Want a New Benchmade

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wingmanl

Joined
Jul 6, 2006
Messages
50
OK, so I've decided that I finally want an axis lock folder. My first real knife was a bm 43 bali, but I never really used it besides for flipping. I currently edc a spyderco delica 4 and I love it, but I want to try something new.

The thing is, so many of the benchmades seem so similar that I'm not really sure which one to pick. I like the 941, cause I like the green handles, but I also saw the NRA Gaucho, which looked pretty slick too. I went down to Paragon sports (for all you NYCers) and they only had two axis lock bms, which was a big disappointment. The guy told me to look into the 707, but I just don't know enough of the differences between all the models.

I do know that I want a plain edge, (my delica is a spyderedge), a blade under 4 inches, and an axis lock. I'd prefer some grippy material on the handle, and a relatively light weight knife in in general, with a clip. Do the aforementioned knives come with a pocket clip?

The reason I want an axis lock is also because I'm under the impression that its the fastest one handed closing lock there is. Is there something else that will let me open and close my knife quickly, ONE HANDED? I don't like to advertise the fact that I carry a knife.
 
recently bought my first Benchmade. A 707. Loving it! Yes indeed, one hand quick open and close.

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I got a 960 not too long ago. Also my first axis lock. I love this thing. Lightweight and comfortable. The G10 insert gives it a little more traction. The blade is about 3 1/8 inches long. It has a clip. I think most if not all axis locks have a pocket clip
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The 94x series is by far one of my favorite Benchmade designs to date, they make a great EDC. The aluminum handle however doesn't make for the grippiest hold. The 707 is also a great knife. The blade on the 707 is slightly smaller than the 94x. The 707 has an aluminum handle but it has the added grip of G-10 inserts. The 707 is also going to cost you a little less so that might be a consideration. You can't go wrong with either one. Good luck.
 
For my next 3" blade, the 707 is a strong candidate. From your post, it seems like you're looking for a slimmer knife, both the 941 and the 707 are very slim compared to other Benchmades like the Griptilian series and the HK series. I enjoy thicker handles when I'm doing heavier work with my knives, but by all means the 2 you've mentioned are great regardless of the everyday type tasks.

Benchmade has excellent customer service and all of their knives are quality. So as far as not knowing one from the other, it's just a matter of what your standards and preferences are in a knife for things like blade material, handle material, ergos, weight, aethetics, etc. The axis lock is going to be fast regardless of which one you choose. Other knives that are just as fast are:
Benchmade's Rolling Lock
SOG's Arc Lock
Cold Steel's (although not a favorite for me) Ultra Lock in their Recon series
 
if you want the FASTEST one hand close in a folder (not a DA OTF) from a benchmade it would have to be the ambush or the mini-ambush the rolling lock w/ indraft literally lets you flick the blade closed...and i feel that the lock is easier to release than the axis...
 
I'd reccomend the Griptilian. It's not as pretty as the 707, but it's much cheaper with a much more utility design. Also, I've heard that axis lock knives are considered gravity knives, which are illeagal in NYC.
 
I see michaelmcgo beat me to the punch in saying in all New York State, and more so in NYC they are considered gravity knives and are illegal.....look up the law and consider if it is a good EDC for you....
 
Axis locks and compression locks (as well as the axis variants) can all be flicked closed with a little practice. Useful trick. Saves me a good...second...but it's still fun.
 
The 707 is a nice EDC. But is is not as "grippy" as the Griptilian. The 705 is grippier.

You might also consider the Equipped to Survive version of the Griptilian with S30V blade.

The 940 Osborne line is a very pocketable knife, but again, it can get slippery when you use it.

I don't know anything about NY laws, but you might check into that consideration before choosing your Axis lock.

Another nice grippy knife is the 806D2, but it may be too big.

All Benchmade Axis locks.
 
When I went to Paragon, the guy selling the knives seemed to know what he was talking about to at least a reasonable degree, and he said that Axis locks are on the safe side of the law, although a lot of cops don't like them. I used to carry a butterfly, they're what got me into knives in general, but if they are both illegal, I might as well carry my favorite kind of knife, eh? Can someone clear this up definitively?

