Looking for my next Benchmade

Glad to be of help! If there's any other angles you're interested in seeing, let me know.

The handle started out almost chalky feeling, and has since worn into my hand. The smooth bits just make it even more fun to fondle.
 
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The 940 is amazing! I find the blade length is the perfect size! It's a great intermediate size that can get the job done and yet be very very "pocket-able". I also have the 950 rift...if you want an absolute tank which is also beautiful and will ride nice in the pocket. Personally I only carry benchmades...and no matter which you buy it will be a great purchase.
 
IMHO you cannot find a better EDC then the 940/943. I have been carrying one for better than 10 years now and I haven't found an everyday task that this knife could not handle. The knife is light weight and slim and disappears in your pocket. The aluminum handles do show the wear more so than G-10 but they do hold up very well. Most if not all AXIS lock Benchmades are very smooth openers but the 94x series seems to be the smoothest of them all.

Hope this helps with your decision.
 
Of the models listed, I don't know the Volli, which looks nice, but know the 710's really well. Due to it's slimness and handle shape, and despite the slightly longer blade length over the others, this one would be my choice. Try it, you might just like it.
 
As I go down this road, I seem to change direction a bit the more I read and look at the pics and specs. Also I've had some more time to work with my mini-grip since I've only had it for 1 week now.

In actuality, the mini-grip is on the small side for me. But for a carry knife when I go to town (which is only once a week) it will be fine. So I definitely want my next knife to be a bit larger. Also, being in another hobby where I bought and sold many items (camera lenses), I really don't want to get into that again. But, it may be the only way I can get to feel each knife to find what I like. I just don't have the money like I used to to be loosing 25% or so on each knife I end up selling. And I know there is the option with good vendors with a good return policy, but I just don't like doing that - I feel as if I am taking advantage of them.

I am between the 943 and 710 now. I really appreciate the opinions that are being offered here to help me with my decision. Of course, everyone has their favorites, but hearing those thoughts from you members with the experience of time behind you is so valuable. Here are my only concerns with each knife now:

943 - my favorite from the beginning. I think a perfect size for me and I just really like the slim blade. The only thing holding me back from pulling the trigger on a new one right now is the delicate nature of the finish on the aluminum handle. I looked at tons of images and videos over the past week or so, and have seen many with marks. Yes, I know that normal wear shows it as a user, but I am such a perfectionist that I think it would bother me if it had even one mark on it after some use.

710 - seems to be a classic from Benchmade and has a very strong following. The only thing making me hesitate is I think it may be just a bit large for me. I am not worried about the carry aspect - this next knife will only be carried/used at home here around the homestead.

The only other aspect of the next knife is the possibility of getting custom scales some time in the future. I already have my eye on a couple. When thinking about custom scales, I lean toward the 710 as I feel I would just be throwing away one of the best features of the 943's aluminum handle.

Then I strayed a bit, and looked at a Chris Reeves large 21 Sebenza...........as with my other hobby of photography and buying/selling so many lenses over the years - only to end up with a set at the top of the line. It makes me think I might better just skip all the in between and just go for the gusto of a Sebenza. That knife has the lines and simplicity which I am really looking for. The only thing holding me back is of course the price of admission, plus not knowing how hard the liner lock will be for me to operate with my Arthritic hands. Another plus for a Sebenza is the resale value seems to hold fairly well.

More thoughts to sleep on...........
 
You could always have the aluminum Handles on the 943 refinished in something other than anodizing. I painted an anodized aluminum water bottle with Brownells alumahyde 2 ( epoxy based spray paint) and it has held up extremely well considering how hard my wife is on it. Only has a few scratches. Paint only cost me 20 bucks and I have a fair amount left over. Just another idea if you like the aluminum scales but are concerned about wear.

RE
 
Coaltrain,

Go with the 710, this thing has survived the test of time, and doesn’t show wear at all.. The standard 94x’s are great, but their flaw is the annoying aluminum scales.. Something BM should have upgraded years ago.
 
I think if your favorite from the start was the 943, then thats what you should get. its a great knife.
 
