484 Nakamura Pictures

[Fred Sanford]

Here's a question to those complaining about the price, which M390 folder would you get for $192? That is the going rate everywhere for the 484, and I'm curious which "cheaper" but similarly equipped knife gives you the idea that this one is overpriced...

I'm not being a jerk or trying to start a debate, I'm just curious why everyone is poopoo'ing this knife

How about the CTS-204P Para2 that Knifeworks just had for $150? How about the CPM-M4 Gayle Bradley for $160?

The 586 mini Barrage in M390 used to be a $150 knife until BM started smoking crack.

 

[Cypress]

How about the CTS-204P Para2 that Knifeworks just had for $150? How about the CPM-M4 Gayle Bradley for $160?

The 586 mini Barrage in M390 used to be a $150 knife until BM started smoking crack.

Para2 in 204 for $150? They have it listed at $190... Did I miss something?

I have a GB. The lock was unusable until I dremeled out the interface, and the handle shape/texture is less-than confidence inspiring. To compare the lock on the GB to the Axis is almost hilarious. Sorry if this sounds abrasive. It's not my intention.

 

[WorkingEdge]

Para2 in 204 for $150? They have it listed at $190... Did I miss something?

I have a GB. The lock was unusable until I dremeled out the interface, and the handle shape/texture is less-than confidence inspiring. To compare the lock on the GB to the Axis is almost hilarious. Sorry if this sounds abrasive. It's not my intention.

PM2 in 204p was 150. But then most felt it was underpriced and frequently flipped at significantly higher prices. So 190 doesn't sound too bad for this. Does feel very good in my size 8.5 (medium) hands, better than minigrip.

 

[Cypress]

Anyhow, I don't want to derail this thread too much. I'll post pics of mine when it arrives on Tuesday.

 

[WorkingEdge]

that's the suggested retail price for this PM2. Was sold by KW for 150.

Back to topic - I have only had the 484 for past few days. Takes a very fine edge as expected of M390. Quite frankly, I think this is one very nice "smaller" knife and the contoured G10 scales look much nicer in person than in pictures and as mentioned, provides a secure, comfortable grip. I've had a minigrip for years as primary edc and wished it had certain features that this knife fulfills in every way. Worth the price in my opinion.

The light stone wash / satin finish is not great on my sample though. Would be annoyed if collecting but all knives are users.

 

[kreole]

Para2 in 204 for $150? They have it listed at $190... Did I miss something?

I have a GB. The lock was unusable until I dremeled out the interface, and the handle shape/texture is less-than confidence inspiring. To compare the lock on the GB to the Axis is almost hilarious. Sorry if this sounds abrasive. It's not my intention.

Comparing it to another BM, you can get the LE 810 for the same price

 

[Buffalohump]

It just seems like the design for a bigger knife to me, not sure why they made it so small. Who has hands that small?

 

[TechDoc]

It just seems like the design for a bigger knife to me, not sure why they made it so small. Who has hands that small?

I have big hands (although my fingers are long, not fat) and don't have any trouble getting a firm grip. The waves on the bottom of the scales line up well with my four fingers. I agree that a larger version of this knife would be nice but for what it is (a 3" blade class knife similar to the mini-griptilian or mini-barrage) it seems to be well proportioned.

 

[RamZar]

Got mine today (it was ready to be picked up yesterday). It's very nice. Sharp blade, great handles/texture and overall size. Blade is not centered just like my Contego M390! Enough room for a good grip.

Here's a standalone picture as well as next to 940, 943, 586 and 707.

 

[pmek5]

Nice comparison pic. That really shows also how much knife is packed into the 707.

 

[WorkingEdge]

Ramzar - the only one I like more than the 484 on your pic is the 707. Always enjoy your pictures. Your collection has got to be amazing. I must say, it looks like the spring is coming out of that lock on the 707, though.

My 484 is very centered but the blade has uneven satin finish / stone wash. Go figure for such an otherwise well made knife.

 

[Cypress]

Out of the box, it was "sharp", but nothing to really fear. Factory bevel was about 45º inclusive, so I took care of that with a 34º inclusive and stropped to a hazy mirror. Mine is not centered, but not close to rubbing, so I'll deal with that later. The knife falls open when the Axis lock is pulled back, and falls shut in the reverse. Here are some more comparison pics. This knife looked big in Benchmade's pictures, but this thing is pretty small. Great ergo's for my medium hands.

The entire knife is in my fist!



3550



943



Paramilitary 2



710



Comically, the 810



Glamor shot



Here's a catch (literally): The position and shape of the thumb studs allows them to catch on EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, this means it catches the inside of my jeans pocket and acts as a pseudo-Emerson wave, opening the knife halfway before it releases and slams closed. I am going to attempt to fit a different set of studs on the knife, as I don't want my fingers to be anywhere NEAR this laser beam, especially if it's where I can't see it slamming shut.

