- Joined
- Feb 20, 1999
- Messages
- 192
Benchmade 730 Ares
The overall first impression of this latest Benchmade offering is very favorable. The multi-colored scales are a muted maroon or purple and black and really set the piece up as something different from today's "tactical" offerings with their plain black scales.
The size of this knife, for me, is about ideal. The blade, at 3.60 inches, fits the gap between the 710 and 705 models. When compared to the 710,the 730 appears to be a bit thicker. With the thicker scales the 730 has a solid heft of a well-balanced piece.
The blade is of 154CM steel, the U.S. equivalent of ATS34. This type of steel has been used on many high-end production knives in the past several years with some success. It provides good corrosion resistance, toughness and is relatively easy to resharpen. The grind is high enough to make the blade a good slicer with a good sharp point for piercing. Though it lacks the belly of the 710 it appears to be a useful utility shape.
The handle (scales) are of G10 with double stainless steel liners and are thick enough to provide a good grip, which is made even more solid by the shape of the handle. The multi-colored scales are hard to describe as to the color. They almost have to be viewed in person in order to get an accurate representation of the color scheme. The layered and scalloped scales are also something that needs to be experienced in person to appreciate.
The Benchmade Axis lock needs no introduction. I really like it. Solid and simple it has worked every time for me under hard use. The 730 I have is quite a bit smoother opening than my 710. The 730 can be opened easily by thumbing back the Axis lock button and a light flick.
The clip rides very high on the handle for a deep pocket carry, tip up, and can be configured for right or left hand carry. With the black clip and deep carry the knife rides almost unnoticed by most people (except readers of this forum).
I think Benchmade has a winner in this knife. Finally a departure from the plain black "tactical" look that has flooded the market in the recent past. The Axis lock is a big plus on any knife meant for hard use.
My 730 was not as sharp as it should have been out of the box. A few passes on the Spyderco Sharpmaker at 30 degrees and it would push cut newsprint. The grind lines were a wee bit off, but not bad for a production knife.
The 730 seems to be available to most Benchmade dealers now in the plain and serrated versions. I got mine at my local brick and mortar store. I wasn't able to wait for the supplies to reach the Internet dealers. A bad combination of an overtime check and "I got to have my knife fix now" was my downfall.
This Benchmade deserves a serious look and Benchmade should be encouraged to continue to go outside the box in its designs.
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Those who beat their arms into plowshares will plow for those who do not.
R.D.Hatch
Stafford,Virginia
The overall first impression of this latest Benchmade offering is very favorable. The multi-colored scales are a muted maroon or purple and black and really set the piece up as something different from today's "tactical" offerings with their plain black scales.
The size of this knife, for me, is about ideal. The blade, at 3.60 inches, fits the gap between the 710 and 705 models. When compared to the 710,the 730 appears to be a bit thicker. With the thicker scales the 730 has a solid heft of a well-balanced piece.
The blade is of 154CM steel, the U.S. equivalent of ATS34. This type of steel has been used on many high-end production knives in the past several years with some success. It provides good corrosion resistance, toughness and is relatively easy to resharpen. The grind is high enough to make the blade a good slicer with a good sharp point for piercing. Though it lacks the belly of the 710 it appears to be a useful utility shape.
The handle (scales) are of G10 with double stainless steel liners and are thick enough to provide a good grip, which is made even more solid by the shape of the handle. The multi-colored scales are hard to describe as to the color. They almost have to be viewed in person in order to get an accurate representation of the color scheme. The layered and scalloped scales are also something that needs to be experienced in person to appreciate.
The Benchmade Axis lock needs no introduction. I really like it. Solid and simple it has worked every time for me under hard use. The 730 I have is quite a bit smoother opening than my 710. The 730 can be opened easily by thumbing back the Axis lock button and a light flick.
The clip rides very high on the handle for a deep pocket carry, tip up, and can be configured for right or left hand carry. With the black clip and deep carry the knife rides almost unnoticed by most people (except readers of this forum).
I think Benchmade has a winner in this knife. Finally a departure from the plain black "tactical" look that has flooded the market in the recent past. The Axis lock is a big plus on any knife meant for hard use.
My 730 was not as sharp as it should have been out of the box. A few passes on the Spyderco Sharpmaker at 30 degrees and it would push cut newsprint. The grind lines were a wee bit off, but not bad for a production knife.
The 730 seems to be available to most Benchmade dealers now in the plain and serrated versions. I got mine at my local brick and mortar store. I wasn't able to wait for the supplies to reach the Internet dealers. A bad combination of an overtime check and "I got to have my knife fix now" was my downfall.
This Benchmade deserves a serious look and Benchmade should be encouraged to continue to go outside the box in its designs.
------------------
Those who beat their arms into plowshares will plow for those who do not.
R.D.Hatch
Stafford,Virginia
