Anyone tried a Benchmade 480 yet?

H

_habit_

Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
1,131
I'm considering one for my next knife, but I'm hoping to hear 1st hand accounts of it, if anyone has had a chance to get one (maybe prototypes or 1st runs?).

If you haven't tried one, either way, do you think it would make for a good EDC? Pretty thin blade, good for cutting tape and cardboard? S30V, G10 and Winewood, thin knife overall, I like that it is clipless with a sheath+clip because that way I can carry it in my pocket and not worry about it scratching the face of my phone, and for use it won't have a clip, which feels better IMO.

Also, all aspects of the knife would be new to me. Benchmade, S30V, G10 (and winewood), blue anodized titanium liners which are just fancy, but add elegance, the Nak-Lok is very cool as well.

Thanks, and sorry if it has been discussed before, but search is disabled for lowlifes such as myself ;P (maybe one day I'll upgrade my account).

EDIT: Linkage if you aren't familiar with the knife.
 
I get by, with a little bump, from my friends! Beatles songs can be referenced anytime, anywhere.
 
No, but I have one on order. I am very interested in this knife as well. So if anyone has any new info it would be greatly appreciated.
 
When Benchmade says, "The 480 Shoki™ is the embodiment of a gentlemen’s carry." I wouldn't expect it to be a big time cardboard cutter. Although, with a thin blade it likely would slice well.
 
What would make it not well suited for cutting cardboard? I mean, a razor blade is thin and designed just for that. You wouldn't want to be cutting cardboard with a really thick knife, at least I should think not... my Spyderco Persian and Spin both apparently have blades of similar thickness.

If gentleman's carry knives are designed to be thin-bladed, but not made to cut cardboard, what is their purpose?
 
Comparatively, which would you guys EDC? A Spyderco Stretch 2, the Benchmade 480, a Benchmade 930, or a Benchmade 635?
 
I'm guessing a thin blade will cut the cardboard well but it might not be too tough or have the desired edge retention. I also think the main purpose of the thin blade is to give the knife a slimmer profile.
 
_habit_ said:
Comparatively, which would you guys EDC? A Spyderco Stretch 2, the Benchmade 480, a Benchmade 930, or a Benchmade 635?
Click to expand...

I've carried a Mini Skirmish and still do occasionally and it's a great EDC. Slim and fits in the pocket well. I carried it IN the pocket, not clipped to the pocket, and I still barely notice it.
 
It sounds like you should get yourself that Benchmade 480. All of the other knives you mentioned sound great (I have a Spyderco brand Stretch II and it's the bizzles' knizzles, m'dizzle! ), but you'll driving yourself nuts wondering whether you should've gotten the Benchmade 480 instead of a substitute knife (such as Kershaw's ET 1900 or Spyderco's ZDP/CF Caly3!).
 
thombrogan said:
It sounds like you should get yourself that Benchmade 480. All of the other knives you mentioned sound great (I have a Spyderco brand Stretch II and it's the bizzles' knizzles, m'dizzle! ), but you'll driving yourself nuts wondering whether you should've gotten the Benchmade 480 instead of a substitute knife (such as Kershaw's ET 1900 or Spyderco's ZDP/CF Caly3!).
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking, but I have also really wanted the 635 and the Stretch 2 for a long time... the Stretch 2 is limited edition isn't it? That might push me to purchase it first... The Stretch 2 has a pretty thin blade, too, doesn't it? How's it perform for you thom?
 
When I have picked up Benchmades, I have always thought that they felt cheap. Even the 940 in aluminum with S30V (at $160 dollars plus!) just did not seem right or have the finish like a Spyderco or a Kershaw. Especially the Griptilian that I picked up from a friend and gave back right away because of the hollow thump made when I closed the blade and the lack of nested liners for strength.

The thickness or lack thereof has very little to do with the ability of a nife to slice. However, the grind has everything to do with it. Take a hollow versus a flat grind. A hollow grind will catch the material the slightest as it passes on the concave "hollow" that gives it its name and the micro-bevel on the edge presents resistance from the start. Yet, a flat grind has little to no restriction on the movement of the material past the blade and, as such, cuts through anything smoothly and efficiently. Like in a Caly3.
 
VanDro said:
When I have picked up Benchmades, I have always thought that they felt cheap. Even the 940 in aluminum with S30V (at $160 dollars plus!) just did not seem right or have the finish like a Spyderco or a Kershaw. Especially the Griptilian that I picked up from a friend and gave back right away because of the hollow thump made when I closed the blade and the lack of nested liners for strength.

