Did Benchmade ever make a premium Panther?

Nick Hyle · Mar 22, 2006

I'm talking to a seller on Ebay who is convinced that his Panther has an ATS-34 blade and MSRP'd for $80. All the Panthers I'm aware of were Gin-1 and $50 - that was the point, they were Benchmade's budget line (after the Monarchs and before the Eclipse/Ascents).

Is this guy confused, or did I miss a run of Panthers? He emails me that he's sure he's right, but I've never heard of such a thing and I like to think I'm reasonably knowledgeable about Benchmades.

Here's the listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6615917494

It's not that I want another Panther, it's just I think his listing is flat wrong.

Monocrom · Mar 23, 2006

I owned one years ago.... right before they became discontinued. The Panther was, for lack of a better term, a budget-alternative for those who REALLY wanted a Benchmade; but couldn't afford the higher-priced models. As far as I know, there weren't any ATS-34 Bladed Panthers.

orthogonal1 · Mar 23, 2006

Well, then, if I win it, I'll send him the ten spot and let him keep it.

I was hoping to try another of BM's ATS-34 knives cheap (got an experiment in mind to satisfy a hypothisis).

Nick Hyle · Mar 24, 2006

Ortho, they are sweet knives - for a tip-down only zytel liner lock, I love my old Panther. If you win, get it - if nothing else, it's a superb beater. Throw it in your glove box.

The cheap BM ATS-34 pieces to grab are the zytel Eclipse/Ascent lockbacks - always a half dozen floating around Ebay. (NOT the Monarch.) On price for performance, the 720 is the axis that seems to go cheapest (compared to its MSRP) on the Bay.

orthogonal1 · Mar 25, 2006

Ah, others have noticed the forlorn 720 series.

Not a fan of the handle on the Eclipse/Ascent. It's similiar to the 806/805/800, but I don't like it (it's just off for proportion, I think).

boobar · Mar 25, 2006

I have one of the older 720's with ATS-34, it is a superb cutting instrument.

fudo · Mar 25, 2006

I have a drop point Panther with an ATS-34 blade

Nick Hyle · Mar 25, 2006

Fudo, can you post a pic of the blade marking? I've just never seen any evidence for one. Thanks!

Sarah has a 720S, it's one of those Benchmades that is very well made but just won't sit right in my hand. If it fits your hand there is absolutely not one thing wrong with the 720 series.

Nick Hyle · Mar 25, 2006

orthogonal1 said:
Not a fan of the handle on the Eclipse/Ascent. It's similiar to the 806/805/800, but I don't like it (it's just off for proportion, I think).

But the 835 was available in M2, which was reason enough to want one for me!

(It was one of the Knife of the Month limited edtions - July 2000, I think.)

Great blade geometry too - I was never strongly tempted by either AFCK or TSEK skape blades on the Eclipse/Ascents, but the 825/835/845 had that full flat ground spear point, like a Calypso or Temperance. I really wish they'd put that blade in an axis lock format - the 610 Rukus is close. I'm (wildly) speculating that there is going to be a 605 Mini Rukus, and that it will be a damn popular knife.

orthogonal1 · Mar 26, 2006

I've got one of the knife of the month versions. Nice light carry, but the handle just never feels right to me. But I'm a M2 junky (a bad addiction now that BM cancelled the use).

The blade is great in use, though.

I've got the Rukus and the basic blade profile is close (but it is a common profile and for good reason).

I'm kinda iffy on a Mini-Rukus. The handle is good to hold now, but if the circumference were reduced, it might be too small. Wouldn't mind a 1-inch shorter version, just keep the other dimensions the same.