Anyone own an 820 Ascent?

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glocker199

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I just acquired a like new vintage 820 Ascent [ETA: This particular knife might actually be the earlier Eclipse.] and I've got to say it's quite impressive.

For starters, it's EXTREMELY light, like lighter than my 530 light. The action is very smooth, the lockup solid and the detent is perfect. It's a bit longer in the handle than a mini Grip and the blade is about the same length, but narrower and thicker through the spine.

Honestly, I love the blade shape. Long, gracefully tapered with a beautiful grind. It would be great for detail work and would be an excellent fishing knife. Nutnfancy would love the "purposeful JIMP-IMG" at the base of the spine.:D

I probably won't keep it as I'm trying to switch over to all Axis lock, all tip up, all thumb stud knives, but this is a very interesting little Benchmade, none the less. Who knows, I might just talk myself into keeping it after all.

Anyone else have one of these little beauties?

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Size comparison with a mini Grip.

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41CF1928-3488-4195-BF9F-EEAA004FDB4F-15392-00000F206E60A48D_zpsa3ea38cc.jpg
 
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I got several of the old bm models like yours,

bm dropped the ball when the quit producing them.

seems spyderco endura and delica are two of there best sellers.
 
I've got everything else in the Ascent line and owned that one. It's just a little too small for my hands. As my friend Punisher says they are among the better old school Benchmades. More than a few of us would welcome a return to simple yet bombproof designs like these. You have a nice example!
 
THE PUNISHER said:
I got several of the old bm models like yours,

bm dropped the ball when the quit producing them.

seems spyderco endura and delica are two of there best sellers.
Click to expand...

This does seem like it would be a great competitor for the Delica. US made and I much prefer the blade shape. Never cared for Spyderco's wide blade and large hole.
 
I have one, the weak link on some of them that were used hard was the threaded inserts for the clip screws would pull out of the handle over time if you used it a lot, or increased the pocket clip tension. Mine pulled out on tip down carry one day when the clip got caught on something as I walked by, so I swapped the clip the tip up inserts and after those pulled out as well it was relegated to the junk drawer. Other than that they were a great knife for the price in their time, but frankly when you can get a Manix 2 or Griptillian for not much more money I'd consider either vastly superior to the Ascent.

Originally I think it was a way to try and get the super popular AFCK blade shape at a much lower price point. I'd love to see a large scale production of the AFCK with an axis lock brought back, I think it would be a hugely popular offering because the blade/handle shape was so popular.
 
And with the blade shape complimenting both TSEK and AFCK the Ascents; there are many of these still out there and it's noted how popular the lockback still is. My 831 Utility is an EDC and the 440C blade is a great slicer.
 
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