One half year later--BM Apparition?

R

RobbW

Joined
Oct 15, 2003
Messages
2,988
I'm thinking about getting a BM Apparition as my first assisted knife. I'm looking for something stouter than the gentlemen's folders I usually EDC, plus I juse plain want an assisted knife.

Can any of you owners/users comment on the pros and cons of this knife?

I've searched this site, and most of the comments center on new owners expressing initial enthusiasm over the knife, or initial disappointment over the plastic scales and a non-Ti liner lock (which was originally promised by BM). Now that you've had them a while, how have your 670s held up over time?

I plan on getting some custom wooden scales, so the plastic kudu is not an issue for me.
 
Personally I never minded the plastic kudu---feel a whole lot more willing to actually edc it and have keys and such bump it than I would be with real horn.

Very happy with mine--I've EDC'd it now for about four months and haven't had any problems. Very smooth, positive action, no blade play, and no sudden openings; which a Kershaw Chive has done to me in the past. THAT will wake you up, especially when it does it while riding in your waistband...

I also like the blade shape very much---enough point to get in places but plenty of belly for slicing. Also, for some reason the more "gentlmanly" appearance of it doesn't seem to scare zee sheople nearly as much. Granted, if I'm in truly mixed company and need a knife I tend to open it with two hands so nobody faints at the terrifying 'click' sound. :)

Maybe others have had problems, but I sure haven't. I'm considering getting a second one just to have a backup.
 
Thanks, T1mpani, I was hoping to hear that down the road lock-up was still nice and tight, and that blade play did not develop.

I like the shape of the blade, it looks like a modified Wharncliffe, which I would find useful.

A clerk in a pharmacy let me handle his the other day and I liked the action and solid feel of the knife--but his was new and I wanted to know how well the Apparition weathered. Sounds like yours is going strong. Thanks for the feedback.
 
I didn't like it when I handled it at a knife show. I just wasn't impressed that's all. I'm sure it's a decent knife, but I'd like to suggest that you handle it first if you can.
 
Different warbles cause different weebles to wobble. :) I liked this one so much it replaced my 710 edc, which I doubted anything would do.

But the Man is quite right---handling ANY knife before buying is preferable. I've had some arrive that didn't even get five minutes of playing time before they were packed back up with filled-out return forms.
 
I've got one right now as part of a Passaround. You can see my impression of it here.
 
I really dig this knife, faux kulu horn or no. Oddly enough, I actually like it more with OUT the spring installed! It is removable, so you can see what you like more. The action with the spring is very satisfying. It opens hard and solid. It feels like racking a tiny shotgun. Without the spring, it is smoothe as silk. Or butter. OR SILKY BUTTER!!!!!!1
BM just put out a model you may like. It is the App, with carbon fiber handles (beautiful) and a damascus blade. I would put a link to it from BM's site, but right now it is showing 0 results in all of their products. It will probably be better tomorrow.
-KC
 
Knifeclerk said:
Oddly enough, I actually like it more with OUT the spring installed! It is removable, so you can see what you like more.
Click to expand...
But does removing it void the warantee?
 
Walking Man said:
But does removing it void the warantee?
Click to expand...
Nope, not at all.

The spring is held in place with a set screw. It's the only aissisted opened I know that gives the user the option.
 
The Camillus assited openers can also be converted to manual by putting in a small screw that is included with the knife.
 
Dr. Thor said:
The Camillus assited openers can also be converted to manual by putting in a small screw that is included with the knife.
Click to expand...
That's the first I've heard of that. Neither my Dominator or my Aftermath had this option AFAIK.
 
I like the knife, it feels solid and the liner lock seems plenty strong for me. The plastic scales look OK I just try and forget that they are plastic. The new carbon fiber ones look badass, i think ill have to get one of those and give my other one away to a more needy pocket. The assisted opening is very fast and strong, a fun little toy. I got mine to carry when i dress up so it see's little hard use. It looks cool and is fun to play with and thats all that matters.
 
