Axis-lock Tanto

Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
607
Thinking about getting a Benchmade 722 tanto but I would like the opinions of those that own one first.I'm familiar with Benchmades axis-lock,but have never owned a tanto bladed knife.
 
Rock solid -- I'll pry with this if I have to (haven't had to yet), and the only other knife I do that with is my fixed Strider BT/SS.

Unlike my linerlocksm with which I rear to even dig something imbedded in wood due to concerns of torsion causing the liner to fail, I've done so with complete abandon and confidence with the 722.

=)

The problems that I have with it is that as an EDC, it really lacks true slicing ability as it, as with all "tantos" lack a belly. The point at which the primary and secondarty edges come together slices nicely, but it's hard to control for fine cuts. The next and last concern is that the handle texture is rather too slipery for serious work.....nice if you just want it to rest in your pocket, but for "hard use," I'd want something that bites my hand a bit more.

I bought the 722 for the tiughness of both the tanto point and the AXIS lock -- for a "medium-hard" duty folder when I hit the great outdoors. It's a step up in toughness from my usual EDC liner locks, and a step below, say, a tanto Strider SnG, which I would task as "heavy-abuse" duty viable (but for which, for my intended use, I could not justify the investment cost).

Hope this helps!

Allen
aka DumboRAT
 
I carried one for quite a while until I gave it to my Uncle this past summer.

It's a good knife all round although I could never quite get the hang of sharpening that tanto edge. Used it to pry open paint cans and basically do all the dirty work that I didn't want my Sebenza to touch.

I carried mine mostly IWB and grew quite fond of it considering I'm not a huge tanto fan.
 
Originally posted by BOK
It's a good knife all round although I could never quite get the hang of sharpening that tanto edge.

LOL, I know just what you mean.

The "tanto" blades are my workers, too, and sharpening them is something that's akin to a sacrifice of love -- or PITA, depending on just how fond you are of them!

:)

Allen
aka DumboRAT
 
I got one 722 and it's a great knife but mine came out of the box not nearly as sharp as my BM ares or my spyderco VG-10 Lum. Maybe a lemon...
 
Originally posted by WillyD
I got one 722 and it's a great knife but mine came out of the box not nearly as sharp as my BM ares or my spyderco VG-10 Lum. Maybe a lemon...

I have to agree, mine wasn't quite as sharp as my VG-10 Spydercos nor my VG-10 Al Mar, which, to-date in my modest collection, have been the sharpest "out-of-the-box" production blades I've sampled.

Even my M2HS Nimravus wasn't as sharp as the above, although noticeably more so than the 722.

But then again, I pretty much expect to have to self-sharpen all of my new tools.

:)

Allen
aka DumboRAT
 
Mine, on the other hand - was quite sharp out of the box.

As stated by others, it's a tough knife, and it rotates as part of my EDC.
 
I have a 722 and it was my very first tanto-blade knife.
It is one extremely tough folder.
But it was replaced by my 550 Griptilian (another Mel Pardue design).

Why?
The tanto blade.
I just could not cut accurately and precisely with it, and it's just a little short for slicing.
The thumbstuds got in the way when slicing through stuff too.

Now I prefer the the modified Sheepsfoot and thumbhole on the 550.
I also like the 550's handle a little better--especially at the pinky finger.

Now if Benchmade would only make a 550 in G-10 or aluminum handle...

Good luck,
Allen.
 
About a year ago, maybe a little longer, Benchmade started sharpening their knives with a thinner edge. Prior to that they had a tendancy to feel more dull because of their thickness. They also had a tendency to leave the shop a little dull anyway. If you compare older BM's to the newer thinner edged ones you will see the difference. I have had many BM's with the newer edge and they have all been razors, I'm very pleased with the change.

I have not had a 722 but I love my 720 with Realtree G-10, especially since I swapped the combo edge with a plain edge standard 720 :)
 
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