Some thoughts on "The Perfect BKC Folder"
If you could suggest certain alterations to past or present Benchmade folders to come up with the "perfect" knife for you, what would be some of your suggests?
Here are some I kicked around last night. First, I would want a blade that would be about 3.5" long for a little more tip control than I get out of my 4" blades...and something shaped like the blade in a BM 615 or BM 520 or maybe an Alias I.
I would like a handle that is about 4-5/8" long so it's big enough for a working knife, but leaves the length of the opened knife not much longer than 8". I'd like a straighter handle without the swooped bolster area of a 520 or the deep finger cuts of an 806 or 950. A straighter handle will fit more hands without making it too long.
I'd want it with an un-assisted Axis lock, DLC coated M4 or satin M390 steel depending if you want the blade coated or not. The handle would need to be tall enough to accomodate the blade, so it won't be small like the 94x's. The handle would also need liners, but shouldn't be any thicker than a 710 or an 806 or it gets too bulky in the pocket. For handle materials, I like CF or maybe that green G-10 from a Bone Collector, as long as it is done a little thinner than the BC's.
Now the funny part...after I came up with all this stuff I looked up and down in my EDC drawers to see what was the closest to these specs. Out of my collection, it was a CF M2 Ares.
No wonder those things are still popular after all these years.
I'd still like to hear your recipe for your perfect knife. Maybe it will influence Benchmade for an upcoming release.
Here are some I kicked around last night. First, I would want a blade that would be about 3.5" long for a little more tip control than I get out of my 4" blades...and something shaped like the blade in a BM 615 or BM 520 or maybe an Alias I.
I would like a handle that is about 4-5/8" long so it's big enough for a working knife, but leaves the length of the opened knife not much longer than 8". I'd like a straighter handle without the swooped bolster area of a 520 or the deep finger cuts of an 806 or 950. A straighter handle will fit more hands without making it too long.
I'd want it with an un-assisted Axis lock, DLC coated M4 or satin M390 steel depending if you want the blade coated or not. The handle would need to be tall enough to accomodate the blade, so it won't be small like the 94x's. The handle would also need liners, but shouldn't be any thicker than a 710 or an 806 or it gets too bulky in the pocket. For handle materials, I like CF or maybe that green G-10 from a Bone Collector, as long as it is done a little thinner than the BC's.
Now the funny part...after I came up with all this stuff I looked up and down in my EDC drawers to see what was the closest to these specs. Out of my collection, it was a CF M2 Ares.
No wonder those things are still popular after all these years.
I'd still like to hear your recipe for your perfect knife. Maybe it will influence Benchmade for an upcoming release.
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My grail:
NRA Grip frame w/ Blue/black G10 scales
Contego lowrider clip, parkerized
Satin M390 Ritter Grip blade
They have the first. They have the second in satin and painted finishes, not parkerized. They've yet to make a M390 Ritter Grip.
Overlaps a lot with your requirements, except blade geometry and handle thickness.0 -
i think a 710 with ti frame, flipper, and uncoated m4 steel would be a kind of grail for me !
or an unassisted subrosa, again with a m4 blade and flipper ...0 -
Rats!
I just spent half an hour writing a reply, and I wasn't logged in. When I did log in, the system flushed my reply! Doh!
Hahahaha! Gloom on me.
Oh well...that's probably good. This version will be a lot shorter.
I'm with you pretty much down the line, High-velocity J. I like a MDP with a full grind, and a more or less straight handle. Medium size.
My use description is light utility boot knife these days. I don't cut a lot of hard stuff unexpectedly, so my ideal EDC would be focused a little more on the self-defense side. The closest starting point for me personally is the 581. It has the swedged MDP blade, more or less full grind, m390 top tier steel. Perfect. It has a roughly bi-symmetrical, kinda coke-bottle handle shape - perfect for a variety of grips. It is just a little over your ideal size at 8.35" overall.
The only alteration I have to make is to line up the blade and handle in a straight dagger-like shape. The current 581 has a slight negative rake to the blade, as almost all Benchmades do, to enhance leverage for hard cutting...which is a good thing. I am more interested in an in-line point since I don't do much unexpected hard cutting, mostly just light utility stuff. That's it, just straighten out the 581, and you are pretty much there...my ideal.
Oh, esthetically, I would put some anodizing on the bolsters and some other finish on the liners. A blackout model with black oxide liners and Axis, and black anodized bolsters would be really cool.0 -
Most of my cutting chores are best handled by a modern slipjoint like the Spyderco UKPK. I grew up with slipjoint non locking folders and frankly for most work they are better suited than a locking knife.
