Opinions on BM 630 Skirmish sought

S

Stainz

Joined
Jun 24, 2007
Messages
3,760
I like larger folders - like my Buck 110s. There is just something alluring about the Skirmish. I know it is large - and I might really like the Mini better - but I haven't seen it yet. Kind of 'out of sight, out of mind/consideration'. The Skirmish is at a better than evil-bay price locally, too.

Now, my caveats... I have a Grip 551 in 440C I bought years ago - came new dull as a butter knife. My second BM, a 201 Activator+ in D2, also came, mail order, dull as a butter knife. That's it - 0 for two, sharpness-wise, for BMs here. Sharpening 440C and D2 on a Sharpmaker is a bit of a new career. I had been considering a Buck 172 Mayo TNT, similarly S30V with Ti scales - but considerably smaller. Sadly, my luck last fall with Bucks took a turn for the worse, especially with the 'new' 850 Bravo. Being a Buck person at heart, I was about to buy the more expensive 172 - when I found the BM Skirmish.

So - any opinions on the construction/fit & finish of the Skirmish would be appreciated. I know it's large - possibly too big for some. Ignoring that, will it satisfy my urge for a 'finely made' knife? I can't quite afford a Sebbie - but I like the concept of having at least one really nice knife... and I won't leave it on my Liberty's roof (Famous last words...)!

Thanks!

Stainz
 
The Skirmish has been discontinued and has started to go up in price.
Most knife dealers have none and eBay or the exchange may be the only place you find one.
They are very nicely made and I really like my 630. I think it was well worth what I paid.
2ef1ems.jpg
 
Well, it is a great knife and very well made. I think if I had to do the whole experience again, I would go with the mini. The normal was just to big for its construction i guess. I did not like the lock on mine. The framelock was way too weak and it really needs a Hinderer lock bar.

If you can still find one, go for it since they are starting to disappear.
 
My experience with the Skirmish and Mini-Skirmish has been very satisfactory. Solid lock-up, designed to stay solid for years.

About sharpness - I really don't remember - I put a convex edge on most of my knives as soon as I get them, using a belt grinder, and my Skirmish has a sharp but heavy edge on it, for heavy work. It shaves, but stands up to regular use.

FWIW, I'm happy with mine. :thumbup:
 
It's a production knife that is closest to custom detailing that I have owned so far.

DSC01452.jpg

DSC01453.jpg

DSC01455.jpg

DSC01456.jpg

DSC01457.jpg

DSC01471.jpg

DSC01479.jpg

DSC01483.jpg

DSC01482.jpg
 
Back when I could afford to sustain a high dollar knife collection I had a mini, loved it. When I was picking it out I handled it and the full sized version. Both seemed to be about a s perfect as anything I have ever seen.
 
I have had 2 of the large and one mini. IMO the large it soo big and the mini is too small. My other main gripe is that the hole has a beveled edge that makes it very hard to open. Most knives with an opening hole have an edge that allows you to get some grip this one does not. I tried very hard to love the knife b/c it is a stunner in the looks department, but, I had absolutely no luck :o.
 
My everyday carry is a BM950 (was told its fairly new) And it has a very similar blade profile with a slightly different grind to the tip of the blade. (correction a faightly similar blade profile, I had to see another angle of the 630 on the benchmade site)

Point being I like it very much and feel very comfortable with it clipped to my pocket. If you cant find the one you posted, you might check or consider this one.

By the way, hi everybody, new here.
 
Last edited:
spiralarchitect said:
I have had 2 of the large and one mini. IMO the large it soo big and the mini is too small.
Click to expand...
Me, too. I sold the mini that I traded you for. Wish they'd made a medium sized one. Great knives, though.

btw ron, welcome to Bladeforums
 
I think you would like the Mini better. The Mini has MORE cutting edge than a Large Sebenza! And closed it's as small as a Delica, I have a YouTube review of the Mini.

Both are worth every penny! Keep in mind the 630 is freakish BIG.
 
I think the 630 is a great knife. I really like the size, although it is pretty big for dress slack carry. I have become accustom to tip up carry so it is not for me.
 
I don't understand the complaint that it's very hard to open.
The knife can easily be opened with a very slight flick of the wrist.
Heavy blade and well fitted bronze washers make the blade just fall out of the handle, with no need to even touch the blade.
 
It's a great knife. I modded the hell out of mine and now I think I'd like to get another and keep t more closer to original. The only thing I'd want to do to it is straighten out the recurve.

Here's mine:
l_32fc328b35307198faa8974cb9079008.jpg
 
jill jackson said:
I don't understand the complaint that it's very hard to open.
The knife can easily be opened with a very slight flick of the wrist.
Heavy blade and well fitted bronze washers make the blade just fall out of the handle, with no need to even touch the blade.
Click to expand...

Finally! Someone with my mindset. The action on mine is SUPER silky and all it takes to open it is a slight flick with the thumb and the inertia of that blade does the rest. Then it's bank vault solid. In fact, out of 50+ nice knives I own, the Skirmish may be the easiest of them all. It's a frame lock manual folder. There is nothing to slow the action down except pivot tension after the detent is defeated. No spring from a back lock, etc.

I keep hearing that complaint and all I can think of is the pivot must be cranked down on theirs.

Once the detent is defeated, mine wants to open by itself . . .
 
I don't have a Skirmish, but in reference to your OP I have bought several Benchmades and all that were in S30V came very sharp. In fact my Rukus was probably just as good if not better than some Spydercos that I have gotten as far as initial sharpness goes.
 
To comment on sharpness, mine came shaving sharp with even grinds and after a mild stropping the knife could do surgery if it were small enough.
 
Thanks for all of the replies. A return to the pusher to buy the Skirmish was thwarted... the box flap said 635BK Skirmish... not 630! It's a Mini Skirmish with a black blade (Still S30V.) and no row of colored 'dots' - not that I liked them. The blade was shorter - the handle lacked a bit of little finger area - ie, was a tad short. It was nice - and silky smooth - and 'a bill and a half out the door' seemed reasonable.

Hmmm - it is larger than the two Bucks, #171 & #172, I just had to have before finding the Skirmish. In fact, it's cheaper. It's slightly larger than the large Sebbie, too. What do you think - a deal??

So, now I wanna know about a 635BK (mini) Skirmish...

Stainz
 
I bought one from the Cutlerry Shoppe in 2005. It is one of their limited editions with no finish on the handle, just plain titanium. It came out of the box razor sharp, and is a really nice knife.
It is only second to my large Rukus.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top