Review: Benchmade Monochrome and N690 steel

Quy4n8 said:
Now that you have had this knife for around 6 months, to you still carry it and like it? Also, could you tell us how thick the handle is and what the washer are between the blade and the handle? Thanks.
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I love the bloody thing.

I have a Mini-Grip. I have a Native III. I have a BM Ascent. I have several others. But of them all, the Monochrome gets the most pocket time.

I really really like the blade shape. It is robustly thick, yet has such a high grind that it's a great slicer. The point does not appear menacing to the blade challenged, yet it is still great for things like blister packs that require puncturing. I still find that it is so well balanced that it has the perfect feel in my hand and is very easy to control. Lockup is still 100% rock solid with no movement at all.

The steel performs very well for me. Takes a wicked-sharp edge and holds it well. Edge retention is in the same category as VG10 or 154CM.

The handle is ~0.34" thick. Alas I cannot answer your question about the washers.

Thanks for asking. I enjoy talking about this one. The design just works for me.
 
knarfeng said:
The steel performs very well for me. Takes a wicked-sharp edge and holds it well. Edge retention is in the same category as VG10 or 154CM. QUOTE]

Makes sense since VG10 and N690 (sometimes called N690Co) are the same grade from a composition side, pretty much. And quality-wise I would put the Japanese mill equal to the Austrian.
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Razorsharp244 said:
knarfeng said:
The steel performs very well for me. Takes a wicked-sharp edge and holds it well. Edge retention is in the same category as VG10 or 154CM. QUOTE]

Makes sense since VG10 and N690 (sometimes called N690Co) are the same grade from a composition side, pretty much. And quality-wise I would put the Japanese mill equal to the Austrian.
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Yeah, it was the similarity to VG10 that got me excited about trying it.
(Gol Darn it I wish it were easier to make a decent table with this frickin' software. I'm too lazy to make a jpg, post it then link it.)

I've tried a couple of steels with just a bit of Vanadium in them. It does seem to improve the performance compared to those with similar carbon levels and no V. I don't think I have an opinion on Co yet. It's supposed to be wunder stuff, too.

But small amounts of Vanadium to refine the grain structure, well I'm a believer there. (yeah, big whoop de do. The metallurgists were right, again. duh. But, I still like to play and see if I can tell the difference with my own hand. I always want to see the theory work in practice.)

Anyway, Good call.

______________VG10__________N690
Carbon %____0.95-1.05__________1.07
Cr_________14.50-15.50________17.3
Moly_______0.90-1.20___________1.1
Van________0.10-0.30___________0.1
Cobalt______.30-1.50____________1.5
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Quy4n8 said:
Now that you have had this knife for around 6 months, to you still carry it and like it? Also, could you tell us how thick the handle is and what the washer are between the blade and the handle? Thanks.
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The washers are nylon. (this was on mine I had two years ago)
 
Knarfeng,
I believe Cobalt is one of the few alloys that decreases carbide size, maybe only for secondary (the already small ones) but I'm not 100% sure. It might also influence primary carbide size positively, meaning that it makes them slightly smaller.

We (Sandvik) dont do these grades since it's a bit of a hazzle to deal with Cobalt since it's a bit toxic but I think it's an interesting alloy.

From our side we see no noticeble impact of Vanadium when the amounts are below 1% in the steel, same as with Molybdenium.

//Jerker
 
Razorsharp244 said:
Knarfeng,
I believe Cobalt is one of the few alloys that decreases carbide size, maybe only for secondary (the already small ones) but I'm not 100% sure. It might also influence primary carbide size positively, meaning that it makes them slightly smaller.

We (Sandvik) dont do these grades since it's a bit of a hazzle to deal with Cobalt since it's a bit toxic but I think it's an interesting alloy.

From our side we see no noticeble impact of Vanadium when the amounts are below 1% in the steel, same as with Molybdenium.

//Jerker
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Good to know.

My experience in comparing alloy performance is limited by what knives I can buy.
As a steel manufacturer, you are in a better place to make controlled comparisons.
 
I have a benchmade mini pika with N690 steel. It's the linerless made in taiwan version that was replaced with the chinese version with liners.

Anyway, I've found it to be a great steel in terms of edge holding and ease of sharpening.
 
is the n690 blade made in taiwan? isn't it a european steel?
thanks
maxx

(cannot wait to get mine...)
 
Mad_Maxx said:
is the n690 blade made in taiwan? isn't it a european steel?
thanks
maxx

(cannot wait to get mine...)
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The blade is made in Taiwan, but I am not sure about the steel itself. The alloy is proprietary to Bohler Edelstahl. If it is not made in Germany, it would at least be made in a Bohler owned steel facility. I know that Bohler has a number of divisions and that they do more than make steel. So while they are a worldwide company, I do not know what functions are performed where.
 