Here's a couple of other things to consider, given your "special circumstance" of RA... an A/O like the Volli is going to fire pretty hard to open the blade and lock it dependably. That may not be an issue for you... or it may become one later if/when the RA worsens. Remember that you have to hold on to a knife that's doing things on it's own (once you start opening the blade), and then you have to close the blade against the resistance of a spring. None of this may be an issue to you, or you might like A/Os enough to find workarounds so you can carry them. Just thought I'd mention it.

Also consider how narrow metal handles will feel when cold or wet. I had a 940 for a while but never got used to that narrow and thin handle. It was too hard for me to hold onto dependably. The 940 in the post above will show you what a reverse tanto blade has going for it, though. It has a strong tip, a straight cutting edge, and usually a good amount of belly. It's a really useful blade for many cutting tasks. The 950 Rift is a good choice for a strong and useful blade and a handle that's easy to hold on to under a variety of different conditions. I would go with either a full-sized Grip (Ritter Grip would be good) or a Rift if it were me.
 
Thanks for the additional input 'P', Pete, and Dale.

Dale, your thoughts about my being able to hold and handle a knife properly with my condition is most important. That is kind of easy for me to forget when I am sitting here at my keyboard. I do in fact have a hard time holding on to things to the point there will be some days when I won't even think about picking up a knife. These days come and go.

Between what you said about the thin aluminum handle of the 94X plus once again sleeping on all this sorting things out in my mind, I feel the 94x would not be practical for me. I am really enamored by the looks of that knife, but in the reality of actual use it would not be practical. Not only in the view of being able to hold it properly, every time I would take it out of my pocket I would be afraid of dropping it which could easily damage the handle finish.

The rift - I've looked at that before. The size and handle shape look very good for me, but I just don't like the open back of the handle. I just can't get past that fact and have dismissed it.

So........my 2 choices have now become the regular grip or the 710. I have shamelessly harvested some images shown below (most of which have come from this forum) to help me. The main thing I am looking at is the handle size and shape. I also like a slimmer blade. Looking at these images, the regular grip looks like an obvious choice with the 710 as a close second. My feelings on these two:

Regular grip - I really like the handle shape and the overall size of the knife. What is holding me back is the fact of partial liners and worry about the knife not having a good quality feel. When looking at some videos, there were some demonstrations of the sound it makes when you close it - a more hollow sound I guess. I'm not really worried about the sound it makes, but more in the overall feeling of a good quality highly crafted tool. But then I get to wondering - I have my eye on custom scales - with the lesser price of the regular grip I would easily have the funds to do this. So the question comes to me now - if I get custom scales made, will that help the feeling of the knife as far as a quality feel to it?

710 - just like before - hesitate because of the size and that it would be a little more knife than I can handle easily. But the more I look at it I am really liking the slimmer blade it has.

As I write this all out each time, it helps me put my thoughts in order. With that said as I once again review all the posts and recommendations here, I go back to @keyman post #3 where he says a natural progression would be to get the regular grip next, then move on/up to the 710 later.

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Why don't you look at the large Bone Collector? It's a mostly solid back like the Grip, but it's G10 with full liners and is most definitely a solid feeling and solid sounding knife. It's an AXIS lock with a D2 blade. That's not stainless, but it's close. It also has a nicely sculpted handle that may be more comfortable for you in all kinds of conditions, even if you're having a bad RA day.

In fact, I have one on the trading block. If you want, I'll be happy to send it up, sort of like a passaround, for you to handle and use some before you make the investment. Then you'll know how it feels without having to shell out any $ for one.

My other suggestion is to think about switching to a small fixed blade for everyday carry & use. Something like an Izula or an Eskabar can be carried vertically, horizontally, inside your waistband, outside your waistband, around your neck, or in your pocket. BM even makes a few smaller FBs that could work.
 
Some food for thought -

If I were in your position, and narrowed it down to the Griptilian or 710, I would probably go for the Grip. Order one from Benchmade in your favorite steel (mine is s30v, but I haven't tried D2 yet...) and favorite color combination. It's highly touted as the most comfortable knife out there, and you already like your mini-grip so much, it seems logical.

