Can I get a better knife for $85?

Ilyusha · Oct 27, 2005

I've been making lots of posts lately.. but I went to a knife store today, and checked out:

SOG Vision
Benchmade 690
CRKT M16-SF
Buck/Mayo TNT/172
Spyderco Calypso Jr
Benchmade Mini Skirmish

The 2 knives I liked best were the 690 and the Mini Skirmish (limited edition black with anodized blue holes). The Vision was a bit "chunky", the CRKT was strange, the Calypso too small, and the Buck/Mayo was very nice, but really, really light.. and the design didn't excite me as much as I thought it would have.

The 690 was great - it opened smoother than any of the others, and looked nice. It was very sharp, as I was cut almost immediately and didn't notice for a while. The Mini Skirmish was BEAUTIFUL - however, it's almost twice the price of the 690.. not sure I want to spend $160 (I found the 690 for $86

)

So, is the 690 the best overall folder for $85?

ronsec · Oct 27, 2005

I'm not sure if its the BEST knife for $85, but I have a 690 & really like it. Smooth action, sharp & looks nice! Your price seems awfully low. I would check out the dealer before I sent money - just a heads up! Good luck, you'll love the 690!

Ilyusha · Oct 27, 2005

ronsec said:
I'm not sure if its the BEST knife for $85, but I have a 690 & really like it. Smooth action, sharp & looks nice! Your price seems awfully low. I would check out the dealer before I sent money - just a heads up! Good luck, you'll love the 690!

Seems reputable.. Yahoo site with LOTS of other stuff besided knives (fire extinguishers, safety gear, etc.) The BC1 coated 690 is $136..

BladeGoblin · Oct 27, 2005

Benchmade 690 the finest knife ever made by the Benchmade company, in my opinion.

cmd · Oct 27, 2005

Ilyusha said:
Seems reputable.. Yahoo site with LOTS of other stuff besided knives (fire extinguishers, safety gear, etc.) The BC1 coated 690 is $136..

If that is the company I am thinking about, they quit selling knives but still have them on their web site. I thought I bought a BM 43 from them - added it to my shopping cart, entered my credit card number, got a confirmation email. They never shipped it but at least they also never charged my credit card.

Definitely call them first.

Oh, and I will add to what everyone else has already been saying about the 690 - they are very, very nice.

freddy1 · Oct 27, 2005

personnally, if "God of Knife" knock at my door and told me "choose any benchmade and you'll have it my friend..."
i would answer "arggggggh", then "940DM (damas)"...
But 690 is certainly really nice also !

Artfully Martial · Oct 27, 2005

The mini skirmish is very cool. It's not a bad price for titanium handles and S30V blade.

You should check out a few other knives while you're out there...instead of the M16Sf, try some of the normal models.

Try the Native S30V and Centofante III (spydercos)

The Native can be had for about 60 and that's a pretty amazing deal.

tim8557 · Oct 27, 2005

I have a 690 with the BC1 coating I paid around $ 150 for. If you can get the non-coated I'd grab it in a second or give me the address and I'll buy it.

Its a very nice knife.