Benchmade 425 Gravitator

H

headroom

Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
176
Anyone have one of these Mike Snody designs? If so, please do share some love. I'm looking for a semi-gentlemanly Wharncliff folder, and this one looks interesting...no too polite, but perhaps not too...um...scary?

Would go nicely with my tux, me thinks.

bm425BK.jpg
 
Can't go wrong with that, how much does one go by? I have a tux event coming soon myself :)
 
I have one of the first production run Gravitators with a satin finish partialy serrated blade. It is a sharp looking knife and mine opens smooth as glass.
I carry it as a full sized dress knife. As a matter of fact it is sitting on my bench getting ready for some fancy file work to the liners as I type. Dont like the black blade though.
go for it you'll like it.
 
I've got one, and it's definitely a great knife. One of my smoothest, strongest, sturdiest Benchmades, for sure. It's even got a very satisfying click when it opens. One of the best aspects of this knife, I think, is its versatility in terms of grip. The handle has plenty of room for you to choke up or ease back, not to mention that monster of a thumb ramp. Even that swedge is handy, as it fits the index finger nicely during tasks such as cutting out articles from the newspaper.

As to your specific questions, I think the Gravitator does kind of qualify as one of the more "scary" knives. At least, it's definitely on the scarier side of neutral. For a non-scary BM Wharncliff, I would have to recommend the 440 Opportunist. The silver/black color scheme on this one does seem like a good match for a tux, but you may also want to consider what kinds of pocket contents you like to keep in a tux. That is, if I were to be putting on a tux, I'd probably keep the contents of my pockets relatively compact and light-weight, and reserve the heavier knives/flashlights/etc. for when I can wear my jeans. So, although the Gravitator may not be the heaviest knife out there (it's no Rukus, for example), it still has substantial weight and thickness.

In the end, I highly recommend the knife, as it feels great and can handle any cutting task and then some, but it wouldn't be my personal first choice for formal attire (940 with carbon fiber will fill that role rather nicely, methinks...).
 
i got one when they came out a few years ago. Handle, lock, finish and ergos are great! right size, and opens smooth. I gave it to my local knife-dealer and they did a great job puttin' an oldskool benchmade clip (dont like the new arrow clips) for tip - up carry on it.
The only throwback on mine is : I cant get this sucker sharp& it does'nt hold an edge long enough to cut a pizza! I tried different sharpening methods ( sharpmaker at 20deg. and freehand sharpening.)

I own a few other benchmades and never had a sharpening problem with these. my old ats-34 afck is much easier to sharpen, and holds an edge much longer.


In the next weeks i will send it to a local knifemaker for a regrind.(or like my cqc13 to tom krein) cause i really like this knife and its a shame leaving it in the drawer.
 
I have one. In fact its the exact model that is in the picture. Let me first say that i love it. The F&F are great. The ergos are great. The blade shape is incredible. I have had no problems with sharpening and it holds a pretty darn good edge, on par with the rest of BM's 154cm

All that being said its a bit scarry to sheeple. I dont know if its the lines or the pointy blade but you will definately get some dirty looks if you pull it out. ALso it is a bit thick and heavy for a Tux. But its a great EDC.

And i think ill take the liberty and speak for all knifenuts here when i say that heck yes we carry knives no matter what, even if it means we carry them when we wear a tux. There was a thread going on a while back that asked what knife you carried on your wedding day. You just never know when you need a knife.
 
You do realize this knife has been discontinued by Benchmade? So, if you want it and can find it better go for it!
 
Dr Heelhook said:
Why are you wearing knives with your tuxedos? Sounds a little mall ninja.
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That's one opinion...I myself prefer to carry a knife with me whenever possible. What does how you're dressed have to do with the pretensions of a mall ninja?
 
Guys...this is really great info, I really appreciate it.

Cotherion said:
...how much does one go by? I have a tux event coming soon myself :)
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Around the $115 mark it seems.

runeman said:
Dont like the black blade though.
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To be honest...I'm probably taking this "goes with the tux" thing too far. Really, how often do I get in the thing anyway...like, maybe half a dozen times a year. I'm actually more the rugged outdoorsy type of guy, but when I do fix myself up, especially considering what I paid for this tux, I kind of fancy the idea of a total package...in some warped testosteronish sort of way. I mean, I even have a special pocket watch I wear with it, and I bet I have only pulled it out two or three times...pretty sad. :)

jill jackson said:
You do realize this knife has been discontinued by Benchmade?
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Jill, yeah...hence my haste in gathering some opinions. :)

delkhouri said:
All that being said its a bit scarry to sheeple. I dont know if its the lines or the pointy blade but you will definately get some dirty looks if you pull it out.
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Actually, I do need to hear that, especially on account of my apparent tendency to miss such simple observations...or so I have been informed. Maybe it's just my lifestyle, but I generally view knives firstly as useful tools, and objects of revulsion a fairly long way below that.

huugh said:
I hope you won't mind some pics.
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Huugh, this is real decent of you, man. These are brilliant shots! This gives me a real nice detailed look at the knife. Thanks so much for your trouble. I'm liking the idea of picking this knife up even more after viewing your pictures.
 
Thanks again for the info and pics, guys...twas a great help.

Sure wish I could justify dropping the dosh on this beautiful piece of Snody wharncliff wow-ness. Now *this* would definitely go nicely with my tux. :eek:

hybrid2004.jpg


Still, the Gravitator 425 retains enough of the same swoopy lines to convince me it would be worth picking the Benchmade version. I have a guitar luthier friend who could make me up some nice ebony scales to replace the G10 slabs...man, those black scales and clip look so nice on that Snody Hybrid.
 
Yeah, I realize this is a deep Zombie thread... :D I managed to buy one of these NIB from a dealer yesterday at a very attractive price. The pics above are great. I never would have guessed from a picture, but in real life, in the hand, this knife has truly amazing ergos. The quality is also near-custom. If anyone sees one of these, I'd urge you to handle it and see what you think. This is one of those great collaborations that are sadly no longer in the Benchmade line. Too bad...
 
Dr Heelhook said:
Why are you wearing knives with your tuxedos? Sounds a little mall ninja.
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Exactly. Everyone knows you need to wear dual .45 Colt 1911 long slides. :rolleyes:

headroom said:
Thanks again for the info and pics, guys...twas a great help.

Sure wish I could justify dropping the dosh on this beautiful piece of Snody wharncliff wow-ness. Now *this* would definitely go nicely with my tux. :eek:

hybrid2004.jpg


Still, the Gravitator 425 retains enough of the same swoopy lines to convince me it would be worth picking the Benchmade version. I have a guitar luthier friend who could make me up some nice ebony scales to replace the G10 slabs...man, those black scales and clip look so nice on that Snody Hybrid.
Click to expand...

Since when does a RED X go well with a tux? I am all confused now...
 
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