- Joined
- Feb 25, 2001
- Messages
- 6,675
Well, I've now owned my CRKT BladeLOCK for almost a month now. I've carried and used it often, and have tried getting used to the unusual locking mechanism. All in all, I like the knife but I'm not too crazy about the locking mechanism. The ergonomics are sensational, the looks are very nice, and the blade shape is one of my favorites. The lock seems plenty strong, but its just too big a pain for me to use. The opening is very mechanical and requires a bit of concentration. I also still have an issue with any knife that has lubrication points exposed to my clothes. Ive also decided that Im pretty picky about deep pocket carry. If the knife doesnt hide itself when not in use, its not for me. The BladeLock rides pretty high.
So there I was getting annoyed with my BladeLOCK today, when I did a little Internet searching. I came up with a brick and mortar knife store about 45 minutes away from me. As I was searching for a good friends birthday present, and my wife needed a new butchers block, we headed off in search of pointy gadgets. The store was absolutely great and had a dynamite selection. The owner and I had a great time hanging out and talking knives. He even has a knife sharpening service and put a razor sharp on my Camillus EDC for me.
After trying out pretty much every knife in the store, I decided to pick up a Benchmade Ares 730. Id always wanted to try out an Axis lock, and thought it would be fun to put it head to head with the BladeLOCK. I once made the suggestion that the BladeLOCK might be a poor mans Axis lock, but I was terribly wrong. The Axis lock is simply amazing!!! The action is smooth as silk, rock solid, and outrageously easy to operate. Its also ambidextrous. That doesnt mean much to me, but I can see that it might be a big deal for lefties. The Axis lock is so far above the BladeLOCK that it just isnt worth comparing. I really wanted the BladeLOCK to be a big competitor, but its not.
The only downside to the Axis lock for me is the fact that I find Benchmades to be pretty ugly. The only ones I could live with the looks of were the 730, 750, 720 and the 690. The 690 was gorgeous in fact!!!! Its absolutely breathtaking. Too bad it isnt an Axis. I would have paid any price for an Axis 690. The 720 was a little too small for my hands, so I ended up going with the 730. The 730 doesnt have the looks of a CRKT, Camillus EDC or many other knives, but at least its not terrible. I also like spear points, so the blade shape was a big plus. I tried out a few of them, which were all very dull. Its a good thing that the dealer is also a knife sharpener or he might have lost the sale.
So Ill spend a few weeks with the Ares 730. Initial impressions are quite high, so this one may grow on me. I hope it grows on me better than my BladeLOCK.
While Im writing, Ill spew out my impressions of a few other knives I tried out:
Benchmade Pinnacle: Im a frame lock kind of guy, but I dont like this one. The looks and ergos are nice, but the knife just isnt smooth by any stretch of the imagination. Ive had POS knives that were smoother than a Pinnacle. I was very bummed out by this guy. Ill stick with my Camillus EDC.
Benchmade Griptilian: A better choice than the BladeLOCK if youre on a budget .. if you can get over the weird shape of the blade.
CRKT Tighe Tac: Possibly the most uncomfortable knife Ive ever handled.
CRKT Wasp: A gorgeous knife for the price. The looks are as nice as the Benchmade 690, and the ergos arent nearly as bad to me as some have said. I wish my 730 came in that pretty blue G10.
Benchmade Big Spender: I ended up picking this knife up for my friend. I like it a lot. Benchmade got the action right on this frame lock.
[This message has been edited by Buzzbait (edited 06-18-2001).]
[This message has been edited by Buzzbait (edited 06-18-2001).]
So there I was getting annoyed with my BladeLOCK today, when I did a little Internet searching. I came up with a brick and mortar knife store about 45 minutes away from me. As I was searching for a good friends birthday present, and my wife needed a new butchers block, we headed off in search of pointy gadgets. The store was absolutely great and had a dynamite selection. The owner and I had a great time hanging out and talking knives. He even has a knife sharpening service and put a razor sharp on my Camillus EDC for me.
After trying out pretty much every knife in the store, I decided to pick up a Benchmade Ares 730. Id always wanted to try out an Axis lock, and thought it would be fun to put it head to head with the BladeLOCK. I once made the suggestion that the BladeLOCK might be a poor mans Axis lock, but I was terribly wrong. The Axis lock is simply amazing!!! The action is smooth as silk, rock solid, and outrageously easy to operate. Its also ambidextrous. That doesnt mean much to me, but I can see that it might be a big deal for lefties. The Axis lock is so far above the BladeLOCK that it just isnt worth comparing. I really wanted the BladeLOCK to be a big competitor, but its not.
The only downside to the Axis lock for me is the fact that I find Benchmades to be pretty ugly. The only ones I could live with the looks of were the 730, 750, 720 and the 690. The 690 was gorgeous in fact!!!! Its absolutely breathtaking. Too bad it isnt an Axis. I would have paid any price for an Axis 690. The 720 was a little too small for my hands, so I ended up going with the 730. The 730 doesnt have the looks of a CRKT, Camillus EDC or many other knives, but at least its not terrible. I also like spear points, so the blade shape was a big plus. I tried out a few of them, which were all very dull. Its a good thing that the dealer is also a knife sharpener or he might have lost the sale.
So Ill spend a few weeks with the Ares 730. Initial impressions are quite high, so this one may grow on me. I hope it grows on me better than my BladeLOCK.
While Im writing, Ill spew out my impressions of a few other knives I tried out:
Benchmade Pinnacle: Im a frame lock kind of guy, but I dont like this one. The looks and ergos are nice, but the knife just isnt smooth by any stretch of the imagination. Ive had POS knives that were smoother than a Pinnacle. I was very bummed out by this guy. Ill stick with my Camillus EDC.
Benchmade Griptilian: A better choice than the BladeLOCK if youre on a budget .. if you can get over the weird shape of the blade.
CRKT Tighe Tac: Possibly the most uncomfortable knife Ive ever handled.
CRKT Wasp: A gorgeous knife for the price. The looks are as nice as the Benchmade 690, and the ergos arent nearly as bad to me as some have said. I wish my 730 came in that pretty blue G10.
Benchmade Big Spender: I ended up picking this knife up for my friend. I like it a lot. Benchmade got the action right on this frame lock.
[This message has been edited by Buzzbait (edited 06-18-2001).]
[This message has been edited by Buzzbait (edited 06-18-2001).]
