I like the looks of this. Thoughts?

GB940Rookie

GB940Rookie

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While perusing through the new Benchmade knives online, I stumbled across the Mini Coalition and thought it was a very nice looking folder.

Decent enough blade shape and the shape of the handle pleases my eye. The scale jimping looks fairly useful and, for me at least, adds to the overall looks of the handle. The gray aluminum scales look good with the black G10 inlays. The deep carry clip looks to be parkerized instead of painted. Also, the blade looks clean with the absence of thumb studs. S30V is fine for me.

The automatic feature is my only concern. It’s legal where I live so that’s not an issue. Not sure about durability. I’ve never owned a modern auto but I would ass sume:) they work fairly well by now. I wish it were just a normal axis lock but the auto feature isn’t necessarily a deal breaker.

This would just be for casual edc, no tactical application. Right now I carry a BM 707 for this purpose. The Coalition kinda looks like an upgraded 707 to me.

So, anyone have any thoughts on modern autos or this folder in general? What would you think if it were a regular Axis lock? It’s fairly new and I’m not getting much through searches, although I’ve enjoyed the info I’ve gathered on autos.

Not my photo
Y1MVcs4.jpg
 
I think that's pretty good-looking. However , I'm not terribly fond of aluminum handles and I'd prefer the regular size as opposed to the mini. But that's minor stuff I could get past.

So overall it looks nice. Except for one glaring fact ...it's a Benchmade. And Benchmades these days just have very poor QC. So chances are that it'll have an off-center blade or blade play or rough action.

I wish this wasn't the case. But from my experience , it is the case. But maybe you'll luck out and get a decent one. Just my opinion here.
 
I’d probably dig it if it weren’t an out-the-side auto. I don’t like a knife to fight me when I’m closing it.

I’ve never used a benchmade auto - most of my experience has been with Microtech and ProTech. I haven’t seen any gripes about BM’s autos, though, so that’s kind of a point in their favor.

It’s a good-looking knife, and one I hadn’t really paid any attention to previously. Were I in the market for an OTS auto, I’d probably consider that briefly... before looking at some ProTechs and getting one of those. I do kinda miss my TR4.

Edit: that safety switch placement would turn me off of the knife before the brand did. Think about how you have to hold the knife to disengage the lock, and then reposition your hand to press the button, and tell me how that is supposed to be faster or less awkward than basically any manual knife.
 
Autos are illegal here in MI too. Even if I could carry one, I don't think I would. I'll take my boring spydie hole, thumbstud, or axis lock drop.

Overall, the looks aren't bad but like Wolverine, I'm not a fan of Al or metal handles in general.

Not something I'd be interested in. What other brand knives do you have? Maybe try something other then BM?
 
Wolverine666 said:
I think that's pretty good-looking. However , I'm not terribly fond of aluminum handles and I'd prefer the regular size as opposed to the mini. But that's minor stuff I could get past.

So overall it looks nice. Except for one glaring fact ...it's a Benchmade. And Benchmades these days just have very poor QC. So chances are that it'll have an off-center blade or blade play or rough action.

I wish this wasn't the case. But from my experience , it is the case. But maybe you'll luck out and get a decent one. Just my opinion here.
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I’ve finally found a BM store where I can look before I purchase.
ucfgrad93 said:
I like it, but where I live the auto is a no go.
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That sucks rhino.
Comeuppance said:
I’d probably dig it if it weren’t an out-the-side auto. I don’t like a knife to fight me when I’m closing it.

I’ve never used a benchmade auto - most of my experience has been with Microtech and ProTech. I haven’t seen any gripes about BM’s autos, though, so that’s kind of a point in their favor.

It’s a good-looking knife, and one I hadn’t really paid any attention to previously. Were I in the market for an OTS auto, I’d probably consider that briefly... before looking at some ProTechs and getting one of those. I do kinda miss my TR4.

Edit: that safety switch placement would turn me off of the knife before the brand did. Think about how you have to hold the knife to disengage the lock, and then reposition your hand to press the button, and tell me how that is supposed to be faster or less awkward than basically any manual knife.
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Yeah I agree about the lock. Not worried about speed though so not a big deal breaker for me.
 
Hickory n steel said:
The aggressive jimping all over the thing is not for me, but in general I could see myself owning such a knife.
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For some weird reason I like it. Go figure:)
gazz98 said:
Autos are illegal here in MI too. Even if I could carry one, I don't think I would. I'll take my boring spydie hole, thumbstud, or axis lock drop.

Overall, the looks aren't bad but like Wolverine, I'm not a fan of Al or metal handles in general.

Not something I'd be interested in. What other brand knives do you have? Maybe try something other then BM?
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I mostly have Spydies. I’ve been looking at other brands just haven’t found anything that excites me enough to leave my 707. Yet:D
 
ucfgrad93 said:
I like it, but where I live the auto is a no go.
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ucf as in central florida? you must have fled the state as autos are very legal here. unless youre in miami dade.:)
 
I forgot who mentioned the aluminum scales being a negative but I think the G10 inlays make it a little bit of a different beast. I really like the looks.

