I've been going nuts wanting to give my opinion on this knife. It just came in the mail today from http://www.gpknives.com Let me first start off by saying that they were great to deal with, not only were their prices fair but they answered all my question over the phone and by email.
On to my first impressions of this knife. I have heard several post comparing this knife to the LCC, most stating that it would be the one to buy instead. My opinion is these knives fall into two totally different classes, the LCC being one more of a tactical and heavy duty worker, and the 690 being more of a gentlemen's folder. The 690 being quite a bit smaller in my hand it still fills extremely comfortable. I received the best fit from using the serrations for the thumb which I feel gave a real good grip. The contours and finger serrations give this knife a grip just as good if not better than the LCC.
Although I have never really thought badly of BM's QC, I still fill this knife has better fit. I have about eight other BM's and of all them this one has the best grind lines and the blade centers nicely in the handle. The blade is just slightly less than hair popping sharp. I'm hoping this is BM's efforts at giving the customer what they want. I compared lockup of this knife against my LCC and axis locks and let me say it feels as rock solid as these. The action is very smooth, I would have to say better than the LCC. The LCC does however have a better thumb stud, giving a better purchase where as the 690 has a rounded thumb stud which I feel needs to go. It is just my pet peeve, but I feel a larger or more squared stud would be the way to go.
If you want a knife that won't make people turn and run but still want something capable of taking care of business then this is definitely a good choice. Mine came serrated and from my understanding that is all that is available at the time with plain soon to follow. It is also very smooth in and out of the pocket and the tear drop clip gives a good purchase in the pocket.
I only have one complaint about this knife and that is the fact that it is not left hand friendly. The thumb stud is only one sided and the clip is not movable. The CF is also slightly sloped for the purchase of the thumb stud only for right handed opening. I believe it would be possible to make this knife left friendly, but it would look unsightly having the holes in the CF. I feel BM would be best off making a left only model along with a right. Not a complaint but rather a preference, I would like to see this knife offered in a larger model about the size of the LCC, perhaps with the handle staying slightly more slender than the LCC.
For those wishing to customize this knife, not being an expert I feel it is possible but not as easy as the LCC. I have not removed the handles so my opinion is just from observation. If you were to change the handle material, it would be necessary to remove the CF as well being that it is placed on top of the diamond wood. I'm guessing that it has been glued to attach it. This would be a awesome knife to put different materials on but it would probably be slightly more difficult. I personally like the materials used and don't have any intentions of changing mine. Perhaps this is a new beginning for BM and will be lucky to see some more natural materials. I wouldn't hold my breath on it though. This is however a nice change to their line.
Here are the specs...
Blade Steel: 154CM Stainless Steel
Blade Length: 3.25"
Overall Length: 7.325"
Closed Length: 4.125"
Handle: Carbon Fiber and Diamond Wood
Lock: Modified Locking Liner
On to my first impressions of this knife. I have heard several post comparing this knife to the LCC, most stating that it would be the one to buy instead. My opinion is these knives fall into two totally different classes, the LCC being one more of a tactical and heavy duty worker, and the 690 being more of a gentlemen's folder. The 690 being quite a bit smaller in my hand it still fills extremely comfortable. I received the best fit from using the serrations for the thumb which I feel gave a real good grip. The contours and finger serrations give this knife a grip just as good if not better than the LCC.
Although I have never really thought badly of BM's QC, I still fill this knife has better fit. I have about eight other BM's and of all them this one has the best grind lines and the blade centers nicely in the handle. The blade is just slightly less than hair popping sharp. I'm hoping this is BM's efforts at giving the customer what they want. I compared lockup of this knife against my LCC and axis locks and let me say it feels as rock solid as these. The action is very smooth, I would have to say better than the LCC. The LCC does however have a better thumb stud, giving a better purchase where as the 690 has a rounded thumb stud which I feel needs to go. It is just my pet peeve, but I feel a larger or more squared stud would be the way to go.
If you want a knife that won't make people turn and run but still want something capable of taking care of business then this is definitely a good choice. Mine came serrated and from my understanding that is all that is available at the time with plain soon to follow. It is also very smooth in and out of the pocket and the tear drop clip gives a good purchase in the pocket.
I only have one complaint about this knife and that is the fact that it is not left hand friendly. The thumb stud is only one sided and the clip is not movable. The CF is also slightly sloped for the purchase of the thumb stud only for right handed opening. I believe it would be possible to make this knife left friendly, but it would look unsightly having the holes in the CF. I feel BM would be best off making a left only model along with a right. Not a complaint but rather a preference, I would like to see this knife offered in a larger model about the size of the LCC, perhaps with the handle staying slightly more slender than the LCC.
For those wishing to customize this knife, not being an expert I feel it is possible but not as easy as the LCC. I have not removed the handles so my opinion is just from observation. If you were to change the handle material, it would be necessary to remove the CF as well being that it is placed on top of the diamond wood. I'm guessing that it has been glued to attach it. This would be a awesome knife to put different materials on but it would probably be slightly more difficult. I personally like the materials used and don't have any intentions of changing mine. Perhaps this is a new beginning for BM and will be lucky to see some more natural materials. I wouldn't hold my breath on it though. This is however a nice change to their line.
Here are the specs...
Blade Steel: 154CM Stainless Steel
Blade Length: 3.25"
Overall Length: 7.325"
Closed Length: 4.125"
Handle: Carbon Fiber and Diamond Wood
Lock: Modified Locking Liner
