Benchmade 630 Skirmish

I just ordered a mini-Skirmish two weeks ago. The cheapest at the time was Knifeworks.com.
Sites compared to?:
New Graham
Knife Country
Grand Prairie
Savsons
Knife Center
The Blade Shop (why did I do that?)
 
I can't really speak for the Skirmish except to say: I've fondled it at least twice and the knife is huge! It's thin, but it's one big, stout, folder.

The mini-Skirmish is exactly the same, just smaller and thinner. The frame lock on my mini is very secure. I carry it in the waistband, so slim is nice. The knife came razor sharp out of the box. I have BM's in S30V, so I know I'll be able to sharpen it without much fuss and it'll hold the edge more than adequately. The fit and finish were typical BM....very good.

That was the good. Now for the bad.

The frame lock was exerting too much pressure on the blade at the pivot, in my opinion, causing the knife to rest off-center within the frame. In fact, on closing, the edge hit the rearmost spacer and chipped the blade. If you look at the frame spacers, you'll see they're shaped like inverted barrels. If the blade is centered, there is ample clearance, however, there is not enough clearance if off centered. In my case, the blade was off-center enough that the side of the blade was gently chaffing the inside of the frame on the side opposite the frame lock bar. The chaffing was occurring down closer to the tip of the blade.

That knife is, as we type, on its way to Benchmade for some rest and relaxation. When it returns, I expect it will be like new...... with blade centered between the frame and blade-edge restored....and sharp!.
 
My Skirmish was probably the best framelock I came across until I got my Sebenza and SNG. Good lockup, great blade shape (some like it for sd, I liked it for utility). The only problem I had with it was the tip down only carry clip.
 
I like it but like stretch and others have said it is huge..... it is actually quite a bit bigger in real life then it looks in pics so i would recommend checking it out in person before you just buy it
 
It is indeed a large folder, and that's good advice to handle one first. In fact, handling the regular Skirmish is what got me into the mini-Skirmish. It's every bit as big as the Rukus only slimmer.

As far as tip-down, that was a major factor for me. Some like tip-up, I have to have tip-down. Any other way is like writing with my left hand! :D
 
I bought one when they first came out. It is truly a large folder, with a whole lot of belly. Very sharp and a great slicer. Solid lock up. Feels good in my hand.

I do find it intimidating to close one-handed. That big ol' blade looks as if it could just slip a bit and take off a thumb with no problem.

I also have a mini. It is also a more comfortable EDC. Funny that it is called the mini; however, the mini's blade is the same size as a large Sebbie! It's very interesting how he fit so much blade in the handle!
 
TrailingEdge said:
I bought one when they first came out. It is truly a large folder, with a whole lot of belly. Very sharp and a great slicer. Solid lock up. Feels good in my hand.

I do find it intimidating to close one-handed. That big ol' blade looks as if it could just slip a bit and take off a thumb with no problem.

I also have a mini. It is also a more comfortable EDC. Funny that it is called the mini; however, the mini's blade is the same size as a large Sebbie! It's very interesting how he fit so much blade in the handle!
Click to expand...

The mini was a great knife IMHO, but the handle was too small for me. Not enough grip near the base of my hand. Other than that, and the tip down clip carry, it was a great knife.
 
You won't find a better blade to handle ratio anywhere else. Believe me, I've looked. The handle length is perfect and the both are designed in a way to maximize blade length. There's a little bit of recurve - nice for reverse cuts....and a stout tip - plenty tough.

I have EDC'ed the Skirmish for quite some time now and have no intentions of ever letting it go. I use it every day in the shop...and I am hard on my knives.

Only complaint I had was that the blade was ground too thick. I had my buddy Tom Krein regrind it for me (Grind Mastah "T") and now it is my pocket lightsaber. :D


I got mine from gpknives.com
BM 630BK-502



I have also handled the Mini Skirmish and really like it. It's also designed well and is "just enough" of a handle and blade to be quite useful.


Can't go wrong with it! :thumbup:
 
I'm no expert but I love this knife. I've had it for a while and use it when I'm mountain biking for clearing foliage from the trail and chopping broom out. It has nearly decapitated my right index finger twice! I have the utmost respect for this blade and don't screw around with it. Pocket guillotine.
 
Only problem I have with the 630 is the pocket clip. Tip up option would be nice, but the major problem is that the clip does not hold the knife well in the pocket plus it is too long for my taste. Other than that minor annoyance this is an excellent knife and one that BM has done a great job on with its build!:thumbup:
 
I own and occasionally carry my Skirmish. It's a big knife that carries like an average size knife, it's slim and light. I was afraid it would annoy me with it's size in the pocket but it disappears and is unobtrusive.

I really like it!
 
I have the mini and love it. Can not really say anything I dont like about the knife. Strong, cuts great, looks nice--just an awsome folder. Im sure its larger cousin is equally impressive.
 
if you haven't had a chance to handle one in person, I'd suggest you do so before ordering it online. I didn't do this and ended up with a really great knife that is just too big to take anywhere. Had I examined one in person I would have ordered the mini version.

Of course, you might be fine with carrying the full size version - everyone is different.
 
Thanks for all the input. I think I'll try to find one at a gun/knifeshow in February just to handle it and maybe buy if the price is right and nothing else calls my name.
One last question:
Would it be possible for a layman to drill holes setting the clip for tip up carry?
 
yes it would be possible to drill holes and reset the clip

Depends on what you mean by layman though. If you have never drilled titanium or tapped a hole into titanium i wouldnt recommend you try it for the first time on a 150 dollar knife.

However the clips position from the factory sits in a inset in the handle so it sits nice and flush. Making an inset in another part of the knife will probably be too dificult to do.

Finally I tend to prefer tip up carry but this knife has a beastly blade. It is thick and wide and with how smooth this knife is and how smooth i keep my knives id be afraid that it would simply open up in my pocket if i converted it to tip up. Just my two cents
 
Hammer27 said:
...........
One last question:
Would it be possible for a layman to drill holes setting the clip for tip up carry?
Click to expand...

Hammer,
If I could, I'd suggest if you get one, carry that thing around in pocket and in waistband, tip-down, for a few days (or longer) before attempting that feat. You might find that tip-down offers a more natural extraction. At least, it does for me.
 
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