Benchmade

I own about a dozen or so BM's now, and have owned dozens more over the years. If you are looking to buy a BM as a multipurpose everyday utility knife, you cannot go wrong with ANY of the AXIS lock configurations.

Now, keep in mind, some may be too small( 705), some too big (710), some to thin (940), but they are ALL strong, fast and reliable.

Try the 720 or 722...TOUGH as nails, and they won't let you down!

PS: I have a BM 350 SBT in my pocket right now...no axis, but still GREAT knife...and ONLY $40 !!!

Steve in NYC



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What we do today in life...echoes in eternity...
Every man dies...not every man lives...
 
Mike,

Please don't read too much into my post about the omega spring breaking on my 940. It was only the second time I had ever seen one break and I'm sure it is a rarity. You will still need to contend with uneven grind lines and the blade hitting the spacer in the handle on many BM's. Yes, good liner locks are hard to come by, but the LCC is very consistent and one of the best (like I said, better than MANY customs I have been around). I would avoid Benchmade liner locks like the plague. If you decide to go with an Axis lock, just remember that the omega springs CAN break and that you will have to foot the shipping and be without the knife for a few weeks to get it fixed.

Later,
Chris
 
Quite strongly said Chris:
I would avoid Benchmade liner locks like the plague.
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Without any justification this looks somewhat onto libel side, don't you think?
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BENCHMADE AFCK with liner lock is one of two my very favorite (side-by-side with SPYDERCO Starmate) tactical folders. I use it daily during about 1,5 years and so far I didn't experience any problems. Nothing shows that I should wait for them in predictable future also
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Another my BENCHMADE liner lock is Allen Elishewitz's Stryker. It displays very interesting design and is flawlessly executed (as well as all my benchmades, maybe I'm lucky chap
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). This time I can't say about it too much, when I'll learn it better I'll publish my review on Knife Reviews & Testing Forum. But even with my little experience with this knife I'm very far from considering it as "plague".
 
Serguisz,

I've been collecting "tactical" folding knives (Microtech LCC) for a little over ten years now. I have owned and handled more liner locks than I'd like to count. I've handled knives (Microtech LCC) from every major player in the production industry on a regular basis. I collect handmade folders (Microtech LCC). I hang out with other blade freaks that are "into" sharp things more than I am (including contributing editors to the knife mags). I attend numerous gun/knife/Blade/SECK shows. I think I know how to qualify a well made liner lock. Benchmade (Microtech LCC) has had VERY spotty liner locks in my personal experience and I'm voicing this to someone inquiring about Benchmade (Microtech LCC) quality. If you ask anyone who has collected more than a couple of Benchmades (Microtech LCC) over the years, you will probably find that my personal experiences aren't too far from the norm. I'm not trying to bash the company (MIcrotech LCC), I just think there are better made liner locks out there in that retail price range (MIcrotech LCC). If I had bad experiences with a car that you were looking to purchase and there were safety issues with it that you didn't know about, would you want me to tell you? I thought so. Sorry to pee in your Cornflakes, but scat happens.
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Take care,
Chris
 
FNG on deck. 50 years old and the only knive I'v ever had was a K-bar while semper fi'ing. Until two months ago, when I somehow just Had to buy a knive. Now have a CRKT two BM's and an MT, still more on order.
Saw the post about BM's asymetrical grinds right out of the box. I just received an axis with the same problem. I emailed BM and was told that their knives are hand ground and so can differ, then was refered to this site. One side is about 1/2mil and the other about 1 1/2 mil wide, starting from the middle of the front part of the belly, back to the back recurve. What causes this to happen when the factory sharpens? Most importantly to me, what do I need to do with the blade when I sharpen it for the first time?
Rad
 
Are they worth the money? In a word, YES!

I own several Benchmade knives.

The only one I had trouble with was the AFCK, it flexed a little and had some blade play. BM fixed most of this, but it still was a little out of order for an expensive knife. Read my review on the link below.

Benchmade make nice looking blades, and they use M2 tool steel. I can forgive a lot for this alone.


Is the Axis lock any good! Smooth and safe, say no more.

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A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
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Founding president and member number 1! Wana join?
 
CPR is right about BM knives. I own 2 BM and they are not worth it. You get more for your $ with CRKT. CPR, you might want to take a look at the new custom striders. It will be hard for you to break the new custom striders.
 
