I've been thinking of picking up a 690. The light weight and "dressier" appearance with the carbon fiber and wood seem like an appealing addition to my normal EDC's. Would be interested in hearing from those who own them. Or for that matter, those who may have considered one and passed on it and why.
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Opinions wanted BM 690
- Thread starter pistolero
- Start date
dewingrm
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2001
- Messages
- 1,441
Great knife as far as I'm concerned. Excellent fit and finish. My only complaint is that I wish the rosewood was a little glossy, I think it would add to the looks. This knife definitely does not lack in the looks department, the blue liners look really nice. This is the first Benchmade that I have purchased and I am very impressed. Great little folder for the money.
Ryan
Ryan
GigOne
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 1999
- Messages
- 15,783
I was in the market for a new addition for my EDC line-up. Have had the opportunity to possess a few Benchmades. Personally, I've never been overly impressed with their products. . .kind of a hit and miss purchase. So, was rather leery. . .
Read several reviews/saw several pic's of the knife. Really found it appealing and the knife juices began to flow. . . But, was still leery ! Waited for them to hit the streets so that I could get some "forumite" reviews and feedback. The knife was pretty well received. . . Was still leery !
A dealer began advertising them at a very respectable price. . .so decided to take the plunge. Still leery mind you. . .
The knife arrived and upon initial inspection and operational checks ~ I was very impressed. And it even came with a very very sharp edge (rarely experienced that with the other BM knives that I purchased). The knife is very light in the hand (and light enough not to be noticed when its clipped to your pocket). The blade is perfectly centered between the liners when closed. Very smooth opening and closing the blade. Has a noticeable and solid thunk as the knife locks open. Lockup is superb. There is no up-and-down or side-to-side blade play. The dimensions of the knife are right on with an OAL of 7.5" and a blade length of 3.25".
The knife doesn't have that "tactical" look but is small and light enough to fall into a gentleman's knife/carry. The overall fit and finish is great. And the different grinds on the blade add a rather nice touch.
Rather nice addition to the EDC line-up !
Get one ~ you won't regret it !
Read several reviews/saw several pic's of the knife. Really found it appealing and the knife juices began to flow. . . But, was still leery ! Waited for them to hit the streets so that I could get some "forumite" reviews and feedback. The knife was pretty well received. . . Was still leery !
A dealer began advertising them at a very respectable price. . .so decided to take the plunge. Still leery mind you. . .
The knife arrived and upon initial inspection and operational checks ~ I was very impressed. And it even came with a very very sharp edge (rarely experienced that with the other BM knives that I purchased). The knife is very light in the hand (and light enough not to be noticed when its clipped to your pocket). The blade is perfectly centered between the liners when closed. Very smooth opening and closing the blade. Has a noticeable and solid thunk as the knife locks open. Lockup is superb. There is no up-and-down or side-to-side blade play. The dimensions of the knife are right on with an OAL of 7.5" and a blade length of 3.25".
The knife doesn't have that "tactical" look but is small and light enough to fall into a gentleman's knife/carry. The overall fit and finish is great. And the different grinds on the blade add a rather nice touch.
Rather nice addition to the EDC line-up !
Get one ~ you won't regret it !
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2000
- Messages
- 186
The first thing I noticed about my 690 was that it isn't as shiny as it looks in the pictures. Instead of being glossy looking the wood and carbon fiber have more of a matte finish to them. In any case it still looks really nice. It's also pretty light and the handle fits my hand quite nicely and is real comfortable.
I do have a slight issue with it though, I kinda think the blade is a bit too thick for a knife of its size, and as a result it doesn't cut as well on certain materials like cardboard. It sure looks nice though and has a pretty interesting grind to it. I think of it as a cute "tactical" knife as opposed to a "true" gentleman's knife which generally has a thin blade that cuts like mad. Overall I love it, it looks friendly enough that people don't freak out when I use it, while at the same time it's probably just as tough as a "tactical" like the mini-AFCK.
