Ive had a 490 for just under a week and surprisingly, even for a new knife, Ive carried it almost exclusively since I got it. Just some perspective on my knife uses I use a knife in an urban environment mostly for light day-to-day tasks like opening mail and packages, cutting string and zip ties and a bit of food prep. Thin blade stock works for my uses. I prefer smooth handles that dont shred my trouser pockets and have come to appreciate blades in the 3.125 to 3.25 inch range as they generally have handles I can get a full grip on and the blade length is useful for apples and the like without being a full size folder (a Griptillan is probably my lower end of full size).
top to bottom : 477, 943, 490, 745, 470
The obvious comparison is to the 470 and 477 size wise it fits between them, the blades are similar in profile, aluminum handles and it is assisted. From a blade length and sliciness perspective it compares to my 745 which is one of my all time favorite Benchmades and this Amicus may well, over time give it a run for its money. The photos have a 943 in as well for side / blade shape comparison.
Handle : The aluminum is smoother than the chalky texture on a new 94x or 470/7 and has a much more glossy finish. I actually quite like it. The ergos of the handle are brilliant in my hands (small) and there are no perceivable hot spots. The edges are all well chamfered and softgiving the knife a really good feel in the hand. I really dislike that little choil on the 470 and 477 and the 490 handle is what I would have liked the 470 to have been. As I said, the smooth finish works for me as it doesnt shred pockets and the clip (my favorite BM clip along with the clip on the Torrent) holds the knife securely in the pocket but still allows an easy, smooth extraction. The axis bar has the same studs as the 470 and 477 which are really nice and a bit more decorative than the standard axis studs.
Blade : Ive chopped up some onions, wet biltong (jerky) and some cardboard and intuitively this is a better than average slicer with the thin blade stock and a ¾ flat grind. The profile works well for me (not too much belly) and the point is a bit more delicate than Id like but I know to look out for it. The blade shape works well for me and my average cutting tasks. S90V is pretty new to me and time will tell if I can sharpen this the way I get my S30V sharp. It came nice and sharp out the box and Ive had no need so far to pull out the Sharpmaker that will tell me if I need to reprofile.
943 blade thickness vs the 490
Flipper and assist : The opening action is very smooth and the assist is not as violent as my 477 or my automatics (more about that below). Despite the tiny flipper tab the action is easy to actuate and opens with a fairly soft touch. The flipper tab is flush with the guard when the blade is open in a really well executed piece of design. The safety is in the same place as the 470s safety which I prefer to the position of the safety on the 477 and Barrages. Maybe not so good for lefties or with gloves though.
The 490 will probably become a regular feature in my rotation even after the new knife thrill wears off, my only real problem may be issues with the law South African law doesnt really understand assisted vs automatic and its going to be difficult explaining to a cop that this isnt an automatic the action of pressing the flipper gently and pressing a button on the side is not very different. Autos are legal here but most cops will find a reason to confiscate it or give you a lot of grief as an automatic is immediately assumed to be a weapon rather than a tool.
Thats a quick overview from a very short period of ownership it is, in my opinion, a great urban EDC. It might not be completely sheeple friendly but it ticks a lot of my boxes. A three week road trip to Namibia is coming and that will really give it a go camping and being in the outdoors.
top to bottom : 477, 943, 490, 745, 470
The obvious comparison is to the 470 and 477 size wise it fits between them, the blades are similar in profile, aluminum handles and it is assisted. From a blade length and sliciness perspective it compares to my 745 which is one of my all time favorite Benchmades and this Amicus may well, over time give it a run for its money. The photos have a 943 in as well for side / blade shape comparison.
Handle : The aluminum is smoother than the chalky texture on a new 94x or 470/7 and has a much more glossy finish. I actually quite like it. The ergos of the handle are brilliant in my hands (small) and there are no perceivable hot spots. The edges are all well chamfered and softgiving the knife a really good feel in the hand. I really dislike that little choil on the 470 and 477 and the 490 handle is what I would have liked the 470 to have been. As I said, the smooth finish works for me as it doesnt shred pockets and the clip (my favorite BM clip along with the clip on the Torrent) holds the knife securely in the pocket but still allows an easy, smooth extraction. The axis bar has the same studs as the 470 and 477 which are really nice and a bit more decorative than the standard axis studs.
Blade : Ive chopped up some onions, wet biltong (jerky) and some cardboard and intuitively this is a better than average slicer with the thin blade stock and a ¾ flat grind. The profile works well for me (not too much belly) and the point is a bit more delicate than Id like but I know to look out for it. The blade shape works well for me and my average cutting tasks. S90V is pretty new to me and time will tell if I can sharpen this the way I get my S30V sharp. It came nice and sharp out the box and Ive had no need so far to pull out the Sharpmaker that will tell me if I need to reprofile.
943 blade thickness vs the 490
Flipper and assist : The opening action is very smooth and the assist is not as violent as my 477 or my automatics (more about that below). Despite the tiny flipper tab the action is easy to actuate and opens with a fairly soft touch. The flipper tab is flush with the guard when the blade is open in a really well executed piece of design. The safety is in the same place as the 470s safety which I prefer to the position of the safety on the 477 and Barrages. Maybe not so good for lefties or with gloves though.
The 490 will probably become a regular feature in my rotation even after the new knife thrill wears off, my only real problem may be issues with the law South African law doesnt really understand assisted vs automatic and its going to be difficult explaining to a cop that this isnt an automatic the action of pressing the flipper gently and pressing a button on the side is not very different. Autos are legal here but most cops will find a reason to confiscate it or give you a lot of grief as an automatic is immediately assumed to be a weapon rather than a tool.
Thats a quick overview from a very short period of ownership it is, in my opinion, a great urban EDC. It might not be completely sheeple friendly but it ticks a lot of my boxes. A three week road trip to Namibia is coming and that will really give it a go camping and being in the outdoors.
