757 Vicar, Why the Blue Class?

E

EDCanAdamas

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Sep 8, 2013
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I noticed the new 757 Vicar on my favorite knife retailer today and I love the size, blade shape, and the fact that it's a liner lock. Unfortunately, Benchmade is producing this knife as a Blue Class (which they label as "Recreation" on their website) rather than as a Black Class (Professional). I feel like this knife has a good foundational Sibert design, but that it was poorly executed once produced.

Here's are my issues (with the knife :D), which are partly related to it being a Blue Class:

1. The green on black G10. Some of you might love this, but I hate it. I like my knives have one color per scale, and like Henry Ford, I prefer that color to be black. At least when companies do layered G10 it looks like camo and not colored slabs.
2. The pocket clip... This area is often a make-or-break for people, and this one disappoints. It's (a) silver so that everyone can see this huge knife in your pocket, and (b) not transferable to the other side of the knife.

If this knife was a Black Class, I feel that the clip would have been black and adjustable. The scales (which some of you might like, I just don't) probably would have been black too, matching the blade. Perhaps Benchmade didn't want this competing with the Adamas, although at around $100 more, that shouldn't really be a factor.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.
 
I agree and think you hit the nail on the head, but I really like that it's blue class. Black class has the Adamas, Contego, and Bedlam; three phenomenal BIG knives. But I don't think "big" knives have to always be "work" blades. The blue class was lacking a nice beefy blade and the Vicar fills that role nicely. I'm actually a big fan of the G10 color and style, and I've never been a fan of deep carry clips so those points I'm fine with. I just think the Vicar is filling a big hole in Benchmade's product line and I'm really happy with it.
 
Kragg said:
But I don't think "big" knives have to always be "work" blades. The blue class was lacking a nice beefy blade and the Vicar fills that role nicely.
Click to expand...

That's a really interesting point. I honestly have always seen big knives as work knives. Thanks Kragg.
 
I think what puts the knife in the Blue Class is the liner lock. Although it's a chunk of titanium and could be used in a defense situation most would criticize them for putting a liner lock on a knife marketed to the hard use/tactical market.

As always, I'm probably wrong. :)
 
None of my knives have a Tactical purpose, unless it's to dispatch an orange. ;) I've always thought the difference between black and blue class to be marketing. The Adamas and Contego look nice, but smaller knives like the 525 and older Strykers are better for general utility/work. My grandfather bought me my first pocket knife and they were always small, yet were used every day. And am sure they got the job done. I may be wrong, but that's usually the case! :cool:
 
My 757 arrived in the mail last Saturday and I'm digging it big time! Sure it's a liner lock but as thick as the liners are it might as well be a frame lock, my Strider SNG CC frame lock is only slightly thicker than the 757. Now for the scales, the green over-scales are waaaay to rough and should effectively shred my jean pocket tops in no time, to the belt sander they must go.... or maybe some nice smooth G10 replacements? The blade is a beast and will surely do some heavy camping duty this year, I can't find anything wrong with it as far as any uses I might come across.

All I can say is you have to hold this model to truly appreciate the weight, action and potential of this knife. Benchmade if you're listening? 757 FIXED BLADE in a 5 to 6" model next please!
 
Got to handle the Vicar last week at my local knife shop for a good while and I freaking loved it! Every bit of it felt stronger, more stout and more secure than even my Contego. The most heavily built, confidence inspiring Benchmade I have ever handled. At first I thought the angular G10 design would produce tons of hotspots when gripped but it actually felt great! I went through all the different grip positions and each one felt comfortable and secure. The liner lock on the Vicar is pretty damn impressive, thick and long locking up perfectly. I did not buy the Vicar that day as I have a ton of Benchmades already and have recently just gotten my first couple of Spydercos but I just cant get how awesome the vicar was off my mind. Will be heading back to the knife shop to pick it up this weekend
 
I just picked up a 757 yesterday. I absolutely love it. I don't see any issues with the liner lock at all. In fact, the liner is almost as thick as the frame on a lot of other knives. There is absolutely no blade play and it locks up rock solid with a very satisfying click. Once you start that big blade opening, inertia takes over and it swings out almost on its own. As far as the rough scales, there's a couple of things you could do. I smoothed mine out on the clip side where the clip produces the most force against the pocket material wit 400 grit sandpaper. That really did the trick. Another option is to remove the green g10 layer and now it's just black. If you do this, you'll need some shorter screws for the clip as they will protrude through the liner. Benchmade will be more than happy to send you the screws if you ask them. A third option is to buy aftermarket scales. Personally, I like mine the way it is, with the clip side scales smoothed a little. This knife, although big, really doesn't draw attention, even with that titanium clip. I have a Spyderco paramilitary 2 that came with a bright polished SS clip that may as well be a neon sign pointing to the knife for all to see.

In short, I can't really find any major faults with this knife other than I would probably like to have a solid slab of sculpted g10 rather than the layers. But that's minor. Love it, love it, love it!
 
The clip on my 757 is the same color as the liners, bronze anodized Titanium. The green G10 doesn't both me, but I'm not crazy about it either. It's different. As far as the class of knife, Benchmade must have been going more for a the collaborative effort, the way Shane designed and makes the customs instead of the model being converted to something else that would not resemble his custom. The Pocket Rocket Benchmade also does not have a reversible pocket clip either.
Depending on the knife, the shiny pocket clips don't bother me. I've never found them to be a beacon for wandering eyes, since they are small and can easily be mistaken for a pen. Oh well, different strokes I guess.
 
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