Sere 2k, adamas, 560

S

saylorbrand

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Jun 8, 2008
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These are three of the knives on my list of wants. Really wish I could mess with them. One will be my next buy, but it is tough without getting some play. Leaning SERE 2K, But the other 2 are right there. So if anyone has comments, experience, and of course...... Pictures. I have some nice small folders but I don't have a folding tank.
 
Of the three you named, I've had the 0560. It's a great knife and it was my edc for a year and a half straight.

Pros - It's easy to disassemble and clean, it maintains an edge fairly well, it flips like a dream.

Cons - The shoulders of the G10 scale and jimping are very sharp and uncomfortable, grit can get in the pivot area easily and cause improper function.

Overall I recommend it, without hesitation.
 
I only own an 0561, but I've handled all three. I have nothing bad to say about my 561. Steel is great, flips like nobody's business, is surprisingly light in hand, has zero blade play, and has great ergos. The jimping on mine is not overly sharp, and I've had no issues with grit getting into the pivot - but then I haven't used it at all outdoors. It's easily my favorite flipper, and my second favorite knife overall (second only to the Umnumzaan). It is quite large area-wise in the pocket, but is not overly thick. I dedicate a pocket to my knives, so this issue doesn't bother me. The new model also has a steel lockbar insert (mine does not), which means lock wear is pretty much a non-issue.

The Adamas is almost stupidly overbuilt, to a degree that's hard to judge in pictures and video. In my brief time handling it, it seemed as though the handle was twice as thick as my 0561 (that's probably not true, but it sure felt like it). Felt like an absolute brick in hand, and in the pocket. The handle was so thick it felt like it was going to run into things while it was in my pocket. It certainly seems solid as all hell, but was just too heavy and thick for my tastes (and I like big heavy knives for the most part). It's a shame, I really wanted to like it and I love how it looks.

The Sere 2000 I was not impressed with. It seemed heavier than necessary for the blade size, and the one I handled had substantial horizontal blade play. This could have simply been a lemon, but it bothered me. Plus, it's over $200 for VG-10 steel. I'm not a steel snob, but if I'm paying that much money for a knife I want to see a premium steel.
 
I have had all 3. The SERE is sweet, expertly made, but lacks a certain aesthetic oomph kind of like the Sebenza (well made but intentionally plain looking). The ADAMAS is solid as expletive but fits the hand weird, barely fits in pockets, and the handles don't provide great grip. The 560 is amazing... really in another class than most other knives. The blade feels rocket assisted, the handles provide great grip, and the knife fits the hand well (my hands are S/M). I hate big knives but can't complain at all about the 560.
 
I figured that would be the case on the adamas. A little surprised that the SERE 2k doesn't have more praise. Either way seems like the 560 is the way to go.
 
I have had an Adamas but sold it. Great knife but the handle was way too thick for me. Maybe great if you have huge hands, I dont know. Also, the blade seemed short given the handle thickness.

I have 2 0560s. They are that good!
 
Adamas is still my favorite knife but not one for people that don't like big honking folders. Everything on it it perfect for me. Grip is so big it actually fits in my hand super well,most comfortable folder I've ever held,jimping is perfectly located and textured,like the blade shape, like the fact there is very few ways i could actually damage it, i like that it's heavy gives it more power it you need to chop something or thrust cut, smoothest deployment I've had on a benchmade, easy to disassemble and clean, ect. I had a ZT 0566 that i thought was great and already regret getting rid of it. Will get another ZT for sure actually why got rid of it is cause wanted to try others before commiting to one. If i were chhosing it would be either the 275 or ZT if you want something smaller. Either way you can't go wrong. I have two 275's and will get a 3rd and will be getting another ZT.
 
amg137 said:
I only own an 0561, but I've handled all three. I have nothing bad to say about my 561. Steel is great, flips like nobody's business, is surprisingly light in hand, has zero blade play, and has great ergos. The jimping on mine is not overly sharp, and I've had no issues with grit getting into the pivot - but then I haven't used it at all outdoors. It's easily my favorite flipper, and my second favorite knife overall (second only to the Umnumzaan). It is quite large area-wise in the pocket, but is not overly thick. I dedicate a pocket to my knives, so this issue doesn't bother me. The new model also has a steel lockbar insert (mine does not), which means lock wear is pretty much a non-issue.

The Adamas is almost stupidly overbuilt, to a degree that's hard to judge in pictures and video. In my brief time handling it, it seemed as though the handle was twice as thick as my 0561 (that's probably not true, but it sure felt like it). Felt like an absolute brick in hand, and in the pocket. The handle was so thick it felt like it was going to run into things while it was in my pocket. It certainly seems solid as all hell, but was just too heavy and thick for my tastes (and I like big heavy knives for the most part). It's a shame, I really wanted to like it and I love how it looks.

