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Some help on Benchmade for EDC

DarkReazon

DarkReazon

Joined
Jan 15, 2003
Messages
202
Hello,

I currently have a CRKT M16-03z for my EDC, a Buck 112fg, and that's about it in terms of decent folders. I am looking to upgrade to a different folder and the Benchmade's seem to have a great reputation on these forums (plus the AXIS lock looks to be the cat's ass). So, I'm looking for a < 4" blade folder, and am hmmming and hahing over the different models. I'm a big fan of the thumb studs, and not so much for thumb holes.

So far I like the Griptilian modified 551BTOD, the TSEK AXIS 805, and the 710. 440C should be sufficient for my needs, and I am aiming to spend around $200 CDN.

To those with experience with all, what are your recommendations? Plain edge preferable. Anything to be aware of? There is no size restriction on folders where I live.

Any advice would be appreciated. I've searched around the forums, but haven't really found a comparrison of the above 3 benchmades.

Regards,

Shaun.
 
My vote would go to the 710. Light, strong, cuts great (love that recurve blade), has a great lock. It's a lot of knife for the price.
 
I have a 941 and love it. Very slim, easy to carry, and great blade profile. The pocket clip sits up high, so the knife rides low in the pocket.

Some good pics/reviews here:

http://www.zvis.com/knives/folding/bmall.shtml

I would recommend non-serrated, I have a couple of partially serrated blades, and find they just don't offer enough plain blade edge to be useful.

Just a plug for newgraham.com, got my BM there. Fast cheap shipping, great prices.
 
I own the TSEK with the plain blade (don't like serrations either) and is absolutely great. Also one of the smoothest opening (non-custom) knives I own. You can do the index finger-flick opening trick with it quite easily.

Might come down to handle material and orientation. The TSEK is a little curvier, it just kinda settled into my hand like a cam, the 710 felt "straighter" in the hand (if that makes sense) and the Griptilian's molded handles didn't do it for me (although a case could be made for knife retention).
 
Thanks people.

It looks like it is down to the 710 and the 805.

The 941 is outside of my price range for the moment.

I'm leaning towards the 805, it's almost $50 cheaper (in my monopoly money) and even though its 440C, that's a tried and true steel. Depending on how much I like it, I'll look at getting another Benchmade in the future.

Anyhow know of any Canadian dealers for BM with good reps and response times? It sucks having to pay a ~$25 brokerage fee when things ship across the border.


Thanks again, and regards,

Shaun.
 
I have a Benchmade 555 and love it. Its my one and only EDC. Mine is a plain blade, black handle, and a thumb hole. I looked long and hard before getting this knife...something like a year. I would highly suggest getting your hands on one before you rule it out. I personally like a little bit stronger point than the 710/805. If its a benchmade though...its a good knife.
 
DarkR I'm not following at least one aspect of what you say here.

Checking just now CDN$200 = US$135.5x.

At places like www.newgraham.com you can get a 941 for less than that.
Your being in Canada is not likely to present any great difficulty, subject to what I say below, notwithstanding the brokerage fee you refer to. The total cost is likely to be lower, in other words, although I suppose there's always the chance of an exceptional deal, locally.

Of the knives you refer to, I consider the 710 the clear standout myself. There's nothing 'wrong' with the other two, but you'll get a better steel, better performance and, in my opinion, better looks. The biggest concern I'd have about that one, assuming you ordered from the US, is that there has been a report of Canada Customs deeming it a 'gravity assisted' folder - no go in other words. At the same time, others have not had that difficulty and that experience does seem rather peculiar, given that that model can be obtained from Canadian stores.

Plain edge yes.
 
Everyone must have or at least of had and tried out the following BM's:

806 ,710 , 690, 94-, 310 In that order. The other models for the most part are nice, but the above models are must haves
 
I'll go down as another vote for the 555 Mini-Griptilian. It's an excellent knife.

I'm also very fond of my 800 AFCK (plain edge titanium liner lock). You sure you want a model with a stud opener instead of the hole? Hole is my strong preference.
 
I have a 551 and like it a lot. IMHO a benchmade that gets overlooked a lot is the model 350. It's light and thin but it's a great knife. It was my EDC for 2 years! For me, thats a whole lot. It was only replaced with the Sebbie I got for my birthday. The model is recently discontinued, but is still readily available. It runs about $60-75 USD IIRC. Good luck in your decision. Let us know what you decide.
 
Thanks for the great input guys.

And the winner is...the TSEK, plain edge.

Depending on how much I like it, I'll buy the 710 in a month or two ;) .

Switched, I think you gave me an ulcer, I ordered from the States, and immediately after re-checked the forum... :(

The whole reason I was upgrading my EDC folder (the M16) was to get away from the gravity assisted / centrifugal force BS laws. ARRGGH. By the letter of the law the Benchmades are legal here (as you mentioned they are sold here). I will be mighty upset if it gets pinched at the border by some customs officer who doesn't know the laws he supposed to be enforcing :mad: !!. Ordered an INOVA X5 white led titanium to go with it as my EDC flashlight.

I just couldn't go for the 806. I am getting away from the "tactical" look for my EDC. My area is not particularly knife knut friendly, and cops are skeptical of anyone under 55 who has a knife of any sort. The local paper has field days with stabbings/slashings, and they tend to make front page. A month ago there was a double stabbing(non fatal) a few blocks from my house. Having an Advanced Folding Combat Knife casts an even dimmer light, if you catch my paranoid drift.


Well, I've now got 5 knives in the mail now. I think I just keep ordering to compensate for the ones that haven't arrived yet :D

They are...

Swamp Rat Howling Rat (please, please, I canna wait no longer!)
Becker BK9 (to keep my BK2 company whilst camping)
SOG Access Card (plain edge, for those occasions where something more innocuous is required)
CRKT M16 Compact EDC Spearpoint (plain edge) (for my Dad, who really liked my M16Z)
Benchmade TSEK (plain edge)


It's an addiction I tell ya. Mebe next year I'll buy my first custom...who knows.

Anyhow, thanks again for your advice and experiences, they are much appreciated. Hopefully there will come a time when my experiences can be of assistance.

Regards,

Shaun.
 
Have you looked at the Benchmade 556 Mini Grip? It's a nice, compact, reasonably priced knife for EDC. The 556 has a modified drop point blade , axis lock and a thumbstud.

theknifeconnection_1732_17191989



edit... Sorry, just read your thread again and realised that you were already considering the larger Griptilian. Anyway, I have a 555 and would recommend any of the Griptilian/Mini Grip series.
 
Fulloflead,

The red/black Ares is the 730 and the green/black Ares is the 735.

DarkReazon,

If you're avoiding the "tactical" look, but have to have an axis lock, why not get the 921 Switchback or the 771-01? Or any other Osborne-designed folder? I bet you'll be happy with that 805, but I had to ask.
 
Hey guys,

Well the order was away awhile ago, but I've enjoyed reading up on this thread. I really do like the 710 as well, it will be my next folder purchase.

Well, in a hurry so I gotta jet. I'll post my feedback on the knife when I get it.

Regards,

Shaun.
 
I don't have one, but 710 can be seen as >4", not <4" as i read someone posted, depending on how you measure the blade ... is your <4" concerning legal carry?
 
Hello BaliSwinger,

Nope, no legal concern for blade length in Canada, just looking at around 4" for general size. I figure, I can carry a blade that size, so why not? Now if only I can find a way to fold this claymore...

Regards,

Shaun.
 
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