Questions with BM710

I received my BM 710 recently and noticed the blade did not line up evenly in the handle when closed. I sent it back to Benchmade, along with another request for sharpening. The knife came back with the M2 scary sharp, but the alignment problem was still there. I thought maybe this is an unfixable "problem." I looked at the blade at the pivot and it was fine, but as you go further down the blade it gets closer to the clip side, to the point it is almost rubbing the liner. The problem is it looks straight in other places, like the pivot. Could it be the handle is warped? Is it not a big deal, or will it eventually start rubbing against the liner?, especially since this is where the pressure is applied during opening.
Has anyone else had this problem with their Axis lock. Other than this matter, this is got to be the finest, best all around utility folder ever made.
 
A

apollo

Joined
Apr 22, 2001
Messages
12
This seems to be a BIG problem with the BM710 & BM705. I searched lots of stores to find a 710 that was centered when closed, and only found one which I bought, but the blade still was a little off centre.
I had the same problem finding my 705. Luck was on my side yesterday when I found a 705 with the blade 100% centered. I think this an older one since the blade is an ATS-34.

Needless to say, I'm very hesitant to purchase Benchmade products on the net cause I don't want to go thru the hassles of sending them back and forth. I've called online dealers to check the blade alignment for me and they had none which were centered properly.

Benchmade definitely has a quality control problem which they need to address ASAP!! If I'm gonna pay hundreds of dollars (CDN) for their knives then they had better be 110% centered - no ifs, ands, or butts
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about it!!!

I do love the Axis knives and I am willing to go out of my way to find one that is 100% to my liking - this does take me a couple of weeks though and lots of $$$ on gasoline
frown.gif


Peter


[This message has been edited by apollo (edited 05-16-2001).]
 
I don't know if this works for axis locks, but it has been suggested to loosen the pivot, open the knife and place it with the liner the blade is too close to face down on, say, a carpetted floor. Gently bit firmly apply pressure to the blade to bend it towards the liner it is too close to. It feels backwards, but if you think about it, well.... it just works. I've had to do this to a couple of Spydercos. Works like a charm. Be careful.
One of the first things I do with an axis lock knife is tune in the pivot tension and loc-tite the screw. They always back out on me otherwise. Yours might be too loose, and bend towards the liner under opening pressure?
Wear shouldn't adversely affect an axis knife - they just get tighter and smoother with use.
The handle probably isn't warped. I hope it isn't warped, at least.
smile.gif
The liners seem beefy enough to resist deformation. The increased off-centerness might just be an illusion... the blade would appear more off to the side as you approach the tip, because of the distance from the pivot.
I agree about the 710 being a great utility folder. It's been my daily carry for a while now.
Can't really comment on the QC issue, if there is one. My 710 was flawless out of the box, and it's the only one I've see in person. The other Benchmades I've seen (720, 721, Ares, and a Bali) were also just fine out of the box. They are, in my limited experience, on par with the likes of Spyderco.
 
Jeff, I would contact BM and express your concerns. Then send it back. You are entitled to a properly-made knife. I'm sure that BM will make it right.

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Dick
 
Looks to me like Benchmade has a huge, unsalaried Quality Control force. All of their customers and dealers (the ones they haven't pissed off yet) also have the distiction of serving as inspectors. Sure beats paying people at the factory!
 
I have to buy on the Net because of no decent B&M stores in my area. I have had to send back several 710's because of blade slant. It happens because the opposing holes on the liner are not drilled out exactly across from each other, when the blade is closed it sets the blade wrong.

I have an early prod. 705 and it was perfect, seems they've dropped the quality mors recently.

Overall I have not been happy with the BM folders recently and I consider myself a BM fan. oh well
frown.gif
 
Chief is right. I have been doing what he suggested since the late 80's! Had much success with it also. You can try it with the 710 as it will not hurt it and might fix it. It could also be that the pivot isn't tight enough and by tightening it up some it will bring it back to center. I am not sure WHY it works but, like chief, I know that it does. Has to do with the frame and blade being out of alignment and this simply realigns it.

Let us know what you do and how it turns out!



