BM 425 Gravitator Review

Deadhead Archer

Deadhead Archer

Joined
Sep 11, 2002
Messages
1,862


Dimensions (stats borrowed from Knifecenter.com):
Blade Length: 3.50"
Blade Thickness: 0.145"
Blade Material: 154CM
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Blade Style: Modified Wharncliff, Plain Edge Black Blade
Weight: 4.50 oz.
Clip: Removable Steel
Lock Mechanism: Modified Locking-Liner
Bolsters: Silver G10
Handle: Black G10 Scales
Overall Length: 8.28"
Closed Length: 4.77"

I purchased this knife back in early December, and wanted to wear it for a while before giving it a thorough review. I use this knife as part of my EDC carry collection.

Purchased from Scheels in Iowa City, Iowa; they had it on closeout for a good price so I nabbed it. I'd have preferred a satin blade, but the good price couldn't be beat. It came OTB with a "good" edge, which I thinned and reprofiled into a "scary" edge.

Pros:
  • Love the modified Wharncliff edge
  • G10 Handle - solid as a rock
  • Handle is comfortable in my hand, and in use
  • Solid lockup (loud "click"), no blade play
  • Spine ridges make a good thumb rest when opened, a con when carried (see below)
Cons:
  • Tip-Down carry only - this is due to the thickness of the handle. This knife would be a lot sweeter if it was Tip-Up.
  • Spine Ridges are uncomfortable when clipped in pocket w/Tip-Down carry. If I reach in my pocket, I have to reach around the blade or grate against the spine. At the widest, when closed the handle/blade is 1 5/16" thick. Tip-Up carry would have put the spine against the seam of my pocket, making it much more comfortable to carry. This is the biggest con I have against the knife, IMO.
  • Factory edge could have been sharper.
  • This is my first 154CM blade, and it was a bit hard to get to an edge I liked. A plus though is that it has retained it's first reprofiled edge for a few months now without having to be resharpened since.
I'm debating about removing the clip and carrying it loose in pocket as the clipped spines are quite uncomfortable; I wear my clipped blades in the same pocket as my wallet. A good way to keep my money in my pocket, I suppose ;), but it's not fun to fumble around when at the grocery store.

Other than that dislike, I love every other aspect about this knife and enjoy having it as part of my collection. I've seen other people call this knife ugly, yet for me it's "sharp"! :cool:
 
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Good Review Deadhead, I had the same issues with the clip and grooves on the back of the blade with mine. It's a real hand ripper. Other than that I really like the knife too.:thumbup:

I went with the Satin finish.

Benchmade_SnodyGravitator_0.gif


oil
 
Loved the looks of it (I am in a wharncliffe phase), but couldn't stand it in my hand- the handle did not work for me at all. But it does seem to be a great knife- glad that it does work for some of us!!
 
Deadhead....Questions for you:) Is the 425 lefty friendly? Can it be opened and closed one handed.? I have hand mobility issues with both hands, the right is the most problematic to use for opening folders that are non Axis or non Spyderco. No place to try before you buy.....Thanks for any Help..I would sure like to get one of these...William
 
wmk1228 said:
Deadhead....Questions for you:) Is the 425 lefty friendly? Can it be opened and closed one handed.? I have hand mobility issues with both hands, the right is the most problematic to use for opening folders that are non Axis or non Spyderco. No place to try before you buy.....Thanks for any Help..I would sure like to get one of these...William
Click to expand...
I neglected to add that info to my original post...and it actually crossed my mind later!

There is only one clip position on the blade...and for a lefty it would keep the spine against a pocket seam IMO (if you check my first 2 snaps in the review above, you can see only 1 place for clip positioning). That would be a big plus, IMO.

Being a righty myself, I don't know if manufacturers make liner-locks specific for leftys for one-handed closing (?). When I close a liner right-handed I use my thumb to slide the liner over, index to push the blade, and rest of my fingers to hold the handle. When I tested using my left (just now), I had to manipulate my hand into the path of the blade so that I could push the liner to the left with my thumb; or I used my middle finger to push the liner closed (which, for me, felt a little "shaky").

