Tell me the history of the 720

aquaman67

aquaman67

Joined
Jan 27, 2012
Messages
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The 720 comes in two flavors, that I know of.

An engraved logo on both sides like this one



And a stamped on one side version like this one



When did they change? And which one is older?

I have a stamped logo model. But I'm left handed. So when I moved the clip over - it covers the logo.

It's not a big deal. But it bugs me.

I recently saw this knife



And love it. It was bead blasted to remove the coating. Then acid washed and stone washed.

I really want to do this. But I'm not sure if I should. I don't want to mess up a rare knife.

Anyone here a 720 historian?
 
also came in G-10... plain (not engraved with BM) anodized handles and also red, white, & blue anodized handles...
 
I used to have a pre-prod model 720s. It was done in ATS34 instead of 154CM like the production models. It came from 1999-2000, I think. That's when BM began switching to 154CM IIRC. Mine had the engraved butterfly logo like your top pic. The G10 models were 721's I believe. My sister still carries one from time to time.

If it were mine, I'd leave it as it is. They are fairly rare and still occasionally sought after by collectors. AFAIC, it's the best everyday carry knife BM has ever made. I love the Bowie blade, AXIS lock, and the size of the knife. If they still made them I'd have 3 of them and I'd sell most every other folder I have.
 
I wouldn't sell all my knives for more 72X goodness, but I would buy more in a heart beat. Anyhow, a true 72X lover will tell you it is perfect how you like it, aluminum or G-10. Original NIB or altered. Do what is comfortable and good for you, use it and enjoy the perfection in design and engineering!
 
there was also a realtree camo version. i love the 720 but always found it a touch too small for me.
 
I've never seen that blade profile (3rd picture) in a 720. Looks great! I have a older style 720 and a G-10 (721?) model with Tanto blade. Ended up swapping the clip point blade into the G-10 handle. One of my favorite Benchmade knives and still in my rotation after all these years.
 
Is the 720's blade interchangeable with the Griptillian? It somewhat looks like it to me.
 
Ah, the knife in the 3rd picture is a 723, which was a limited edition I believe. I would love for BM to bring it back.
 
Kyle K said:
Ah, the knife in the 3rd picture is a 723, which was a limited edition I believe. I would love for BM to bring it back.
Click to expand...

Yes. You are correct.

It was coated green. The owner stated that the coating was some how imperfect from the factory so he decided to remove it.

My thing is that if you carry the coated aluminum version - eventually it's going to look pretty bad. So why not just nip it in the bud.

Also, the more I look at mine - with the clip over the butterfly - it's starting to make my eye twitch.

I bought a small hand held bead blaster, some glass media and some tumbling stones from Harbor Freight.

I'm going to make a cabinet from a tote. None of this will probably happen until the holidays when things slow down at work.
 
Der W. said:
Is the 720's blade interchangeable with the Griptillian? It somewhat looks like it to me.
Click to expand...

72X was replaced by the 52X line I think, a horrible change. I have a 720 and a 15020, I can check I suppose. I think the 15020 is just a beefier Grip.
 
Right Skimo. The Presidio line replaced the 72x models; to many an extreme change since the 52x were very different knives.
 
From what I researched the 722 came out in G10 and in the later productions switched to aluminum to cut costs before discontinuing them. My 722 Is G10 and the butterfly has antennae on it, no clue when it was produced I got it used and absolutely love it.
 
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