Benchmade 805 in 440C experiences?

Hairlesstwinkie

Hairlesstwinkie

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Feb 4, 2013
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I have been eyeing the 805 ever since I saw it a while back, but I only see them being offered in 440C and M390. The M390 version is out if the question since they are so rare. I'm thinking about picking up the 440C version, but in curious about the 440C and the blade geometry. How does it perform? Does any one have a cutting test? I'm just wondering if its worth the secondary market price.

Knives like these made me wish I had gotten into knives earlier... Oi
 
Benchmade did pretty well with 440c, I'd put it a hair behind 154cm for edge retention.
 
I can't really speak for the edge retention but the 805 TSEK is one of my all time favorite Benchmade designs. The handle on the 805/806 is one of the most comfortable of any knife I have handled. I prefer the 805 TSEK over the 806 AFCK because of my preference for a thumb stud over a hole opener.
 
boobar said:
I can't really speak for the edge retention but the 805 TSEK is one of my all time favorite Benchmade designs. The handle on the 805/806 is one of the most comfortable of any knife I have handled. I prefer the 805 TSEK over the 806 AFCK because of my preference for a thumb stud over a hole opener.
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I second this. The 805 blade and handle scales are worth their weight. But actually between the newer M390 and original 440C version I would choose the older one in a heartbeat.
 
While I have never preformed any "cutting tests" with Benchmades 440C I do have many years of real world usage and experience with it that has lead me to regard it in a very favorable light and as an excellent all around steel!

When done properly, 440C is a very good steel and BM has done it right.

In fact, they still use 440C in their Gold Class chef's knives. It takes and holds a very good edge. It's easy to sharpen and retention is also very good. Not quite as good lets say as ATS-34 or 154CM / VG-10 but not so below these other steels that it shouldn't be well regarded. Like I always say, just because there is slightly better doesn't make it a bad steel at all. It's good stuff!

I'd take BM's properly done 440C any day of the week and would feel very well equipped for my cutting need's. In no way would it be a detractor to me that a BM knife was 440C. In fact there are a few instances where I would actually prefer it. Having worked on and around the Marine salt water environment for many years I found 440C to be very corrosion resistant. More so then the other premium steels I mentioned above.

Bottom line, I'd take BM 440C in heart beat without concern and be happy to have it. Especially the model you are considering!

Hope this helps and best of luck!
 
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I'm one of those people that think 440C is probably the best knife steal available for most people and most task. I think most people that talk down 440C likely never really used it and are looking at graphs and reading forums. :)
 
Have one that I have used for several years and absolutely love it. So much, in fact I picked up a spare. Both are 440c and take a wicked edge and have good corrosion resistance. Really wish Benchmade would reintroduce it.
 
6734 said:
Have one that I have used for several years and absolutely love it. So much, in fact I picked up a spare. Both are 440c and take a wicked edge and have good corrosion resistance. Really wish Benchmade would reintroduce it.
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Take care of those 805 models; they're worth more than you would think...not that you would ever give them up, right? :rolleyes:
 
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