***Check out the new 310 BENCHMITE***

nonbox

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http://www.benchmade.com/detail.asp?model=310


Benchmade is introducing not only a new model of knife in the Model 310 BENCHMITE but also a new locking mechanism, the LEVITATOR™ (Patent Pending) system by Bill McHenry and Jason Williams.
• A slight but firm squeeze on the outside scale levitates or raises the locking pin so the blade to be opened with the generously proportioned nail-nick. Closing the knife is done simply by pressing on the scale and closing the blade into the skeletonized handles.

• The unique design of the scales exemplifies Benchmades commitment to form following function. At a mere 1 ounce, the BENCHMITE will hardly be noticed in the pocket but when it comes time to cut with it, the Model 310 will outperform knives of bigger size and weight due to it’s thinness of edge and geometry of the blade itself.
 
"so the blade to be opened with the generously proportioned nail-nick"

first of all, BM needs a proofreader - clumsy grammar.

"slight but firm squeeze" ?????

So, is this a two handed knife, or a gravity knife in disguise ? I don't see how one can simultaneously squeeze the scale and thumb open the blade with one hand.
 
It's a two hander, RH. Well, you can sort of flick it open, but the blade doesn't have enough weight to really lock up. Plus, I don't think it is robust enough to endure a lot of flicking. It is an attractive, small, clip-less, gents folder. I got one for my wife for Christmas.

Jack
 
It's really a two handed knife which is fine considering the purpose. I took mine apart the other day and the stop pin looks rather robust, but I still wouldn't make a bad habit of flicking it. The lock is a neat little design but I wonder how durable she really is. The metal that forms the finger "tab" and that holds the locking pin is rather thin and it could seemingly break under enough pressure. However, I'm probably just nit-picking. I have my initial impressions in the review forums if you want to check it out.
Thanks,
Matt
 
I say there must be a way to make it one-handed. Most any knife that locks in the closed position can be fitted with a spring of some sort, and made into an auto.(ala CRKT Walker BladeLock:D) I'm just waiting to find out if that will be the case. "Slight but firm squeeze" sounds like just enough tension to avoid accidental pocket explosion. So, Who thinks they can convert this one to a California-Legal auto???

Let me know when you do, 'cause I'll be first in line to get one.

DD
 
It looks like a really cool knife. From my understanding, you sqeeze it to release the nailnick part of the knife, which is just a tricky way of making it more compact. A definite two-hander.

I will hopefully be getting one. They look great.

I sure wouldn't want to carry a auto version, though. A light squeeze and the thing would go off in your pocket. It would have to be a pretty trick conversion to make it work, and to make it work safely.

----------------

Nonbox, would you mind not using the *****Look at my post!!!!**** titles of your posts? I really don't think it's necessary, and makes it very difficult to read. Thanks!

-- Rob
 
I think that it would be perfect for a CA Legal Auto. The release tab is almost flush with the handle and it would be pretty difficult to push it in enough to lift the pin out of the recess in the blade that is required to fire it. I wouldn't be too surprised if one of the Valottons (sorry if I butcher it) could figure it out.
Matt
 
so..... is it to be understood that the only thing keeping the blade open is the aluminum :barf: spring incorporated in the handle???
 
Kinda funny..first thing when I saw this one I said it needed a leaf spring. The gent behind the counter agreed and we began to ponder whether or Mr. Valotton would even consider approaching this one. It would be awfully darn intricate work, but darn the end result would be way cool!
 
It's not the spring that is holding the blade open. The spring holds the pin in place which creates a wedge similar to what the axis mechanism looks like when open (pin fits over tang). There is a steel liner which adds strength to the lock. And I was under the impression that the knife was titanium. Where you have you read it to be aluminum?
Matt
 
I just did a search on google and the few stores that had them in stock had the handles listed as aluminum.... I think we in the knife world will be seeing more and more of this type of cutting corners as believers in the economy scrape for cash... As a matter of fact... "titanium" can be a description of COLOR nowadays. It means silver/grey. blah.
 
Folks, the handles are not Al, but indeed are Ti. And yes, the design is basically a two hand opener. There's a rumor that a gent will give a demo of one hand (wrist flick) opening at the Blade Show.
 
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