need help with benchmade decision

J

Josh Feltman

Joined
Feb 12, 2001
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After several days of looking at the Benchmade catalog and searching through bladeforums, I have decided that my next knife purchase will be a Benchmade. I have pretty much narrowed it down to two models: the 940 Osborne, and the 750 Pinnacle, but I am having trouble choosing between the two. I am looking for an every day carry knife that is up to hard use and has some tactical potential. I am looking for something with an extremely strong and reliable lock, good cutting ability,overall durability, and ease of sharpening/maintenance. I am considering the 710 as well, but after reading the FAQ on sharpening a recurved blade, I'm not sure I need the hassle. Also, I keep seeing posts about Benchmade quality control issues. Is it worth it to spend the extra money at a store where you can actually inspect the knife as opposed to ordering it online? Are there any online knife sellers that will inspect a knife for a customer before sending it out? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

--Josh
 
Welcome to the Bladeforums.
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Between the 940
and 750, I would get the 750. You stated you're looking for a heavy use knife with tactical potential, the 940 is more of a dress knife than a tactical knife. I would give the 710 another look. I have a couple of recurve blades and with my Spyderco Sharpmaker I can get a good edge without much trouble. What sharpening system are you using? There will probably be others that disagree with my opinion.
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Try and get to a knife store that has them both to try out and
see what you like for yourself.

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A Pat on the Back is only a few inches from a Kick in the Butt.
 
I own a dozen or so BM's, and I own 2, 750 Pinnicals. The first 750 I got was a combo edge, and I liked it so much, I just bought a plain blade one last week. I just love this knife, rock solid, and the one I carry almost every day. I guess the only complaint, or maybe surpise is the degree/angle they put on their blades. I called and asked one day, and was told by customer service that they didn't know,
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everyone might be different because it is done on belt with no set angle. On some of my BM's I could get a razer edge in a few minutes, and on one, a pre-production, it took a good 2 hours to get a good edge. If held to one BM, my vote would go for the 750 Pinnacle.
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"Some days you're the dog, and some days you're the hydrant"
 
I am using a Smith's sharpening kit-- cheap $20 (Lansky imitation?)sharpener from Walmart. It gets my knives shaving sharp, but also scratches the blades. I am going to ask for a sharpmaker for my birthday in April.
 
Just a quick FYI, if you are looking at the 750, I believe it is also a recurve blade. If you are looking at a BM workhorse, the 3 main ones are the 710HS, the 800HS "AFCK" and the 750 IMHO. I have owned all 3 of them at one time or another, and right now I carry an 800HSSR, but it's a personal preference, and the lock probably isn't as good as on the others. I just prefer the styling and such.

Oh yeah, the 800 is now the 804, but should still be about the same knife, just an oval hole where the round hole used to be
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Josh, I've used a lot of sharpening equipment before, though I have sold most of it. If you want a really good system, try the Edge Pro Apex sets with the upgrade stones. About $165 total, but well worth it. I regret selling mine.

I have and still use the Smith's kit. Here are some tips. If you don't want to scratch your blades with the clamping piece, tape a piece of 2" wide duct tape and put it on the side flats of the blade where the clamp grabs the blade and holds it in place.

The Lansky guide holes are small and doesn't leave room for the guide rods to slide around. Some people like this because it keeps the angle the same for each part of the blade if you clamp it at the same place each time you sharpen. The Smith's kit has a wide slit for angle guide holes and you can slide the rods side to side in them to match the proper angle to a certain section of the blade, though if you don't use the exact same motion for every stroke, you have the potential of making the angle a little different on each stroke. Very small difference. What I would do it wrap paracord into the slits until you only have 1/4" for the slits, making each stroke based from exactly the same position.

Confusing? I'll take pictures when I get home.
 
For a sharpener, go with the Sharpmaker and recurves won't be a problem. The 750 also has a slight recurve in the blade, so don't let that be a deterrent in your knife choice. From what you're asking of the knife, go with the 710, the lock is so strong and sooo smooth.
 
