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485-171

martymcfly

January 06, 2017 04:59

I'm liking this one more and more.
This is a Gold I won't mind EDCing one bit.
Question:
Is the pocket clip DLC coated?
It appears it just might be.
Or do I need new glasses?

Comments

15 comments

chip

January 06, 2017 06:05
It is coated, according to the catalog.
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chip

January 06, 2017 06:06
And yes, it will be EDC'd!
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martymcfly

January 06, 2017 06:09
Question 2:
What material is that spacer made from?
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chip

January 06, 2017 06:14
Backspacer is damasteel.
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martymcfly

January 06, 2017 06:20
quote:

Originally posted by Chip:
Backspacer is damasteel.

Bingo. Correct answer. This brings me great joy.
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martymcfly

January 06, 2017 06:23
Question 3:
Could that blue-violet anodizing be any more gorgeous?

Wait, I'll answer that...

Nope. That's about as gorgeous as it gets.
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chip

January 06, 2017 06:24
The real question is will some Canadian get one reanodized purple for his wife?

Benchmade lists the handle as blue-violet, but that isn't purple.
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martymcfly

January 06, 2017 09:38
quote:

Originally posted by Chip:
The real question is will some Canadian get one reanodized purple for his wife?

Benchmade lists the handle as blue-violet, but that isn't purple.

Awwwww, man... please don't tell her about this one...Shhhh. Our secret.
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billhammer

January 06, 2017 14:45
/|\ FAIR WARNING- I have a Valet & was really looking forward to getting it and have been very disappointed. It wiggled when in locked position both side to side & up & down. It has been back to Benchmade twice for this problem, end result still has a little side to side wiggle which BKC deems acceptable.

I think it is the reduced size axis lock just isn't strong enough, I've seen same wiggle on older models with this smaller lock.

Mac, if it was me I'd go buy a couple of 707 at the blow out price at certain online sellers ( about $110) then I'd send them to Keyman for purple G10 scales. It may not be a pretty but the 707 uses full size axis lock & would make a better EDC as it is also more comfortable in hand than the Valet. You'll have two knives & dollars left in pocket to take your wife out to dinner.
I trust your wife will be happy either direction you go.
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zissou

January 06, 2017 15:19
quote:

Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
/|\ FAIR WARNING- I have a Valet & was really looking forward to getting it and have been very disappointed. It wiggled when in locked position both side to side & up & down. It has been back to Benchmade twice for this problem, end result still has a little side to side wiggle which BKC deems acceptable.

I think it is the reduced size axis lock just isn't strong enough, I've seen same wiggle on older models with this smaller lock.

Mac, if it was me I'd go buy a couple of 707 at the blow out price at certain online sellers ( about $110) then I'd send them to Keyman for purple G10 scales. It may not be a pretty but the 707 uses full size axis lock & would make a better EDC as it is also more comfortable in hand than the Valet. You'll have two knives & dollars left in pocket to take your wife out to dinner.
I trust your wife will be happy either direction you go.

^^^ this
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martymcfly

January 06, 2017 17:21
Hmmmmmmmm.
I do still owe Keyman some work....
Something about this -171 is calling me though.
I never did hold onto the original 485 I bought for very long, because I just didn't carry it due to it's size. My cousin had offered me a 485-151, and although it's gorgeous, I passed due to the price vs. size factor, and the certainty that it'd sit on display, rather than in my pocket.

I feel differently about this one, I guess. Sucker for Ti, I suppose. This is one I'd carry...I like the blue-violet anodization more and more every time I stare at it.
I'm still a bit unsure. I feel like this is the 485 that I want to give a fair chance. At the same time, my pinky finger is bigger than this knife, and I'm not sure how long I'd keep it.
I think I'll wait for my local dealer to get one in. I'll examine, then decide.
Thanks for the food for thought, gentlemen.

Oh, and probably best my wife waits in the truck while I'm examining it...
Last night she caught a glimpse of the -171 while I was posting the pic, and said "Ooooo, what's that?"
As if supporting my own cutlery hobby isn't taxing enough...

For real though, purple 490 for her is a must.
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billhammer

January 06, 2017 20:25
/|\ Mac the thumb studs on the Valet are smaller too if you've bear paws maybe difficult to open.

You know the ladybug comes in purple & so does the Swiss Army classic ( my wife has one in purple). If the purple is key whole lot more cost effective than a Benchmade gold class.
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martymcfly

January 07, 2017 02:07
quote:

Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
/|\ Mac the thumb studs on the Valet are smaller too if you've bear paws maybe difficult to open.

You know the ladybug comes in purple & so does the Swiss Army classic ( my wife has one in purple). If the purple is key whole lot more cost effective than a Benchmade gold class.

Yeah, the scaled down 3/4 size hardware on the 485, along with the overall slenderness of the knife contributed to it sitting around and never being used. I was pretty clumsy with it.

My wife is crazily picky. She's smart enough to follow my lead and realize Benchmade's quality.
So it's gotta be a Benchmade. I honestly wouldn't buy her anything else, anyhow.
I've gone through showing her a million folders, and nothing was "just right" for her...sooo picky. I actually enjoyed the process, as painstaking as it was. When I first got my 490, she practically stole the thing from me. She instantly knew that it was her TOK. The one knife, the folder that she instantly fell in love with and never wants to be without. She says it's perfect for her in every way. Except it's not purple.
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akillist

January 08, 2017 02:11
This one is a must have! Can't wait to get one in hand!
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kirbysdl

February 15, 2017 15:33
490's got Al scales. Should be able to strip the existing coating and anodize them in purple. I think.
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