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- Jan 28, 2001
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Passed by a local gun shop yesterday and picked up a Benchmade Apparition and I thought I'd share my 1st impressions of this folder.
Please excuse the bad pics:
Specs (According to Benchmade's site):
Blade Length: 3.40"
Blade Thickness: 0.120"
Blade Material: 154CM
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Blade Style: Wharncliff
Weight: 4.50oz.
Lock Mechanism: Locking-Liner w/Optimizer
Overall Length: 7.82"
Closed Length: 4.39"
Class: Blue (Made in USA)
The model 670 Apparition is Benchmade's first attempt at an assisted opening folder which operates very much like the Kershaw/Onion Speedsafe folders by opening the blade via a thumbstud to a 30 degree angle and letting the tension bar take over. Benchmade calls their tension bar mechanism the Optimizer. It's basically a spring steel bar that runs along the length of the inside handle spine which is secured in place and contacts the blade tang. When closed the bar is tensioned against the blade tang which gives a measure of safety against accidental opening while the knife is clipped to the pocket. Once the blade is rotated past a 30 degree angle the tension bar takes over and continues the opening process until it locks.
One of the features of the Apparition is the ability to remove the tension bar without having to disassemble the knife. 2 small hex wrenches are included in the box along with instructions on how to remove and install the bar. The larger hex wrench is to adjust the blade tension while the smaller one is used to loosen the setscrew located at the butt of the handle which secures the tension bar in place. Just open the blade, then loosen the setscrew and the tension bar slides out. Replacing the the tension bar is just as simple.
The knife is quite good looking with it's cast stainless steel bolsters and faux kudu horn scales and has a very utilitarian wharncliff-style blade shape that makes it an obvious Warren Osborne design. The scales are molded thermo-plastic which gives the illusion of kudu horn scales and is grooves provide an excellent grip. I personally would have liked G-10 or Micarta, but it doesn't feel cheap like other plastic scaled folders do. The bolsters have a nice brushed satin finish and the dual liners appear to be stainless steel although the Benchmade catalogue says they're 6AL-4V titanium. Lockup is solid with no play in any direction. There is a nice looking stainless steel pocketclip which is also removable. Unfortunately, left handers will have to look elsewhere as this is definately a folder made for right handed use.
More pics:
Some fancy filework on the spine:
Here's a pic showing the tension bar inside the handle (note the setscrew at the butt of the handle):
Here's a size comparison of the Apparition along with a Benchmade CQC-7 and a Lone Wolf T2:
Overall, I'm impressed with the Benchmade Apparition and I think it makes for an attractive addition to anyone's knife collection and more importantly, it's made to be used. The ability to remove the tension bar without having to disassemble the knife is a definate plus especially if one is travelling in areas that may look upon assisted openers as switchblades. Just like most assisted opening folders, once you begin to play with the mechanism, it's hard to put the knife down. It's that addictive.
Please excuse the bad pics:
Specs (According to Benchmade's site):
Blade Length: 3.40"
Blade Thickness: 0.120"
Blade Material: 154CM
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Blade Style: Wharncliff
Weight: 4.50oz.
Lock Mechanism: Locking-Liner w/Optimizer
Overall Length: 7.82"
Closed Length: 4.39"
Class: Blue (Made in USA)
The model 670 Apparition is Benchmade's first attempt at an assisted opening folder which operates very much like the Kershaw/Onion Speedsafe folders by opening the blade via a thumbstud to a 30 degree angle and letting the tension bar take over. Benchmade calls their tension bar mechanism the Optimizer. It's basically a spring steel bar that runs along the length of the inside handle spine which is secured in place and contacts the blade tang. When closed the bar is tensioned against the blade tang which gives a measure of safety against accidental opening while the knife is clipped to the pocket. Once the blade is rotated past a 30 degree angle the tension bar takes over and continues the opening process until it locks.
One of the features of the Apparition is the ability to remove the tension bar without having to disassemble the knife. 2 small hex wrenches are included in the box along with instructions on how to remove and install the bar. The larger hex wrench is to adjust the blade tension while the smaller one is used to loosen the setscrew located at the butt of the handle which secures the tension bar in place. Just open the blade, then loosen the setscrew and the tension bar slides out. Replacing the the tension bar is just as simple.
The knife is quite good looking with it's cast stainless steel bolsters and faux kudu horn scales and has a very utilitarian wharncliff-style blade shape that makes it an obvious Warren Osborne design. The scales are molded thermo-plastic which gives the illusion of kudu horn scales and is grooves provide an excellent grip. I personally would have liked G-10 or Micarta, but it doesn't feel cheap like other plastic scaled folders do. The bolsters have a nice brushed satin finish and the dual liners appear to be stainless steel although the Benchmade catalogue says they're 6AL-4V titanium. Lockup is solid with no play in any direction. There is a nice looking stainless steel pocketclip which is also removable. Unfortunately, left handers will have to look elsewhere as this is definately a folder made for right handed use.
More pics:
Some fancy filework on the spine:
Here's a pic showing the tension bar inside the handle (note the setscrew at the butt of the handle):
Here's a size comparison of the Apparition along with a Benchmade CQC-7 and a Lone Wolf T2:
Overall, I'm impressed with the Benchmade Apparition and I think it makes for an attractive addition to anyone's knife collection and more importantly, it's made to be used. The ability to remove the tension bar without having to disassemble the knife is a definate plus especially if one is travelling in areas that may look upon assisted openers as switchblades. Just like most assisted opening folders, once you begin to play with the mechanism, it's hard to put the knife down. It's that addictive.
Just curious, how is the lockup?
