Benchmade 630 Skirmish versus 635 Skirmish?

M

mr_dove

Joined
Apr 12, 2004
Messages
90
I've spent some time with the Benchmade 630 and I really liked it. Never handled the 635 yet. I'm debating between the 2 but my local shops will probably never carry a 635.

So, how do they really compare? Is the 635 as good as the 630 was, just in a smaller package?
 
You can send it to Benchmade if you want bronze washers. They'll switch them for free. Like it matters anyway. :rolleyes:

Cheaper finish? Because it doesn't have the stupid multi-color anodizied dots all over the handle? I don't think so. Those things look ridiculous, and were what kept me from buying the 630. I'm so glad they didn't ruin the 635 with them.
 
Yes, actually I am pretty happy about the new finish. I loved the 630 except for 2 things:

- too big to carry all the time
- "fancy" colors/finish were too fancy for me :)

The 635 fixed both issues.

I am totally transfixed by my 635. I play with it all day. I finally have it nice and easy to open/close. I am putting feelers out to see if I can polish the beadblasted finish into a glossy silver finish. I havent figured out for sure if it is possible yet, as I am getting slightly mixed feedback.
 
I like everything about the 630,I wish it had a mini-me with no changes but the size.
 
What about the clip and unlocking? I heard that big Skirmish was hard to unlock with one hand, is this the issue also with the 635?
Also I read that clip in 630 has the tendency to unscrew. And what about the slickness of opening both of them? Are the teflon washers in 635 as slick as bronze in 630? thanks in advance for the answers, I just can't decide between them two - I like both ;)
 
If you clip screws are falling out, remove them, clean the knife well; concentrating on the clip holes then apply thread locker (loctite). Problem solved. If you lose you screws, I think you can just call Benchmade and they'll send you a new set.

I personally believe that the bronze is better, but only because of durability and resiliency (sp). Teflon washers tend to wear and warp. The PB washer will wear at a much slower rate (I have never hear of anyone wearing out PB washers), also they are "self lubricating," they have a naturally low friction level.
 
Lil Timmy said:
There's really no way to unlock it one handed. (630 and the 635)
Click to expand...

Actually, you can unlock it one-handed in the same way that you would unlock a liner-lock (or lockback) one-handed. Now if you meant that there is no fool-proof way to close the knife one-handed (ala Axis Lock), I would agree that closing the 630 or 635 one-handed entails more risk.

Matthew
 
The 630 is hard to unlock for me. Call me a girlie man if you want, but the lock hurts my thumb :p Mine doesn't stick, it's just the strength of the lock. The 635 is a much more carry friendly knife, I like it a lot.
 
mr_dove said:
So, how do they really compare? Is the 635 as good as the 630 was, just in a smaller package?
Click to expand...

Pretty much, IMO. The 635 is a much more reasonable size to carry and has a lot of cutting power. I found the chamfered thumb hole a bit tougher to engage than the 630, but a little practice is all it takes.
 
Lil Timmy said:
No, they really don't. You should try handling one some time.
Click to expand...
I've had them both for a while now. I absolutely have no problem one-handing them. :yawn:
I don't go for SPEED, just efficiency.
 
The 630 and the 635 are both terrific--the 635 fits my hand better but I work with people who have plenty big enough hands for the 630.

The black-blade version lacks the annoying rainbow dots. There's also a very cool limited edition black-blade with a handle that's sort of cross between gold and bronze, with a little hint of green in there. It's much nicer than it sounds. There's also going to be an all-black later on, with "Benchkoted" blade and handle.
 
I found my 635 impossible to unlock. In fact, at one point it was stuck. I took a screwdriver to the lock to pry it loose, then "worked" the lock back and forth about 30 times to get it to behave. Now it opens and closes really nicely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top