Benchmade Model 450

[Easyrider]

I'm considering picking up a BM450 and I wanted to know what the collective can tell me about it. I'm looking for something along the lines of a gentlemen's folder but I'm not prepared yet to purchase a William Henry. Does it have an open backspacer or is it closed?

 

[Architect]

IIRC, the 450 has a closed back - all of Bob Terzuola's knives do.

It is very lightweight, although the grind and stock of the blade are fairly substantial for the overall size of knife. I had one with a sticky pivot that made it hard to open and even a trip to Benchmade did little to help.

The "hook" is somewhat problematic, no so much for removing the knife from wherever you hook it, but for putting the hook back onto wherever you want it to go. It is small, and is not as intuitive or easy to put on as a standard clilp.

 

[brownshoe]

It's a great little knife. I agree the hook is harder than a clip to engage on your pocket, but its a lot less obtrusive and does the same job. I like the clip and chain and think it's a great idea.

Overall the fit and finish on my knife (first year's version with 154CM steel and boron carbide coating) is perfect. Surpasses most spydercos and is better than my benchmade stryker. The edge was good, but needed a little attention; it's held up for a few months of use w/o touchup. Mine opens smoothly and can be flicked open with the thumbstud as fast as an auto. If you can, get the earlier vesion with better steel, blade coating and the sterling silver chain. The second year has 440C, no coating and no chain or clip.

 

[FullerH]

I'm considering picking up a BM450 and I wanted to know what the collective can tell me about it. I'm looking for something along the lines of a gentlemen's folder but I'm not prepared yet to purchase a William Henry. Does it have an open backspacer or is it closed?

I have some other suggestions that you may wish to consider. The first is the BenchMade Warren Osborne Model 770 series Gent's Folder. The variants are numbered 770 for the version with carbon fiber scales, 771-01 for the version with upmarket aluminum scales, 771 for a lesser, but still upmarket, version with aluminum scales and 773 for the base market aluminum scales. The differences are that the 770 & 771-01 have extensive sculpturing of the scales and very pretty file working that extends even to the pivot screw and to the thumb-studs. The 771 and 773 have minimal sculpturing, what there is being of a purely pragmatic nature. All come with BM's Axis Lock and they all have closed backs. All versions come with the option of a BC1 black blade coating for an extra $14.00 or so. The prices run from $137.99 down to $101.99. The version that I have, the carbon fiber scaled model with a satin finished blade, is $124.99 and is a very handsome piece of work. The knife is a very small package that packs a LOT of cutting power with a 2.8" blade* and a hilt of 3.75" that is sculptured to give a secure, yet very comfortable, grip for use. I like mine a quite a lot, but honest forces me to say that the clip mounts for right hand use and there is no alternative, as removing it leaves a whacking great square hole in the right scale at the butt end. Please see the first two links, below, for Roger's Bayou LaFourche Knifeworks page on the 770 series and on my version, in particular.

Another option would be the Spyderco C75 Kiwi, also shown below on a link to Roger's site. The prices are $84.99 for the version with the jigged bone scales and $49.99 for the one with a plain stainless steel hilt, both with what Spyderco calls a "Forward Lock Back", which necessitates a closed back. These are both designed to carry like your grandad's old penknife, without a clip. The jigged bone version even comes with a very nice little leather slip case. The blade is a mite under 2.5", making it legal carry in federal offices under 18USC930, so I carry my jigged bone version nearly every workday. It also does not seem to disturb all of the hoplophobes that surround me. Hell, even the shooting enthusiast is afraid of knives! But as normal as it may look in the closed position, it is still as Spyderco, complete with the Spydie "Hole" for opening and a blade that looks positively Masozoic to my eye. It is really just a rather slim Wharncliffe modified to have the "Hole", but that chages things a lot. You either like Spydercos or you do not.

I hope that these suggestions may be of some assistance to you.

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=MFGSEARCH&ManfID=1076&Page=3

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=167

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=MFGSEARCH&ManfID=1083&Page=5

* Mine measures 3" from the end of the scales to the tip, so their measurement must be the length of the cutting edge, not a measurement used by the police in my experience, so be forwarned if that 0.2" might be an important legal issue.

 

[Easyrider]

Thank you gentlemen for the information and suggestions. I was contacted by a good friend of mine about having breakfast this weekend and I know that he has a 450. I'm going to see if he is willing to bring it by so I can check it out for myself. I already have a Benchmade 770 Prototype that I'm not happy with as an EDC but it is a nice little knife anyway. I'll have to look into a Spyderco Kiwi though. Is that chain and hook removable? Thank you.

 

[brownshoe]

The chain is not readily removable. It can be cut off, otherwise some handle disassembly may be required. Mine was $75. The Kiwi is a warncliffe and IMHO not as useful or as cute as the 450. The dark blade, small size make the 450 less obtrusive and more friendly.

But, the best reason to get a 450 is it is by Terzuola, and as a total package is sweet piece of design. Plus there are few Terzuola production pieces, much less at <$100.

 

[Easyrider]

But, the best reason to get a 450 is it is by Terzuola, and as a total package is sweet piece of design. Plus there are few Terzuola production pieces, much less at <$100.

Well said and I can't agree more. I had the pleasure and honor to meet Bob at a function put on by my Wife's place of employment. He is as friendly and nice as you could hope for.