well i guess i got lucky - i bought a BM AFCK yesterday cuz they are discontinuing them for 1 reason or another - my main carry knives are a cold steel large gunsite folder (excellent knife for the $$ but its BIG price $55)and a spyderco khalsa (really cool looking but short blade price $100) my spyderco centofante large model ( really cool looking, smooth action, a secondary lock so it aint gonna close on ya, only negative blade looks awfull thin on the end - i dont know, its a real pointy knife, real good lockup, its my second fav knife price$100)my kershaw onion torsion knife, really neat( and i bought used for $20) my emerson CQC-7 is the #2 ( really a well made knife, solid is the best way i know to describe it price $89.95) and know my AFCK - it shows quality comparable or above any of the aforementioned, all of which are top notch IMHO - i really like it, fits my hand perfect have a large hand so this is a prob smetimes - it is of now my primary carry folder - it has the smoothest action for 1 hand flicking of any of them, came sharp as could be (shaving) so i have nothing but praise for them so far - i paid $94.95 mine is the large black plain blade - i have only looked at the axis locks i havent gotten 1 yet but it seems like i have been buying 1 a month for a while now so give me time - and remeber benchmade is 1 of the biggest compasnies out there they didnt get that way by selling junk - any folder can fail, so i carry a MOD razorback fixed in the winter when i can conceal it but cant in the summer - could just wear onbelt, legal but ya look like a nut (IMHO, no offense)

so nothing wrong w/BM IMHO, also check out cold steel IMHO the best buy for the $$, the most knife for the $$, masters of defense, pricey but top notch, CRKT a helluva lot of knife cheap - wife carries a carson design M-16 w/carbon fiber handles, a dainty little knife that weigths practically nothing - fits her perfect, 5'3 100 lbs she doesnt like big knives but packs a SIG P-225 daily, wouldnt have anything else - women, go figure - also spyderco is good, i like the designer series - and kershaw too - hope this helps

vet
 
I have never had any problems with any Benchmade knife I've ever owned. Every single one has been a pleasure to own. When the McHenry & Williams Axis folder first came out, I was concerned about the omega springs breaking as the seemed so fragile, however, I have yet to have a bad experience with them.
 
rogue_spear stated:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">It will be hard for you to break the new custom striders.</font>
Click to expand...

I don't really break knives. My problem is that I'm like one of those accelerated wear robots that car manufacturer's use to test the durability of their suspensions. I never forcibly flick my knives open, but I do gently open and close them repeatedly every day. I find it therapeutic and it keeps most people away from my area when I'm at the office
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This process also helps me build confidence in a particular liner lock and builds my muscle memory for each knife.

I'm looking forward to trying one of the Striders soon!

BTW, if any custom or production knife maker would like to have their knives' locks thoroughly tested by numerous repeated openings and closing, I would be happy to oblige
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Take care,
Chris
 
CPR, I think you're just bad luck for Benchmades, or something. I basically never open my Axis locks other then by flicking, and I do the same thing that you do (opening and closing repeatedly), and I have yet to have the slightest problem. Bad karma, or somthing?
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For what it's worth, the only production knives I currently own are Benchmades and Microtechs, although I'll probably pick up a couple of CRKT's in case I need a knife, but know it's going to get damaged or lost during use, and I should be the owner of a green BFC-edition Sifu some time next week...

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by e_utopia (edited 03-07-2001).]
 
JB,

Could be bad karma, but I think it has more to do with poor knife design, bad QC, or substandard parts in most cases. When I say repeat opening and closing, I mean 100-200 times per day
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per knife. I probably need to take Dexter's advice and start collecting and carrying fixed blades. Of course, I'll probably find a way to break those, too.
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Chris
 
Chris could break an anvil with a rubber mallet!
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Benchmades and other production pieces are best bought in person, IMHO. There is some variation in quality standards. The best way to be sure you have a "good" one is to handle it and scrutinize it first hand. I buy a lot of stuff online, but mostly customs. I do not worry so much about initial quality on customs because makers will bend over backwards to make sure you are happy with their product. Don't use Chris as the standard for knife performance. He is the Typhoid Mary of folders
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David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
David,

Who you callin' Mary!? Hey, just because I MAY have had a manicure once...
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Chris
 
If this will be your first high end folder, you will be happy with the quality of Benchmade knives.

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Brian
The first knife was probably used to cut stuff.
 
bteel,

It could possibly be a great first production knife for Mike. I still think he'd be more satisfied, quality wise, with an LCC or a Spyderco Starmate/Military, especially if buying sight unseen. Benchmade does get a huge thumbs-up for design. The new Terzuola 440? is calling my name. I may have to eat crow and pick one up (after carefully inspecting it)
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Red,

I gave up trying to even misaligned edges on Benchmades. I have a Spyderco Sharpmaker and have been unable to produce a good edge on many Benchmade knives with it. It is most likely my technique or lack of patience, but the point is that I shouldn't HAVE to reprofile the edge to the extreme that many Benchmades require. I would suggest a Lansky or other type of "clamp" sharpener and a coarse stone and then touch it up with a Sharpmaker. I think Joe Talmadge has an excellent sharpening FAQ somewhere on BF that shows you how to get excellent results with a Sharpmaker and the 710. Anyone have the link?

TTYL,
Chris
 
I have just purchased a BM 735s and I have to say it is wicked sharp, right outta the box. The axis lock works great. Just outta curiosity (and my lack of knife knowledge) would this model be considered a "work" knife or more of a "dress" knife? thanks
 
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