The Sere 2000 I was not impressed with. It seemed heavier than necessary for the blade size, and the one I handled had substantial horizontal blade play. This could have simply been a lemon, but it bothered me. Plus, it's over $200 for VG-10 steel. I'm not a steel snob, but if I'm paying that much money for a knife I want to see a premium steel.
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IMO, VG-10 IS a premium steel. I agree the Sere 2K is a little overpriced NOW. They were not when I got mine. I actually traded into one on the exchange here, but at the time they were $100. You could buy em lightly used all day long for $80.

I would highly recommend it. I have owned at one time or another almost every folder in the same size range. All the rest are gone. Traded or sold off. The sere has been in my pocket consistently for 14 years. The only knife that managed to get any sharing of pocket time at all was a Spyderco Wegner, and good luck finding one of those!

I thought the Sere looked goofy when I first got it. I thought it looked like a little goofy Peter Pan knife in pictures. However, when I got it in hand, I just couldn't put it down. It just oozes quality. It's simple, sexy, sturdy, and it just works.
 
I love the BM Adamas manual folder, but have not tested it at all. I carry a Zaan, and anything else sits new in a box.

I've owned and carried other Benchmades, but these are the ones I'd take when I needed a bull ox to count on. The lockup is amazingly SOLID.


 
Sere is a great knife steel gets hair popping sharp. 561. Also a ten. Adams's an 8
 
The Adamas is by far the strongest/beefiest folder I've handled/own, super strong, but due to that stoutness gives up slicing/cutting ability.

The 560 is one of my top 5 favorite folders of the 60 or so that I own.

Don't have any experience with the SERE

 
I use to own a Benchmade 275 and ZT 0560. I rarely carried the 275 even though I loved it. Used to own 2 ZT 0560 knives and miss them both and will probably order another soon, carried them alot.
 
michaelm466 said:
The Adamas is by far the strongest/beefiest folder I've handled/own, super strong, but due to that stoutness gives up slicing/cutting ability.

The 560 is one of my top 5 favorite folders of the 60 or so that I own.

Don't have any experience with the SERE

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of your top 5, I have the 560 and manix 2 XL. absolutely love them

been thinking about the 0200, but seems like the satin is no longer produced. how would u compare the 0200 to 0560?
 
The SERE 2K is an amazing knife, made by the masters at Moki, Japan.

Mine had fit and finish of a handbuilt custom.

It's the most under rated 'tactical folder' I can think of.
 
syboh said:
of your top 5, I have the 560 and manix 2 XL. absolutely love them

been thinking about the 0200, but seems like the satin is no longer produced. how would u compare the 0200 to 0560?
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Its actually more smooth opening than the 560 despite not have IKBS (though I've heard other complain about it being stiff opening, most likely caused by the DLC) Its heavier, beefier and more comfortable in hand, but more noticeable in pocket. I'm not a huge fan of recurve blades, as a matter of fact, its my only recurve besides the BM 710. The 154cm is good, but I'd love to see a sprint in CPM-3V or M390. The lockup is very strong with no play.
 
Get the Adamas. It has a blood groove.
 
saylorbrand said:
These are three of the knives on my list of wants. Really wish I could mess with them. One will be my next buy, but it is tough without getting some play. Leaning SERE 2K, But the other 2 are right there. So if anyone has comments, experience, and of course...... Pictures. I have some nice small folders but I don't have a folding tank.
Click to expand...


I have all three knives right now (well, a 561 to be specific), I'd recommend the 560 (had one in past) for it's awesome action, good looks and it's the most fun to play with IMO (flipper OCD). The Adamas is a brute as others mentioned but was too wide and heavy for clipped carry. The Sere 2K I have is fantastic; solid lock up and perfect in all regards. All are great blades. :thumbup: For the record I've had a 560, and am on my second 561. :thumbup:

I'll try to post a pic of all three if you're interested.
 
I've owned all three and I'd chose the Sere2000 out of those 3 knives, but mostly due to the large size of the Adamas and the 560/61. The SERE is a big knife, but has a slimmer profile. It's flies open very smoothly and has a nice blade profile. The SERE is one of my favorite knives, but even it is too big for me most of the time. The 560/61 and the Adamas are WAY too big for me all the time. I've decided that the only times I would need a folder that big are times when I've got a fixed blade with me (usually when I'm camping or doing yard work).

I can see why people love the 560/61 - it's a cool design and the flipper works very well. I've owned 2 Adamas Benchmades and, while they're nice, I never fell in love with the design or the action. It's such a heavy folder and with a heavy blade. I could not decide whether to flick it open or use the axis lock.

I think the drop points on the 560/61 and the Adamas are probably better working profiles if you're planning on working them.
 
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