Benchmade Pinnace

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
Messages
2,984
I've recently become quite enamored with Framelocks. Kinda curious about the old BM Pinnacle. What do y'all think of it? tight? smooth? edge retention? etc.....It looks like a decent knife, although it seems hard to get very objective info on it due to folks constantly comparing it to the Sebenza, which seems a bit of an unfair comparison....

anyhoo, yer thoughts an' perceptions are appreciated.

Thanks!

Damn type-O's.....yer thoughts on the PINNACLE would be appreciated as well...:D
 
I like the 750. I think that it is a bit too big for an EDC but as a full fledge working knife it is great. Mine was smooth as butter, had a great lock up, and a nice smooth recurve. The blade was 154CM which like other BM knives in the same steel is great.
Matt
 
Contrary to many folks opinion, there are some good Pinnacles out there. If you get hold of one, you will be quite pleased with the edge retention and the overall knife. It really isn't fair comparing it to the Sebenza as the 'benza has much more attention to detail which is reflected in the price and the consistently tight tolerances the Sebenza is famous for.
However, for the $100.00 your likely to pay for the Pinnacle, you'll get a very good work/SD folder that has a very tight lock-up and snaps open with ease and a good deal of authority. The thing is butt ugly of course, but it is possibly the strongest locking folder I own.

As many complaints as I've read about this folder in the past, I feel fortunate that my "First Production Run" model locks up tight, passes a spine whack test, has no blade play in any direction, holds an edge and hasn't chipped(a problem many seem to have had with Benchmade's ATS-34). My Pinnacle's edge flexes over a brass rod up and down the length of the blade and doesn't chip.
In fact, my only pet peeves about the Pinnacle are the re-curve blade(I wish it was a straight blade so it can be sharpened on a regular bench-stone) and the ease with which the Titanium shows scuffs and scratches.:grumpy:

So, if your in the market for a Pinnacle, it's best to try it before you buy it. Ordering it online may cost you some return postage if you get a bum sample. If possible, get several samples and look'em over good.

In closing, the Pinnacle is one of those folders where when it's a good one, it's very good, and when it's a bad one, it sucks like a Hoover. Good Luck!

Hope this helps.


All the best,
Mike U.
 
I held one for the first (and only) time about a month ago. Only complaint was it was really difficult to close. Much more so than a Sebbie. IIRC, it doesn't have a reliev notched out of the lock bar like a Sebbie which might be the reason it is so hard to close. Positive side of this is that lock ain't gonna close accidentally. You practically have a fixed blade when it is opened.

Mike
 
Hey, funny this post should come up. I like the Pinnacle. In fact I just sent one I've had for a while away to Benchmade to have it worked on. Yes, I own a Sebenza to. I keep the Sebenza cause it looks fancier or dressier than most my other knives. It cuts meant and sandwiches good. In a way it's more sheeple friendly, big blade and all (have a fancy decorated one). I consider the Pinnacle more of a tactical knife, and did carry it as an edc. I like the recurve and the length, and the lack of I dunno, pretension to it? It slices good and the tip seems strong enough for stabbing with, has a better choil I think too. It's a user. I have others that are for show offing, weekend ninja carry, serious self defense carry, and day to day no special reason carry, and thats what I did w the Pinnacle. Price was just right when available.

As a comparison the the sebenza well, I honestly didn't have any extreme comparisons to make, they both cut sandwiches, chicken breast, boxes, open envelopes just fine. For potential self defense I think I like the reach and grip of the Pinnacle. If you really have more extreme usages that need critical info I hope someone comes through with it. Otherwise, The Pinnacle if you can getone is a good product.

Overall I like Benchmade quality, workmanship and value. Hope this helps.
 
It's not a bad knife.

Then again, it's not a great knife either.

It seems to me that lots of knife companies are coming out with "low" cost frame locks nowdays.

I wouldn't put the pinnacle at the top of your list. Maybe save some cash up and buy a Cuda Maxx instead. Still, it's a decent work knife. You might like it.

-- Rob
 
Just another opinion. I have had one for about 3 years and currently carry it every day. It's been in and out of my pocket a number of times, but it always seems to come back.

I personally love the blade. It has a really good using shape to it, IMO. The lock is strong and mine has never really moved. The handles scratch up quite easy, but that's not a concern anymore for me. I cut out and put skateboard grip tape on the front scale and the clip. Yes, it's ugly, but this is a using knife for me. Maybe it's because of all the practice I've had with it, but I can open it with the thumb stud awfully fast.

Overall, I am quite pleased with mine, and have never considered selling it. But I would also have to say that I wouldn't buy one at the price that most get for them now. I bought mine slightly used at about half of what they go for now. At that price, I can't beat it.

Really, as others have said, handle one before deciding.
 
But I would also have to say that I wouldn't buy one at the price that most get for them now. I bought mine slightly used at about half of what they go for now.
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I know what you mean. I've bought three Pinnacles in the past 6 months, at an average cost of $80.00 each.

I was at a gun show two weeks ago, and some guy had two for sale. One was used (PE, black blade) and pretty scratched up-he wanted $100.00 for that one. The other was NIB, #1 of 1,000 Pre-Pro, and satin blade with serrations. He wanted $110.00 for that one, which for a moment I considered buying, then passed.

