Benchmade 745 Mini-Dejavoo

[mikesae]

A bit underwhelmed by it, here's why:

The thumbhole doesn't "feel" right, as the thumb hits the hilt when opening, so the thumb "slides" out of the hole before the blade locks.
The visible brass (copper?) through the scale is a nice touch.

The linerlock is a bit flexy using the STR testing method- the first of my knives to encounter a visible flex.
The lock side of the liner is titanium and the right side is SS; there are large lightening holes on the SS side to balance the weight.

The backspacer appears to be a piece of cheapie plastic?

Pivot is very smooth, and almost too loose; I did tighten it out of the box for better feel. No blade play.

Sharpness out of the box isn't anything special, but it gets the job done.

Blade isn't centered, but neither is the blade on one of my all time favorites, the Spyderco Paramilitary.

I quite like the buffed satin finish that BM puts on their blades. It's quite different from other manufacturers in that it looks like a matte clearcoat, but isn't.

The BM box and packaging smells like bubblegum wrappers. I quite like it. Anyone else notice that?

You do get a lot of blade in a compact handle and it is a pleasing shape. BMs are pretty rare in my parts, so what the hay...

3 out of 5 stars.

 

[LowTEC]

Thanx for the review. Maybe I ask what's the problem with the "slippery" thumbhole? And can you explain a bit more about the liner lock flex? I'm too also considering the mini dejavoo as this is the only flat ground S30V with G10 handle folder benchmade ever made. But if the lock and thumb hole have design problem then I might have to think twice. Thanx

 

[mikesae]

When opening the blade w/ the thumbhole, I've found the thumb hits the hilt, making the thumb kinda ride out of the hole before the blade it locked. It all still works fine, but I suppose it's form over function...

STR described a method to test a liner liner lock safely in lieu of spinewhacking it (I can't seem to find the post ATM). There is some slight at the root of the lock, whether it will fail during hard use, who knows.

Having said that, it's not a hard use knife. It's more of a classy, lighter use folder like the Caly3 or Leek...

 

[dan oliver]

Do you have any other reccomendations for a knife of this size, weight, & steel quality?

 

[mmmotorcycle]

Neat little review. I've handled one and am surprised that you did not find it to be sharper.

 

[ClintB]

I'm very pleased with my 745, I can't seem to put it down.

When I open mine, my thumb brushes by the hilt but doesn't hinder it's opening. The designers thumb must be of similar size to mine.

My blade is centered, no flex in the linerlock.

Buttery smooooooth!:thumbup:

I like the deep ride pocket clip.

Pops hairs off my arm.

Picked it up for $65, LNIB

I wouldn't hesitate to gut a deer with it, I think I could easily split the rib cage with it.

No bubble gum smell, I got ripped!