Benchmade Brend 600, need authentication !

Dark Nemesis · May 9, 1999

Ok guys, hopefully someone here will have heard of this knife. I found someone trying to sell a Benchmade Brend 600. The picture is below. I've never heard of this knife before. The reason I am wondering if this is real or not is that being a computer graphics pro. I could easily put that butterfly on the blade and not a person would have a clue

Just need to know if this knife actually existed and if it would be worth getting for my Benchmade collection.

As always thanks for any information.

<img src="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=26163&a=146633&p=10545162" align=center valign=middle alt="Benchmade Brend 600">

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All of God's Critters may have knives, but most of them are stamped with the name BENCHMADE

Corduroy · May 9, 1999

That's an old Brend alright. I've worked on many of them. Have one with micarta scales in my hand right now. Good knife, from back before Benchmade's quality started suffering growing pains.

Edit: Just so no one is confused - that knife pictured has anodized aluminum scales with a single steel liner, similar to a Tsunami, Spike, or Leopard.

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-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)

[This message has been edited by Corduroy (edited 09 May 1999).]

Dark Nemesis · May 9, 1999

Corduroy:

So this really is a Benchmade. Do you know what kind of scales it comes with ? You said that the one you are holding has Micarta, was that a alteration or the original scales

Would you recomend me picking it up ?

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All of God's Critters may have knives, but most of them are stamped with the name BENCHMADE

Corduroy · May 9, 1999

Haha! I was just editing my message in anticipation of that question. See above.

If they want $100 or less, I definitely recommend getting it. If more, well, how much of a collector are you?

It has a gorgeous Brend-style recurve blade, though he didn't gring them the way he did for the Whitewolf Brends. The carry is tip-down, of course. Blade length is 3 1/2", overall handling is very reminiscent of a slightly subdued CQC-7 (which it predates). Note the four-screw construction of the butt end - very sturdy, with a spacer that runs most of the length. The one I have right now belongs to a friend and was one of my first modification jobs...and now needs some work to secure the clip. I've learned a lot since then ;-).

I think you'd really like this knife.

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-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)

Dark Nemesis · May 10, 1999

Corduroy:

Thanks for all the information. It is on an auction and if the price stays low I'm definately going to pick it up. I would love to use it as an everyday knife, but since it has been discontinued for so long, dont think I will be able to get another

p.s. - Now I can take my Adobe Photoshop off of high zoom looking for that other liner

(god my eyes hurt !)

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All of God's Critters may have knives, but most of them are stamped with the name BENCHMADE

Corduroy · May 10, 1999

Happy to help

Now, if we can get you to see the light...of Spyderco

Hehehe.

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-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)

Mike Turber · May 10, 1999

That is a Benchmade Brend alright. It was also known as the Talon.
Here is a real Brend which is also an auto. Notice the similar blade and handle style.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

[This message has been edited by Mike Turber (edited 10 May 1999).]

booshank · May 10, 1999

Theres also an earlier version of the BM Brend that had double liners, longer "false edge" on blade top (it went almost to the studs) and no clip but the same hard anodized aluminum handles.
These had #s as well--not sure how many were made before revision but it couldn't have been a lot.

tknife · May 10, 1999

Yup, it's a BM Brend all right. I was going to buy one at a knife show a couple of years back, and when I went back to the table, it had been sold! I say, snap it up! I am still looking for one of those.

dano · May 10, 1999

Yup...it's a brend Talon 2...One of BM's best...The "2" had a recurve blade, dual opening studs, one steel liner (liner lock), black (some blue ones exist) anodized scales/handles, pocket clip (clear colored, not black). a Confederate flag/Brend symbol and the BM butterfly.

The Talon 1 had dual liners, no clip, and a slightly different blade design...

--dan

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The blacksmith and the artist reflect it in their art...They forge their creativity closer to the heart...

Ivan Campos · May 10, 1999

That is a great knife. Selling mine is something I regret - but I sold so many knives that I now regret...
I believe you will be very satisfied with it , if you get it.
I have never seen a Talon I, as described. Didn´t even know it did exist.
Best regards

Ivan

Willie Boy · May 10, 1999

I too have a Benchmade Brend. The model I have was called the Combat Talon. It looks just like picture. It has the black hard annodized aluminum scales, condederate flag and butterfly, and says "It was my first Benchmade and for several years, my only Benchmade. Too bad they were discontinued.