The reason I shy from the 710 is that it has a recurve blade. I don't know if you sharpen your knives yourself or not, but the recurve blades are a royal PITA with standard sharpening systems (I went back, saw you said you use a Lansky - this would probably ruin the blade).

Just something to get you started on:
http://www.benchmade.com/customize/default.aspx
 
I have read this entire thread 2x over the last 2 days and there are strong arguments for each option. In the end, I think with respect to size, weight, and ease of function that the full size Grip is clearly a winner. For someone suffering from RA, the full and rounded scales of the Grip would provide a positive purchase without the need for any stress or strain while trying to maintain control of the knife. Furthermore, not only is it hand-filling, but it is extremely light as well. Lastly, in traditional form, Benchmade's 154CM steel is exceptional for everyday use. Very easy to sharpen, takes a razors' edge, and will open about 10,000 bags of chips before it's first sharpening. Have I left anything out?
 
Dale - thanks very much for the trial offer on the Bone Collector - very kind of you! I'm going to pass on your offer though as I just don't want to confuse my decision making any more than it already is.

inhertthefire and Accelerator - very sound advise which reinforces my decision to go with the standard grip. As I also review the posts here along with my own, and look at the view of the photos of the knives together, the handle shape and blade length will be perfect for me. I did spend some time today looking at the different varieties available along with the custom options.

As you all can probably tell, I get obsessed with making a decision like this. I would have been totally lost without everyone's help here. And the best part was I learned a lot along the way!

I'm going to be ordering the standard size grip tomorrow to seal the deal for myself once I decide on which configuration I want.

And another good thing about this knife purchase - a couple weeks ago I didn't even know the Axis-Lock system existed. With my recently acquired mini-grip, the lock system was like a revelation to me. Also, it seems that Benchmade is a great company to deal with - high quality products with excellent customer service I hear - and made in the USA!

Thanks again everyone!
 
Good choice. The full-sized Grip was one of my first "good" knives and my second BM. Now to complicate matters further... you're aware that BM has a "custom" Grip shop and you can order the steel / scale color / hardware finish combination of your choice? :D
 
Yes, I found the custom grip shop a little while back - going to review those choices plus the Doug Ritter version before I order.
 
coaltrain said:
Yes, I found the custom grip shop a little while back - going to review those choices plus the Doug Ritter version before I order.
Click to expand...

+1 for the Ritter version. I have a mini grip (custom order from benchmade) and a 552 (large Ritter) with custom grips (Wilkins). I love both knives and both are in s30v but I have to say I really like the stonewashed look of the Ritter. It hides small everyday use scratches and marks plus it just looks great. I really like the s30v as well. A little more difficult to sharpen but holds an edge much longer that 154. I prefer the blade shape of the Ritter over the regular 551 to.
 
Placed my order today - just the regular standard 551. A few reasons for that choice.......

The Doug Ritter version has a lot of recommendations here, and I realize it is more knife than the plain version, but I actually like the blade shape of the standard better. I know the Ritter is better blade material. Also I know the stone washing is a good sealant, but it just didn't do anything for me. And, it is at a $55 premium.

Also, a reason for keeping the cost down, is I want to look at a 4" fixed blade knife also (looking at some of the great works in the knife makers section) - on kind of a tight budget - actually have sold a couple little photography related items that I don't use much to help fund my new obsession.

And also, I want to try custom scales - I've already picked out what I want from keyman. Once I get the 551 in I will decide weather to customize the mini or the 551 - so need some funds for that also.

I feel I made a sound decision with all the help here. I know I was kind of all over the place, but all these knives mentioned in this thread are just beautiful - I want them all! Thankfully I limited myself to Benchmade with the Axis-Lock - I can't image trying to choose if I had all the different manufacturers involved in this!

Thanks all for putting up with all my indecision - I also go through this with my camera gear. My wife is used to it I guess - just smiles and rolls her eyes. When I finally hit the "buy" button on something, she yells and claps her hands!
 
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