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Benchmite 310

G

getgo

Joined
Jan 11, 2003
Messages
8
Could not resist the urge to buy another knife. I mentioned about a week ago I was waiting for a nimravus to come in. Well, I went back to the store and it had not arrived but on the owners desk was a Pre-Production Benchmite. One quick look and I had to have it. I just happen to be looking for a small gentlemens knife and this one meets those needs. About the Pre-Production. Would you still carry the knife for use, or store it away? It's Number 0545/1000 but does that really matter? Is it any more valubale than one without the number? :confused:
 
I had asked the question about value of a "prototype" on the Benchmade forums and received a response that there are less protos made of limited edition models.

My guess is that since the 310 is not a limited edition, the pre-production run has a neat factor, but it might be a while before there is any appreciation. I am not a collector, however.

So - I am going to use my prototype since more value will be derived in my using the knife than keeping it for any possible investment value. Just to functional a knife to use.

My $0.02
 
It have #307 in my pocket where it hasn't left since I bought it. Pre-Production doesn't mean to much when the numbers are so high. Like 500 or 1000. I wouldn't hesitate to use it
 
A true collector would not use any numbered version of knives. They are all special when they are numbered no matter what the number is or what the producition is wheter it be Proto, Pre or 1st.
 
Benchmite. Great little, sheeple friendly knife.
Just rcvd 3. The 310S says Limited Edition, 154/300...who cares? :)
it is now on my keychain :cool:
The two 310's...one is now on my daughter's (12 years old) keychain.
I gave my son a large Sebenza, but he wants the other 310 also. Hee hee, wait for it. Great idea by Benchmade, great lock mech. Now to see how well it holds up, but I like this knife. Neat toy.
Rad
 
Auto? How can they make it an auto, and why? Is too small to be an auto.
Rad
 
rad148, there are lots of little autos, Protech makes quite a few and they're really nice. For the original question, I'd say use it, but that's just me. With numbers that high I doubt it will appreciate much for a very long time.
 
Originally posted by rad148
Auto? How can they make it an auto, and why? Is too small to be an auto.
Rad
Click to expand...

Its not to small! They've already made some anyway. They're really neat, works the same way as the Benchmite. (by pressing the little lever thing).
 
Its not to small!
Click to expand...
Oh, Ok. I have seen small ones, just never as small or as thin as the Benchmite. Took one apart yesterday to see how well it is made (it is very well made) so I can see how they might be able to automize it but it does seem like a tight squeeze with the way the mechanism works. Guess someone will figure it out though. It flips well :)
Auto on.
Rad
 
Can anyone tell me the overall width and thickness of the Benchmite? It looks kind of stubby in the pictures, but I know that could be misleading...

--Bob Q
 
Sure Bob,
This comes from Knifecenter's description though, as I don't have any tools that could measure accurately.
Specifications: - Blade Length: 1.92", BladeThickness: 0.084", Overall Length Blade Open: 4.75", Length Closed: 2.85", Weight: 1.00oz, Blade Steel: 154CM hardened to 58-60 HRC, Handle Material: Titanium w/ Blue Anodizing, Handle Thickness: 0.23", Opening/Locking Mechanism: LEVITATOR (tm)
Click to expand...

Comarison with an MT UDT
Benchmite01.jpg


benchmite02.jpg


Rad
 
I have a question regarding this knife. I got one recently and noticed strange thing. When the knife is open (as on the picture abowe) the part of the liner (where the lock stub is attached) sits flat with the rest of the scale.

bm1.jpg


But when I close the knife it does not go down all the way....

bm1a.jpg


Is that a flaw or is it visible on your knives too? It looks like the hole in the blade is not aligned correctly or it is not big enough...

David
 
Hi David,
Those are some big megapixel pics, takes a long time to load.
I noticed a slight (very slight) upward set as shown in your pics on all 3 of mine. After taking it apart to see what's what, I deduced that this is part of the inherent design ie pre-stress to make sure that it locks solid when open. Do not believe that this is a problem.
Did a spine whack test on two of them and only one failed, but took a lot of force to make it do so (progressive force applied). At the point it failed, can not imagine that anyone could put that much force while cutting/twisting even thru rubber hosing to cause this in normal practice. Have not been able to duplicate the failure on that particular Benchmite :)
So no, I don't think what you see is cause for worry, and don't think it is a flaw, is part of the design. If you can't open it without using the un-lock mech, then I thnk it is working properly.
Rad
 
Thanks for the response. Actually the pictures are quite small - just the server where I host them is too slow :(... Anyway, I still think I will take the knife apart (well I already did it once) and will try to "fix" the "problem" somehow. It just bothers me although the knife works fine ...

David
 
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