Benchmade Proper

[SG89]

Anyone have one of these?
If so what are your thoughts?

[holeshot]

I've been thinking about getting one, before I do I'm going to contact BHQ and see if the thumb stud they sell will fit on it. I'll let you know what they say. :)

[Johnnie1801]

Interesting knife, I like the green micarta version but it's a bit pricey for a slippy

[LDB]

That's a very good looking knife but for the money I'd go with another Spyderco or a couple of Case knives.

[Doc Dan]

One thing about BM is that every knife I have bought from them has been as smooth as can be. I have a back lock, a cheap one, from BM that feels like the blade pivot is made of well greased bearings, or something. Unbelievable. All of my BM's are like that.

[holeshot]

One thing about BM is that every knife I have bought from them has been as smooth as can be. I have a back lock, a cheap one, from BM that feels like the blade pivot is made of well greased bearings, or something. Unbelievable. All of my BM's are like that.

I also own a fair number BMs and agree that they open and close very smoothly. Recently purchased a Griptillian and the Axis lock is phenomenal! I just wish Sal would start using it on some Spyderco models. According to him the patent is up and I've noticed other manufacturers using it. :)

[Doc Dan]

I am not as big of an axis lock fan as I used to be. Both my wife and I have experienced them coming open when we did not wish them to do so. Once, I dropped a knife and as it bounced, it came open and just missed my foot. My wife had one come open in her purse. So, while it is my second favorite lock, the back lock is still my favorite.

[holeshot]

I am not as big of an axis lock fan as I used to be. Both my wife and I have experienced them coming open when we did not wish them to do so. Once, I dropped a knife and as it bounced, it came open and just missed my foot. My wife had one come open in her purse. So, while it is my second favorite lock, the back lock is still my favorite.

It seems now a days you can find almost anything on UTube. Tried to find videos of a Benchmade with an Axis lock opening accidentally and was unable to do so. I've been carrying them for over thirty years and have never had one open accidentally, maybe I'm just lucky. :)

[TomAiello]

BM definitely has great fit and finish.

I'd love to get one of these in hand and play around with it. It might make a good gift knife for the right person.

[Doc Dan]

I do not post on Youtube, but I once did a test after my wife complained of hers opening on her. I took all of my BMs, and hers, and I dropped them onto the bed and onto a pad on the floor. I found I could get them to open on average 1 out of 7 tries once I found out the sweet spot. There was a thread a few years ago over at BF where this topic was discussed. While it is not as likely to open as a liner lock, it is still not a secure as a properly made back lock. You have to remember, a spring is holding the blade shut on an axis lock and springs can, well, spring if receiving a shock. Also, the studs can get caught in things and open the blade, too. So, I prefer the hole and a good back lock on my knives.

This is not to be construed as a mark against BM. It is simply the facts of the design. BM is a fine company and I own many of their knives.

[TomAiello]

I have a BM Nakamura that frequently catches the stud and "emerson-style" opens when I take it out of my pocket.

[murphjd25]

Has anyone purchased one of these yet? I'm going to REI tomorrow and will probably leave with one. This is a great looking slippie imo.

[Midnightrider]

I used to be a Benchmade fan but I am no longer and not been for years since they started tip upping everything.

I have the previous model Presidio auto with the axis lock. The safety and action feel like something that was made in a garage by a high school kid. The blade is typical beautiful Benchmade but the rest is junk.

[xceptnl]

I like the idea of modern production knifemakers dipping into more traditional designs much like Spyderco did with the Roadie and Lionsteel just did with their bolstered slipjoint. I think however that it is a smaller more limited market for this niche. Thus, keeping the price affordable will increase the likelyhood of success. For the record, i used to be a huge BM fan and still have some of their knives (all Axis lock models).

[Evil D]

Eh, if it doesn't have a thumb hole there are a slew of traditional knife makers I would go with first. Not a BM fan.

[demoncase]

Looks nice enough if that's your thing- Unusual to see S30V in that type of blade so that's a point in it's favour

(though at that price point it's in UKPK territory and thus instantly a non-starter in my book)

Though: anyone else think it's a bit odd that the Micarta and G10 models are the exact same price?.....I mean, if you're in the market for this type of knife I'd wager that 98% of folks will be after the Micarta model, being as there isn't a wood or staghorn model?

Or am I making sweeping stereotype unfair assumptions about a particular type of knife buyer?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Looks like a good knife and the quality is good. I still think Sal Glesser and Les De Asis (Benchmade) are two of the greatest human minds and designers of cutting tools in all human history.

[murphjd25]

I picked one up today, and it is superb. Little spendy for a slippie but I think it was well worth it. It is a very nice gentlemans pocketknife. The micarta is the best done micarta I have felt or seen on any knife. Fits very well in my right front pocket, has a very nice light and balanced weight to it, I forget that it is their. And surprisingly, F&F was fantastic. This is exactly the kind of new school/old school traditional I have been looking for to pocket carry. BM might be finally stepping up their game..

[RanCoWeAla]

For me it's a bit too long for loose front pocket carry. I like something around three and a quarter like the Case 087. However I have totally switched to the Benchmade Axis lock. There is nothing else on the market like it. I have had problems with every other lock type out there but the Axis

[JD Spydo]

The two Benchmade models that will always have a place in my heart are the two Boguszewski Spike models from the mid to late 90s. I've owned several of those Boguszewski Spike models and truly wish they would do a Sprint Run of those at some point.. Those Spike models 640 & 650 both had a serious cult following that really drew a lot of knife lovers.

Now there was also an automatic version ( switchblade) of the Boguszewski Spike and it was the model 1000. I had a couple of those and they were great automatics. But I EDCed the smaller model 640 many years even before I became an avid Spyderhead. Actually Spyderco had a model similar which was the Centofante C-50 and it's little brother the C-25. Don't even bother asking for a Sprint Run of those because Spyderco said that all the tooling was gone for those models unfortunately.

But there was another BM model that I adored called the RUKUS model but they never made it in any steel other than S30V so I passed on it. But overall I started focusing on Spyderco's premium models after that. But I will always love the Boguszewski Spike models and would very much welcome Sprint Runs of all 3 of them.