A Benchmade 730 "Elishewitz"...

glockman99

glockman99

RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
Joined
Jun 12, 2000
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This morning I received a (NIB) Benchmade 730 "Elishewitz" from a recent trade (satin blade, plain-edge)...(BTW...Thanks for the trade, "PCK50"!). Even after MANY years of "collecting" knives, this is my FIRST Benchmade, and it sure WON'T be my last!

...The fit & finish, as well as the grind-lines, is totally PERFECT. (In reading through some past reviews of the model 730, it looked like there might have been "problems" with un-even grind-lines on some knives, but this one is 100% perfect.).

...And SMOOTH...Dang, I have NEVER, EVER, NEVER had a folder that opened and closed soooooooo smoothly, quickly, and positively as this Benchmade 730 does. It is smooth like glass on glass with a layer of oil between 'em!...(It is even smoother than the "'Benza" I once owned!). It opens so quickly, that I SWEAR it MUST have the "Ken Onion Speed-Safe" in it!. It also locks open (and closed) very solidly, with NO blade-play in ANY direction.

...And sculptured and colored G-10 scales, dual stainless liners, dual thumb-studs, a low-ride pocket-clip that can be put on either side, the ambidextrious "Axis-lock", and a razor-sharp 154CM blade...PERFECT.

...And as a "lefty", this knife is "just right"!.:).

(I think that this Benchmade 730 is going to give my beloved Al Mar SERE 2000 a good "run for its' money" as my favorite folder!.:D.).
 
I can't believe that this is your first Benchmade!:eek: I know that you like some pretty substantial knives like the SERE. I recommend the BM 520 as another handfilling BM. The Griptillian and the orginal 710 aren't bad either.
 
Originally posted by anthony cheeseboro
I can't believe that this is your first Benchmade!:eek: I know that you like some pretty substantial knives like the SERE. I recommend the BM 520 as another handfilling BM. The Griptillian and the orginal 710 aren't bad either.
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Yes, I've been looking over the specs of the BM 710, and I think I might have to get one of those.:D.
 
Originally posted by glockman99
...And sculptured and colored G-10 scales, dual stainless liners, dual thumb-studs, a low-ride pocket-clip that can be put on either side, the ambidextrious "Axis-lock", and a razor-sharp 154CM blade...PERFECT.
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Dann, After reading so many good comments and reviews about the SERE 2000, which I believe were mostly from you :p, I eventually got one for myself last month. Totally awesome.

And now, you came up with this review about the 730 (I've been eyeing it, and the 735, for some time now... and I see you mentioned low-ride clip). Thanks for the information. That just leaves one more little problem - 730 or 735? Hmm....

BTW I got my BM520 just last Saturday :D (3 months' wait). Gonna beat the hell out of it, which the blade finish calls for.
 
the 730 is my favorite BM, the steel liners are THICK and the knife feels rock solid
 
The BM 730 is indeed a good one. I have had many Benchmades over the years and this is the only one I have left. It is my "beater" knife so to speak. Use it for everything around the house, shop, garage and yard. I have the limited production model in M2 steel and carbon fiber. Blade basically looks like **** now with the coating all removed from the tip and the rest of the blade scratched and marred badly. Still works perfectly, is rock solid and probably smoother now than ever.
 
Welcome to the BM family. You're gonna love the ARES!

I heartily recommend the BM Ares. I've got a limited edition 732D2BT in D2, but the new 732 is 154cm, and comes with black G10 (in case you weren't a fan of the coloured maroon/green varieties).

My ARES replaced my SERE as my EDC. Haven't looked back, it's that good of a knife. It might be the most under appreciated knife in BM's lineup. For some reason the 806D2 and 710HS take all the glory... I find the 3.6" blade on the ARES to be the absolute perfect EDC size. Big enough without being too big. (and it's a similiar profile to the SERE, without being quite so bulky)

Regards,

Shaun.
 
I now own several Benchmade knives and regard them highly. I think an ARES may see a lot of use by me as well. Everything you have said about your 730 Glockman is true for all the BM's I have (800 in M2, 806SD2, 722BT, 690BC1CF, 741D2CF, 140HS)

They are wonderful knives. I am hoping to find someone who may wish to trade an ARES for my 690BC1CF - It's CF w/ "blue" wood.

Congratulations and enjoy! - Jeff/1911.:p
 
I also have a few relatively old benchmades. The Elishewitz, a couple of Emersons and a lovely little Pardue. They have stood up extremely well and they are excedptional knives. But somewhere I heard that the newer ones may not be quite the same quality. I wish I had bought more.
 
I once had an Ares, courtesy of Esav here on BF. I used it to baton through some sheet metal. At the time it was a BT2 serrated model. Now it is at the Benchmade shop, becoming a plain edge, satin finished model. It lives on, despite doing things that are more suited to a chop saw.
 
I have to admit that I put my Limited Edition 730CFHS to use as a beater knife like blademan 13. It just looks like it's made for hard work. This one has been the only knife I have to give my LCC D/A a run for hard-use-EDC position. I actually intend to get a satin finished D2 blade and stick it in the carbon fiber handles. That would be much more to my liking.:D

DD
 
Nathan S,

Stop torturing the Glockman. :D

HJK,

The quality of Benchmades has changed since I got my first 730 two years ago. They're a lot better now.
 
Originally posted by thombrogan
Nathan S,

Stop torturing the Glockman. :D
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Heh, heh. I was going to wait a bit, and then recommend the BM720, too. Give ol' Dann a serious jones for Benchmades. ;)
 
Well, I don't see anyone offering to trade THEIR BM 710 to me, so it MUST be a GOOD folder that no-one wants to trade-off.:(.
 
Originally posted by glockman99
Well, I don't see anyone offering to trade THEIR BM 710 to me, so it MUST be a GOOD folder that no-one wants to trade-off.:(.
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Yep. Especially the 710HS in M2 high speed tool steel. :D

GOOD friends of mine get his 'n' hers BM 710/705 sets as wedding presents from me. (Lesser friends get carving sets.)

The 730 is a freaking tank. Someone at Benchmade owed me a favor, so I have a carbon fiber 730 with an S30V blade. It's my "not going downtown, no sheeple to scare" EDC.
 
Originally posted by Nick Hyle
...GOOD friends of mine get his 'n' hers BM 710/705 sets as wedding presents from me. (Lesser friends get carving sets.)
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Hey, I COULD be your good friend, and you didn't buy ME a wedding present yet.:D

...Actually, I think that I finally made a trade for a BM 710!!.:).:).
 
Yup, now my 730 will have a companion...This 710 will be sort of like its' big brother, and it only has to make a short trip across the state to get to me...So (Monday), this BM 710 will be in a wrestling match with my Al Mar SERE 2000 for "pocket-rights".:D.
 
Dann,

I think that the 806D2 or 520 will give the SERE a tougher fight, but your addiction to axis-locked Benchmades is new and the 710 (and 730) kick major amounts of butt and skull.
 
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