Benchmade 720: Why wouldn't you buy?

Steven Roos

Steven Roos

Joined
Jun 29, 2002
Messages
4,131
I'm looking for something to replace my POS folder from Mexico with ( :rolleyes: ) and I really like the Benchmade 720. Anything I should be aware of before I buy?

I don't like the feel of a plastic type material, I want metal! I have used the axis lock at a knife shop, and I like it. I don't want a coating to wear off, so I'm looking for a satin finish. I want a plain edge only, no serrations.

Is the 720 my ideal knife for EDC? Or is there a better (read = cheaper) alternative that fits my needs?
 
I think that the 720 is one of the best Axis locks made. It really fills the hand and the blade shape of the 720 is very versatile. I also find this knife very easy to sharpen. Before I really got into customs, this knife was one of my favorite carry pieces. I must warn you that the aluminum finish is very prone to scratching. Just put it in your pocket and get it scratched, that way you can mourn a bit and get it out of your system. If you don't want the scratches, look for the 722, which is the G-10 version of this knife. It is much less prone to scratching than the aluminum version.
 
Same blade in the 722? Sounds like it might be a good idea...

I wonder if my local knife shop has one that I can hold...
 
Excellent knife. The 720 totally replaced my 710 for EDC.
Love the blade shape and the feel of the Al handle. Haven't had
much of a problem with scratching, but then again, I don't carry
anything else in that particular pocket. I don't think you'll
be disappointed.
 
If you're ok with G-10, also take a look at the 710 and 735. Any should serve your needs well. The 720 didn't fit my hand, but that's no reason for you not to buy it.
 
I have had a BM 720 for over a year now and I love it! Great knife, great steel (ATS-34 on mine; newer models feature 154CM, but there's really little to no difference between the two steels) and a feels great in the hand.
The anodized aluminum handles will get scratches, but mine still looks good after a year of use.
Compared to my BM Mini TSEK, it's very comfortable to carry and doesn't have any sharp corners causing discomfort if worn inside the waistband.
Here's a recent pic of mine with a couple of other knives:
whbmf1_s.jpg

Bo
 
The 720 is, IMHO, an excellent all-around folder. You also might want to check out the 730/735 series.
 
The 720 is a work horse, built and bred for use. Great knife, try one and you'll like it.
 
Im2smrt4u, another BM knife that you may wish to consider is the 940, a design by Warren Osborne. Despite its smaller appearance, the blade is actually slightly longer than that of the 720, 3.4" versus 3.25". I have both of them and I find the 720 to be a very nice knife, but it is a bit heavy to carry and it is no where near as aesthetic as the 940. I will admit that the 940 has what they call a "Reverse Tanto" point on the blade, in that the tip slants downward from the spine to the point and not upward from the edge as it does in most American tanto points. I am not at all fond of the American tanto blade, but I love the design of the 940's blade as well as the design of its hilt of anodized aluminum. My 940 is an early one in green, but I understand that they are now available in a number of colors.

One point on the aluminum 720. On the early ones, at least, they are tip up only and they cannot be changed right to left, as the clip would then obscure the large BM logo on the left side of the hilt. Perhaps they have changed this on the later versions, as there was some criticism of the inability to change right to left which is one of the Axis Lock's major attractions.
 
Hey, you can't go wrong with a Benchmade! So go for it, and enjoy.

Oh yeah, don't stab it into your hand, it really hurts.:( (Believe me I know.)
 
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