- Joined
- Aug 2, 1999
- Messages
- 1,910
Just bought a rarely discussed (on these forums) Benchmade model, the 855 Mel Pardue design. Unlike the horrible "splash" version, the new blue and black design is pretty cool. All and all a well made knife: smooth opening, solid lock up, shaving sharp from the box and the edge bevels are under 40 degrees included angle. Basically good fit and finish, EXCEPT the blade grinds don't come together at the tip in the expected V shape.
Now, before anyone thinks I'm jumping on the slam Benchmade wagon, let me point out that I have two other knives with this flaw, a Spyderco Wegner Jr. and a CRKT Ti Mirage. With the Wegner Jr., close examination reveals that the hollow grind wasn't taken deep enough near the spine on one side. With the Ti Mirage, the problem is that the swedge grind is uneven, dipping lower on one side than the other. However, on the 855, it feels like they ground it too thin on one side and too thick on the other for the entire width of the (flat ground) blade as it approaches the tip. If you run thumb and forefinger down the sides of the blade, it almost feels like its bent about a half inch before the tip.
I guess this is really a cosmetic flaw rather than a functional one, and its not an important enough issue with me on a sub-$100 folder (none of the three was over $70) to return it. But I have to wonder how this gets by QC. Its not like you cant immediately see it when you look at the blade. None of the other 25 or 30 production knives I own have this flaw; in fact, thinking back, I dont recall ever seeing it on any of the cheap POS, made in some third worlders barbecue pit, knives I bought as a kid.
Are the three abovementioned knives considered to be within acceptable tolerances?
Dave
edited to change one inch to a half inch
[This message has been edited by dsvirsky (edited 06-05-2001).]
Now, before anyone thinks I'm jumping on the slam Benchmade wagon, let me point out that I have two other knives with this flaw, a Spyderco Wegner Jr. and a CRKT Ti Mirage. With the Wegner Jr., close examination reveals that the hollow grind wasn't taken deep enough near the spine on one side. With the Ti Mirage, the problem is that the swedge grind is uneven, dipping lower on one side than the other. However, on the 855, it feels like they ground it too thin on one side and too thick on the other for the entire width of the (flat ground) blade as it approaches the tip. If you run thumb and forefinger down the sides of the blade, it almost feels like its bent about a half inch before the tip.
I guess this is really a cosmetic flaw rather than a functional one, and its not an important enough issue with me on a sub-$100 folder (none of the three was over $70) to return it. But I have to wonder how this gets by QC. Its not like you cant immediately see it when you look at the blade. None of the other 25 or 30 production knives I own have this flaw; in fact, thinking back, I dont recall ever seeing it on any of the cheap POS, made in some third worlders barbecue pit, knives I bought as a kid.
Are the three abovementioned knives considered to be within acceptable tolerances?
Dave
edited to change one inch to a half inch
[This message has been edited by dsvirsky (edited 06-05-2001).]