I think it's time to pop my Benchmade cherry! Which one will be my first?

Mini-Grip is a great choice. It's solidly built, compact (very pocket-friendly), and cuts well. You can also choose from several styles (drop point w/ flat grind, sheepsfoot w/ hollow grind, or tanto). The 940 looks good too, although I've yet to handle one. Just looking at the specs, it is a much larger knife than the Mini-Grip though. It is pretty narrow, so it may carry well in the pocket.
 
The 810 is my current favorite Benchmade, but all the ones pictured below are great choices (IMO) I had 5-6 more that I've since sold off, so these that i've kept are my favorites.

Left to right:
CPM-M4 Ritter, 581, 275 Adamas, CPM-M4/CF Rift, 810 Contego, M390 710, M390 806 AFCK, M390 805 TSEK
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I'm probably in the minority but I love my mini-Barrage, black and serrated. 585, I think. I really am digging that 581 with bolster, above. My next BM will probably be the MPR 755.
 
My favorite right now is the Contego. I also really like my S30V full-size Griptilian. It's my EDC.
 
Im waiting to get the New 300cm in. Its the new Fliper from Benchmade with the axis lock and nice looking G-10 handles in 154cm. It looks to be a Classic must have in the works like the Mini grip and the 710.
 
MadMullet said:
Im waiting to get the New 300cm in. Its the new Fliper from Benchmade with the axis lock and nice looking G-10 handles in 154cm. It looks to be a Classic must have in the works like the Mini grip and the 710.
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My BM box lists that as the 300SN in plain edge.

At just over $100, it's about the same price as the Ritters.

Both excellent folders.
 
Do you're self a favor and get a 710 in m390, and then go pick up the mini grip.

It's a killer combo.
 
The 940, albiet a good knife, sacrifices a bit of utility for design. The belly starts about 3 inches away from your index and the whole profile is pretty narrow (im more of a big knife guy).

My moneys on the 710, ritter grip, or barrage in that order of preference.

If you want a 130 dollar knife that competes with striders and hinderers. The adamas is also a killer deal, I'm surprised its not more popular. It's made from thick D2 stock and the overbuilt action can hold up to ~800 pounds before failure, not to mention its sexiness is certainly cherry-popping worthy. Comes with a molle sheath (which also doubles as a mag pouch) and extra deep-carry clip for EDCing around sheeple. I like it, but imo it doesn't really fit the benchmade archetype in terms of design.
 
I didn't see you mention anything about size preferences or role you want it to fill, but I feel it's a good idea to get perspective on just how big/small some of the knives are.

I carried my 710 for a while and occasionally switch to it still, but I remember when I first got it I didn't realize just how large of a knife it was in comparison to others. I've been carrying the 942 recently and the size difference clipped to my pocket is very noticeable.

I was having some problems with my 710 since the thicker blade would get stuck more often when cutting cardboard, especially on 1/2 inch cardboard. This was before I lowered the angles on my 710 though so it might do better now. I've found that my 942 isn't as comfortable to hold barehanded when being used continuously for tasks such as breaking down lots of boxes. I really enjoy using my mini grip as a slicer, but I'm usually more aware of it clipped to my pocket because of the handle shape; it's very comfortable in hand though.

I didn't realize just how thin and light the 530 would be when I got it, making it a great little edc if you want something that you can almost forget about in your pocket. However, the 530 isn't suited for heavier tasks very well and the small thumbstuds with concave axis lock may make it harder for some people to use though.

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I'm looking to pop mine too! I don't have much of a budget for knives but since it's christmas Im going to get a blue mini grip!
 
The 710 in m390 is an excellent knife and is probably the smoothest axis lock knife that I own.
Also if you are still interested in a Presidio you could always get a 520 which would is the same as a 5000 just not auto. I have a 520 in M4 and it is my favorite Benchmade.
 
No brainer - hands down 940. I swapped the handle from a 943, since I prefer black.
 
I have had a lot of Benchmades and the 940 and the Rift are both great. The 940 just feels great. The size seems just right, the grip is the perfect size not too small or too large. Right now it is my edc knife. The Rift is another fine knife though. The g10 handles look and feel great. It's a little larger than the 940, but not too large. And of course both have the awesome quality you get with Benchmade. If I had to take just one it would be a very tough pick. The bottom line though is that it is very hard to go wrong with a Benchmade and the 940 and Rift are both very fine knives.
 
I am surprised that the sprint run full sized m4 grip hasn't been mentioned. Just received mine and I like it. Great value and will some day end up with some nice after market scales.

FWIW- I don't think you can go wrong with an axis model BM. They are such a pleasure to use.
 
Contego if you want large and tough, the Grip in CPM M4 ( only 300 made, not expensive considering) for regular EDC uses ( 3.4 inch blade).

Benchmade in my experience has really improved in things like sharpness out of the box, higher hardness, better alignments, and things people in the forums complained about. Both of the above came to me perfect, ready to go. I like the new rc 62-64 spec., which begins to take care of all that untapped potential of M4 that was wasted previously.

Nice stuff, and as far as the CPM M4 Griptillian get it while you can. Not many left. The Contego is just an excellent tank of a knife that gets it all right.

Joe
 
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