485 Valet Discussion Thread

bld522 said:
Hmmm. No response from TechDoc. Anybody else want to step up and answer my question? It's not difficult, really. Can you or can you not get all 4 fingers completely around the Valet's handle if you hold the handle in a hammer grip? If you can do that, please post pics and state your glove size. Otherwise, I know I can't do that with my medium-sized hand and I'm going to assume you can't either. And for me at least, that's a deal-breaker.

Ergos ueber alles!

Thanks. :)
Click to expand...

Angry much?
 
Anybody else notice that the pocket clip is very rough around the edges? I had to "de-bur" mine.
 
Anybody else notice that the pocket clip is very rough around the edges? I had to "de-bur" mine.
Click to expand...

Yes. Mine is functionally fine but uneven and a little rough looking/feeling on the flats of the edges of the clip.
 
I'm looking for a 485 without the first production mark on the blade... Does anyone know if these have started to show up yet?
 
Hello Everyone,

My 1st post. I like small EDC knives. I feel virtually naked if I leave the house without one. I just brought a non numbered Benchmade Valet 485 (Plaza Cutlery - SoCal) its a fantastic gentlemen's EDC. This knife will be my new EDC which replaces my Spyderco Techno, which replaced the Spyderco Chaparral, which replaced a Letterman Micra, you get the point.

I was waiting & hoping that Spyderco would have released the "Ion" which supposed to be a smaller version of their Southard. If they ever do I will certainly check it out, it will have to be spectacular to replace this 485.

The 485, I just love slimness but rugged profile and the overall look & feel of the knife. It's my 1st Axis lock knife, the lock mechanism is an elegant engineering masterpiece!!!! The M390 blade material I don't really have any experience with it other than touching it up with my Sharpmaker, seems similar to the Techno's CTS-XHP.

When I got the 485, blade placement was perfectly centered and reasonably sharp, but the action of the knife was semi stiff and maybe a little gritty. I took it apart cleaned and lubed it, blue loctited all the screws and pivot, the action is much better now. Added a small paracord lanyard to help when removing from my pocket and to individualize it.

With my Spyderco knives I loved to use my thumb in the Spydie hole to flick the blade out, especially the Techno, that "Solenoidal" click is saying I'm ready for business, such a sweet satisfying sound. The 485 at first couldn't flick it out because I was trying to get my thumbnail between the blade stud and G10 scale, it was just too small. Using the fleshy part of my thumb tip, results in flicking joy.

The Good:
Beautiful over all design and build quality
Axis Lock
Premium Blade material
G10 scales
Maximum blade length to handle length
Blade and handle slimness
Deep carry clip
Lanyard hole
Full stainless liner
Light weight

The Bad:
Hate the name - Valet
Blade finish - would gladly pay an extra $20 to have the blade fully stonewashed or polished.
Pocket Clip - should of polished the stamped edge a little more
G10 color - already want to dye the scales
 
Net170 said:
Hello Everyone,

My 1st post. I like small EDC knives. I feel virtually naked if I leave the house without one. I just brought a non numbered Benchmade Valet 485 (Plaza Cutlery - SoCal) its a fantastic gentlemen's EDC. This knife will be my new EDC which replaces my Spyderco Techno, which replaced the Spyderco Chaparral, which replaced a Letterman Micra, you get the point.

I was waiting & hoping that Spyderco would have released the "Ion" which supposed to be a smaller version of their Southard. If they ever do I will certainly check it out, it will have to be spectacular to replace this 485.

The 485, I just love slimness but rugged profile and the overall look & feel of the knife. It's my 1st Axis lock knife, the lock mechanism is an elegant engineering masterpiece!!!! The M390 blade material I don't really have any experience with it other than touching it up with my Sharpmaker, seems similar to the Techno's CTS-XHP.

When I got the 485, blade placement was perfectly centered and reasonably sharp, but the action of the knife was semi stiff and maybe a little gritty. I took it apart cleaned and lubed it, blue loctited all the screws and pivot, the action is much better now. Added a small paracord lanyard to help when removing from my pocket and to individualize it.

With my Spyderco knives I loved to use my thumb in the Spydie hole to flick the blade out, especially the Techno, that "Solenoidal" click is saying I'm ready for business, such a sweet satisfying sound. The 485 at first couldn't flick it out because I was trying to get my thumbnail between the blade stud and G10 scale, it was just too small. Using the fleshy part of my thumb tip, results in flicking joy.

The Good:
Beautiful over all design and build quality
Axis Lock
Premium Blade material
G10 scales
Maximum blade length to handle length
Blade and handle slimness
Deep carry clip
Lanyard hole
Full stainless liner
Light weight

The Bad:
Hate the name - Valet
Blade finish - would gladly pay an extra $20 to have the blade fully stonewashed or polished.
Pocket Clip - should of polished the stamped edge a little more
G10 color - already want to dye the scales
Click to expand...

Very good first post, welcome to Bladeforums. I hope you will stick around and contribute more of your insight. Walter
 
All Benchmade can have blade play due to the finicky adjusting needed. Use loctite, and once u get the screw beginning to tighten, turn it just a hair and keep testing the opening. If u even think you turned the screw, check the opening tension again. Once the tension becomes firm and where you want it, there shouldn't be any blade play. It would take too long at the factory to do this, so some knives are perfect and some have slight play. Besides, this is almost always necessary to do after about 3 months as the knife breaks in anyways. I sell Benchmade all day long, and its the only real "issue" with them is this minor one. Its also why BM sells an adjusting tool. But again, the adjustment is simple and once done correctly it won't move at all and will stay that way for years to come.
 
