Things Benchmade does that Drive me up a wall...

FlaMtnBkr said:
I guess this qualifies as a swedge?

benchmade%20950.jpg


And this has one too. Why don't you like a swedge enough to not buy a knife? I haven't noticed them hurting performance in an EDC role.

2exbpy8.jpg
Click to expand...

Actually, the super-deep swedge I'm referring to is only on the HK. The Osborn Rift just has fugly blade/scales (don't get me wrong, the HK isn't pretty) :)

All kidding aside, these are both models I considered, but the swedge killed it for the HK and the Osborn Rift's strange blade-shape and Ugly scales don't exactly appeal to me, but it's actually not very comfortable either. It has several hot-spots if you really bear down on the grip, and it just wasn't very comfortable at all.

I don't actually mind a small swedge on it, but in my state, the knife-laws prohibit "daggers" and sometimes an aggressive swedge (read -super deep and that comes very close to an "edge") and a young rookie cop are not a good mix.

I don't personally know of anyone having their knife called a "dagger" by Law Enforcement and taken away from them, but someone I know here in Oklahoma was riding his motorcycle and his jacket blew up in the back and his concealed handgun became barely visible for just a moment (and at that moment, a concerned citizen called 911). The police pulled him over (I think it was 3 squad-cars) and had him get off the bike at gunpoint and lay face-down. When searching him, they discovered his Kershaw (I think it was a Leek, it might have been a Blur), and the young officer who found it called it a "switchblade". Long-story short, they got everything worked out and gave his gun back to him (with a lecture on properly concealing, etc.) but he didn't get his Kershaw back and decided after a few attempts at arguing about it that it wasn't worth the hassle (he got no receipt either).

So I remain a little paranoid when out and about because with Oklahoma's vague knife-laws (which sound like they were written by Hollywood producers), there is some room for "interpretation" by the officer who you happen to be in contact with, and I don't like to push the limits.

Plus, I've got no real use for a deep-swedge and they just don't do anything for me (it's why I won't own a Spyderco Native with one).
 
razorsdescent said:
Well the benchmade griptillian is so popular on bf and for the life of me i cant figure out why.
Click to expand...

I agree. I see the griptillian all over the place (youtube, this forum, edcforums) but I can't understand the appeal. The design doesn't grab me, seems ho-hum and boring. Just like the Delica. Everyone seems to have a Delica. But I can't get past that volcano grip FRN crap.
 
I'm a BM fan, though not a fanboi. I liked some of their offerings better a few years ago, for instance I really liked the Rukus and Mini-Rukus knives. And the AFCK with a plain/satin blade in a good steel. And recently, just pointed a friend to their CPMM4 Presidio with the Axis lock. They need to do more traditional blades, with good steels, plain edges, and full-sized handles, and cut the gimmicks. Down with all the assisted openers, blech. And down with all this branded "Michael Waddell" and "harley davidson" stuff, double-blech.

Feels to me like BM is resting on its Laurels, relying on sales of past strong sellers like Griptilian and the 710. But they need to come up with some new designs, and folks are telling them right here some of the things they could do. They also need to improve their fixed blade offerings, utterly lame for the most part. I'd pay MORE if BM would make better fixed blade choices in some better steels.

Right now in my not-so humble opinion, BM is still a great company but needs to (a) listen to the market more closely, and (b) come out with some improved designs. Spyderco right now seems to have the edge (hahaha) in both innovation and quality.
 
The Mini AFCK is one of my favorite knives. I have the titanium-handle Pinnacle as well, and I like it, too, though I really don't like recurves. I have three Grip folders and the fixed blade. The folders' plastic scales don't bother me in use, but I'd like to see some factory G-10 or, even better for me, micarta scales so I don't have to waste more time and material trying to make my own. The only Grip I've had issues with is the 551H2O that wasn't very sharp out of the box. My Spydercos were usually scary out of the box, and my FFG VG-10 Endura bit me good 30 seconds after opening the box. I liked the Rukus but they asked far too much for it.
 
I own several benchmade's. I am becoming a really biased benchmade owner. But the quality is unparalleled. I don't really know what you mean about the knives being shipped without a decent edge? all of mine have come razor sharp.
My all-time favorite knife is my limited edition Blue-handled Barrage.
Its an Axis lock (as per your requirement)
thumb-stud opener
spring assist (the best spring assist I own, I might add)
tip-up carry
beautiful blade shape.
 