I'll second those recommending that you take a serious look at the BM710HS. That axis lock sure is tough to beat.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
The 710 or 750 are both excellent choices. You'll be pleased with either one. And as far as sharpening goes I've been able to get all my Benchmades scary sharp on my Spyderco sharpmaker.
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Chris
 
Get the 710 and smile.
If you're still stuck on a framelock, save your pennies for a few years and get a Sebenza. Or save $50 and get the CRKT S-2. Benchmade's strength is the Axis lock. Why buy a BM without one?
 
Nobody has dealt with a very important part of Josh's original question: Is Benchmade quality so spotty that the only way to ensure getting a "good one" is to go to a store and pay retail??

(Oddly enough, I've read so many threads about poor Benchmade quality I find it hard to believe one would choose one from all the company options.)

Bugs
 
I carry a 940 every day.It will do anything the 710 or 750 will do.IMHO
Plus it doesn't look scary.
 
Bugs: Yes, I think you can buy one now sight unseen. For the record, the only QC problem was lousy sharpening--nothing structural.

Nifrand: The 940 is a beautiful knife, and I'll get one soon, but it's very different from the 710. The grip is smaller and rounder and smoother--none too tactical. And the blade, besides being shorter, is not constructed for a thrusting motion.
Great knife, just not interchangeable.

 
The 940 & 750 are very different knives. If you want a workhorse it's the 750. If you want a sleek, attractive knife with great gadget factor, it's the 940. But the best Benchmade on the market is the 710hs. It beats the 750 in every field: lock, ergonomics, steel, gadget factor, clip position, etc. Unless you're worried that you're knife will scare people, you really want a 710hs. If it has to be sheeple friendly, the 940 will do it, but the 940 isn't very tactical.

As far as buying sight unseen goes, what you mostly want to consider is whether or not the knife fits your hand. I wanted a 750 for a while until I got to play with one at a gun show, I didn't want one any more. Now my hands are different than yours, so don't let this be a knock on the 750, let it be a recomendation to hold a knife before you decide it's the model you want. BM's QC problems seem to be mostly a thing of the past. Most recent reports are very good. If it does come defective you can always send it back, but in buying 12 BM's I've bought not one has had any problems.

I think the knife for you is the 710hs
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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"Is not giving a need? Is not receiving mercy?" - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault
 
I own and USE several knives in the sub-$200 category....and if I had to select one knife to keep (heaven forbid!) - it would be the 750. Sweet.
 
With respect to the second question I think you take your chances ordering sight unseen. I bought 2 Benchmades online. My AFCK was PERFECT; I bet a gazillion dollars I have the best liner lock-up of any knife out there! My Sentinel, however, needed to be sent to Benchmade for some work to be done on the lock
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and on the lanyard pin. And yes, I did ask the online people to pick me a good one and they said they did.

I would have less reservations about ordering a fixed blade online, but with anything more "mechanical" like a folder I am a little weary. I suspect that ordering something like an axis lock, rolling lock, or any of the other newer locks may be fine as liner locks are tricky to get 'just right'. Please understand that these are personal preferences based on my quite cautious buying habits.

You will enjoy your Sharpmaker! It sharpens recurves quite nicely.

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"Come What May..."
 
Ah... The best liner lock is the LCC!

Hmmm the 940 or the 750. Well the 750 is a frame lock and VERY well made and rock solid. The info about the recurve blade tells you how to get the BEST out of it. However if you sharpen it like any other knife it is still a better cutter than a normal edge is many ways. I have the Plain edge in ATS-34 satin finish. It is a GREAT knife!
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A poor mans Sebenza! One third the price and 95% as good.

I cannot recommend it enough. It is for me a near perfect knife. Of only it had an M2/D2 blade and a spydiehole!

W.A.

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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
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A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
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Founding president and member number 1! Wana join?
 
I hate to go out on a tangent, but why not look at the 730 series knives? My everyday carry is the 735 comboedge and it is perfect for me. I also have a red 940 that just doesn't give me the confidence of the 735. I think the 940 is lighter and smaller and just doesn't have near enough to hold onto. I have been leaning towards picking up a 710HS, but I still prefer the packaging of the 735 over the 710.
I hate to muddy the water, but the 735 is my perfect knife from Benchmade.

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Steven Reiter,
Lewisville, Texas
 
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