Random thoughts on the BM 45

GTAsteel · Dec 11, 2001

Random thoughts on the Benchmade Model 45

Well I have 2 BM 45s to play with now. I posted pics of my 1st one awhile back when I was still felling that new knife excitement. Turns out to be somewhat of a Prepro 45 with milled handles. Not what I was expecting when I bought it but a great suppress. Recently I got a hold of another 45, a very nice but (it would seem) average 45. I have to say that my knowledge of balisongs is limited to what I have read, and to the ones Ive bought and own. Since I picked up Balis while I was overseas, I have only held 2 Balis that I didnt own. Not what you would call an authority, so if I say anything wildly wrong, correct me, please.

Anyway, check it out in the pics, I didnt have both knives oh hand when I started writing this, but I can take more pics, contrasting them if there is interest. Anyway check it out. The custom one has milled handles that are a little shorter and shaped a lot different. This knife feels really good in your hand. Flips smooth as you could want. The other 45 is great too. (I was informed that it would be a bad idea to compair it favorablely on the forum to the 42 by the person that sold it to me. So I won't even go there.

) I love those steel handles. But the other one is so different its wild to me that they are the same model. Thoughts?

Check out the box of the 1st 45. Is it a 45 or is it a custom? I guess Im still a little confused. Are all customs milled like this?

Really I just hadnt posted a new thread in a while and I wanted to so here it is. Anyway lets see if this one gets as much attention as the tang pins thread did.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gtasteel/lst?&.dir=/balisong&.src=ph&.view=t&.last=1

Kyui Su Kim · Dec 11, 2001

Nice knives. I have my 45 and will now just hang onto it. Hey if I get enough money I'll try fixing it. They all seem to loo different being customs. Like your lower 45 in the first pic looks lik i has a larger swedge and different counter sinks.

tonyccw · Dec 11, 2001

Originally posted by GTAsteel
Check out the box of the 1st 45. Is it a 45 or is it a custom? I guess Im still a little confused. Are all customs milled like this?

Picture #9 pretty much says it all. It is not a standard 45. My best summary of what you have is a Limit Edition 45 with Custom handles installed with a 45 blade. If that set of handles came with a custom ground blade you would have had a true custom. Again, since I never got into the Production side of BM when they came out, I'm not sure how many were issued.

Best way to tell a standard BM44/45/48 is that they share the same handle thinness as the new 42/43/47. Your special 45 has the nicely rounded handles. Very nice find. Was this the one that I referred you too? Darn it if it was....

GTAsteel · Dec 11, 2001

Originally posted by tonyccw
Was this the one that I referred you too? Darn it if it was....

That it was...

Not only are the handles different but the blade is alittle different aswell. Little different grind and size. Very interesting.....

navajo · Dec 11, 2001

Wish I had kept the letter. Do both knives have a nmber stamped on the tang? Got a letter from BM shortly after they moved to Oregon. Asking if I wanted a "one of one thousand" special edition. Of course I did. Seems like I paid 120 bucks for it. If both have a number you done good. Mine is number 0422. Must have been 91,92 or maybe earlier. Just don't remember. I wonder how many other forum members have those tucked away.

GTAsteel · Dec 11, 2001

Originally posted by navajo
Wish I had kept the letter. Do both knives have a nmber stamped on the tang? Got a letter from BM shortly after they moved to Oregon. Asking if I wanted a "one of one thousand" special edition. Of course I did. Seems like I paid 120 bucks for it. If both have a number you done good. Mine is number 0422. Must have been 91,92 or maybe earlier. Just don't remember. I wonder how many other forum members have those tucked away.

Only one is stamped... You think this is one of that run of 1,000?

bfett · Dec 12, 2001

I have #240.

navajo · Dec 12, 2001

Yes, its one of the "1000". The 45 didn't have a model number until I guess that run was a hit. I use mine but I don't collect them. If you collect, don't manipulate, don't lock it open or closed. Wipe it down and store it seperate from the box.

PC at one time offered a set of five Custom Balis. They were unique in that PC would not duplicate them from set to set. Never seen a set of those but I am sure they sold a few of them.