Mini-review:

Monochrome is nice and solid, but not heavy. Rests easy in the hand, and as knarfeng has mentioned, isn't at all unbalanced - COG is just behind the index finger.
Blade is well designed, more than enough edge for the blade-length, with a small "flat choil" that cooresponds with the framelock - little chance of cutting yourself here, unlike with the Tenacious liner-lock. High saber-grind with 3mm stock thickness, sufficiently sturdy, but the primary grind isn't obtuse. Only had it a couple days, edge-holding is more than sufficient - compared side-to-side on cardboard and old carpet, I'd rank it on par with the 440C in my Boker M-Type - course, blade geometry is different ;). Came shaving sharp, and was shaving sharp very easily (I am no sharpening master, most of my edges tend to be fairly rough but sharp - can't "polish" up the edge on S30V to save my life - however N690 polished up beautifully, much like the VG-10 on my Delica 3).

Lock-up is decent, though it has a tendency to "creep closed" a bit when gripped hard - course, this increases lock-up, but the sound can be slightly annoying. No big deal, lots of liner-locks/framelocks tend to do this - from my Trance, Tenacious, M-Type, Leek, and JYD CB D2. That said, my Sebenza doesn't ;p.

Ergonomically, the handle is very well-designed, lots of slots and jimping to increase grip. The handle and blade are all bead-blasted, which also helps a little. As you might have noticed, the entire handle is basically a large wedge, with the fat end towards the blade, preventing slippage (jimping on top and bottom edges there as well). Feels good and fairly secure in any grip due to the neutral nature of the handle profile, though I think if working with very greasy or slippery materials, the Monochrome would not be my first choice.

Cons: My biggest issue so far may not even be an issue, though it flicks open very easily, I've found getting my hand and thumb into the proper position seems to compromise my grip too much (opening normally, with the pad of your thumb = no problem) since the thumbnail has to come at the stud at almost 180 degrees, moving parallel to the handle, rather than at 100-140 degrees. Another is the pocket clip is not IMO as secure as it should be, but I prefer pocket-tearing tightness, so YMMV.

Bottom-Line:
The Monochrome is a superb value at around $30-35 not incl. shipping - I'd say it's easily on par with a number of $50-$70 knives, including my Paramillie and my Delica 4.
 
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Jesjes2 said:
The monochrome rusts alot though mine started rusting after a week
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Assertions without context don't really help.
Do you live in a marine environment or is your knife exposed to salty air/water/fish/etc on a regular basis?

But yeah, bead-blasted knives in marine environments = rust. My Wharcom got a few rust spots after maybe 2-3 days at the beach, but no big deal, they came out really easily with light scrubbing (and no visible damage to the finish). Now, I wipe it down with Marine Tuf-Cloth whenever I anticipate conditions conducive to rusting.
 
knarfeng said:
The blade is made in Taiwan, but I am not sure about the steel itself. The alloy is proprietary to Bohler Edelstahl. If it is not made in Germany, it would at least be made in a Bohler owned steel facility. I know that Bohler has a number of divisions and that they do more than make steel. So while they are a worldwide company, I do not know what functions are performed where.
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N690 is made in Austria, and as you say it's Bohler exclusive steel. They are a global company and ships it anywhere in the world.
//Jerker
 
I just spent the evening getting reacquainted with my monochrome. I had lost the dang thing a few months ago. I knew that it was somewhere in the house or at my office. I just found it sitting in a pocket of a briefcase that I had misplaced around the same time:o

My thoughts on N690 steel, fantastic stuff for the money. This knife came sharp, but with a little stropping it came sharp, sharp. I love the blade shape, the lock up, and the overall size. It took a couple of dings on an abusing job some time back. It sharpened up beautifully. The only remnants of the damage are two little drags when you run your nail down the edge. The don't affect cutting at all, and should sharpen out over time. Generally, I use very smooth stones and stropping to maintain my edges, so it'll be awhile:D

I was actually trying to find this knife because the wife and I are heading to Louisville for an art festival this weekend. I don't go anywhere without at least something clipped to my pocket. The monochrome is a very nice looking knife that generally will not scare the public unless you are waving it around like a lunatic. I wanted something that would not ruffle any feathers should have to, God forbid, have something to cut off a tag or open a package:rolleyes: It's not a "scary knife" to most folks that see it or its pocketed profile.

My final thoughts on the monochrome, it makes a great light blue collar work knife. My job is office work that requires a knife on a pretty regular basis. Nice steel, nice lock up, easy to sharpen, easy to use with good conscience (not going to break the bank or your heart it you bugger it up), yet it looks good. It looks professional. It's a great knife to pack when you know that you will be using it it hard but still want something you can depend on.
 
Razorsharp244 said:
N690 is made in Austria, and as you say it's Bohler exclusive steel. They are a global company and ships it anywhere in the world.
//Jerker
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Thanks, Jerker. I was rather hoping you would see this and clarify.
 
I just got this and it's impressive. Great quality for the money like the Tenacious. Very comfortable in the hand, good lock up, good buy!
 
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