I too was a big Benchmade fan in the 90's. I like the Mini AFCK 814, Mini Stryker 905, Pardue 350, and the Darkstar. The only newer Axis models I currently have are the Griptilians and the Rift. I prefer liner locks over the axis lock for cosmetic and ergonomic purposes. I also don't care for D2 or M4. I'd just be happy with 154CM and 440C. To me Benchmade seems to have become...well lets say Fat.
 
Not sure if there are any custom knives with axis locks but EZ Bake you are a perfectionist in any case. So go custom?

Not that i do not thoroughly understand and relate to what you have said but jeezum, sounds like a Goldilocks type conundrum you have found yourself in. If you MUST have a BM, but want to be rid of the so-called flaws then have it customized (new clip location, custom clip, scales, etc.) or start doing your own customizing my man. :thumbup:
 
bearcut said:
I would be happy if they just made some exciting knives like they used to.

The Rukus was the last “Wow!” knife they produced IMO. I used to love BM. I probably have owned more BM’s than any other brand. Then, about ten years ago they lost me. I guess maybe it was all those lucrative government war contracts that put the average consumer on the back burner.

What makes me even more puzzled is Spyderco. I just went to the Spyderco factory store in Golden, CO. I had several hundred dollars in my pocket for any knife I desired. Every knife I was interested in either had a lockback, which I don’t care for, or the damn handle was PINNED! If I can’t take a knife apart, I’m not buying it.

Needless to say, I walked out empty handed. (The Butch Vallotton and Gayle Bradley designs were very nice, but I don’t need another large folder. Why don’t they build a small folder like these?)

Both companies can make some very good knives, but neither company gets my business anymore because they don’t offer anything I want.
Click to expand...


I hear you on the back lock, I've gotten far too many knives with vertical blade play to make me want one. The only lock back I like (and simply because its a folding knife I can beat the crap out of) is cold steel's triad lock. Yes, they use crap steel, and lynn thompson can't shut his damn mouth, but at least I know the blade wont fold on me if I have to baton wood while camping, which has happened before.
 
EZ Bake said:
Actually, the super-deep swedge I'm referring to is only on the HK. The Osborn Rift just has fugly blade/scales (don't get me wrong, the HK isn't pretty) :)

All kidding aside, these are both models I considered, but the swedge killed it for the HK and the Osborn Rift's strange blade-shape and Ugly scales don't exactly appeal to me, but it's actually not very comfortable either. It has several hot-spots if you really bear down on the grip, and it just wasn't very comfortable at all.

I don't actually mind a small swedge on it, but in my state, the knife-laws prohibit "daggers" and sometimes an aggressive swedge (read -super deep and that comes very close to an "edge") and a young rookie cop are not a good mix.

I don't personally know of anyone having their knife called a "dagger" by Law Enforcement and taken away from them, but someone I know here in Oklahoma was riding his motorcycle and his jacket blew up in the back and his concealed handgun became barely visible for just a moment (and at that moment, a concerned citizen called 911). The police pulled him over (I think it was 3 squad-cars) and had him get off the bike at gunpoint and lay face-down. When searching him, they discovered his Kershaw (I think it was a Leek, it might have been a Blur), and the young officer who found it called it a "switchblade". Long-story short, they got everything worked out and gave his gun back to him (with a lecture on properly concealing, etc.) but he didn't get his Kershaw back and decided after a few attempts at arguing about it that it wasn't worth the hassle (he got no receipt either).

So I remain a little paranoid when out and about because with Oklahoma's vague knife-laws (which sound like they were written by Hollywood producers), there is some room for "interpretation" by the officer who you happen to be in contact with, and I don't like to push the limits.

Plus, I've got no real use for a deep-swedge and they just don't do anything for me (it's why I won't own a Spyderco Native with one).
Click to expand...


EZ bake, I completely agree with you on swedges. In california they intentionally make the knife laws as vague as possible to make legality a massive question. They not only make dirks or daggers illegal, but "a knife or other instrument with or without a handguard that is capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death." is illegal. Well crap, a PEN can be a ready stabbing weapon causing death.
 
Well,

I finally gave them another chance and I'm a little impressed with the QC and actual sharpened edges:


DSCN7145.jpg


DSCN7144.jpg
 
I just don't like the axis lock, and I'm not a big fan of what seems to be a general lack of choil. That said i do have a skirmish that is impeccable, hands down the best fit and finish i have ever seen. I feel like every axis lock i handle has some amount of blade play, and i also worry about the springs breaking, even though i know about redundancy and how sturdy they are. I think the only solution is to buy one and see what i think.

