BM 690 Vs lum chinese

B

billyp

Joined
Oct 21, 2002
Messages
196
im torn between these two knives, im going to buy one for myself for christmas but dont really have much info about either one, it seems they are both the same lock mechanism, different handles, i dont know about the steel on them. any of you guys have both i would apprciate any comparison of them. thanks in advance.

P.S. its been a little since the spot has been out anyone had any problems with the sheath slipping, thinking about that one as well, but its different class than the above two.

BillyP
 
Lum Chinese!
I have a lum that i picked up in a trade and removed the green coating and put a mirror polish on the handle. It's now my dress knife.
While the 690 is a nice knife wait till you see the 960 that will be out in short order.

I highly suggest the Lum,
Better steel- Lum=VG10 / 690=154cm
Better handle- Lum=easy to remove scratches form aluminum /690= not so easy to remove dings from wood
Better lock- While you don't hear many lock failing BM stories i put my trust in Spyderco's nested liner
The Spydie is just a better looking kinfe IMHO.
 
I have had a BM 690 for three or so months, and it is now my standard "dress knife". Before I got it I did not know that I would ever have need of a dress knife, but I have been surprised by how often it winds up being carried and used. Moreso than any other knife I have the 690 is a blade that I am pround to carry and own. It is especially good for office carry, because although it is quite strong and a fairly large knife even people who cringe at my 710 react very well to it. Much more classy than your average black G10 cookie cutter knife.

Its the little things on this knife that really appeal to me, things that I have never seen on a production folder. The fasteners along the back of the handle have been machined into a nice hourglass shape to provide additional clearance for the blade. The scales have been formed precisely enough that there is no gap between the wood and carbon fiber portions, and rather than just laying the CF on the liners they have thinned out the wood to get a great sandwich effect. Theres a bunch of things liket that which are not immediately noticable but are quite impressive once you get to seeing them. Benchmade really outdid themselves on the construction of the 690, it seems better put together than any similar production knife that I've seen.

Despite all this, the 690 is no slough when it comes to actually cutting things and doing work. It has a nice pointy blade shape with a very faint recurve which gives good slicing power. The Axis lock has spoiled me on liner locks, but the 690 lock is still quite good. No blade play on mine, perfect engagement, easy to use, and makes a great sound. I would not hesitate to do anything with this knife that I would do with any other quality locking folder.

At first I was afraid to use the 690 too hard because of the carbon fiber and wood, but once I got over that and started using it for everything (including slicing the occasional industrial high pressure refrigerant line) it has held up just fine. The steel on mine is 154CM and I find it to sharpen easily and hold an edge well.

I don't have any real experience with the Lum Chinese, but I would recommend you strongly consider the BM 690. Don't make up your mind until you can see one in person, as pictures of his knife really don't do it justice.

Now if only they would make one with an Axis lock, I would probably never buy another knife.
 
very informative posts so far, you guys are the best when one needs to know something about a particular knife, thanks again

BillyP
 
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I agree with flashbulb.

I've had my 690 since January. Very well built, and I trust it's lock up as much as my 710HS.

This is my "dress" knife, but does not get any less use/abuse than the 710.

In addition to having a nice strong, sure lock-up and holding an edge, the 690 is also a "looker." I especially like the way the blue Ti liners contrast with the grips/blade.
 
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: OMG OMG. IS THAT A PRODUCTION MODEL. DAMN F**KING SEXY. I CAN'T BELEIVE HOW NICE THAT IS. How much is that going for, or when is it coming out. I really wanted to get one of Benchmades higher end folders and this one really catches my eye and makes me have a big ol' mess in my pants :( And where can I find more pictures of it, or could you please provide me with some, Thanx :D.
 
It's retail is 189.00
It's out in Germany now and will be here first quarter 2003.
Production model in s30v steel
 
I owed the chinesse and I've handeld the 690 several times. I think the 690 is prettier than the Chinesse and has a better lock up but the Chineese has great steel and an awesome blade design. the chinesse has the VG-10 steel gets really sharp and holds the edge pretty good. I think that 154CM is tougher steel though (I could be wrong on that).

The benchmade would make a better all around knife because it's tougher and has a better handel on it. i found the chinesse handle too small and the lock held but it did move once it a while which i didn't like much.

The chinesse is definatly a cool knife and would be a great knife for dress only or lite use (office situation). It could take some abuse but not a lot.

Hope i didn't just confuse you more :)
 
Originally posted by Mental Patient
Click to expand...

Now you got me drooling...

Damn it! ;) :D

And I just had purchased my last - and absolutely last - knife.

I must stop reading this forum...
... or visit my doctor...
... or something...

:) :)
 
I've seen both, and I'm normally a Spyder fan, but I think the 690 is one BM that I'd like to get. I think it's a better dress knife than the lum chinese because the handle feels better, the blade shape isn't particularly threatening, and the liner work, the scales make it look very nice.
Somwhow I don't like the 960 as much as the 690.
 
Ops...
... forgot this:

I don't own Chinese ('cos I don't like Spydercos very much) but I own 690 (BC1 coated).

It's little bit thicker than some other knives (Sebenza for example) but that doesn't bother me.

I think it's light, strudy, sharp knife with smooth action and strong (enough) lock.

One major problem it has, though: I think it's allmost too pretty to be used ;) :D

But, as said, each with his/her own personal tastes...
 
I have both and honestly I don’t know which one I like better.
Both are cool knives and I carry both being formally dressed, depending on the mood. I like the flat ground blade of the Chinese better. On the other hand the thicker handle of 690 fits my hand somewhat more comfortable.
Hmm, it’s really hard question rather with no proper answer on rational basis. Listen your heart or - probably – mood ;)
 
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