BM 740 Dejavoo

Large 740 next to Spydie Manix....
Hope this helps......

Is that a regular or mini Manix? (kinda looks like a mini to me) If it's a regular, the Dejavoo is huge! I'll have to pick one of these up. I agree that it'd be nice in an Axis lock, though. The Axis is the best thing BM has going for it.
 
I checked with Benchmade directly, the Deja voo should be available by late April or early May. I have had one on order since January.
 
Is that a regular or mini Manix? (kinda looks like a mini to me) If it's a regular, the Dejavoo is huge! I'll have to pick one of these up. I agree that it'd be nice in an Axis lock, though. The Axis is the best thing BM has going for it.

thats the full size manix that I used for the pic...
 
I do own a mini daejavoo prototype since the weekend.
IMHO a perfect edc.
not too big or small, very well made, due to the high flatground and razorsharp S30V blade an excellent slicer, lightweight, smooth in hand, lowrider clip for tip down, ti liner for the locking side and stainless for the other, holds a decent spinewhack.
Only issue is a rather weak detent.
Comparable to the mini manix or the calypso as a linerlock version.
 
holds a decent spinewhack?? thats very interesting... do you have any pics..what did you whack the knife through??? I have the larger 740 and love it but I didnt think that it would take even a light spinewhack...
 
I handled one of the full size Dejavoos this past weekend. It's personally not my cup of tea, but it is extremely light and very smooth opening. It was already presold and the store was out of them (I think they only received one of each size and both were presold). The large one is very long!
 
I just picked up a mini Deja Voo at my local shop. It's really, really nice. The handle shape isn't a great fit for my hand, though. I'll try to post some pics of this next to a Grip and a Delica, and in my hand, so you can get a sense of the look and size. Quality is excellent--smooth, nicely aligned, sharp as hell. And just cool looking.

Point is, Benchmade could have made the Dejavoo an Axis lock knife.
But, instead, working with Bob Lum - one of the best knifemakers IMO -
they made it a liner lock.

It's pretty meaningful to me that one of the best production knife companies,
teaming with one of the best custom knifemakers, chose to use a liner lock for this knife.

As far as why a liner lock rather than an Axis lock, I suspect it has to do with the handle shape more than any superiority of the liner lock. Lum makes liner locks and a frame lock, from what I can see.

He also makes his one-handers with round holes. I agree with posts here that all this talk of Benchmade "stealing" designs is kind of silly, just my $.02. I'm glad to have both Spyderco and Benchmade (and Kershaw, and Lone Wolf, and MCUSTA, and Seki-Cut, and Al Mar...) making fantastic knives at prices that allow me to have more than one!

Gus
 
Gus, let us know what you think after using this knife for a while. Does it make a god edc??? Ill be out camping this weekend and will be putting it through the ringer to see how it performs outdoors....
 
I just picked up a mini Deja Voo at my local shop. It's really, really nice. The handle shape isn't a great fit for my hand, though. I'll try to post some pics of this next to a Grip and a Delica, and in my hand, so you can get a sense of the look and size. Quality is excellent--smooth, nicely aligned, sharp as hell. And just cool looking.



As far as why a liner lock rather than an Axis lock, I suspect it has to do with the handle shape more than any superiority of the liner lock. Lum makes liner locks and a frame lock, from what I can see.


Gus

I didn't mean to intimate that liner locks were superior.

I think that this Benchmade/Lum collaboration, though, is an indication
that the liner lock might not be as inferior a system as the "common wisdom" might lead one to believe.

In other words, apparently the liner lock system is pretty darn good.
(Otherwise, I guess, Lum & Benchmade would have used a different system for the Dejavoo.)
 
I didn't mean to intimate that liner locks were superior.

I think that this Benchmade/Lum collaboration, though, is an indication
that the liner lock might not be as inferior a system as the "common wisdom" might lead one to believe.

In other words, apparently the liner lock system is pretty darn good.
(Otherwise, I guess, Lum & Benchmade would have used a different system for the Dejavoo.)

Aha-- I can see that, and it makes sense. The leaf on this knife sits entirely on the tang when locked and, and the blade centers when closed. It seems really secure--no problem with spine whacks, and the lock still releases easily after a few hard hits. Benchmade has some other nice liner locks, like the Apparitions, and Al Mar, Kershaw, MCUSTA, Blade Tech and others use liner locks on some very nice, well liked knives, in addition to custom makers like Lum, so I think you're right, although there are plenty of threads on the forums about the relative merits of different locks, and the liner does seem to get the most criticism.
 
Aha-- I can see that, and it makes sense. This knife has very smooth liners that center when locked and blades that center when closed. It seems really secure--no problem with spine whacks, and the lock still releases easily. Is the typical complaint about liner locks the security, or the aesthetics and feel?

Great to hear that the execution of the design is so good.
The liner lock on my 910 Stryker is the same as you described.

Anyway, the typical complaint about liner locks is with respect to security; not aesthetics.

(Many BF members have posted that they simply won't own a liner lock knife.)
 
You know, a lot of people complain about liner locks, but I wonder if that is more a result of cheaply made versions of the liner lock and/or some badly designed versions of same. Or perhaps both of these problems come into play. I have asked this before and I shall ask it again: "Has anyone here ever personally experienced the failure of properly aligned and made liner lock from such companies as Spyderco or BenchMade?" I have had several Spydie liner locks and have had no failures on any of them and I note that one of Spyderco's most popular knives, the Military, uses the liner lock. I have heard of other problems with the Military, but never of lock failure problems.

I have, however, had el cheapo POS liner lock knives fail on me, well, only one and I threw it out.
 
I've never heard of a high quality (properly made) liner lock failing in normal use. I actually prefer them to framelocks as they're smoother from my experience.
 
hmm, the primary grind doesn't extend into the handle when opened, plus it has a choil. That's different for BM.
 
I didn't know these were out until I dropped by a local dealer today. It really reminds me of the old Spyderco Chinese folder. I like the long handle. It will make the knife very easy to hold and use. It is a good looker, but I think it will make a nice user too. I post back a say how it works.
 
I'm kinda wondering if there might be an inherent difference in lock reliability between the large and mini Dejavoo versions? I'm also having trouble deciding which would make a better all-around EDC.

I do know I have an old Benchmade 800 AFCK that's never failed, though the liner travels further across the face of the lock than when I first got it. My Spydie Military 440V still locks up perfectly. And my two BM Stryker liner locks are very secure. So I guess if the Dejavoo's lock design is up to those standards, it should do fine, even though liner locks are not my favorite lock types.
Jim
 
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