Benchmade Mini-Dejavoo- pros and cons?

Lev

Lev

Joined
Nov 6, 2008
Messages
463
I've been eyeing his knife for awhile, but unfortunately I haven't had the chance to hold one. Something about contoured handle that gives me reservation. Curious as to how it carries, as I'm used to flat handles.

Anyway, those of you that have one, good or bad?

Thanks
 
Everything is great about them except the crappy ball detent that keeps the blade in the "closed" position. It essentially doesn't work so if you turn the knife upside down the blade will pretty much fall open.

Other than that the knife carries well and is a wonderful design. The liner lock locks up well.
 
If there's one thing I hate in a frame/liner lock, it's poorly functioning closed retention. I'd highly recommend a Benchmade 940. BEST Benchmade IMO.
 
On the Pro side , the action is smooth . On the con side , the spyderhole isn't well positioned .

The handle is comfortable , and I like the low carry .

Chris
 
Earlier this year, I got the chance to "trade" with a co-worker for a day and carry his Dejavoo....NOT the mini, but the full-size one. I like the tip-down carry, that's my style. I didn;t notice any problem with the ball-detent, it worked fine for me. I loved the blade shape and, as with all BM liner locks, this one worked as smooth as any other. I have to agree on the "hole" opener, I never liked them and probably never will.

My interest is so high in so many knives, I never get around to buying even a small percentage of the "good ones". The Dejavoo is one of the good ones and I would expect the mini to be nothing less.
 
Aside from effectively coming from BenchMade as a 'gravity knife' the Dejavoos are ok. There is no real retention on the ball detent to keep the blade tip safely down in the folder body when closed. It is not one I'd recommend switching to tip up carry because the blade could open by gravity in the pocket depending on how you clip it to your person and how active you are.

Also, based on handling the ones I've had here for work and the one I bought for myself, the 'wings' on the front of the handle that act somewhat as a guard when the blade is open tend to get in the way during the action of opening the folder. I noted on more than one occasion when opening the blade where my thumb was bumping that and getting somewhat less of a smooth opening or a half open situation where I had to look down to continue once I found the hole again. Personally I have not taken to this model. They look better in pictures than what you interpret with one once its in the hand in my opinion.

STR
 
I got a Mini-Dejavoo when they first came out. I liked the knife and it was a good slicer with a nice lock up. But.............. I would not trust the detent to keep the knife closed. Benchmade makes fine knives but they did a poor job on the ball detent on this knife. I have received minor cuts from liner locks coming open while I carried them so I have become rather selectives about my liner locks. BTW, I have a Spyderco Schempp Khukuri which I love that is a liner lock and the detent pulls the blade in when closing and keeps it closed and is one of the best factory liner locks I have used.

RKH
 
Yeah, the ball detent would be an issue for me. I've had that issue once before and ended up with a nice gash in my hand.

And I'd been wondering about the Spyderhole. I hate having to work at opening a knife.

Enough doubt now that I would definitely want to hold one before making any decisions.

As always, thanks for the opinions.

Lev
 
I have a full size Dejavoo and love it. It does open with aa flick or thumb work very easily but no detent problems. It stays securely closed. The handle is surprisingly comfortable with a feel in the hand like a scalpel. I was surprised and impressed.
 
I tightened the pivot on my mini, but loose enough to easily deploy the blade. I actually use it quite often in the kitchen instead of a paring knife. I also use it to cut the aluminum seals on IV bottles at work. It's in my pocket right now.

Some of the sheeples in the SF Bay Area (a.k.a. belly of the beast) get scared when they see it.

ric
 
That knife is about as cool looking as they get.

Don't like the tip down carry though. Also since it's BM I wish they'd put an axis lock on there.

I probably won't get one but it looks like an excellent value.
 
I would jump at a Dejavoo done in Axis form although it would be different from Bob Lum's design.

I've owned both large and small models and still own the smaller 745. I traded off the larger 740 some weeks back - it was the smoothest locking liner I've owned, maybe too smooth. On closing it one afternoon I misjudged where my thumb was and got the worst cut of my career. The added weight of the larger blade combined with the smooth pivot action really didn't give me a chance.

I like the "Mini" 745 much better. Feels good in the pocket, I like the deep carry clip, although I ordered a black one from Benchmade. With the flat ground blade it makes a great utility knife that sees plenty of time in the kitchen. I've also snugged up the pivot so it's still smooth but a little safer to close.

One change I'd make would be to replace the plastic spacer with open barrel spacers, but not much else, as is it's a great knife!
 
Check it out in person.
In spite of other people's issues with the detent, on mine it is about the best detent I've ever encountered.
I've seen some where the blade was too far to the side, but mine is perfect.:)
So I'd recommend getting one, but NOT without inspecting it in person.
 
STR said:
Aside from effectively coming from BenchMade as a 'gravity knife' the Dejavoos are ok.
Click to expand...

Yep, thats how Australian customs assesed this one - it's the only knive that I have had confiscated by customs. It was a shame, such a nice knife was sent for destruction.
 
Ive edc'ed a 740 for awhile and the only reason why I took it outta edc was because I got a skirmish! I love the dejavoo and everything about it. It feels great in the hand and in the pocket. Go for the mini!
-Barry-
 
I've been wanting a Mini Dejavoo for a while, but the concerns with the ball detent have held me back. Has anyone sent one of the ones with "issues" back to Benchmade, and if so, what was the outcome?
 
FWIW, I tightened the pivot about 1/8 of a turn on my full size dejavoo...and although it doesn't feel AS secure as some other folders, I've never had an issue with it opening up when I didn't want it to.
 
I have owned 2 Mini-Dejavoo's. Both of them had clip screws that stripped out just by removing the clip and putting the clip back on. The blade was not held shut well like others have said. And this is just my own personal preference, but the plastic backspacer sucked as well as having one stainless liner and one titanium liner.

I also don't like how when opening the 745 your thumb hits part of the knife handle that is a "guard" for your hand when open. The blade should have been a tad taller and the hole higher up, or the guard slimmed down a bit.

I personally think the liner lock needed to be thicker. Benchmade used to do liner locks pretty darn well, but as of late they don't do so well.
 
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I have large hands and had reservations about the handle shape on the mini. It turns out it is very comfortable. I agree with the post about it opening easily but so far it has not been an issue for me. I wear jeans usually and it sits deep in the pocket. This is subjective but... it feels like a dressy knife if you work in a place where you wear cotton slacks etc., very light, sits low and discrete but I grab my spyderco para more times than not if I think I'm going to do any real cutting. Not that the mini is not a slicer...IT IS. The blade is a good shape and size overall for most common tasks. I wish the clip was black as I do on all my knives. I hope this was some help. Keep the peace, Smitty
 
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