Dr. Thor said:
The Camillus assited openers can also be converted to manual by putting in a small screw that is included with the knife.
Click to expand...
Really? Hmmm... I'll have to check my Heat, I don't recall such a thing. Or a hole for said screw. Or getting that screw in the box. :confused:
 
I have one and strongly agree with the postitve comments made thus far.

My one and only problem with it is that the blade's tip on mine is too close to the the rear of the handle in the folded position. I found this out when it cut me as I was wiping away some gunk on the butt of the handle. :eek: :grumpy: :thumbdn:
As others have not noted this problem, I'm assuming it is just a piece that slipped thru QC. This is just another reason to try it before you buy it. I personally have no excuse as I bought my Apparition only after I handled it at the store. I was sold right away on the looks and especially after operating the assist. The assisted opening removal option sealed the deal for me.

The fix is easy enough for me as I have a belt grinder and am not afraid to use it. :eek: :D :D :rolleyes:
I actually wanted to shorten the blade length a little anyway so as to make it permissable in places that only allow a 3" blade length. Win-win situation for me except for my aching finger.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate hearing what you have to say, especially those of you who've been using the 670 for a while now.

Unlike Planterz, I live in an auto-illegal state so my choice of spring knives is limited to assisted knives. I admit that if I could legally own autos I would be looking at other knives (mostly because there are so many high-quality auto knives to choose from!).

Given that I want an assisted knife, and that I'm looking for something larger and beefier than anything I currently EDC, I've been leaning towards the Apparition. It has a combination of better steel, a larger and stouter size, and better looks (IMHO with the filework and stainless bolsters) than the SOGs, Camillus' & Kershaws I've seen.

I'll check for strong lockup and I'll also make sure the tip goes all the way down where it should when closed. I'm also strongly considering getting some custom Ebony scales just because my birthday is around the corner. :D

Thanks again for all the perspectives.
 
from introducing my Apparition to Mr. Belt Grinder. I measured it before going out and discovered the reason behind my prob. My blade's length is 1/16" over 3 1/4". I took off 1/8" and now I have a blade length of 3 3/16" and the problem is fixed. Taking off 1/4" to get a 3" blade would really trash the aesthetics of the blade/handle ratio so I nixed that idea.

That option of being able to convert from assisted to manual should be a big selling point in areas where an assisted opening is considered an "evil feature" by the sheeple beaurocrats. I'm sorry to here you live in an auto-illegal state, Robb. Hopefully they'll see the light and get rid of that useless legislation. :mad: :thumbdn:

All the best,
Mike Ulakovits
 
I got a chance to carry this for a week and beat on it while camping. The lil' knife held up great! There were a few disappointments for me, one being size (length)...another the tip-up carry. Love the ATS-34 blade, though - really took a beating with no damage whatsoever. I did like the grip the pseudo-kudu provided, though it did wear out my pocket a bit.

You can find these for under $100...if the stuff we've mentioned doesn't deter you, then you'll really like it. Just don't be rosey-eyed from looking at the Adverts for it. It's not that glamourous. But, still, quite a nice lil' knife. Quality was just as expected for BM.


Robb - if you get it and decide to redo the scales, let me know. I'd love to see one again.
 
I've owned one for about three months and have seldom carried it. I generally agree with Planterz comments. First thought I had was that I really liked the filing along the backspacer; second was that the hollow feeling plastic scales really did not do the knife justice. I also agree about the liner lock seeming thin - especially as I am about to send it back to BM for warranty repair. While anecdotal and not necessarily a common issue, I just found out a few days ago that the knife fails a mild spine slap (yes - slap with the palm of off-hand) test - so it's going back to Oregon.

That said, the action is silky smooth w/ or w/o the torsion bar in place. Further, the lock gives a reassuring (if not necessarily effective) "thwack" when engaged. Blade also came very sharp OTB. Just my $.02. Best, D-Luck
 
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