Benchmade 450 Park Ave.

[Easyrider]

I'm thinking about getting one of these for a sunday dressup knife. Can I get some feedback from people that own one. I realize it isn't a hard use knife, but how well has the knife held up with everyday chores?

 

[Architect]

Blade cuts well, but I found the handle rather small for the blade grind. You could get more out of the blade with some tweaks on the handle.

The chain thingy is pretty cumbersome, so you have to decide whether that is really for you. Of course, you can just take it off and make it a pocket knife.

In the end, I just didn't like the bead blast aluminum handle, and the pivot action was very rough on mine. I sent it back to Benchmade for them to work on the pivot, and it came back just the way I sent it to them. I no longer have mine.

I prefer the William Henry Lancet (yes, much more expensive, I know) for this application.

 

[Easyrider]

Thank you Architect for your opinion. I'm not sure what you meant about getting more out of the blade grind with changing the handle? I have also looked at a Carbon Fiber William Henry Lancet. Do you have a Lancet, and if so how does it compare to the 450? Does it have similar dimensions to the 450?

 

[El Lobo]

I own the newer version of this knife. The blade isn't coated, it doesn't have the chain, and it is 440C, not 154CM.
That said, it is a great small pocket knife, sheeple friendly, and very well made, IMHO. I got mine @cheaperthandirt.com(hope it's OK to say here, if not I'm sorry) for $60.13, and am very happy I bought it.

El Lobo

 

[knifenerd]

I have one of the older versions with the silver chain and the BC1 coating. It's slick, very well made, has a very secure liner lock and was shaving-sharp out of the box. I'd recommend it.

 

[Jazzman]

I had the pre-pro version with the chain and BC-1. Even though the liner lock is very thin, it had a very tight lock up. The blade has a neat shape and mine came razor sharp. I'd recommend it.
Matt