Which Benchmade

5 must have BM's
1) BM941CFD2
2) BM941BC1RED
3) BM940SLV(silver handle)
4) BM940
5) BM556 mini griptilian
How do I know these are must have's? Because I just can't seem to bring myself to sell most of them as I desparately need to and should!!
 
I think that I will be going for the AFCK. On some other thread I read that the 710 has some blade play in it which the 806 doesn't.

Thanks everyone for your input,

Jonathan
 
Originally posted by jonmok
I think that I will be going for the AFCK. On some other thread I read that the 710 has some blade play in it which the 806 doesn't.

Thanks everyone for your input,

Jonathan
Click to expand...

With Benchmades, the blade play is usually dependent on the pivot screw tension. The more you tighten it down, the less blade play you get at the expense of ease of opening. If you loosen the pivot screw on the 806, you will get blade play. I have mine set at a tension that is tight enough to eliminata all but a very miniscule amount of lateral blade play, but it is still super easy to flick open, even without holding the axis lock. The blade play is so minimal, that you really have to wiggle the blade hard to even feel it. Be sure when you order it, to ask specifically for a new model 806 which has phosphor bronze washers and is tapped for tip up or down carry.

Mike
 
Medic1210,

The 806D2 appears to be an exception to that rule. All of my other Benchmade axis locks have minute blade play when they're loosened to open easily, but the 806D2 opens just as easily with no discernable play. I'm not the only one who has experienced this. Nemo has been putting an 806SD2 preproduction model through hell and says it still opens smoothly with no blade play. Only dropping his name because he's one of those people who doesn't go easy on his knives.
 
Originally posted by thombrogan
Medic1210,

The 806D2 appears to be an exception to that rule. All of my other Benchmade axis locks have minute blade play when they're loosened to open easily, but the 806D2 opens just as easily with no discernable play. I'm not the only one who has experienced this. Nemo has been putting an 806SD2 preproduction model through hell and says it still opens smoothly with no blade play. Only dropping his name because he's one of those people who doesn't go easy on his knives.
Click to expand...

Maybe my post was a bit misleading. I have the 806D2, and have the pivot set like I mentioned. The blade play is so little, you need to really wiggle the blade with pressure to even slightly feel it. Even then, it is after it is wiggled several times. It is nothing like some other knives I have owned that have visible blade play. This is something you can slightly feel. I can tighten it ever so slightly more, and the play is eliminated completely, however, the knife isn't as easy to flick open without the axis disengaged. It is still smoothe as silk, and super easy to open, especially while holding the axis lock open, but I just have to flick my wrist harder than I prefer if I don't hold the axis open. I have mine set loose enough that I can draw the knife from the pocket, and flick my wrist without touching the axis lock, and it opens quick as lightning. I am really starting to like this knife. It did have to grow on me though. I like my 921 and 940, but I always carry the 806D2 now.

Mike
 
Sorry. For what I was talking about, I hold the axis button back when I start opening the knife and let go when it leaves the handle. Intertia picks up afterwards and, with my finger off of the button, makes sure the knife locks up. I can get that smooth type of opening with no play using the 806D2, but not with any other axis I own.
 
Intended use is an important factor. I have the 705, the 710 and the 940. They're all great, but they're very different. If you can tell us more about what you'd like to do with the knife, we'll be able to better explain the pros and cons of the various Benchmade models.



Edited to add, for what it's worth, that none of my Benchmades have any significant blade play.
 
Thom, funny you mention that about the play versus easy opening tradeoff. I have cherrypicked through 9 of the 94x series and only 3 are virtually spot on as far as tight blade and flickability.
The rest have some play either vertically or horizontilly, very miniscule and easy to adjust out if wanted, but still
The one and only 556 i bought is perfect in both respects.
I am liking my mini grip more and more and more the longer I own it and the more I try out other BM models.
 
That's the thing. Most of the Benchmades are hit-or-miss in that regard. I believe that the 806D2 is the lone exception. Is it an eery coincidence or does it get better quality control because the AFCK is always a best seller? The mini-Grips will probably become their overall best sellers in a few years as it's such a high quality axis-locked knife for such little money. The BMST let us know that now plain-edged mini-Grip fans can get in on the colored-handle fun, which I believe is their vote of confidence for a product. You know, the way that most preproduction Benchmades have a combo-edge, but the plain-edged production models are usually more popular.

Assuming that the other mini-Grips are all as good as the one you own, I think the yellow handled one would be a great knife for field and camp use. If drop it, you can spot it from space.
:D
 
I dont think its really fair to single out BM for that either because I've had the same experience with ALL the other mass prod knives Ive handled and/or owned that were still affordable anyways.
Actually, I have been very impressed with how little variance between the 94x's is especially considering their price and that they are mass production pieces afterall.
I tend to think when a person lets something like a 1/10000" slop keep them from liking an otherwise perfect knife thats when it's time to question what's wrong with himself instead of the knife!;)
 
NOt many people here mention the 721 but i think it's a great knife...rock solid and just the right size...well i've always liked bowie styled blades anyway...

don't feel any blade play at all...wiggle wiggle...

also maybe consider the 556 mini grip...
 
Sticky,

The thing is, it's Benchmade, so it should be better. Also, I haven't had this problem with my folding knives from Spyderco and Cold Steel, so I think Benchmade owes it to its image to match those competitors in that department.
 
710! 710... Did I mention 710?!?! I think it's the best Benchmade knife, period. Axis lock, 4" blade, G-10 handle, carries great, what more could you ask for?

Get a 710. You will NOT regret it.
 
Dear Benchmade-

Please inform me when you will begin production on this knife:
  • M2 Mini-AFCK with AXIS lock and choice of black, red, green, or gray G10 scales.

Love,

~ Blue Jays ~

:p
 
You havent had play in any spyderco? hmmmmmm, I must be an anomoly, but I believe after handling quite a few from each that BM has much better tolerances, especially in vertical blade play, but also in horizontal play, not to mention, less dings, dents, scratches from one knife to the next.... just my .02
 
There's no play in my Benchmade 350 either, but it's a liner lock and that would be unacceptable. So, out of 11 Benchmade folders, only two lack blade play and only one of those two is an axis lock. OTOH, My Spydies are three lockbacks and a Phantom Lock and my Cold Steels are 12 lockbacks and a liner lock. If they can do it on one axis lock, why can't they do it on the others?

Apples to orangutans you think? Well, I'm not going to consider buying a Recon-1 Ultralock knife until they offer fully serrated models (Cold Steel's AUS-8 without serrations is like a tank without treads. Serrated, it's an angry, naughty tank). Why not save $10 and get a Griptillian or save almost $20 and get a mini-Griptillian? And I'm not getting a ball-bearing locked Spydie until the Dodo comes out.
 
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