Benchmade 480 and 440, anybody have/handle both?

S

speedfan

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Sep 5, 2003
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I can't decide between the two. I want something light weight to the point that it won't make the pocket of a summer-weight sport coat sag (which my Spyderco Persian 75mm does). Anybody have thoughts on the two? I know nothing of Nak-Lok fwiw. Is one blade better suited for certain tasks than the other? Noticeable difference in thickness?
Thanks in advance.
 
If you have a chance to handle them first, do so. Some of earlier 480's had lock-up issues. If you know for a fact that your dealer has newer stock there's no need to worry about that.
480 looks classier then 440, at least to me. Both use same blade steel. 440 has a steel liner, while liners on 480 are titanium, if that makes any difference to you. 480 is slimmer, has no pocket clip, and comes with a sheath, later 440's have a clip, while earlier knives don't. Also, 480 blade is hollow ground, 440 has a flat grind.
 
Well, they'd be new production because my dealer would have to order it from Benchmade. Whatever was wrong with the 480's lockup, is it suggestive that it is a weaker lock-up over time?
 
speedfan said:
Well, they'd be new production because my dealer would have to order it from Benchmade. Whatever was wrong with the 480's lockup, is it suggestive that it is a weaker lock-up over time?
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It wasn't strong at all. On some knives you could have been able to close the knife as if it was a slipjoint, with very little force. You won't have that problem with newer knives though, Nak-Lock is a modified version of a liner lock, so if used for cutting only it should last you a lifetime and beyond.

speedfan said:
Can a hollow ground blade be resharpened on my Sharpmaker?
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Sure, but keep in mind that a Sharpmaker is great for touch-ups, not so good for sharpening.
 
You don't like the Sharpmaker for sharpening? I took a completely dulled Spyderco Persian and made it sharp again (and when I say completely dulled I mean pretty much no edge left) - it did require the diamond rods though. I can shave my face with it now. Not quite as well as with a razor, but still.
 
I used to like it, but don't even touch it since I got my Edge Pro and paper wheels. It will get the job done on softer steels, but there are other options out there that will put a hair popping edge on a knife in fraction of the time ;)
 
One other question - is the 440 really 0.49" thick like the website says? That seems outlandish for a knife that is only 1.7oz.
 
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