Monochrome vs Vapor vs Hilo????

babakanoosh45

babakanoosh45

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Oct 6, 2006
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I was reading a thread here regarding a Kershaw Vapor and I as looked at some photos it reminded me of my Buck Hilo & Cutback and even a bit of my Buck Mantis Framelock. Then I looked up a Benchmade Monochrome and it seems to fit into that build desisgn. Now the BM Mono has a N690 blade and the believe that is the reason for the price difference, ($40.00 for a Monochrome-$16-18.00 for the Buck or Kershaw). The Vapor has AUS-6 and the Bucks have 420HC. My question is: Who has which and what are you thoughts? I have the Bucks and think they are great performers for the $$$ and I had a Vapor some time ago but it was lost, though I did like it! Is the BM Mono worth the extra money. As I read it the BM is from Taiwan / The Bucks and Kershaw from China. Also are there any in this catagory I am missing?

Buck Mantis $20.00 420HC
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Top 2: Buck Hilo and Cutback $18.00 420HC
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I have the BM Monochrome (somewhere...I can't find the dang thing:confused:), and I really like it. The fit and finish are top notch for a folder in that price range. The framelock engages properly, and the lock up rivals that of some of Kershaws. The N690 takes a great edge, is easy to sharpen, and was very sharp out of the box. I also like the modified drop point that it has. It's a great work knife that isn't so expensive that you baby it, and the tip is pretty robust for more abusive chores. The blade is also very balanced. It's like they weighted it to snap open with very little pressure. There is no spring or AO to it obviously, but it just doesn't take much to get the blade snapped open. Very nice:)

The mono would be my pick:D I don't really have much against Chinese made knives, but Taiwan has been making very solid folders for years:thumbup:
 
I just bought a Cutback as a gift for a friend and to be honest I wasn't all that impressed with the F&F. I would agree that the BM Monochrome is a better choice and from what I've seen on the web , pretty close in price.

Another inexpensive framelock and my favorite among the budget priced knives is the Kershaw Storm II. Some don't like the recurve blade, but I think it's great and the handle fits my hand perfectly. It's a little heavy , but it's very nicely built.
 
If you don't mind a recurve blade, but want a frame lock that is tough yet slim, check out the Kershaw Shallot. Nice lock up, nice blade steel, very pocket friendly, and comes in under $50:thumbup:
 
I have a Cutback and mine is built like a tank. its a sweet knife. may try the monochrome next though.
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i think that the Bucks and the Benchmade are probably better. The Vapor is good for the price, but it really isn't constructed as well as other knives imo.
 
babakanoosh45 said:
I was reading a thread here regarding a Kershaw Vapor and I as looked at some photos it reminded me of my Buck Hilo & Cutback and even a bit of my Buck Mantis Framelock. Then I looked up a Benchmade Monochrome and it seems to fit into that build desisgn. Now the BM Mono has a N690 blade and the believe that is the reason for the price difference, ($40.00 for a Monochrome-$16-18.00 for the Buck or Kershaw). The Vapor has AUS-6 and the Bucks have 420HC. My question is: Who has which and what are you thoughts? I have the Bucks and think they are great performers for the $$$ and I had a Vapor some time ago but it was lost, though I did like it! Is the BM Mono worth the extra money. As I read it the BM is from Taiwan / The Bucks and Kershaw from China. Also are there any in this catagory I am missing?

Buck Mantis $20.00 420HC


Top 2: Buck Hilo and Cutback $18.00 420HC
Click to expand...

I have the Monochrome. Review is here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541546

I believe the Monochrome has a thinner handle than any of the others.

It has by far the best steel of any of them. This isn't one of those differences that is just barely there. The difference in performance is massively significant. (Sorry, couldn't think of a stronger superlative.)

Monochrome is a framelock.
I bought mine for $32.
It is one of the best designs I have come across.

I do not consider the Monochrome to be in the same performance class as the other knives you have named.
 
As an owner of a BM Monochrome for almost two years I absolutely agree with the previous post. :thumbup:For a 32 bucks it by far will outperform the other two mentioned folders IMHO, considering the fact that the difference in the prices is not too big.If it is on me I`ll take Monochrome especially what concerns edge retention, ease of carrying and the blade shape and geometry.
 
Finally, Skyline from Kershaw (USA), Tenacious from Spyderco (China), and a variety of Boker CLB offerings, my favorites of which are the Trance and the M-type (Hyper is good too) - IIRC, all made in Taiwan. While I like the Subcom F's, they, IMO, are too wide for the amount of edge they give. That said, if length is a bigger issue, then they are very nice for the money.

I actually picked up two Monochromes recently, should be here any day now.
So basically.. get any of them, and you won't be disappointed, just make sure you pick one that fits your needs.
 
Only problem I have with the monochrome is
1)the screws dont have pilot holes drilled, the screwheads stick out a lot

2) MUCH prefer tip up carry for the pocket clip, it digs into the palm the way it is now.

But for $30 I'm not really complaining
 
Just echoing some good choices -

Kershaw: Shallot, Groove and Storm II

Boker Plus: M-Type
 
I had a Kershaw Vapor, returned it and decided to put the money towards a nice knife. However, for $20, that is a realllllllllly good knife. I tightened the pivot pin a touch, greased things up, smoothed out the edge of the frame lock and got it nice and solid. It comes razor sharp and seemed pretty solid. Again, for actually less than $20 with tax at wal-mart, it's hard to beat.
 
Hi,

I have a couple of Vapors. For the money they are pretty nice knives. AUS6 may not be the best steel, but it holds it's edge well enough for most day to day use.

dalee
 
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