Thoughts on the 2017 Benchmade "Anthem"? New full ti Axis lock!

Heartland_edc

Heartland_edc

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May 4, 2015
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I just finished watching a vid on shot show 2017 for Benchmade. They've got multiple new knives that are very interesting, but the one that really grabbed my attention was the 781 "Anthem". A quick google search has it coming in at 8.06" OAL with a 3.5" cpm20cv blade. Full bronze ti scales with chevron texturing, and they appear to be one solid piece. (Could be wrong there). There's also a nice ti clip with the same texturing as the handles. Weighs in at 3.66 oz. Some pretty impressive specs there. LOVE the idea of a full ti axis lock! What I don't love is the price... $425... ($500 MSRP)... ouch. Was really hoping to see $325- $350. What do you guys think? I'm not sure i really want to pay that much but I can't deny it looks like a pretty sweet piece. IMO nearly perfect edc. Here's some pics. Please leave your thoughts below! :)

Update I zoomed in on one of the pics and saw that both the thumbstuds and axis studs have something kind of unique going on. Pic added so you could see. Not sure if it's specific to the Anthem or not.





 
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Personally, the last few years of Benchmade has been a total snooze-fest. The designs have been so conservative and and the materials on their non special models are below what I'd expect for the price.

More specifically on this model, it looks fairly neat, but the cost is ginormous for what you're getting. And to me personally the lines are very pedestrian. I'll be interested to see how people like theirs when its released though.
 
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I think the Anthem looks really, really great. I'll have to see it to know for sure of course, but this is what the 761 should have been originally. The only real problem is the extremely high price point. There's a lot of really great knives you can get for $425.
 
I absolutely agree with you both. That price is a sledge hammer to the face. I can think of many... many knives id rather spend $425 on. Wish Benchmade would be a tad more competative in their pricing.
 
I like their model they call the Proxy way more. It is a titanium frame lock though rather than an axis lock. It is a gorgeous blade though.

I've had and heard too many problems with the axis lock. Broken omega springs being the least of my concern. The big deal is that too many axis lock knives have a pivot where you have to choose between bladeplay or overly tight action. There iust is no sweet spot on alot of these knives.
 
Heartland_edc said:
I absolutely agree with you both. That price is a sledge hammer to the face. I can think of many... many knives id rather spend $425 on. Wish Benchmade would be a tad more competative in their pricing.
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I don't think it's too far off the mark given that the Spyderco Rassenti is about $425 as well. Integral frame construction isn't cheap.
 
The 781 Anthem is the nicest Benchmade in a while. Integral titanium frame folders are expensive as is the Anthem at $425. Remember the Spyderco Nirvana integral titanium frame is $443.97. The new LionSteel SR11 integral titanium frame flipper looks to be around $350.
 
Lapedog said:
The big deal is that too many axis lock knives have a pivot where you have to choose between bladeplay or overly tight action. There iust is no sweet spot on alot of these knives.
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It's real easy actually. :)
Too tight? Loosen it.
Too loose? Tighten it.
Don't want to keep adjusting once you have it where you want it? Loctite.
 
How would you change the omega springs if it's an integral handle?

Sent from my D6708 using Tapatalk
 
Heartland_edc said:
Thats pretty cool. Is it a thicker spring then?
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Here we go. :)

bluemetalchurch said:
When I saw the 781 my reaction wasn't great. I just couldn't see Omega springs going in and out of that integral frame easily if you needed to disassemble it. Then I saw this...

15823371_1416784495021341_9136929238754130204_n_zpsqbhvz20x.jpg
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http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1460453-Ok-Benchmade-I-m-intrigued-(781-Content)
 
I like it quite a bit, I think with the possible exception of the 765, its my favorite new Benchmade in the last couple of years. But just like the Nirvana I think it's more than I'm willing to spend on a non-sprint, non-gold-class Benchco Spydermade production knife. I can see myself grabbing one on the secondary market for $100 off the price of a new one though.
 
stabman said:
It uses a regular coil spring instead of Omaga springs...so one less thing for people to worry about. :D
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In the video if you look at the back of the handle (or top?) you can see two screws holding it in place. This knife should service easily. I like the overall design but I'm not big on the handle pattern (personal preference). It is pricey but as pointed out early most integral framelocks are.
 
Added a pic of the thumbstuds and axis studs close up. Looks like maybe they have a unique gear thing going on? Not sure if i've seen that on any other Benchmade. Could be wrong.
 
Lapedog said:
I like their model they call the Proxy way more. It is a titanium frame lock though rather than an axis lock. It is a gorgeous blade though.

I've had and heard too many problems with the axis lock. Broken omega springs being the least of my concern. The big deal is that too many axis lock knives have a pivot where you have to choose between bladeplay or overly tight action. There iust is no sweet spot on alot of these knives.
Click to expand...

I know about finding the sweet spot on a folder and locktiteing it. Unfortunately on my 940 there is no such sweet spot as there is on all my other folders. As soon as I have it tight enough to negate bladeplay the action is too tight for the blade to open and close easily. That easy flipping action is usually one of the best qualities of axis locks. I can't speak for the other people who complain about a simmilar problem with their axis locks; for mine I mean there is no spot where the knife will flip freely without bladeplay. As soon as the pivot is set for no blade play it is already WAY too tight. There just is no happy medium. From what I read on here the 940s in particular seem to have this problem. On all my other folders this just isn't an issue. Findinf that happy medium is no problem.

Thanks for the advice though, normally it would work.
 
There are so many knives that are much better for me @ $425.

I really like BM, but this one is for hardcore fans.
 
Great looking knife, however like many others have said the price is out of control. Benchmade and Spyderco both should stick with their sweet spot and not mess with these high end production knives, or if they do decide to produce them then they should Price them accordingly. Knives like the 761/765, the knife we are discussing here, and the nirvana are just not worth their price tags. They are going up against knives like the Sebenza and out of all the examples of the knives I listed above that I've handled I have yet to see a perfect specimen. Blade centering on the 761/765 was horrible, along with the many other known issues, and the nirvana has a long list of well documented issues that we don't need to rehash again here in this thread. So if they're going to dip into this segment then they need to either step up their quality control or they need to offer these knives at a more affordable price and create their own high end production knife market in that $200-$250 range. At that money i can swallow the poor quality control a little better. But when I pay $300-$500 for a packet knife I want it to be perfection, or at least get the small stuff right (smooth action, dead centering, and no blade play).
 
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