Great knife if you can buy one around $80.00. geegee
 
I had one and loved it! Used it hard untill some jackass stole it. It's definitely on my "must replace" list, and IMO BM's best offering to date.
PS- I thought mine was pretty...black blade contrasted nicely with the Ti handle.
 
The Pinnacle is one of those production models that bug me and yet satisfys my needs for this type folder. When I can only carry one folder, for either legal reasons or others, I will go with the Pinnacle for its reliable lockup. Note that it has a tip down carrying position, which is what I prefer.

The "bugs" are that I also prefer a non recurved blade style. But I can live with it on the Pinnacle. I use a Sharpmaker stones corner or a compact diamond rod if on the road. The edge angles are a bit steep for a good slicer. I' ve reangled them for a thinner/ more efficient edge. The integral locking bar on the last models that were in production were just too flimsy! They were cut much thinner in width than the original production models. And had a wide gap as a result of the lengthwise cut! That locking bar actually creaked back and forth during use when it is locked open position! It is simply too little contact area for efficient lockup. The original models had a wide enough lockbar cut. And only showed a very minimal lengthwise slot as a result. I' m not sure why Benchmade at that time decided to alter its design. :confused: :confused: But overall, the Pinnacle is a good working folder. Get one of the original/ earlier production models.

N.
 
Originally posted by Nakano 2
The integral locking bar on the last models that were in production were just too flimsy! They were cut much thinner in width than the original production models. And had a wide gap as a result of the lengthwise cut! That locking bar actually creaked back and forth during use when it is locked open position! It is simply too little contact area for efficient lockup. The original models had a wide enough lockbar cut. And only showed a very minimal lengthwise slot as a result. I' m not sure why Benchmade at that time decided to alter its design. :confused: :confused: But overall, the Pinnacle is a good working folder. Get one of the original/ earlier production models.

N.
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If you can find an early Pinnacle with good lock-up on the wider bar then get it. BM had a lot of CQ problems with those models as well, so many got sent back for fine tuning that they ended up redesigning the lock bar. The official reasoning was that by moving the contact point farther from the pivot and stop pin you increased their triangular relationship, making it inherently stronger. But as noted, the thinner bar had a lot of flex and play, which was also a problem on the CRKT S2.
 
Anybody have a good picture of a Pinnacle? Particularly and especially a serrated version (BT or satin)? I'm considering picking one up, and have apparently the choice of either a PE BT or a serrated satin. Can find plenty of pictures of PE satin and PE BT, but not a single serrated blade picture. :(
 
I had several of these over the years, actually 4, and they ranged from the "first production" with the wider lock bar to the newer style with the narrow lock bar. I always had trouble with vertical blade play. All 4 of them had it to some degree.

I can remember the first one I had and how much I thought it was a "poor-mans Sebenza". Don't mean that as a cut to the Pinnacle either. The action was never as smooth as a Sebenza but it would/will never be as it does not run on a bearing like the Sebenza does. The lock bar on all the ones I had locked up the blade very tight and I really believe the stop pin was the culprit in the vertical blade play that soon developed in these knives. I don't know it this item was not hardened properly or what, but I do know that the blade play developed and as anal as I be about blade play that was it for the Pinnacle for me.

For the price these sold for though I think it was a decent knife.
 
I wish the BM 750 was still in production. Perhaps it would have sold better if it had an axis instead of a frame lock. I one I handled had solid lockup. Are there any new in box, unsharpened for sale?
 
You can find them occasionally. Keep an eye out on the for sale forums here, and on ebay. I've seen a few on websites for sale still, but you can get them cheaper than those.
 
The Pinnacle I have locks up solid, and has no blade play whatsoever, either axially, or radially. it is a great knife, and I went to great lengths to obtain one on our trading forums.

I have an early production model, and I am looking for another. I was unaware that BM chaged the design on the newer ones, so that will definately influence me on purchasing my next one.

I say if you can find a good one, buy it.
 
No problems with my Pinnacle in sense of lockup, execution quality and so on!
I could say more – choosing the folding knife to into deep wilderness I would choice Pinnacle over Axis Lock knives. Why? Because there are not tiny springs, to break, where is no space to be clogged, it is simple, reliable, easy to keep clean.

The only complaint about design – I would like it with straight, non-recurved edge to make sharpening simpler, especially in field conditions.
 
So nobody has any input or opinion regarding my question, eh?

Mr. Mitin, how do you feel about partial serrations on the Pinnacle? They would seem to fall into the hard-to-sharpen recurve area, so they should sort of eliminate that problem.....
 
'preciate all the replies thus far. Due to the mixed reviews, I'm probably gonna hold off on the Pinnacle, unless one just floats my way on a trade or something. There's no way I could get one locally for $80-$100, and I don't see any reason to bend backwards trying to get one one the net.

I'm most likely gonna go with a CUDA MAXX 5.5, or the Aftermath (Gawd that things gorgeous!) If those turn out to be a bit much blade, I'll go with one of the Greco Birds of Prey folders.

AND...Maybe...God willing.....oh please Dear God let my wrists heal...if I can get back into Construction this Season.....I'll save a few pennies and get another Sebbie. (darn I was tryin' hard to keep th "S- word" outta this one):D

I very much appreciate all the input.
 
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