BM Mini Dejavoo: questions for owners

[RKH]

I agree with STR in regard to the dejavu. The ball detent will not keep the knife closed and a tip up carry would be dangerous. I have also had some Emersons come open in my pocket because of the tip up carry. I do have an Ouperator by STR that has a astrong detent that I trust as it is tip up carry. I have some frame locks I trust but a weak ball detent is a problem with safety and with law enforcement. In Texas, if you can flip the blade open it can be considered a gravity knife which is illegal. Don't you love these pompous politicians who make laws and know nothing about the laws they make!
RKH

 

[Bimmer1]

I've looked at several of the Dejavoo folders and I see what you are talking about now with the ball detent not keeping the knife closed. It only appears to affect some of them but not all of them. I've noticed so far that the "first production run" does not seem to have this problem at all but the ones that came after that have a slightly different finish on the blade ("first production" was more stone washed and the run after that appears to be more satin) and sometimes have the ball detent issue.

Strange!

 

[3Guardsmen]

New out of the box, the liner lock on my mini Dejavoo didn't engage completely -- but after a short period, it settled in and locks up very solid. Its not a combat or survival knife but is plenty solid for EDC.

Well, Benchmade's ad copy, featuring the Dejavoo, seen in knife magazines, seem to imply that it is, saying, "Life and death decisions are often made at the cash register."

Regards,
3G

 

[brj]

I've looked at several of the Dejavoo folders and I see what you are talking about now with the ball detent not keeping the knife closed. It only appears to affect some of them but not all of them. I've noticed so far that the "first production run" does not seem to have this problem at all but the ones that came after that have a slightly different finish on the blade ("first production" was more stone washed and the run after that appears to be more satin) and sometimes have the ball detent issue.
Strange!

I think you may be right, for I never had issues with my dejavoos
they may not be wilderness/survival assets, but for most 'urban' chores they perform just great

 

[Nakano 2]

Must be nice to live where you can carry an auto. That'd be nice. Still though many folks that live in legal states travel and those that live in the country, while generally of little concern should know that they may want to carry deep, or switch carry knives before traveling to a more urbanized area or public event, especially if they live in a state where a gravity knife is an illegal item. If convicted you face a misdomenor and if nothing else a fine and the loss of the knife if they are lucky. Not to mention the attorney and court cost fees.

I saw a guys Emerson knife taken from him once at a MayFest celebration just for the gravity knife law. My feelings on this are that these companies know and when liner locks are made illegal in NY it will set the wheels in motion for Illinois, Kansas and any other big red F state for firearms and knives in line to follow suit. Once that happens we can thank the companies not building them properly in large part.

I have some customers that are police officers in NY and according to them so many liner locks are confiscated there every year that the law is now staring at serious changes. The last thing we want to see here is a lot of convervatives making all locking folders borderline like is going on in other countries.

STR

Any folder in the 5 boros that make up New York City cannot be carried exposed- not even with its pocket clip visible. If it is sighted by a P.O., he can then request/ demand to inspect it. When discovered as a folder (any type) the person in possession of said folder is subject to arrest! The grounds for arrest- any folder is considered a gravity knife!! Ridiculous- yes. But one is left to sort it out at a hearing. City Rules and Regulations, Administrative Codes and State Penal Law are all highly opened to interpretation. This is a lousy situation for legit knife owners. I cannot say 100% for sure nor positively that I know of anyone who has been arrested, tried, sentenced and served time for mere possession of what is currently called a "gravity knife". The District Attorneys Office would know if there is case law that reflects this. Sorry for digressing.

N.

www.dozierknives.com/forum

 

[Horn Dog]

The dejavoo is a well designed well built knife. It is a very smooth and functional tool. That being said. If you want a "HARD USE" knife then get an axis lock or a beefy framelock. but if you want a light to medium use EDC knife then the dejavoo should easily meet that need.

For a hard use knife I have only held, used, and trust one liner-lock. And that is of the benchmade 425/426 snody gravitator. The titanium liners are thicker then some framelocks i have seen.