Anyone have any recommendations of a benchmade that approximates the spyderco military? Thats my EDC, and its pretty close to perfect except for my being left handed. So any benchmade that feels similar or performs similarly would probably be a good starting point.
 
Kronos said:
I just don't like the axis lock, and I'm not a big fan of what seems to be a general lack of choil. That said i do have a skirmish that is impeccable, hands down the best fit and finish i have ever seen. I feel like every axis lock i handle has some amount of blade play, and i also worry about the springs breaking, even though i know about redundancy and how sturdy they are. I think the only solution is to buy one and see what i think.

Anyone have any recommendations of a benchmade that approximates the spyderco military? Thats my EDC, and its pretty close to perfect except for my being left handed. So any benchmade that feels similar or performs similarly would probably be a good starting point.
Click to expand...

I hear you on the choil. I think the Benchmade 710 is generally considered to be their closest match to the Spyderco Military.
 
When it comes to benchmade, it's all about limited editions. Those are the ones you find that turn out to be just perfect. If there's no LE number on your benchmade... you're doing it wrong.
 
Figure I would take a stab at the specific models that come to my mind.

1. They seem to always want to add the swedge to all their modified drop point blades, which is unfortunate. I agree that they would look a lot better without them. Their clip-point blades are much better. Their utility blades are usually butt ugly, but good slicers.

2. Same experience here. Even at brick and mortar.

4. 950 Rift comes to my mind. Great looking knife, has everything I want, just not sure I like the scales.
And the 790 Subrosa. Sweet sweet blade, kind of funky handle design though.

6. The 581 Barrage. Very expensive considering. I really think the 'regular' ones should be G10. I'm really not a fan of the Valox.

I completely agree with 99% of what you mentioned. I bought a Mini-grip and really wanted to like it. Unfortunately there were tool marks on the blade kind of ruining it for me. The grind on it was also the widest I had ever seen and quite dull. I'll be getting another BM, just not sure which one.

I really like the Emissary, just a bit expensive and there are others on the list.
 
Last edited:
jossta said:
Dude, get the AFCK. It's everything you want and the most badass Benchmade ever. Or and Adamas. Those are my 2 favs.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. AFCK is not only my favorite Benchmade but close to my favorite design of all time. I will
never understand why it was discontinued; I buy them whenever I can find a good one for sale. That being said,
I carry a large Rittergrip EDC and can find little to fault.
 
*bump*

I stumbled upon this thread by accident, and even though it has dropped down the list of pages, I had to reply.

EZ Bake, I agree completely with everything that you have said.

There are so many Benchmade knives that to me are almost perfect, but they have a few small things that keeps me from buying one. Like when they put a goofy (and unnecessary) swedge on a clean-looking drop point blade. Why do they feel the need to do that? Why can't they just keep the blade clean and simple?

Or when they do make one with the perfect blade shape, handle shape, and G10 scales that I can live with, and then they make it a liner lock. Or they make it tip down carry only. Ugh.

This Benchmade 13175 Harley-Davidson Venom is one such example.

13175HDvenom.jpg


Why couldn't they have made this model with an Axis lock instead of a Liner Lock? And how about the option of tip up carry? And why must I live with the H-D logo on the blade? :rolleyes:

Even though this knife isn't exactly what I am looking for, it comes the closest to being my perfect Benchmade folder. And because of that, I will probably end up buying one anyways. Faults and all..
 
To be honest, Benchmade's 585 Mini-Barrage is what got me interested in high-grade knives as of late. I've spent YEARS using inexpensive folders that did the job well enough. A few weeks back, though, I traded into the 585, and I've been hooked since. Not just on BM, mind you, but on higher-quality blades in general. Because of that 585, I now have a 551 Griptilian, a 522 Presidio Ultra, two Delica4s (one in FFG, which I'm finding I much prefer to the standard models), A G10/S30V Leek, and I'm looking at an Endura4, a Paramilitary2, and a ZT 0350ST. Spendy? Yeah. But I'm selling off so many of my lower-grade knives while switching to tip-up carry, that I'm able to purchase the newer knives without dipping into any actual savings, with a few small, noted exceptions.

As for who's on top in comparison to Benchmade? I can't say. Right now I'm too busy enjoying them all to pick just one. I will say that the BMs all came VERY sharp, however. I do wish the 585 had G10 scales, though, but overall, I'm pleased with what I've purchased from them so far.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top