 

[bedgoo]

BM 940 is probably the smallest i'll go.. I guess I'll pass on this one and maybe get the new 940-1.

 

[RamZar]

Ramzar - the only one I like more than the 484 on your pic is the 707. Always enjoy your pictures. Your collection has got to be amazing. I must say, it looks like the spring is coming out of that lock on the 707, though.

My 484 is very centered but the blade has uneven satin finish / stone wash. Go figure for such an otherwise well made knife.

Thanks.

That's a unique 707. I'm not going to mess with the spring. It doesn't affect the function and I don't carry it. Can't beat the 707 for its thin, slim and narrow profile. My very first Benchmade was a 707 in August 2005!

I centered the blade on my 484 nicely. Regarding the blade finish it's odd. At first I thought it was dirty!

 

[RamZar]

Mine is not centered, but not close to rubbing, so I'll deal with that later.

Mine wasn't touching the liners either but it bothered me enough to rectify it pronto.

It's becoming the norm with my recent near $200 Benchmades which is irksome and vexing!

 

[Cypress]

Mine wasn't touching the liners either but it bothered me enough to rectify it pronto.

It's becoming the norm with my recent near $200 Benchmades which is irksome and vexing!

It really is sad. It's a huge slide in the wrong direction compared to the Benchmades I was buying back in the 90's and early 2000's. I would have thought they would get better with their manufacturing processes, but I guess success is becoming their downfall

Their edges are getting worse too. I haven't had a new Benchmade come sharp* in years. This one had a very uneven grind in the sense that a flat stone was showing a squiggly/wavy edge profile before it apexed. The main grind is also off, and I needed to grind into the thicker steel in front of the mini-choil quite a bit before the last bit of edge apexed.

*There are varying degrees and opinions of what sharp is. This knife could have shaved hair with a LOT of force. For a blade shape that lends itself to being a slicer, it is beyond me as to why they are running 45º-50º bevels.

 

[RamZar]

It really is sad. It's a huge slide in the wrong direction compared to the Benchmades I was buying back in the 90's and early 2000's. I would have thought they would get better with their manufacturing processes, but I guess success is becoming their downfall

Sure is sad on the quality issue doubly so now that they cost so much more. For example, $136 for my 586 with M390 last year versus $191 for my 484 with M390 now.

I'm still getting the 940-1 with CF & S90V for a whopping $263.50! I'm already doubting it's worth and quality although I'm a sucker for a 940. That could be my last Benchmade unless and until their quality and price start making sense again.

 

[Buffalohump]

I would just like to balance this by saying I recently received two BM's - a 2013 SHOT Show Grip and a Ritter Griptilian - both NIB - and they were both pretty much perfect.

It really is sad. It's a huge slide in the wrong direction compared to the Benchmades I was buying back in the 90's and early 2000's. I would have thought they would get better with their manufacturing processes, but I guess success is becoming their downfall

Their edges are getting worse too. I haven't had a new Benchmade come sharp* in years. This one had a very uneven grind in the sense that a flat stone was showing a squiggly/wavy edge profile before it apexed. The main grind is also off, and I needed to grind into the thicker steel in front of the mini-choil quite a bit before the last bit of edge apexed.

*There are varying degrees and opinions of what sharp is. This knife could have shaved hair with a LOT of force. For a blade shape that lends itself to being a slicer, it is beyond me as to why they are running 45º-50º bevels.

 

[craytab]

It really is sad. It's a huge slide in the wrong direction compared to the Benchmades I was buying back in the 90's and early 2000's. I would have thought they would get better with their manufacturing processes, but I guess success is becoming their downfall

Their edges are getting worse too. I haven't had a new Benchmade come sharp* in years. This one had a very uneven grind in the sense that a flat stone was showing a squiggly/wavy edge profile before it apexed. The main grind is also off, and I needed to grind into the thicker steel in front of the mini-choil quite a bit before the last bit of edge apexed.

*There are varying degrees and opinions of what sharp is. This knife could have shaved hair with a LOT of force. For a blade shape that lends itself to being a slicer, it is beyond me as to why they are running 45º-50º bevels.

Not to derail either but the last few Benchmades I have gotten have been all over the place. The 909 I got had a terrible gritty axis lock and was nasty in the smoothness department. It was way worse than a knock off Ganzo or SRM. I took it apart, cleaned it, lubed it, and polished the pivot areas. No it works like it should. Then again, I got an REI grip that was perfect in every way....Hope BM figures out what they want to be before it is too late. I know I can't justify buying these new anymore though....

On topic, the 484 would be great for me if it were a little bigger. I like the looks though.

 

[Terry M.]

Huh. Appreciate you showing the comparison pics. I was thinking it would be bigger. Think I'm gonna have to pass.