Willie Boy

Dark Nemesis · May 10, 1999

WOW !!! It sounds like a lot of you agree that this was some of benchmade's finest early work. From the picture I had no idea this was such a great knife.
Now I must have it,
wallet dont fail me now

Corduroy: I shall never be turned to the dark side of the force

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All of God's Critters may have knives, but most of them are stamped with the name BENCHMADE

RKnight · May 11, 1999

Yep, it's the real thing.

I have a Brend Talon II also, good quality.

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Regards,
Ron Knight

Yeah I'm crazy, but what do you want me to do about it

Corduroy · May 11, 1999

Since we were talking about 'em, here are two of my customized Brends. They both have milled aluminum scales with a micarta insert on the top one, dymondwood on the bottom one (note the fileworked liner). Those are the same knives on the bottom; the back scale is solid, with clip holes for both carry modes. One of these now belongs to a friend, the other was sold through PVKaT.

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-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)

Jason Fowler · May 14, 1999

I too have a BM Brend Combat Talon. I received it as a gift aabout 4 years ago although I got to pick it. It was my first "tactical folder" and it got me hooked. Over the years it suffered some blows; a friend of mine bead-blasted the blade; i repainted the handle scales once they were all scratched up etc.. A couple of months ago I returned it to BM for refurbishing and they installed a brand new blade and new handle scales which seem to be made of some kind of plastic as opposed to the original aluminum. I feel like I just got a new knife! Speaking of Benchmade, they also put a plain edge blade on my original Emerson 970 because I disliked the combo edge. Great customer service from those folks.

Jason Fowler

Corduroy · May 20, 1999

Hey, sorry to drag this up from the past, but in talking with a friend today I remembered a fantastic (not so) old Benchmade folder - the Kodiak! Dark Nemesis, you absolutely have to have one of these in your collection. It had the same handle as the Tsunami tanto, but had a giant utility clip-point blade that I can only describe as similar to a Blackjack Trail Guide. It was a bit of an odd duck, but between the blade weight and the fabulous attention to quality on those old aluminum Benchmades, it would just fly open at the slightest snap of the wrist.

Now, do I know where to get one? Um, not exactly. But you really need one

(unless you've already got it). Also, how did the Talon (II) hunt go - did you get it?

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-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)

Dark Nemesis · May 20, 1999

Corduroy:

If that knife can be found it will be mine

Thank you so much for remembering that I collect Benchmades. As for the Brend, this is a irritating subject

It was on auction, up until the last day I was the top bidder, then others started bidding as expected. I sat at my computer for the last ten minutes of the auction. at the very last second someone with the handle "nifrand" outbid me, I tried to rebid before the time was up but it did not post fast enough !!! I'm still waiting for another to pop up for auction again. Until then I am going to look everywhere for the knife you spoke of, if I find it I'll let you know and post a picture. Thanks again.

Dark Nemesis

p.s. - I did just get a NIB Benchmade Emerson 970ST (the titanium version). Wonderful design, the carbide edge really was a great idea.

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All of God's Critters may have knives, but most of them are stamped with the name BENCHMADE

Corduroy · May 20, 1999

Glad you saw this. I wouldn't call the Kodiak a "looker" (I think the handle was designed for the Tsunami and this blade was an afterthought) but it feels great, cuts great, and is a nifty little piece of Benchmade history.

Don't sweat over the Brend, there will be others in time, and finding them is half the fun. I'd watch the forums "for sale" area, because folks put up neat stuff all the time (looking for a a blue Cub?) and you don't have to go through bidding nonsense. I just got a friend an AFCK for $55, fast and simple, and I'm thrilled with it (hope the friend will be).

I'll bet there are some real Benchmade experts on the forum who could help you make a "wish list," too. Because if there's anything we all need, it's more knives on our wish lists

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-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)

Phillip · May 20, 1999

I have a BM Talon with blue anodised handles. It is a great knife. Boker has recently started making this very knife in several varitions. Handles are micarta, cocobolo, and G-10. Blade steel is 440 series, and there is also a damascus version.