New Benchmade Pinnacle

D. Epstein · Nov 26, 1999

I just bought a new Benchmade Pinnacle model 750BT with the plain edge and the Black T finish. This is a heck of a knife! I've read the stories of questionable quality from Benchmade lately and I'm truly happy this one isn't like that. Obviously it wasn't made on a Monday morning. Fit and finish is just about perfect, which is a lot more than I can say for some other knives I've bought lately. Blade lockup is super tight with no detectable play in any direction. The "mono lock" moves across at least half the thickness of the tang and I don't see how it could close accidentally. The blade is hair popping sharp out of the box and shaves arm hair at the slightest pressure. Operation is smooth and there is enough friction to keep the blade from flopping around. Handle ergonomics and one-hand operation are excellent. The black blade and fittings and the dark gray handle make for a really handsome knife. I hope I can still say that when the finish starts wearing off. Strangely enough, this one happens to be one of the old style Pinnacles. This knife is, dare I say it, truly the poor man's Sebenza. For once I can't complain.

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"Things fall apart; the center cannot hold The best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity."

Johan · Nov 26, 1999

Couldn't agree more, I got mine last week from MJ&S Knives. I converted mine to an ambidexterous double thumb stud. If you want to know how, let me know

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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.

D. Epstein · Nov 26, 1999

Johan,

I like your idea. Please let us know how you did it.

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"Things fall apart; the center cannot hold The best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity."

leroys_45 · Nov 26, 1999

i just got a 750BT the other day. i didn't think i'd like the blade coating, but i got a deal from another member here on bladeforums, so i wasn't about to complain. i really like the look of this one. i thought about just putting it away and selling it down the road, but i couldn't stop playing with it. so i thinned the bevels and sharpened it (it was DULL out of the box) and have been using it since. the action on mine is great, no spotty QC here. i like the blade and handle shape better than the sebenza and like the price alot better too. i'm all ears for the ambi studs. not really a lefty knife, but i'd like the option. i don't think you'll be sorry if you get one.

Johan · Nov 26, 1999

Okay, by popular request: How to convert a 750 to ambi. First, contact BM and request/buy a replacement stud for the 750. Second, go to Radio Shack and buy a package of their smallest machine screws (2.5 mm approx). Using a spline key (torx or hex won't work, a great source is Jenson Tools) remove the screw holding the stud to the blade. Put it in a safe place in case you change your mind

Take a long machine screw and cut it to 5/16" long (just the threaded section, no head). Thread the freshly cut end into one of the studs (it's easier in the long run), put it through the hole in the blade, thread the other stud on. The hole in the handle is bigger than the thread (so it could recess the original screw) so push the stud toward the base of the blade and then tighten (I did it by hand and that was good enough; 'course I crush walnuts with my hands). I pushed the stud toward the base because that's where the force from opening will move it anyway. It's really a lot easier than you think and not only does it make it more usable (IMO) but it looks much better (IMO). Hope this helps guys, any more questions feel free to email me.

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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.

savanah · Nov 26, 1999

Could someone please elaborate on the diff. between old and new style Pinnacles. Thankyou

leroys_45 · Nov 26, 1999

i could be wrong here, but i believe that the main difference is that the locking bar section on the old model is about half the width of the handle. the new model is much smaller, about a 1/3 or so.

lifter4Him · Nov 27, 1999

I also have a Pinnacle and love it. Was wondering if anybody knew why, since BM does so many collaborations with makers why they didnt with Chris Reeve since the knife is so similar to his.
Anybody know?

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lifter
Phil. 4:13

Dave
Wharton,NJ

JoHnYKwSt · Nov 27, 1999

Why collaborate when they can just take Chris' basic design and copy it? They would make a lot more money then if they collaborated. Even if they asked Chris for a collaboration, most likely, Chris would have turned them down anyway.

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Johnny
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shivey · Nov 28, 1999

Thumbs up on the 750! No blade-play on mine,
great blade design, and a really nice
overall appearance.

Nakano 2 · Nov 28, 1999

Is a plain edge version available yet? Black or satin? Kind of lost track.

L8r,
Nakano

Johan · Nov 28, 1999

Nakano, the 750 is available in plain, combo, BT2 and satin.

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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.

Auger · Dec 1, 1999

I just got the 750S Combo. I really like it. I guess the steel is not as good as the Sebenza but I do like the blade shape better (its got a little bit of that Kukri curve to it that the Emerson Comander also has).

Here is the photographic comparison between the two: http://www.chaicutlery.com/chrisreeve.html

My Pinnacle locks up rock solid. In fact it is a bit of a pain to unlock. But that is the way it should be. The action is very smooth. I like the three torx heads holding the clip on because they make a great surface to pinch down on when drawing the knife out of my nylon horizontal scabbard.

Freemon · Dec 1, 1999

I just logged on...haven't had much screen time of late but I caught this header/posts, and they hit home. I'm on my 3rd 750 now, 4 if I count the one I found for a friend. They have all been 1st gen. and excellent. I've yet to buy one nib, for the $$ its been a dependable worker. Quality has been excellent, a well produced piece. Still looking for a satin blade though cause I have my doubts on the bt2.... No I don't believe its a copy of a Sebenza, not just the same knife folks. Same lock design yes but thats where it ends. If anything, the bm750 will help sell more sebenzas. I know there is crs in my future.....wouldn't have said that 6 months ago. Till then the 750 is absolutely my best ........$20 knife.

the perfect knife....a never ending quest.