I do have a slight issue with it though, I kinda think the blade is a bit too thick for a knife of its size, and as a result it doesn't cut as well on certain materials like cardboard. It sure looks nice though and has a pretty interesting grind to it. I think of it as a cute "tactical" knife as opposed to a "true" gentleman's knife which generally has a thin blade that cuts like mad. Overall I love it, it looks friendly enough that people don't freak out when I use it, while at the same time it's probably just as tough as a "tactical" like the mini-AFCK.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2001
- Messages
- 4,238
I have one and I love it. I carry it when I need a dressier knife. The clip is shorter and wider than most, and works well with khakis or dress pants. The wood does have a satin finish, as others have stated, but it doesn't detract from the looks. Mine wasn't particularly sharp out of the box, but that was soon remedied. It holds a good edge, and the slight recurve cuts well. It is a little thick, but that's OK. The lockup is one of the best I've ever seen, or should I say, heard. It has the most satisfying click when opening. Action is smooth.
Mine has the boron nitride (I think that's right) finish, which is extremely tough, more so than a black teflon coating. You can see the stonewash finish of the blade through the translucent looking finish which I find very attractive. (Can you guess that I like this knife?)
Benchmade just released an Ivory colored 690 that would make a perfect companion to this knife. It's shown on their website. I like the rosewood though. Get one, you won't be disappointed.
Steve Ferguson
Mine has the boron nitride (I think that's right) finish, which is extremely tough, more so than a black teflon coating. You can see the stonewash finish of the blade through the translucent looking finish which I find very attractive. (Can you guess that I like this knife?)
Benchmade just released an Ivory colored 690 that would make a perfect companion to this knife. It's shown on their website. I like the rosewood though. Get one, you won't be disappointed.
Steve Ferguson
...It's turned out to be my favorite EDC. I did a little bit of detailing -especially on the handle's edges; worked them -carefully- down a tad with 2000 grit paper. I also polished up the wood a bit, towards a satin-gloss.
Mine came impossibly sharp too, BTW; as I experienced the very same day I first held it in my hands... 
Never mind that though. The thumb-wound has eventually healed unscarred.
Mine came impossibly sharp too, BTW; as I experienced the very same day I first held it in my hands...
Never mind that though. The thumb-wound has eventually healed unscarred.
I have two (one for sale/trade on the forum) and they are both perfect. IMO you should get the plainedge. Sharpest knife I have ever received from benchmade, and the lockup does have a loud "snick" or clack. I don't think if you have large hands it will be for you however. It has two large washers instead of one large/small like on afcks or BM's like that. The liners look sweet, and so do the scales. As mentioned the CF isn't glossy (supposedly that is some sort of top-coat manufacturers set up over it) and the wood is a semi-gloss. I have done nothing to the wood but wipe it with tuf-cloth and buff it, It isn't glossy but it is getting there. I would like to hear/see if anyone has gotten the wood to a total gloss shine.
JC
JC
- Joined
- Oct 16, 1998
- Messages
- 2,395
I really like the 690. I have the -01 with bonded ivory scales. The knife is very sturdy, fits the large hand very well, and has an efficient and versatile blade. It is one of my favorite EDC type pocket knives. It is a thick knife in the Elishewitz mold, pretty but rugged. An EDC doesn't need to be that strong, but what the heck, it still cuts good, and if feels good in your hand. Looks good, feels good, cuts good. It's a winner. As long as you like the styling, you won't be disappointed with the construction or function.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2002
- Messages
- 470
This is one of the knives on my list. I really like the looks of it.
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2001
- Messages
- 746
I absolutely love my 690.
Picked it up last fall because I wanted something compact but strong to use as an EDC. The unusual grind of the blade is probably my favorite feature. I recommend the boron carbide coating for the blade too. The 690 has three things I look for in a knife: style, strength, and sharpness.
Get one!
Ben
Picked it up last fall because I wanted something compact but strong to use as an EDC. The unusual grind of the blade is probably my favorite feature. I recommend the boron carbide coating for the blade too. The 690 has three things I look for in a knife: style, strength, and sharpness.
Get one!
Ben