What is the advantage of the Rolling Lock? I don't think that I have experienced one, how does it compare to the Axis, in terms of speed and safety? The Ambush/mini ambush seems to use AUS8 steel, while one of the selling points of the 940 or 941 was the S30V steel for me. What other differences are there between the two lines?

How does the Gaucho compare to the 940? They are both roughly the same price, is it just the color of the handles and slightly different blade shape? What is the Gaucho blade type useful for? I kind of like the 940 blade type, for stabbing and general utility. It's for that reason that I'm leaning towards the 940 rather than the 707.

Are there any other knives that I should be aware of in this category? Thanks for all the informative responses so far.
 
wingmanl...I was a NYC LEO for years ( not now through) and I will tell you I have seen officers arrest people for any lock back or liner lock that could be "flicked" open......it is a class A misd ( you could get up to 364 days in jail- one day less than a E felony) The law is listed on this site. Look under NYSPL 265. Butterfly knives are still considered gravity knives by the NYPD legal division, although there have been five different cases that the judge in other parts of NY has deemed them not to be gavity knives. I do believe Axis locks are gravity knives....see if that salesman will pay for your lawyer.....there is also the "dangerous knife" classification in NY law....very vague so hard to list what it covers.....there is not case law on the axis lock to date, but there were three stores raid in Queens in 2003 all of which sold "switchblades and gravity knives" the knives taken included benchmade axis locks. All the vendors plead guilty to lessors charges, so there were no case laws from the raids, it was in the Post , you can google the story...... the NYPD Legal division states the following is a gravity knife "any knife that can be flicked open and locks in postion" ....it is up to you.
 
I would go with a Doug Ritter Mini Gripper or the 940. You can not go wrong with either. The 707 is also nice. I dont think I have ever handled a bad Benchmade Axis Lock. They are all real nice folders. THANK YOU! Kevin
 
They must have proable cause to search you, but in NY that is any explainable reason for the LEO, and to give you an idea there are over 300,000 form 250s filled out each year( that is a form that is filled out when you stop and frisk someone who is not arrested), and there are many people frisked where no 250 is filled out.....If you are acting any way that is deemed to be in a manner that the officer deems criminal or you match a suspect desciption, the officer may stop you to question you and he may perform a frisk or pat down for weapons for his safety. If he feels an object that seems to be a weapon he may request to see what that is.....Also, I assume that you are in NYC and there are soooo many metal detectors these days that it often seems not worth carrying a legal knife most days as I end up going through several a week going to meetings in office buildings, and of coursemost security guards are totally clueless about the real knife laws...
 
This is a suggestion not legal advice of any kind, but on a purely FYI basis be advised that the axis locks are very sensitive to pivot screw tension. A little loose and you have a "gravity" knife, a little tight and you will need two hands to open it. I can get either result on my axis lock knives with a torx bit alone without needing any tool handle.
 
OK, I have decided to go with an Axis lock anyway, I suppose that I can readjust the lock to preference, and use the Delica when I get worried.

Now I am trying to decide between the 940 and the Gaucho... they seem pretty similar, but the 940 has better steel... Which blade profile is better for what? Is the 940 sharpened on both edges, which would make it far superior for stabbing?
 
boobar said:
The 94x series is by far one of my favorite Benchmade designs to date, they make a great EDC. The aluminum handle however doesn't make for the grippiest hold. The 707 is also a great knife. The blade on the 707 is slightly smaller than the 94x. The 707 has an aluminum handle but it has the added grip of G-10 inserts. The 707 is also going to cost you a little less so that might be a consideration. You can't go wrong with either one. Good luck.
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My views are on par with Boobar's I am a big fan of both blade styles and I own both. I favor the 94X series a bit more as I have somewhat wide hands and the longer handle is more comfortable. I am also a sheepsfoot blade kinda guy. But yeah you cant go wrong with either. I also like the ben 635 if you wanna do the Ti/S30V thing.
 
Isn't the 635 the Mini Skirmish? I handled that at Paragon, I liked it, but I sort of wanted a one hand closing knife. I was under the impression that it was a framelock.
 
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