The thickness or lack thereof has very little to do with the ability of a nife to slice. However, the grind has everything to do with it. Take a hollow versus a flat grind. A hollow grind will catch the material the slightest as it passes on the concave "hollow" that gives it its name and the micro-bevel on the edge presents resistance from the start. Yet, a flat grind has little to no restriction on the movement of the material past the blade and, as such, cuts through anything smoothly and efficiently. Like in a Caly3.
Click to expand...

I've picked up one of
http://benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=440
before and it did feel cheap because it was so light... it weighs the same as the 480 as well... my Spyderco Spin also felt ridiculously light at first, but eventually I got used to the weight. Now I'm unsure of the 480 just because it weighs so little, and I like some weight to my knife, I'm afraid I might not be as inclined to pick it up... there are some Benchmade dealers around here, I could see if any of them have one eventually...

How can I tell what kind of grind a blade has?
 
The Stretch II will only be a limited edition if the sales get too slow. It has a fairly thin edge out of box (rebevelled down to 10 degrees per side without taking forever or having a wide bevel) and its handle texture is awesome (not sure why they needed CF instead of G-10, though :confused: ). It's a gents' knife that doesn't shy from folding knife work. I like mine tons (and the CF/ZDP Caly3 even more! I know you didn't ask, but maybe you meant to and got distracted? :confused: ).

Get 480 and enjoy the Nak-Lok, the thin blade, and the classiness of the winewood/g-10 combo and pocket sheath. It's the first knife you thought of when creating this thread.

Thanks to that horrible link you posted, I'm all puppy-eyed over that Benchmade 950. :mad:
 
thombrogan said:
The Stretch II will only be a limited edition if the sales get too slow. It has a fairly thin edge out of box (rebevelled down to 10 degrees per side without taking forever or having a wide bevel) and its handle texture is awesome (not sure why they needed CF instead of G-10, though :confused: ). It's a gents' knife that doesn't shy from folding knife work. I like mine tons (and the CF/ZDP Caly3 even more! I know you didn't ask, but maybe you meant to and got distracted? :confused: ).

Get 480 and enjoy the Nak-Lok, the thin blade, and the classiness of the winewood/g-10 combo and pocket sheath. It's the first knife you thought of when creating this thread.

Thanks to that horrible link you posted, I'm all puppy-eyed over that Benchmade 950. :mad:
Click to expand...

Hrmm, you're very right thom! Dang, now you've reminded me that I really need to apply myself to learning to use those benchstones...

I just really didn't think about the Caly 3 as an option... I forgot it was laminate ZDP, but that is weird to me, not saying I wouldn't buy it because of that, it's just weird lol. I've never really found the knife all that attractive though. And the shiny CF isn't really my thing...

Any knife you may fall in love with because of my topic is not my fault. If you're married I do apologize to your wife though. I'm just making you spend money on knives aren't I (I say that, but it is NOT my fault, because I said it isn't.)?
 
Research the knives on the manufacturer's website. I know for a fact that Spyderco is good about including the grind in the knife description and I am pretty sure that Benchmade would too. It is one of the most important aspects beyond blade steel and length after all.
 
_habit_,

No need to worry about me buying Benchmades, though I'll pine over any axis lock designed by Osborbe, kick myself over missing out on the M2 Ritter Grip, and drool at the Morpho. I'm good at it. Gots my 921 Switchback and my Nim Cub in M2 with Krein regrind and sheath and that's more than enough.

If you don't have any benchstones just yet, you might want to consider getting a 'system' like the EdgePro Apex. Easier to get consistantly sharp, esthetically pleasing edges with such things and you'll sacrifice less edges to the sharpening spirits. Plus, I'm sure your handskillz with flipping trump freehand edges.
 
VanDro said:
When I have picked up Benchmades, I have always thought that they felt cheap. Even the 940 in aluminum with S30V (at $160 dollars plus!) just did not seem right or have the finish like a Spyderco or a Kershaw. Especially the Griptilian that I picked up from a friend and gave back right away because of the hollow thump made when I closed the blade and the lack of nested liners for strength.
Click to expand...

That's not my experience. I rate the 943 (which cost me $121, not $160 plus) as one of the best folders out there. Mine is flawless.

Regarding the Griptilian, it has nested steel liners and is a very strong knife.

_habit_ said:
Comparatively, which would you guys EDC? A Spyderco Stretch 2, the Benchmade 480, a Benchmade 930, or a Benchmade 635?
Click to expand...

Out of those, the Stretch II. I suggest that you consider the Benchmade 943 Osborne and the Benchmade Mini RSK Mk1 (Ritter Mini Grip) too. They are two of my favourite knives for EDC.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top