Thoughts on the Benchmade 730-1202 Ares in m390?

mkjellgren

mkjellgren

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Nov 1, 2005
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Hey guys, I just placed an order for a Benchmade 730 Ares in m390 and am very excited to get it in my hands.

This will also be my first real experience with m390. I've handled a few knives with m390 before but never used one on a day to day basis. I understand this particular knife is a limited edition and I understand that for many of you, this knife would be a mostly a collector's item, but I truly use ALL of my knives and have no safe queens so I'm interested in hearing what people think about Benchmade's m390 and the 730's blade shape in actual use.

Thanks in advance.
 
Its a great steel. I have it in a couple knives, including an AFCK that is seeing some use these days. Essentially I just have to sharpen it less frequently.
The Ares is a great design, and all in all, I think its a pretty great combo from benchmade.
 
Excellent steel, great corrosion and wear resistance, and sharpens more easily than you'd think.

I love the 730 design; blade has just enough point, belly, and straight edge to do just about anything you need it to. I have one of the 730-1202's as well, and BM really nailed it with this one. Everything's perfect. I think you'll really enjoy it.

With a 732:
QfsPW.jpg
 
It's a sturdy knife and a great steel. The blade has performed very well for me under harsh use. ( Not abuse, but cutting a lot of sand incrusted 1" nylon rope) I like it better than the 710, but I'm not sure most would. I had the 710 when it first came out over a decade ago and it never did much for me, nor did the 940. But many here like those benchmades. I have about 15 and owned maybe 30, the Ares is nice.
 
Skywalker31 said:
Excellent steel, great corrosion and wear resistance, and sharpens more easily than you'd think.

I love the 730 design; blade has just enough point, belly, and straight edge to do just about anything you need it to. I have one of the 730-1202's as well, and BM really nailed it with this one. Everything's perfect. I think you'll really enjoy it.

With a 732:
QfsPW.jpg
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Interesting that they reversed the pivot between the 732 and the latest rendition. I wonder why they might have done that. Not that it really matters to me, just something I noticed.
 
I really like the 730. I have a 913 Stryker that is somewhat similar, and also a Bradley Alias I that is somewhat similar. I have read about the advantages of M390 steel and even though I know its supposed advantages and even though I own 2 knives with it, I'm still not sure if most people should spend a lot to get that steel over something like S30V.

IMG_2666b.jpg
 
mkjellgren said:
Interesting that they reversed the pivot between the 732 and the latest rendition. I wonder why they might have done that. Not that it really matters to me, just something I noticed.
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As far as I can tell, that pivot was just put in backwards the last time the knife was disassembled. I got it secondhand but in excellent condition - the edges of the contouring on the handles have been slightly smoothed, and the spacer on the back has been replaced with pillar standoffs. Whoever did the work did a great job; it's the smoothest Axis folder I own. The backwards pivot is the only "off" thing I've noticed, and it's so smooth I don't want to break it down unless I really need to, so I just left it.
 
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You will love it. M390 is amazing stuff and the action is so smooth. I have 2 and they are maybe the best examples of the axis lock I own. No hint of blade play but if you pull the axis bar back the blade swings freely. Just a great knife.
 
The Ares is a great design. Im not into the "steel of the week" train of thought, but it cuts fine...
 
I've wanted an Ares for quite some time, but the 5.5 oz weight has been a turn of for a knife that doesn't look so big. I feel like im missing something though, anyone have pics of it in hand?
 
Zookie said:
I've wanted an Ares for quite some time, but the 5.5 oz weight has been a turn of for a knife that doesn't look so big. I feel like im missing something though, anyone have pics of it in hand?
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Initially it was a concern for me as well, but from the videos I've seen, the 730 is actually a bigger knife than it appears in pictures (its definitely a full sized handle and a relatively long blade) and I think the thick-ish spear point blade probably accounts for the extra weight. I haven't received mine yet, but it appears to carry very slimly in the pocket which will hopefully negate the extra weight over something like the pm2. I like a little weight to a knife, it just makes it feel more substantial to me. What I don't like is a heavy knife with a wide pocket profile and with the 730, that doesn't appear to be an issue.
 
The liners are thicker then normal but drilled to reduce some wight. The spear point blade doesn't help with the weight either. But the result is a strong knife that is super smooth.
 
I got mine today.........Absolutely love it, and ny far the sharpest Benchmade I have gotten in a long time. They really did a great job on this knife.
 
atony said:
I got mine today.........Absolutely love it, and ny far the sharpest Benchmade I have gotten in a long time. They really did a great job on this knife.
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Agreed. Just an excellent knife. Very stout and substantial feeling without feeling bulky. The factory edge on mine was a little underwhelming, but pretty good by benchmade standards. I reprofile mine immediately after opening it and was very surprised how easy it was to reprofile m390. I definitely expected it to put up a bit more of a fight. A mirror polished hair whittling edge really does this knife justice. Overall I'm very pleased.
 
I figured it was one of those knives that look small but are bigger in person, glad to hear that's the truth.

You're all making me want one now! ;).
 
Zookie said:
I figured it was one of those knives that look small but are bigger in person, glad to hear that's the truth.

You're all making me want one now! ;).
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It's definitely bigger in person than it looks in pictures. I have fairly large hands and it's definitely a hand filling knife. Not big, but big enough. Bigger than a full size griptilian if that gives you any point of reference.

I'd pick one up quick if you want one. There aren't very many of them and they'll be gone soon. I've heard there is another limited run coming in red and black g10 with a black coated m390 blade, but that one doesn't interest me nearly as much and could be a year or more before we see it.
 
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Anyone able to post some comparison shots to other BM models? Like the full size grip, 940, 710 etc

Thanks!
 
GripnCOLDSTEEL said:
Anyone able to post some comparison shots to other BM models? Like the full size grip, 940, 710 etc

Thanks!
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I don't have any comparison pics and I'm not much of a photographer but it's about the same size as the Rift. Equally as beefy just sleeker and feels more refined.
 
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