Net170 said:
Hello Everyone,

My 1st post. I like small EDC knives. I feel virtually naked if I leave the house without one. I just brought a non numbered Benchmade Valet 485 (Plaza Cutlery - SoCal) its a fantastic gentlemen's EDC. This knife will be my new EDC which replaces my Spyderco Techno, which replaced the Spyderco Chaparral, which replaced a Letterman Micra, you get the point.

I was waiting & hoping that Spyderco would have released the "Ion" which supposed to be a smaller version of their Southard. If they ever do I will certainly check it out, it will have to be spectacular to replace this 485.

The 485, I just love slimness but rugged profile and the overall look & feel of the knife. It's my 1st Axis lock knife, the lock mechanism is an elegant engineering masterpiece!!!! The M390 blade material I don't really have any experience with it other than touching it up with my Sharpmaker, seems similar to the Techno's CTS-XHP.

When I got the 485, blade placement was perfectly centered and reasonably sharp, but the action of the knife was semi stiff and maybe a little gritty. I took it apart cleaned and lubed it, blue loctited all the screws and pivot, the action is much better now. Added a small paracord lanyard to help when removing from my pocket and to individualize it.

With my Spyderco knives I loved to use my thumb in the Spydie hole to flick the blade out, especially the Techno, that "Solenoidal" click is saying I'm ready for business, such a sweet satisfying sound. The 485 at first couldn't flick it out because I was trying to get my thumbnail between the blade stud and G10 scale, it was just too small. Using the fleshy part of my thumb tip, results in flicking joy.

The Good:
Beautiful over all design and build quality
Axis Lock
Premium Blade material
G10 scales
Maximum blade length to handle length
Blade and handle slimness
Deep carry clip
Lanyard hole
Full stainless liner
Light weight

The Bad:
Hate the name - Valet
Blade finish - would gladly pay an extra $20 to have the blade fully stonewashed or polished.
Pocket Clip - should of polished the stamped edge a little more
G10 color - already want to dye the scales
Click to expand...
If you like those, the new HK mini axis is awesome too. Reverse tanto blade, D2 tool steel, coffin head handle. Its also sized perfectly like the valet. If you want to check one out, come to Knife Gallery instead of Plaza lol :p. We're hoping to have them in by Friday, but no guarantees. Also, if you like those you can't go wrong with a Spyderco Dragonfly. Its easily one of my favorite small knives. Oh and also Boker is coming out with new Titanium Subcoms by Chad Los Banos, but they're finally in VG-10 steel. They're also making a carbon fiber limited edition of the subcom. We'll have all of those within next week before Wednesday (if they aren't back ordered). I work Tuesday through Friday. If you love talking knives and want to check out some awesome smaller carry, come in then and ask for Derek :)
PS we can also stone wash that blade really easy for you on the valet
 
Thanks for the offer, I will make a point and drop by soon just to check you guys out. I'm interested in the stonewash, especially my on Spyderco Chaparral. The flat grind on it just looks like so many stress risers. Will I lose the spyder logo and Sal's mark? Ballpark cost?
 
I'll let this be a lesson,wait till after shot show to buy new knives. If I hadn't spent money on a nice slipjoint right before...
 
I received my 485 Monday, purchased on the Exchange. This knife really caught my eye when I first saw the photos and specs. Every folder I've ever owned has been 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inch blade length. Smaller are not useful to me, larger I go with a fixed blade.

I really like this knife. Fit and finish are excellent, grind is excellent, very sharp for a factory edge. It was a bit stiff to begin with, I adjusted it to my liking. I can flick it open or closed now, it's getting better with use. The blade finish is OK to me, I bet it won't show wear much. I use it without the clip, my 940-1 is the only knife I've ever left the clip on. Rides nicely in the pocket. This is my first M390 blade, so far, so good.

I got my first good knife in 1966. I'm a user, not a collector, but I'm always on the quest for the perfect knife. If the 485 does get replaced some day by a shinier object, I bet it will be well worn.
 
I have an acid wash Spyderco I did that I could show you. If you dont like it, I could easily explain a few ways to stone wash yourself. I'd do it for you, but my family lost my stone tumbler somehow. But you can do it yourself in about 20min with $5 in costs. Once you're done though, are sharpener can fix the edge. He's been doing it for 38+ years, so you're in good hands.
 
I cary either my Fenix LD12 (1x AA) or Fenix PD22 (1x CR123). Both clip in my off hand pocket like a knife.
 
I love mine.


I'm a couple days in after waiting for the stupid first run knives to run their course. Great little knife for every day tasks.
 
I asked earlier in this thread about possible blade play in the 485 before having bought it. Now that I have had the knife and used it over a period of a few months I repeat the question although with a few details. At first the lockup was solid as can be–no vertical or side-to-side movement in the blade. After a month or two I suddenly noticed that it was moving ever so slightly both vertically and side-to-side. This blade play was not to the extent that it was likely to effect performance but, given the knife's cost, the fact that I hadn't used it for any strenuous tasks and the possibility that it will get worth with time it is definitely a concern. Of course, the side-to-side play disappears after tightening the pivot, but at the point it's tight enough to prevent any blade play it becomes difficult to open and close. If I push the lock bar forward after locking it open the vertical play disappears but it should lock solidly on simply opening without any additional effort. Is this a known issue with the Axis Lock, could it just be the case with the smaller version of that Lock, or is this problem particular to my knife?
 
I have carried and used the 707 extensively, and it never developed blade play. It did become much smoother after a few days, but was fine.
My hesitation about the Valet is in the new steel. I wonder how it is, after reading some posts with complaints about the 390.
 
I bought a 485 Valet in August. After opening one box and the plastic wrapping on a liquor bottle I had an chip in the blade edge right on the blade belly. Sent back to Benchmade and had it replaced under warranty. Been running okay since then.
 
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