My Ares 730: Is there any hope?

B

bmilla35

Joined
Aug 29, 2007
Messages
1,601
Hey fellas!

So I originally bought this knife around 10 years ago; it went "missing" after my dad "borrowed" it many years ago. The knife was found on top of a cabinet in the garage and looks like it was dropped in mud and kicked for good measure.



As you can see, it's in pretty rough shape! The blade is pretty well centered, but when locked it has some side-to-side play that I don't like at all. Also, as you can see, there are a few rust spots. I'm thinking about sending it to Benchmade to be sharpened and tuned. Does anyone here have experience with their customer service? I'm hoping they might strip and down and give it a good cleaning (since I don't trust myself with such a task). I'm sure it isn't worth much, but since it was my first real knife purchase (I was around 15 at the time), I'd like to bring it back to decent condition if at all possible.

Thanks for looking and any input you may have to offer,

BM (those are also my initials :p)
 
bmilla35 said:
I'm sure it isn't worth much
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They are very good knives and at least in good condition they are in demand

There is nothing in that knife that will rust very much. You can attack those spots with a pencil eraser and some toothpaste, in fact clean the whole knife with toothpaste and an old toothbrush. The pivot can probably be tightened up a little bit to help with the blade play.
 
bdmicarta said:
They are very good knives and at least in good condition they are in demand

There is nothing in that knife that will rust very much. You can attack those spots with a pencil eraser and some toothpaste, in fact clean the whole knife with toothpaste and an old toothbrush. The pivot can probably be tightened up a little bit to help with the blade play.
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Thanks for the quick response! The toothpaste thing is a good idea. I will get on that tonight :)

Somewhere in the last 10 years of me owning the knife I think I was going to attempt to take it apart, and maybe that would explain the blade play. Still, there is mud/dirt/grime where there shouldn't be. Maybe I will try and take some better pics tomorrow?
 
You can definitely send it in to Benchmade for Lifesharp service. Turnaround is supposed to be pretty quick. They'll tune it up for you.

Hope to see update pics if you do.
 
jazub said:
You can definitely send it in to Benchmade for Lifesharp service. Turnaround is supposed to be pretty quick. They'll tune it up for you.

Hope to see update pics if you do.
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I planned on it ;)

I'll be sure to update everyone. It was a beautiful knife new. I got a great deal on it because the knife store in the local mall went out of business. I got the Ares and my bro got the SOG Trident. I always liked my knife more, but from the factory, his knife was wayyyyyyyy more sharp.
 
bmilla35 said:
I planned on it ;)

I'll be sure to update everyone. It was a beautiful knife new. I got a great deal on it because the knife store in the local mall went out of business. I got the Ares and my bro got the SOG Trident. I always liked my knife more, but from the factory, his knife was wayyyyyyyy more sharp.
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Trust me you got the better knife. I would buy your Ares in its current shape one over a brand new Trident any day. Also definitely send it to Benchmade. They should take care of it, and it will likely only cost you $5 bucks for return shipping. Be warned thought. They are extremely backlogged in repair/sharpening dept. They received the blades I sent on 2/5 and are just getting to work on them this week..
 
Return shipping is free now days. My 710 was received 2/6 and as of Friday it was not yet its turn on the work bench, they expect it'll be about another week before they've got to it.
 
Here's a reprint of a post I made awhile ago hope this helps, the thread is called "How to void the warranty on your bm 730 Ares" if I recall correctly. Hope this helps.

Here ya have your typical BM 730 Ares.

1-2.jpg


First remove the pocket clip.

2-2.jpg


Next the pivot screw and scale screws.

4.jpg


Remove the other scale, the pivot pin and slide out the blade and spacers.

5.jpg


Remove the Omega spring.

6-1.jpg


With two pliers unscrew the thumb lock and seperat the two liners.

7-1.jpg


Ta da reverse to assemble, BTW congratulations you have successfully voided your warranty.

8.jpg
 
My Ares also has some side to side. As for the rust removal, I'd try Flitz :)
 
I'm going to vote with the others who has said return it to Benchmade. You have already been without the knife for years, another 4-5 weeks at Benchmade won't hurt.

The BIG difference with sending it in is Benchmade will inspect and replace any parts like springs, screws, etc. as needed, and sharpen the blade in addition to removing the rust. I can't say for sure, but I would expect they will put the blade in some type of liquid solution that will guarantee ALL rust, even in the hard to reach areas and the metal's pores will be removed - something you may not be able to do with home cleaning/polishing products.

For the price of shipping to them and a modest repair fee ($5.00-$15.00) you will have a like new knife.
 
That knife will be unreal if you send it to BM. You will not believe it when you get it back that it's the same knife.
 
Sorry for the slow responses, fellas. I have been busy with work and since we had some decent days I decided to go fishing afterwards (in case you were wondering, we didn't catch anything lol).

I decided to ship it back despite the long wait. I havent had it for years, so what is another month or so? I'll be sure to let everyone know what I think of it after it is returned.

Also, thanks T. Erdelyi, for that awesome tutorial. I'm sure I will be referring back to that at some point down the line ;)
 
Letting us know what you think after it returns is only half the critique - it won't be complete without pictures! :)
 
Quick update: Got an email from BM saying they processed my knife and the average wait time is 18-20 days. Cant wait!
 
bmilla35 said:
Quick update: Got an email from BM saying they processed my knife and the average wait time is 18-20 days. Cant wait!
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Youre much more patient than me. If I had to send in my benchmade, id be marking days off my calender...
 
So... I know it's been a couple years, but how about those pics of it restored?
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Your knife is completely ruined. You should have sent to to me instead of Benchmade. I would have payed the entire shipping cost!

Please show us some pictures of how it is when you get it back. If it's still in terrible condition my offer will still stand.
 
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