Benchmade Tsunami/Auto Tanto? (pic)

Chip Henderson

Chip Henderson

Joined
Jan 3, 2003
Messages
67
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Anyone have any info on this one (on the bottom in this pic)? I always thought it was just called the Auto Tanto, but last weekend at the Badger Knife Club show, I was told that it was a "Tsunami". Early-mid 90's? Am I close?

Any info would be appreciated!

Chip
 
I don't recall the knife being called the tsunami. I should have an old catalog around here somewhere. If I can find it, I'll check.
 
If I remember correctly, the manual version was the Tsunami. That is the auto version that was indeed called the "AUTOTANTO", per an older catalog. Closest estimate on production is 93-95.

WT
 
I don't remember what they were called, but I got one of each -- the manual and the automatic.

To tell you the truth, I like the old one better than the modern ones.
 
I do have a question, though. The spring on the auto version seems weak -- it opens completley, but not with as solid of "snap" as I would like. I remember reading someone else on this forum making a comment along the lines of that Benchmade autos are generally weak openers. True?
 
Hmmm, no problem with a solid lockup/opening on mine. If yours has gotten weak, a replacement coil spring shouldn't be hard to come by.

Chip
 
If I send it to Benchmade to be replaced, any potential problems -- such as a policy of selling only to military or law enforcement personal?
 
As far as I know, the manual was the Tsunami. I'd like to pick one up, but they're hard to come by these days.

I would suggest getting a spring and doing it yourself. It's super easy and then you don't have to worry about potentially breaking the law. As far as speed, they seem to vary. Some are nice and snappy, others are rather lack-luster.
 
PVK springs will not necessarily fit in the BM's. The modern BM springs are square wire. PVK springs are round. With the same amount of turns, that makes the round wire a few micrometers too thick to fit into the spring well flush.
 
To send it into Benchmade, go to a dealer that sells Benchmade autos, and they'll send it in for you, and Benchmade will send it back to them. You'll pay shipping, and the shop might charge you a fee, but it'll be small ($5-10).
 
Does anyone know if the manual version was made in a plain edge version?

I have an offer to buy a combo edge, but want to hold out if there are plain edge blades available.
 
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