I don't consider any folder to be a hard use knife. I really like my full-sized Deja Voo, but I consider the liner lock just something to keep the blade from folding onto my fingers while using it for ordinary slicing and cutting. For hard use, I have the Yard Keeper from SYKCO. It has a 4.5"long 3/16" thick blade of SR77 steel, which is S7 jack hammer bit steel that Busse has heat treated in such a way that it holds and edge and still has amazing toughness. The handle is Respirene C. It is impervious to DEET and most other chemicals and makes for a nice slip free grip.

 

[STR]

Any folder in the 5 boros that make up New York City cannot be carried exposed- not even with its pocket clip visible. If it is sighted by a P.O., he can then request/ demand to inspect it. When discovered as a folder (any type) the person in possession of said folder is subject to arrest! The grounds for arrest- any folder is considered a gravity knife!! Ridiculous- yes. But one is left to sort it out at a hearing. City Rules and Regulations, Administrative Codes and State Penal Law are all highly opened to interpretation. This is a lousy situation for legit knife owners. I cannot say 100% for sure nor positively that I know of anyone who has been arrested, tried, sentenced and served time for mere possession of what is currently called a "gravity knife". The District Attorneys Office would know if there is case law that reflects this. Sorry for digressing.

N.

www.dozierknives.com/forum

The officers I spoke with said the knives are taken as concealed weapons in certain districts in NY or something like that because they are just outlawed period in those places regardless of the type. I didn't get specifics as to which disctricts but I can assume its the city limits, China Town, midtown and generally the population centers just like in Chicago which also has its own laws regarding knives that are outside the state laws and much more restrictive. For example, Illinois state law says a 3" blade is legal, but in Chicago it is 2.5" and a 3" would be confiscated and you'd be fined if caught with it.

This again falls into that issue we discussed about those that live in rural NY traveling to the inner city whether it be NY City or some other major metropolis. Laws are becoming more restrictive all over and particularly in major cities. I forsee the day when someone will be arrested for a gravity knife and be able to prove by definition in court that it was in fact legal and not such an animal but it will be a small win in the grand scheme of things and I don't think it will not slow down what is already in motion. Most folks take their medicine and the cheaper route just to get out of it and knowing the expense of such an issue who can blame them?

Its probable with the current state of affairs regarding more restrictive gun laws that as a natural turn of events knife crime will be on the rise and particularly in states that do things like Illinois, Kansas and NY. Once knife crime goes up more restrictive laws will be put in effect there. Unless something happens to change all this its likely our grandchildren will only be able to read about the big locking folders we take for granted today. I guess for them to see these they'll have to see them in museums. People thought it was unlikely to happen in the UK and Australia among other places but its ongoing. What was it Denmark where I read they were outlawing pointed knives even in kitchens? Maybe that was the UK too, as well as something I recall reading about metal detectors being in place that must be gone through before you could get on certain mass transit vehicles. Pretty bad for those folks that love knives now that guns are outlawed. While it may be true we'll never be quite that bad here at this point in time I would not be much surprised by anything from certain states like Illinois though.

STR

 

[jsp]

I have the 740 full size Dejavoo. It's a beautiful folder. Light weight, rides low in the pocket, nice handles and blade geometry. I agree, with normal use, it would do just fine. When i first got mine, when i would close it, there use to be a click when i engaged the liner lock. Now its gone and it does'nt take that much effort to close it. The liner lock is now working its way to the other side. Also, the blade is not centered when closed. I also have a BM Vex and a Spyderco Military CPMD2 and their locks are alot more solid (even after hundreds of opening and closing) than my Dejavoo. No regrets. It's a nice folder. One of my sharpest knives.

