CS 4-Max - BM Adamas ???

SALTY

SALTY

Joined
Mar 19, 2000
Messages
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The following is a quote of my post in a different thread which was about advise for purchasing a folder; i posted this after the OP in that thread made a decision. The title of this thread says it all, should I spring for a 4-Max if I already have an Adamas or two? BTW, please avoid the standard BF response of "Get Both!" as I am weak and cannot take too much temptation int his regard. Would especially like to hear fromt hose who have one or the other and why they made their decision - ideally would like to hear from those that have both.

Here's what I posted in the other thread:
Seeing as the OP has already made a selection, I feel less guilty about thread drift with this post. Moreover, I am not ... AM NOT trying to get a flame going about Cold Steel, Lynn Thompson, Proof videos or anything of the sort. However, I will say that I like Cold Steel products, own a bunch of them and have been more than satisfied with their performance and extremely satisfied with their performance : price/value ratio. I also do like the triad lock and always wonder about those little springs in the Axis lock - I've already had a failure on one.

All that being said, I want to get a 4 Max. I like the style, the execution, the company, the lock ... I like the knife. So why don't I just pull the trigger? Because I have two BM Adamas knives, a user (freshly tuned, sharpened and a spring replaced by BM's wonderful customer service) and a back-up/Safe Queen. By being patient and waiting for deals to come up on the exchange I've got about $300, maybe just a tad more into both of them combined especially after figuring in shipping one to BM and their very fair fee for sharpening, etc.

For me to get a 4 Max I will have to spend about $300 +/- for just one. Will I like it better? Yes. Will I get more pride of ownership out of it? Yes. Is it a better knife? Probably. None of these factors are 200%; none of them justify twice the price - at least not for me. Will I succumb to weak moment one evening after a second cocktail and click the BUY IT NOW icon? Probably ... I just need a weak moment and a couple of cocktails to justify twice the price.
 
I have both and would suggest the 4-Max to you.

The Adamas is a great knife when working properly. I’ve owned one for just over 3 years now and the omega spring(s) have broken twice on the knife. I haven’t had this issue with any other Benchmades. My thought is that the Adamas’ big blade wears more on the little omega springs. I know you can take a stick and put it behind the lock bar if this happens, but that’s not ideal.

The 4-Max...no worries about it ever breaking. Ever. It’s not a fixed blade by any means, but still super tough.

Neither of these are EDC knives for me. They...well the 4-Max now...is a kit/bag knife. It stays there until I’ll need it and I know it will work.

Also, get both :D
 
I've had both and sold both. Of them the 4max is stronger. The size of the 4max isn't to be underestimated, it's significantly larger than the Adamas. Both good, and totally different.

If you got the itch, you'll likely scratch...
 
ScooterG said:
I know you can take a stick and put it behind the lock bar if this happens, but that’s not ideal.
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Not ideal sounds like a pretty big understatement. :D
I'd probably go with the 4MAX, the Extrema Ratio RAO II falls into a similar category and would probably be my pick, the steel is inferior to 20CV though. Not that N690Co is bad at all.
 
Thank you for the replies.
I get that the 4-Max is larger and stronger. I should have mentioned that I am a fixed blade guy at heart and if a knife is going into a pack or kit - it will be a fixed blade knife. If I am afield, I typically will have a fixed blade knife on my person and/or in my pack - except perhaps when bird hunting, but even then my trusty BK-11 or BK-14 is likely going to be with me.

So, I said all of that to say this: if i am carrying a folder, it will be in my pocket or perhaps, though rarely, in a belt sheath ala Buck 110 or sometimes the Adamas. While I am not a fan of the inexplicably small/skinny clip on the Adamas, it rides in my RF pocket more than any place else. if i get a 4-Max i would expect the same thing to be the case, unless it's too big and heavy.

For point of reference, I am often in a field situation where a RAT-1 is in my pocket and a Becker is on my belt; I'm not looking to re-invent this arrangement but the 4-Max is starting to itch at me nonetheless.
 
b00n said:
Not ideal sounds like a pretty big understatement. :D
I'd probably go with the 4MAX, the Extrema Ratio RAO II falls into a similar category and would probably be my pick, the steel is inferior to 20CV though. Not that N690Co is bad at all.
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I agree, I don’t think a person should have to manipulate their knife just to get it to work properly.
OP, the Adamas is built like a tank, but I’m not a big fan of the Omega Springs, so 4Max every day and twice on Sunday.
 
I know you spend a lot of time in the becker forum. I'm a fixed blade guy too, if I had to guess, I'd wager you get the 4max it temporarily calms the new knife fever and then you'll sell it or drawer it.

I couldn't justify it's size and weight because in applications where the strength of the 4max is needed, I'd use a fixed blade. Don't get me wrong, my current folder is a beefy one, but not as large as the 4max.
 
The 4-max is definitely heavy and 6 inches in the pocket. Excellent clip but it sticks out of the pocket a half inch. None of this bothers me though. It is a great knife. The tri-ad lock locks up stronger as the hardware wears (which will take a long time). The blade is tall enough to make up for its thickness regarding slicing ability. The ergonomics are excellent. It's one of those knives you constantly can't wait to use. They can often be found for $280. I recommend the Italian version, although from my understanding the 1st and 4th runs of the USA version are essentially flawless also. The 2nd and 3rd runs had relatively frequent lockbar stick issues that had to be fixed via warranty by CS/Andrew Demko. The Italian version is made with parts manufacturered in the US also. You won't regret the purchase.
 
