Let's talk about Benchmade Ares!

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anatoly_nik

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Jul 31, 2012
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Hello! I am a new user at this site. I initiated thread about Benchmade Ares on Russian knife forum,
and now I want to translate and post it here. Is it interesting for you?

I'm sorry for my elementary English:)

Let's go!

Year 2000
So, first knives are produced by Benchmade company in 2000 and have number 730.
There are Benchmade 730, 730S, 730BT, 730SBT. Handle is burgundy-black, blade is plane or half-serrated (symbol "S" in model).
Also, plaines are black covered (BT2 Coated Blade, symbol "B" in name) or no coated. There is Allan Elishewitz's signature on the back side of the plane. Steel is ATS34.
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Year 2001
In next year, models 735, 735S, 735BT and 735SBT has been realesed. G-10 handle has a green-black colors, blade's steel - 154CM. Previous knives (730-line) have been manufactured too.
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Year 2002
New model with carbon-fibber handle.

Year 2003
There are not Elishewitz's etch on the blade since this time. Perhaps, models 730BT and 735BT are out of production. I think so because it not listing in 2003 Benchmade catalogue as available knives.
In this year we saw the greatest limited Areses: 733-01 and 733-02. The are winewood/carbon or winewood handle, no-coated S30V plain blade, every knife numbered (# of 500).
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Year 2004
There are 732BT and 732SBT Areses. Black plain or serrated blade, black handle. I think, other models are out of production.
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Year 2005
"BT"(Xylan black corrosion resistance) cover replaced by new "BK"(BenchKote) cover.
Available models: 732BK, 732SBK.
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Year 2006
Limited Edition - "Leupold Ares". The knives have half-serrated black plane, G-10 Sand or Winewood handle.
Individual numered knives: # of 1500 (winewood handle), # of 500 (G-10 handle).
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Year 2008
New limited knives numbered # of 100. Model 730-801. Customer - German Shop ACMA. Blade's steel - S30V.
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Year 2009
"Russian Ares", model 730-901. Customer - Russian knife shop Basselard. Limited Edition, knives # of 100, individual numbered. No-coated plain blade, blue-black G-10 handle.
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Year 2010
730-101 Ares, Benchmade Gold line.
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Year 2012.
3 Limited Areses:
730-1201 - "Russian Ares - 2", again Basselard, again blue-black G-10. There is not benchmade butterfly logo on the blade. Individual numbered, # of 120. M390 steel.
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730-1202 - # of 400, black handle, no-coated plain blade. M390 steel.
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730-1203 - # of 120. Black-green G-10 handle, black plain M390 steel blade.
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Listing of ALL Areses (regulary, prototypes, limited, 1st productions etc.):

730 Ares R&D concept,
730 PROTO;
730 PPR;
730S PPR;
730 FPR;
730 SFPR.

730;
730S;
730BT;
730SBT.

730CFHS;
730CFD2;
730M2HS.

730S KOTM Apr. 2000;
730S KOTM Nov. 2000.

730-801;
730-901;
730-101.

730-1202;
730BK-1203;
730-1201.

____________________

732;
732ВТ;
732BK;
732SBT;
732SBK;
732D2BT Prototype March 2003;
732D2BT;
732D2SBT;
732D2SBT Prototype;
732SBTSN Ares Sand (Leupold);
732SBTWW Ares Winewood (Leupold).
____________________

733-01 PROTO Jan.2003;
733-01 PROTO Aug.2003;
733-01;
733-02 PROTO Jan.2003;
733-02 PROTO May 2003;
733-02.
____________________

735;
735S;
735BT;
735SBT.
 
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Great info, thank you!

I assume you have many Ares. Do you have a favorite?
 
Great post and welcome to BFC, I had/have the first gen 730 Ares, bought when they first came out and have been in love with it ever since.

I used to be a mechanic and I EDC'd that knife every day for 10 years, now a days I carry it as a back up for my Fixed Blade Bud Nealy Aikuchi.

If ya hunt around on the forums there's a tutorial I put together regardin' disassembly/reassembly for cleanin' and Omega Spring replacement.

Actually I found the link it's below, it's called how to void your BM warranty or how to disassemble your BM 730 Ares with Axis lock.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/584922-How-to-void-your-BM-warranty-or-How-to-disassemble-a-BM-730-Ares-with-Axis-lock?highlight=730+ares

Here's a teaser pic...

attachment.php
 
I had the first edition burgundy and black. I wish that I would've kept it instead of trading it away.
 
Anatoly,
Thank you for bringing this up. Ares is one of few BM, which I really like. Favorite is 730 purple/black scales with uncoated blade. Second Russian edition also looks great. Probably cost arms and legs over there.
 
Cool post; thanks. :thumbup:
The Ares is my favored Benchmade and is a pleasure to carry. Great looker as well. It would be nice to see another release soon; I'm on board for another.
 
The best knife BM ever made! Sure wish they would make some more.
 
Two different 735 Ares: Year 2001-2002 (with Elishewitz etch) and later model (my EDC knife).

7095319.jpg
 
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Was researching this knife and found this threat. Great info. Thank you Anatoly.
 
I like the 730 Ares. I had one- good size, my favorite blade shape, very smooth operation, but mine was cursed with a combo edge so I eventually sold it. Fortunately the 913 Stryker is very similar so I bought a couple of those. Now the 908 Stryker is very similar to the Ares in size, design and features, with only a slight difference in handle shape.
 
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