I called the BM store and they said they were out at the moment but should have some in a couple of weeks.
 
And the blade is .125 shorter than the 707 while the handle is .125 longer. Style points for me on this one as I’ve always felt the 707 looked the tiniest bit blade heavy.
 
Would probably like it better if it wasn't an auto. Unless BM has stepped up their tolerances I'd say it's got a little side to side play after a few weeks of use and opening/closing it. I also don't like out the side autos or assisted. Not a fan of closing them when I can open a manual just as fast and close even faster.

Other than that it's a nice looking knife and would accept one if it were gifted to me.
 
GB940Rookie said:
And the blade is .125 shorter than the 707 while the handle is .125 longer. Style points for me on this one as I’ve always felt the 707 looked the tiniest bit blade heavy.
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The 707 Sequel was one my favorite small EDC's back in 2009/2010. Nice little knife. That had aluminum handles too but the coating made it feel more sturdy for some reason.

And since you've found a knife shop where you can handle a Coalition yourself before buying , I'd say you should be good to go. I think the jimping looks kinda cool.
 
highestpoint said:
Would probably like it better if it wasn't an auto. Unless BM has stepped up their tolerances I'd say it's got a little side to side play after a few weeks of use and opening/closing it. I also don't like out the side autos or assisted. Not a fan of closing them when I can open a manual just as fast and close even faster.

Other than that it's a nice looking knife and would accept one if it were gifted to me.
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If this were a regular axis lock, I doubt we would even be having this conversation. I would be headed to the store to buy one. :)
 
GB940Rookie said:
While perusing through the new Benchmade knives online, I stumbled across the Mini Coalition and thought it was a very nice looking folder.

Decent enough blade shape and the shape of the handle pleases my eye. The scale jimping looks fairly useful and, for me at least, adds to the overall looks of the handle. The gray aluminum scales look good with the black G10 inlays. The deep carry clip looks to be parkerized instead of painted. Also, the blade looks clean with the absence of thumb studs. S30V is fine for me.

The automatic feature is my only concern. It’s legal where I live so that’s not an issue. Not sure about durability. I’ve never owned a modern auto but I would ass sume:) they work fairly well by now. I wish it were just a normal axis lock but the auto feature isn’t necessarily a deal breaker.

This would just be for casual edc, no tactical application. Right now I carry a BM 707 for this purpose. The Coalition kinda looks like an upgraded 707 to me.

So, anyone have any thoughts on modern autos or this folder in general? What would you think if it were a regular Axis lock? It’s fairly new and I’m not getting much through searches, although I’ve enjoyed the info I’ve gathered on autos.

Not my photo
Y1MVcs4.jpg
Click to expand...
BM Autos, in my experience, tend to have better F&F than the manual knives. I wouldn't worry about the safety. I don't use them, but they don't get in the way. There's a very positive detent on it (the safety) so it won't move unintentionally.

It's a lovely little knife. If it suits you then go for it.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I didn’t know what to expect on this one. I actually thought y’all would try to talk me out of it. HA HA! Stupid me:D
 
I like it alot. I trust mine :).

20180214_145855.jpg

Tough as nails and reliable. I never thought I would own an auto until last year when I picked this up as a gift to myself. The stop pin is 7 sided to adjust if play play ever develops and the safety will adjust to that setting. Hard to explain without photos.

Lets just say, adjustable , fires hard, cuts extremely well, zero blade play and wants to take a thrashing daily then laughs it off.

A manual folder on PB washers is what I want for EDC, but this is a great option to have on the job. Ive since handled Gerber, Hogue and Protech autos and for actual use this is easily my favorite design.

Yes it is illegal in some states. So if your not a first responder of some sort, or a smooth talker. Keep that in mind.

The way I see it. Responsible and decent individuals can carry what they please.
 
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bluemetalchurch said:
Cypress Cypress has good experience with Benchmade autos.
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Thanks for the shoutout, BMC! Good call on tagging me in this one.

I had the Mini Coalition and sold it. It was a neutral purchase for me, as I loved the aesthetics of the gray handles, but it was spec’d with shrugworthy steel. It had good ergos in-hand if you like small knives, and carried very well in the pocket.

The main driver behind me selling mine was the occasional failure to open. My Mini Coalition was the only Benchmade pushbutton auto that had enough flex in the handle to cause drag on the pivot. I would go to open the knife and the squeezing force of me holding the handle and pushing the button would cause the blade to come out a little over halfway then stop. Two of my friends had this happen when they tried to open it for the first time. I pulled mine apart and polished the pivot surfaces, then tuned the action to perfection, but it would still fail from time to time.

Your best move is to hold one in your hands and open it in a plurality of ways to see if the pivot drags under pressure.
 
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