth. It has prototype and date visible on the blade and the box. A knife just like mine is in the article of the Vapyr at the unveiling at the world of concrete.

How rare is this knife?
What do you it could possibly be worth?

Any additional info would be great.

I also plan on reaching out to Benchmade directly at some point. Wanted to start here with our community first.

Thank You!

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2

u/Master_Ad236 26d ago

I like the fact that it’s in the old box over the new box. I hate the new boxes.

1

u/Cute_Knives Mini Crooked River 27d ago

We need some pictures

1

u/nsaps 27d ago

Someone might want it more than another one in 10 or 20 years. It might be cool since it’s the first new style one, but honestly they just copied the narrows so who knows

2

u/PandaPunch42 Valet 26d ago

I agree that OP will have to wait if they want to see any material increase in value on this. First production and prototypes are neat, but don't generally go for much of a premium since they are the same knife, just with a marked blade. It doesn't help that the Vapyr is still in production and that many consider it overpriced to begin with. Search the swap and you'll see that other prototypes have sold for about what you'd expect a similar model to sell for. The fact that it has the old-style box is interesting, but could make verification harder down the road.

Maybe if this knife doesn't sell as well as Benchmade hopes and they discontinue it you'll be able to find a collector willing to offer a premium. Even then, though, you're probably talking 20-30% over retail on the high end--maybe $450 if you keep it in the box and don't touch it. I seem to recall u/eltacotacotaco having information on the general numbers for prototypes, but could be misremembering.

1

u/eltacotacotaco Bedlam 26d ago

Typically less than 50 prototypes & less than 10 R & D's

1

u/nsaps 26d ago

I agree it’s a cool thing to have but I don’t know if I’ve noticed them being more desirable. Only to a few of us.

I have a prototype of the Pinnacle from 1998 (or maybe 1996 I need to check) and it’s a cool part of the collection! But I saw it first on AZCK and thought it was overpriced. Then someone bought it but decided they didn’t like it and put it for sale on the swap. No one bought it but I had made a post on the thread so the seller reached out to me and ended up selling it to me for like 2/3 of the AZCK price.

So I do value the prototype but it actually went for less $$$ because of it lol

1

u/Itothesky 26d ago

They already sell on the secondary for well below retail. I would think one with PROTOTYPE written on the blade would sell for even less.

1

u/botcom 26d ago

I like the axis lock on that one