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- Dec 5, 2005
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- 28,360
What do you think of this review I wrote up the other day?
If you were to read this in a knife magazine, would you find it interesting, or would you tear it up and throw it in the garbage?
I'm working on my writing, so please feel free to be as harsh as you feel the need to be
*************
As a tenured member of the American production knife manufacturing industry, Benchmade knives has helped set the stage for innovation and performance over the course of many years, by integrating the design genius of custom knife makers into their product line.
The distillation of that history, experience and Benchmade's approach to knife design, has found ample expression in the seemingly spartan design of Bob Lum's folding knife pattern, 'All Rounder', or as Benchmade calls it, Model #740.
With an impressively low weight of 4.10 ounces, and a slim and unobtrusive profile, this large folder with its 3.95" blade carries inconspicuously in the pocket with a low riding clip made from polished stainless steel. A 6AL-4V titanium locking liner helps to keep the weight down, as does the 420J opposing liner which is skeletonized for weight reduction.
From a performance standpoint, S30V- a steel of highly refined elemental composition- ensures a lasting edge and easy sharpening, while phosphore bronze bushings at the blade's pivot ensure smooth opening and closing. A hole is added to the blade to enable one handed opening, and its effectiveness in deploying the blade is remarkable and dependable. It also contributes to the low weight of the knife. The handle, contoured from G10 is grippy and features and indexing divot which provides a secure grip and the ability to change how one holds the knife with speed and safety. The handle also features a half length backspacer made from thermoplastic which eliminates hot spots, and a lanyard hole completes the package.
In use, the Benchmade 740 is a real pleasure. The handle fills one's hand in an intuitive way which inspires care free utility. This tool becomes and extension of one's hand. The .125" blade stock, with its high grind easily cuts through most any material without drag, and excels at food preparation. For that reason, and its diminutive weight and aggressive profile, the 740 is an ideal pocket knife for the outdoor enthusiast. For those who stay in the city, Benchmade offers a smaller version- the 745- which has a 3.23" blade and a weight of 3.5 ounces, which might raise a few less eyebrows when removed from one's pocket.
I've had the Benchmade model 740 in my pocket for the past 8 months, and while it's been used to cut plastic zip ties, cardboard, food and other things on a daily basis, I have never had to perform any sharpening, beyond a few strokes with a fine ceramic rod. The thin edge profile is an excellent use for the tough S30V it's made from, and while it is an extremely keen edge it has also proven itself to be resilient and dependable.
Bob Lum was a pioneer in the American custom cutlery industry, most noted for his extreme cleanliness of design and finish, and for his modern interpretation of ancient Japanese blade design. His knives have been featured in many publications and books, most notably in Dr. David Darom's 'The Great Collections'. This custom knife makers' knives are highly desired and command a high price, not only for their amazing design and finish, but also because Bob Lum passed away December 4, 2007, at the age of 64. His family honours his memory by maintaining his website, www.boblumknives.com, providing design inspiration to custom knife makers, new and old.
Benchmade honours Bob Lum's legacy by continuing to produce their version of his All Rounder at one the the highest levels of quality in the production knife industry. It is hard to imagine anything about this knife that could be improved. Spartan it is, but it has anything almost anyone could ask for in a full sized, folding knife.
If you were to read this in a knife magazine, would you find it interesting, or would you tear it up and throw it in the garbage?
I'm working on my writing, so please feel free to be as harsh as you feel the need to be
*************
As a tenured member of the American production knife manufacturing industry, Benchmade knives has helped set the stage for innovation and performance over the course of many years, by integrating the design genius of custom knife makers into their product line.
The distillation of that history, experience and Benchmade's approach to knife design, has found ample expression in the seemingly spartan design of Bob Lum's folding knife pattern, 'All Rounder', or as Benchmade calls it, Model #740.
With an impressively low weight of 4.10 ounces, and a slim and unobtrusive profile, this large folder with its 3.95" blade carries inconspicuously in the pocket with a low riding clip made from polished stainless steel. A 6AL-4V titanium locking liner helps to keep the weight down, as does the 420J opposing liner which is skeletonized for weight reduction.
From a performance standpoint, S30V- a steel of highly refined elemental composition- ensures a lasting edge and easy sharpening, while phosphore bronze bushings at the blade's pivot ensure smooth opening and closing. A hole is added to the blade to enable one handed opening, and its effectiveness in deploying the blade is remarkable and dependable. It also contributes to the low weight of the knife. The handle, contoured from G10 is grippy and features and indexing divot which provides a secure grip and the ability to change how one holds the knife with speed and safety. The handle also features a half length backspacer made from thermoplastic which eliminates hot spots, and a lanyard hole completes the package.
In use, the Benchmade 740 is a real pleasure. The handle fills one's hand in an intuitive way which inspires care free utility. This tool becomes and extension of one's hand. The .125" blade stock, with its high grind easily cuts through most any material without drag, and excels at food preparation. For that reason, and its diminutive weight and aggressive profile, the 740 is an ideal pocket knife for the outdoor enthusiast. For those who stay in the city, Benchmade offers a smaller version- the 745- which has a 3.23" blade and a weight of 3.5 ounces, which might raise a few less eyebrows when removed from one's pocket.
I've had the Benchmade model 740 in my pocket for the past 8 months, and while it's been used to cut plastic zip ties, cardboard, food and other things on a daily basis, I have never had to perform any sharpening, beyond a few strokes with a fine ceramic rod. The thin edge profile is an excellent use for the tough S30V it's made from, and while it is an extremely keen edge it has also proven itself to be resilient and dependable.
Bob Lum was a pioneer in the American custom cutlery industry, most noted for his extreme cleanliness of design and finish, and for his modern interpretation of ancient Japanese blade design. His knives have been featured in many publications and books, most notably in Dr. David Darom's 'The Great Collections'. This custom knife makers' knives are highly desired and command a high price, not only for their amazing design and finish, but also because Bob Lum passed away December 4, 2007, at the age of 64. His family honours his memory by maintaining his website, www.boblumknives.com, providing design inspiration to custom knife makers, new and old.
Benchmade honours Bob Lum's legacy by continuing to produce their version of his All Rounder at one the the highest levels of quality in the production knife industry. It is hard to imagine anything about this knife that could be improved. Spartan it is, but it has anything almost anyone could ask for in a full sized, folding knife.
:thumbup: