Benchmade

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Mike J

Joined
Oct 25, 2000
Messages
16
Having always used tradtional multi-blade pocket knives my knowledge is quite limited on the folders. Advise please. I am looking at a Benchmade folder.
1. Are they worth the money?
2. Is the Axis locking system much better than the standard line as for durability?

Thanks,
Mike J
 
I have an BM Axis 710. Best folder I've owned. Had, SOG's, BM (Emerson, AFCK), Bucks. The Axis lock is smooth, easy to open, will not open accidently in pocket when pulling out of pocket. (there have been reports of other folders opening while trying to pull out of pocket causing large lacerations). I got mine at the CutleryShoppe with my initials engraved for a reasonable price.

[This message has been edited by exsanguinate (edited 11-06-2000).]
 
Mike,

I've owned a few and IMHO, the Axis lock is a great lock system. There have been rare cases (a 940 Osbourne of mine being one of them) where one of the omega springs breaks. Benchmade's warranty policy requires you to pay for shipping both ways to their facility in Oregon to repair a knife the end user should be able to fix on his/her own. They will NOT sell you the spring. I have sold or given away my Axis locks because of this policy. This is an important isuue to me but may be trivial to anyone else. The knife will still be usable with one spring, as 2 springs are incorporated into the design to provide redundancy. That being said, I would say that as a whole Benchmades are worth the money if you don't pay full retail for them and carefully inspect the knife before purchase (especially the liner-locks).

I would heartily recommend the Microtech LCC instead of a Benchmade (including the Axis lock). Microtech has the same lawyer-proof warranty policy about disassembly, but I seriously doubt anything will break inside a manual LCC. You get twice the knife for the same price (mine is of bettter quality than some big name customs I have owned and/or handled). The lock-up on the LCC is very consistent in the examples I've handled, unlike Benchmade's liner locks, which are generally very spotty in quality.

I can also recommend the Spyderco Military over most Benchmade products. The Military is generally better in overall fit and finish and also has a consistent lock-up.

One rule of thumb is to sample the knife before you buy it. Go to a knife store and handle the knives you are interested in.

BTW, these are just my opinions based on MY experiences with the above products, so take them for what they're worth.

Good luck and remember to buy what YOU like.

Later,
Chris
 
I like the look of the Benchmade line especially the newer models with the Axis lock. Am seriously considering a BM 940 Osborne for my next knife purchase. I've got 3 liner-lock Benchmades: 1 does not lock up solidly, the other 2 are fine. And the infamous Benchmade factory edge on all 3 Benchmades can't cut worth a damn. Mabye its just me, but i like my knives with better edges out of the box.

Still, I'd probably go for a MicroTech Mini SOCOM if I was looking for a small, strong working folder. If you're a hole-in-the-blade fan, Spyderco also makes hard-working knives which are great value for money.

Just some thoughts
Red



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"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
Maybe I've been lucky, but most of my BM's (11 total) have had reasonably good edges. Nothing to compete with Spydercos, though. Now, the 940 I just got a few weeks ago, totally different story. Straight out of the box, scary sharp, without a doubt!

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831
 
Doggone, Chris - Are you still bitchin' about those omega springs?!?!

First you break an Axis lock, then a Kershaw Ken Onion Speed Assist, and finally you manage to induce up-and-down blade play in a custom-built integral lock!!! Just face reality and admit that you weren't meant to own sharp pointy objects... ROTFL
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I'll bet you've even managed to screw up your Buck Strider. What you need as a real brick... errr, knife - a Farid!
wink.gif


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Kelly
My Custom Knife Collection

Member NCCKG , SCAK, and AKTI

Deo Vindice

[This message has been edited by Senator (edited 11-06-2000).]
 
Mike,
I have some BENCHMADE knives, mostly in "tactical" category. No one quality problem I have had with them. I also could propose to improve nothing or almost nothing in the most their designs. No wonder that I do like them.
Here you can see my impressions on selected benchmades:
Model 710 Axis Lock;
Model 730 Ares;
AFCK in some comparison with others;
Model 750 Pinnacle;
Model 940 Osborne.
Naturally all this is just my opinion. Try to handle the knife of your choice before buying it and - Chris is quite right - buy what do you like.

 
I have a Benchmade small AFCK and can't say a bad thing about it. I personally think the Axis lock is just a marketing ploy to offer something different. It's more complicated than a liner/frame lock so obiviously won't be as reliable. My favorite pocket carry is a Spyderco Wegner Jr. because it's thinner and the handle seems a natural part of my hand. The Spyderhole (also on the AFCK) is simply the easiast way to open a manual folder with one hand.
 
Just to put in my OP

I have carried an afck for 3 years and never had a problem with the lock. It is also very comfrotable in my hand. I love axis locks but all the knives they are on are uncomfrotable in my hand.

thay are deffinitely woth the money.
 
Sergiusz, Thanks for the excellent reviews.
Mike, I think you will be happy with Axis locking knives by Benchamde. I have 5 BM's and I love them, most recently I received a 730 & 750 both are very impressive and lock up is great. For that matter not one of these knives have had bad lockup.
My first BM was the Setinel, which I bought about 3yrs ago. This liner lock knife has been used hard and for just about everything. I have litterly carried this one about 5 days a week for the last 3yrs and it shows no blade play. The only use it does show is cosmetic.
The Setinel wasn't extremely sharp but my 750 was hair popping sharp.
These fine people have some excellent advice, pick up the knife before you buy it. Like MT's I have seen them way over priced so look around.
After all the raving about the MT's, I'm going to get a Socom, and soon a LCC. I have not used any MT, but mainly thats because I have been so impressed with BM. I'm really only buying the MT's because of there quality reports the LCC is the first to appeal to me by feel and looks. My only suggestion, try them both in your hand if you like them both buy a MT for your right pocket and A BM for your left. Or the other way around.
 
Senator,

LOL. Man, I'm gonna bitch about 'em until there is either an aftermarket supplier or Benchmade changes it's ways. Yep, I do have a knack with breaking knives. For the record though, I never snap my knives open, I'm just a flickaholic. My Terzuola ATCF, Ralph Millenium Apogee, Spyderco Military, Microtech LCC, Buck Strider, numerous Sebenza's and CRKT KFF have NEVER had a lock problem of any kind, especially through repeated openings. Every damn coil or funkadelic spring knife I've owned (save a Microtech UDT) has had the spring fail. I'm just not meant for knives with funky springs
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sigsauer,

Man, you are gonna freak over Microtechs if you're that impressed with Benchmade products! Do me a favor and scrutinize your best Benchmade folder with your LCC when you get it. Then tell me if you honestly believe that the Benchmades should cost as much as the LCC. I'm convinced not through my experiences, of course YMMV.

Take care,
Chris
 
I just got a 750s a couple months back anc have been very happy with it. The edge it came with would shave, but it really sucked compared to the edge spydrco knives have out of the box. It was just way to thick. I spent an hour working it over with the stones and it really cuts now. Also has good balance and fit and finish. Its a strong knife and aside form the thick edge I can't find anything benchmade did wrong.
Oh yeah, one thing, the little universal paper tha comes with all their knives has a typo on it.... It says RIM OIL instead of REM OIL
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So aside from spelling and sharpening benchmade is good
smile.gif

I wasn't a real fan of the axis series though. The handle proportions seem messed up to me, I find the 750 much nicer.

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It'll feel better when it stops hurting.
 
Thanks for the many responses thus far. So, I am safe to assume that the Axis lock may not be as durable as a more conventioal design! Please advise.

Thanks,
Mike J
 
I have 6 BM's and my girlfriend has 2. All came shaving sharp out of the box and there have no problems whatsoever with any of them. I'm not sure why so many people like to complain about BM, as I have always liked their designs and materials, and their quality is excellent as far as I am concerned. The Axis lock is probably the most reliable and strongest locking device on the market today. There has not been a single verified account of an Axis lock failing or accidentally disengaging, at least none that I've heard of. Hell, I think you could stab an Axis into a tree and do pull-ups on it (didn't someone do this?). There are definitely better knives out there, but not in the $100 price range.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"I have often laughed at the weaklings who call themselves kind because they have no claws"

- Zarathustra
 
Mike,
The Axis lock is super smoooooooth and extremely reliable. Vist the BM forum and do a search to get more details. I've got 2 Axis locking knives and I have no doubt that my wrist would snap long before the lock gave way.
Brent...
eek.gif
 
Mike,
Axis Lock is not the innovation which was made to make something another only. It is far more strong, reliable, obstruction resistant and durable than whichever liner lock. No one liner lock will lock up at all with 0,5-mm thick obstruction between stop pin and blade tang!

As to possibility to break it - yes, every thing one man have made another man is always able to break
biggrin.gif

 
I have owned three BM's. I'll never buy another. They all had blade play, blades weren't centered in the handle and rubbed, butter knife sharp with edges as thick as deep dish pizza. If you plan on buying a BM, check it out first. I don't think they are worth what they charge. Spyderco, CRKT are much better buys. MicroTech LCC is an outstanding knife for the money. Hopefully there is a cutlery shop near you and you can check out all these knives.

Jeff
 
I've had several BM products, including the Stryker and mini stryker, AFCK, and the axis lock 705 and 710. I sold the 705 and 710 within two days of recieving them, I found the axis locks uncomfortable to use and difficult to release one-handed. Both of my strykers and my afck locked up great, but they had horrible edges and were difficult to keep clean. I switched over to Spyderco and carry the Military as my primary knife and couldn't be any happier. The only BM I still use occassionally is the mini-stryker, and that's only when I'm in a position requiring a sub 3" blade knife.
 
Like I said, try it out. They don't work for everyone. I've read post where some just didn't like the feel of the MT's. It goes the same with the BM's. I for instance love the how easy it is for me to open and close the axis with just a flick of the wrist. It was difficult at first, but after a little familirization with the knife, I was able to switch from left to right hand opening with no problems. I find this to be the quickest opening and closing knife next to a auto.

Personally when I choose a knife, feel and quality come first, then cosmetics. The MT's definitely have better cosmetics, but I feel both are quality knives. Many others regard the axis as much stronger than the liner locks. If I had a choice between liner lock MT or liner lock BM, I'd choose the MT. But if I'm looking for strength in the lock up, I'd choose the axis.

What ever you choose make sure it's what feels good for you. I've seen almost no bad comments about MT's, where as I have heard several about BM. The Axis locks however seems to get excellent reviews.

Maybe my opinion will change when I get my MT, but I have never loved the feel of these knives compared to BM's. My interest in them is mostly there quality. The LCC is the first one of there knives that felt good in the hand like the BM's have. My point here is so that you don't dismiss the idea of the BM, and not draw your attention to one or the other. There both great knives.
 
Originally posted by medusaoblongata:
I'm not sure why so many people like to complain about BM, as I have always liked their designs and materials, and their quality is excellent as far as I am concerned.
Click to expand...

Ummm, maybe because many of us have had problems with our Benchmades??
wink.gif
I think Chitwang nailed it in his post. The liner lock BM's I've had or seen tend to have blades that scrape the far liner when opening. The side-to-side blade play when open and closed is simply unacceptable. The Axis locks I've owned have been much better in that regard, but have their own problems. First - most blades I've seen have the worst kind of inconsistency when it comes to the edge grinds. The edge bevels tend to be extremely uneven - I've seen some bevels that are two to three times as big as the other side's bevels. Most don't come anything close to being what I would consider sharp. If you combine a very thick blade grind with inconsistent edge bevels, it doesn't make for a great cutting instrument. This in an area that definitely needs improvement. Spyderco is tops in this area.

Having said that, I also like BM's designs. I also like their materials of construction for the most part. I also LOVE the Axis lock. But doggone, I sure do like my knives to be able to cut something as well.

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Kelly
My Custom Knife Collection

Member NCCKG , SCAK, and AKTI

Deo Vindice
 
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