When I use liners, I should note that I always position my unlocking finger at the top of the liner so that the blade tang bumps against my finger as a sort of make-shift "safety" so that there is never an accidental contact with the blade. I have to maneuver my finger out of the way to actually close the blade. This is how I tested when using my left hand, when putting my thumb in the path of the blade to open the liner - as a sort of safety against slamming the blade into my thumb.

Not being a lefty, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to tell you for certain that it would work...IIRC, it seems like many leftys end up avoiding liners because they aren't left hand specific.

Obviously, 2 handed closing wouldn't be a problem though.

I have to say, for a liner lock the Gravitator is probably the beefiest liner I own (very thick!); and I own several (BM910, CRKT M21, Kershaw Leek and Chive). I would say it isn't anywhere near as friendly as an Axis lock as far as being ambidextrous - I really do wish that all BMs were Axis...
 
Archer, Thank you for your in depth reply. It is very important to all of us that have hand mobility issues due to injuries or arthiritis, etc.

I liked your review very much. The views of the top and bottom give me a lot of
info as to opening and closing.

I have a coup;e of liner locks Buck Tempest and a Kershaw chive.
I also use a Spyderco Black ATR and Lil' Temperance with no problems.

Yes, the Axis lock is very good. My BM 420 Resistor is truly ampidex...William

P.S. bottom line: I will sleep on it...but I think I will order one soon.
 
I also have this knife, but in a satin finish. I think overall, it's a great knife. I love the blade shape, and the liner is definately one the beefiest I've seen for a liner lock. It's basicly a framelock with g-10 covers. In addition to the complaints about tip-down carry (which I can get used to), I'm not completely thrilled with the handl design. It's great except for the taper at the end. I think this knife would benefit from having the handle curve/extend a little bit more down around the pinky finger. It feels as though this knife could just pull right out of your hand. Other than that, excellent knife! I'm glad I own one. :)
 
Oh yes, I picked up my BM 425 black PE @ the P.O. today...WOW!!..:) Money well spent on this custom quality beauty...Thanks again all:thumbup:
Deadheads review is "dead in the bullseye"
 
While not a 425, I have a 426 coming from e-bay. The handle looks identical on both and it is just the blade shape that has been changed. Although after the review and pictures, I may have to see about a 425 also. I just really liked the spear point style blade and it's width from top to bottom and the way the handle really narrows. It just makes the knife very appealing to my senses.

Great pictures and review!:D :D
 
Deadhead Archer said:
Love the modified Wharncliff edge
Click to expand...

For what uses do you prefer this over a blade with more sweep, any concerns about the point, it looks fairly fine.

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
For what uses do you prefer this over a blade with more sweep, any concerns about the point, it looks fairly fine.

-Cliff
Click to expand...
Sorry Cliff, I neglected to see this post and stumbled across your question when referencing this thread to another forumite in General.

Obviously, it excels at straight slicing with that belly, and whittling/scraping; however I've found that the tip does ok for penetrating-stabs in softer materials too (cardboard, carpet, packaging tape, etc).

I own a few other wharnies, specifically the BM 921 Switchback (saber ground), the Spyderco Ronin (also a Snody design - flat ground), and the Kershaw Leek (a modified wharnie with a bit of a roll in the belly - hollow ground). The 425 Grav, thanks to the "Gotham Swedge" and being hollow ground, has the strongest and thickest point and spine of all them.

I should get another picture of the head of the blade, to show the profile of the thickness...the spine shot picture only shows the ridge-spine and the first "notch" on the spine... you are looking straight down the last "swedge".

Obviously, you wouldn't want to pry with this blade - but in all honesty I wouldn't pry with any knife other than a Busse or a Swamp Rat anyways (or something with a thick blade and is flat ground) ;)
 
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