Good points on the fixed blade carry. I live in CA where concealed carry of fixed blades is against the law, hence my choice to carry the 4-Max in my bag as a fixed blade replacement. I should have mentioned that earlier.

As for the 4Max in pocket, I never thought it was too heavy with jeans. What bothered me was not being able to get my hand in my pocket with the knife there. I carry a very slim nylon wallet the same pocket as my knife and had no desire to try to rework years of muscle memory by rearranging what goes in what pocket.
 
shinyedges said:
I know you spend a lot of time in the becker forum. I'm a fixed blade guy too, if I had to guess, I'd wager you get the 4max it temporarily calms the new knife fever and then you'll sell it or drawer it.

I couldn't justify it's size and weight because in applications where the strength of the 4max is needed, I'd use a fixed blade. Don't get me wrong, my current folder is a beefy one, but not as large as the 4max.
Click to expand...
I was the same way about my 4Max. It was perfect - the fit and finish was Demko custom level - but SO large and heavy, and it was so nice I didin't want to use it and would alwyas use a fixed blade instead. However, if you don't mind the weight and think you will use it then get one. I don't think you will be disappointed in the least!
 
jstn said:
I was the same way about my 4Max. It was perfect - the fit and finish was Demko custom level - but SO large and heavy, and it was so nice I didin't want to use it and would alwyas use a fixed blade instead. However, if you don't mind the weight and think you will use it then get one. I don't think you will be disappointed in the least!
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Agreed, if big and strong is what someone is seeking, it will not disappoint. Comfortable handle too.
 
I don’t mean to complicate things but aren’t 4 Max’s produced in two different locations? I though one was made in Italy and one in the Us. Are there any differences?
 
DJC72 said:
I don’t mean to complicate things but aren’t 4 Max’s produced in two different locations? I though one was made in Italy and one in the Us. Are there any differences?
Click to expand...
One was made in the US (tan). One is made in Italy (gray).
 
SALTY said:
Thank you for the replies.
I get that the 4-Max is larger and stronger. I should have mentioned that I am a fixed blade guy at heart and if a knife is going into a pack or kit - it will be a fixed blade knife. If I am afield, I typically will have a fixed blade knife on my person and/or in my pack - except perhaps when bird hunting, but even then my trusty BK-11 or BK-14 is likely going to be with me.

So, I said all of that to say this: if i am carrying a folder, it will be in my pocket or perhaps, though rarely, in a belt sheath ala Buck 110 or sometimes the Adamas. While I am not a fan of the inexplicably small/skinny clip on the Adamas, it rides in my RF pocket more than any place else. if i get a 4-Max i would expect the same thing to be the case, unless it's too big and heavy.

For point of reference, I am often in a field situation where a RAT-1 is in my pocket and a Becker is on my belt; I'm not looking to re-invent this arrangement but the 4-Max is starting to itch at me nonetheless.
Click to expand...

The best way I can describe the 4Max, based on this post, is a folding BK2/ESEE 5 with better steel and cutting geometry.
 
I own a 4Max and I think it's an awesome exemplar of the "tough folding knife."

I just don't understand what I am supposed to do with it. I suspect that the intention is that when the $%&# hits the fan, I'm to throw it at large game animals (buffalo, elk, deer), thus bludgeoning them to death so that I can eat them.

It's way too big to carry in a pocket and at that point you might as well buy a fixed blade.
 
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Personally I think either are too large for most pants pockets but either carries fine in a chore coat, which is where I carry my 4max. I had and sold the adamas. The 4max is a far superior cutter, unless you thin the blade behind the edge of the adamas. The 4max cuts great out of the box. The advantage of either over a fixed blade is simply that they are more compact to carry, and secondarily, you can't lose the "sheath." I also found the 4max handle very comfortable. My main pants pocket folders are a spyderco military and PM2, and fixed blades in a pack, so really big folders are a niche thing (chore coat when you want something burlier than a standard folder but more portable than a comparable OAL fixed blade.
 
I do carry the 4max most days in my pocket, I don't find it too large or heavy. As others have said its a good cutting knife with great fit and finish. Here are a couple of pics, pocketed and with a ZT561 for scale, its a beast. I've had a Adams and traded it off.

28168314_10216551999138917_3698121587237389627_n.jpg


27973510_10216551998738907_3717631527988392663_n.jpg


28167745_10216551998698906_7797109630263729707_n.jpg
 
Buy what you like!
I say sell the backup Adamas. Then use the money to help fund the 4-Max.
BM's warranty will take care of any issues with the one. So why bother with an identical backup? Until you get the CS, you can use the RAT if the Adamas has to go in for service.
 
have both also. adamas is great but tri-ad is just a stronger better lock with less parts to fail than axis and oemga springs weakness.

so from that standpoint 4max. it is a big wide and thick folder...which i like but many dont. adamas is thick as welll but the two arent really that comparable unless one just wants to.

4max geometry is better for many cutting tasks....but the other isnt all that bad so debatable depending on what one is using them for.

i might choose the adamas over the 4max depending on who i was and what i liked. you really cant put them in the same field as comparables other than two thick folders with very strong locks.
 
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