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"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
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Ditto what Chief said about bending the blade. I've done this with several knives that were not centered, (CRKT. Kershaw, Microtech) and it works, only I wedged mine in a partially open drawer and bent it that way. I've had two 940's and a 705 and all three had perfectly centered blades. I also have a Microtech LCC which has an off-centered blade, which Microtech says is normal. This coming from a company that is supposed to be better in QC than BM.

[This message has been edited by kutch133 (edited 05-17-2001).]
 
All of the BMs that I have purchased from a local dealer have been "perfect" out of the box. One that I bought over the internet was also received without defects. Could it be that some dealers are selling factory "seconds" without notifying their buyers? Does BM allow seconds to be sold without notice?
 
Sounds to me that Nimrod hit this nail right on the head -- and hilariously to boot! Vast, unsalaried QC.

This is getting frustrating. Was all set to buy a Carnivore, until I got a Timberline Wortac. Doesn't fit my hand well, and apparently the two are quite similar ergonomically. Also, the REKAT forum is replete with threads on knives with problems, usually relating to the rolling lock. So, grit my teeth and start thinking about the 710, a knife about which I've seen virtually nothing negative. Now this thread.

Am certainly wondering if the integral lock, or maybe Spyderco's compression lock, are the only ways to go. Want to get away from liner locks, but it is difficult, especially when the alternative knives have so many problems. (I know, fixed blades) Oh well.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Bugs, do not worry, you can find good 710! I have one of them. IMO it is the best production folder for under 100.00 USD.

But as CD said: "One of the first things I do with an axis lock knife is tune in the pivot tension and loc-tite the screw. They always back out on me otherwise."

David

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DIVERTI NESCIO

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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by chief dignitary:
I don't know if this works for axis locks, but it has been suggested to loosen the pivot, open the knife and place it with the liner the blade is too close to face down on, say, a carpetted floor. Gently bit firmly apply pressure to the blade to bend it towards the liner it is too close to. It feels backwards, but if you think about it, well.... it just works. I've had to do this to a couple of Spydercos. Works like a charm. Be careful.
</font>
Click to expand...

That's awesome advise!!! Just tried it on my Spyderco Starmate. Now it's perfect
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Thanks!

Maybe this tip should be added to the knowledge base.

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Seek simplicity, and distrust it.
Whitehead, Alfred North (1861 - 1947)
 
I've got an M2 710 that I had to order over the internet as well because of the lack of B&M's where I live. None of my other BM's sat crooked in the handle but my 710 sits exactly as you described it. Looks centered up toward the pivot but the blade tip end is close to the left side as the pivot is facing away from you. I have not yet contacted BM because although it is close, it has not seemed to come any closer to the side... yet. I've had mine about 3-4 months. After reading this post though, I'm seriously considering sending it to them as it bothers me because I'm well... that kind of person.

Sincerest Regards,
Nobody
 
This thread would have been handy when I was acused of being overly judgemental with regards to QC issues with BM blades.

I have seen a LOT of BM blades with what I would... KNOW a CRK&T blade would NEVER exibit with such regularity. My BM blades are mostly fine, the problems I now have with them I either accept or have good examples of them so no problems.

QC with BM IS the ELU. IMHO. When they are good they are GREAT. My 710 is perfect (blade was not very sharp, but is that REALLY a problem?). I agree on the 710 being one of the best blades around.

Under $150 I think the 710 and the Military is where it is at.

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Wayne.
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Chief, I tried your advise on how to align the blade in the handle, so it will be centered when closed, but it doesn't work for me. So far, I've tried it on a Benchmade Pinnacle, CRKT Crawford/Kasper and a CRKT S-2, but the blades remain in the same position. On all 3 knives, the blades lean towards the liner where the lock bar is. Am I doing it wrong?
 
i find that i can bend the handle on my BM TSEK, so that the blade is centered, by the same token, the blade can be put off center if force is applied to my handle, so could it be that the blade and pivots are centered but the handle is warped?
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by LizardKing:
i find that i can bend the handle on my BM TSEK, so that the blade is centered, by the same token, the blade can be put off center if force is applied to my handle, so could it be that the blade and pivots are centered but the handle is warped? </font>
Click to expand...

It may be the case on the CRKT Crawford/Kasper, but on my frame lock knives like the BM Pinnacle and the CRKT S-2, the handle slabs are perfect.

 
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