 

[chugokujin]

The Dejavoo is a very nice production knife. I would also have to agree with the many points made here. Yes, the ball detent will not hold the blade in handle. Funny thing is that mine was as stiff as a friction folder until I sent it to STR. Now its smooth as butter. The liner lock is as thick as my 910stryker yet I have to agree with jsp on the wear issue. It just kept moving over with slight pressure. My stryker is many years older and has yet to exhibity the same wear. As someone who acutually had a folder close on his pinky, I always test the lock in one manner or another. Its your choice whether to do so. Perhaps its a design issue, but, I dont see many of my liners/locking knives moving over as rapidly. I just purchased another one and am considering sending it to STR again, thats if he will take the job of course.

Off note, Nakano and STR are both right in NYC carrying concerns. Personally I DO 100% know people that have been stopped, lifted, arrested, etc..... I've been stopped recently more than I can ever remember growing up here, and expect to be many times more since times here have changed. Majority of the courts (criminal, civil, family) are in NYC's Chinatown bordering area(which by the way was portrayed in the movie "Gangs of New York). Its the exact location actually. Midtown court is another area of adjudication. Where you are arrested and where you may be adjudicated could be two different places. Too complex to explain and normally I don't care to chime in as I have friends on both sides and actually am aware of some of the arrest stories here (yes, and I do mean STORIES).I actually have to disagree with STR on one thing. Imma preeeetttty sure it aint the conservatives here who wont let me order ammo or won't respect my 2nd amendment rights despite the fact I am an active L/E or civilian. Something to consider and kinda FUBAR, I THINK!

Back to topic. Beautiful folder and I can't say enough good things about it. Especially if STR works on it.

 

[chugokujin]

The Dejavoo is a very nice production knife. I would also have to agree with the many points made here. Yes, the ball detent will not hold the blade in handle. Funny thing is that mine was as stiff as a friction folder until I sent it to STR. Now its smooth as butter. The liner lock is as thick as my 910stryker yet I have to agree with jsp on the wear issue. It just kept moving over with slight pressure. My stryker is many years older and has yet to exhibit the same wear. And as someone who actually had a folder close on his pinky, I always test the lock in one manner or another. Its your choice whether to do so. Perhaps its a design issue, but, I dont see many of my liners/locking knives moving over as rapidly. I just purchased another one and am considering sending it to STR again, thats if he will take the job of course.

Off note, Nakano and STR are both right in NYC carrying concerns. Personally I DO 100% know people that have been stopped, lifted, arrested, etc..... I've been stopped recently more than I can ever remember growing up here, and expect to be many times more since times here have changed. Majority of the courts (criminal, civil, family) are in NYC's Chinatown bordering area(which by the way was portrayed in the movie "Gangs of New York). Its the exact location actually. Midtown court is another area of adjudication. Where you are arrested and where you may be adjudicated could be two different places. Too complex to explain and normally I don't care to chime in as I have friends on both sides and actually am aware of some of the arrest stories here (yes, and I do mean STORIES).I actually have to disagree with STR on one thing. Imma preeeetttty sure it aint the conservatives here who wont let me order ammo or won't respect my 2nd amendment rights despite the fact I am an active L/E or civilian. Something to consider and kinda FUBAR, I THINK!

Back to topic. Beautiful folder and I can't say enough good things about it. Especially if STR works on it.

 

[chugokujin]

Sorry, double post. First for everything huh?

 

[puukkoman]

I just got a full-size yesterday at the gun shop (740). The lock works great, and the detent seems to work fine (at least as well as my other liner-locks, including Spydercos, Emersons, and other Benchmades).
This knife reminds me of an older Al Mar.

Oh, and I got # 69/500. Hah.

 

[puukkoman]

Also...

they may not be wilderness/survival assets, but for most 'urban' chores they perform just great

Upon comparing it to my Spyderco S30V Military, which I have used extensively outdoors, and which is very similar to the full-size Dejavoo in terms of construction and materials, I expect that the BM will prove to be just fine for woods-bumming and camping. In fact, I imagine I'll probably prefer the ergonomics of the Dejavoo's handle for long periods of sustained use, since it's a bit thicker and has more rounded edged (instead of squared off like the Spyderco's handle). In addition, the BM has full liners, instead of partial.