So my ideal Benchmade EDC is going to be focused more on "what if" situations. It is romantic for most guys to consider SD as a need for a folder, and it does factor into my thinking, but the older I get the more I realize other threats are more likely. A medical problem or an accident that needs intervention are more likely to be encountered, for example a car accident and a trapped driver. Cutting off a shirt to apply a difibrillator is more likely than being assaulted. Glass breaker is nice also.
And besides I live where I can carry a gun. I still like the capacity for SD mind you, just growing to learn there are other needs.
It also needs a low profile means of carry. If not I find I don't carry it in everyday situations where an inch of knife sticking out of the pocket might raise issues.
Needs to be full size, if I can't get a full grip on it, forget it. As for steel, since this is mostly a carry and forget thing, the highest grade steel is nice but not needed. However I don't want it to rust. So stainless or coated is best.
I pretty much just described the Contego.0 -
Po, I'm still back and forth on getting a 581. The blade looks amazing, both in shape and materials. The handle worries me a bit...is it on the fatter side, like a Grip? If so, I'd probably be looking for something a little more pocket-friendly.
I'd have to say that if it wasn't A/O and didn't have those metal bolsters, I would have bought one years ago.
The other factor I like about the 581 is that to me it "looks good", which means alot. All in all, it wouldn't take much to perfect the stock 581. I wish they would do it.0 -
A Griptilian is pretty much it.
Philosophicaly "perfect" can also mean "compromise" and the griptilian is the perfect compromise in cost/material/utility/size/f&f/weight/efficiant folder there is, sure, for utility chores any $10 folding blade will do but the "extra" added innovative locking system and relatively good stainless steel just inspires more confidence and that's gotta be worth something.0 -
You're right, Archer, the Grip isn't too much of a compromise. It's a pretty great knife, especially in the CF and G-10 handled versions with M4 blades. The only complaint left is that it's a little fat, but...not that bad. I usually keep 5 or 6 Grips close at hand.
I also keep a Contego, Mark. I like a lot about it. It's sure a good price for that big piece of M4.0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
The only complaint left is that it's a little fat,
There is the after market scales solution but then "cost" factor of the equation is set off balance.0 -
I'm with you fastjan, the 73x Ares is tops on my list as well. 0 -
A similar thread like this came up a few years ago..my suggestion was take a entry level knife and put a uncoated M4 blade in it..shortly after,we got the m4 Ritter 0 -
I,d like a 705 back with a little longer blade.
or
943 with a flat ground blade0 -
I went through the entire Benchmade catalog and picked the 913 Stryker as the one that looked best to me. Now that I have one I still like it except for one thing- it is hard for me to hit the thumb stud and reliably open the blade. It has a little bit too much detent and the thumb stud doesn't stick up high enough above the scale. I could probably grind a deeper relief notch in the handle scale and help the situation. I also like the Ares and finally got a plain one. I like it well enough but it is a bit heavier than the 913. 0 -
The 913 is nice. It's easy to see why there is such a clamor to give it an Axis lock.quote:Originally posted by bdleopard:
I went through the entire Benchmade catalog and picked the 913 Stryker as the one that looked best to me. Now that I have one I still like it except for one thing- it is hard for me to hit the thumb stud and reliably open the blade. It has a little bit too much detent and the thumb stud doesn't stick up high enough above the scale. I could probably grind a deeper relief notch in the handle scale and help the situation. I also like the Ares and finally got a plain one. I like it well enough but it is a bit heavier than the 913.0 -
The M390 805 is the best BM for me so far.
Have a set of custom scales on the way, will post pics down the road.
Am pretty sure I have enjoyed trying them all.
Just my 2.0 -
The Grip is as close to my ideal as I can get. It's a good size, it's comfortable to use and easy to deploy. I buy new knives that I feel like I should like better, but the Grip always works best for me. I would prefer different scales and I've considered custom options, but I would expect to pay a considerable cost for the skill required. 0 -
Steven Andrews our member from the British Isles shared your love of the 805. He had one 805 blade that he installed into the pricey 806-701 CF handle and it looked schweeeet! I'm looking forward to seeing pics of your new 805 handle scales.quote:Originally posted by MCM:
The M390 805 is the best BM for me so far.
Have a set of custom scales on the way, will post pics down the road.
Am pretty sure I have enjoyed trying them all.
Just my 2.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mark G.:
[...] I still like the capacity for SD mind you, just growing to learn there are other needs[...]I pretty much just described the Contego.
FastJ's proposition was how would you change the Contego to make it perfect?
I know the first thing I did with my Contego was grind down the potato graters even with the scales.
Perfection to me is a knife that is superb both for utility and my own personal self-defense style. Since the 581 already has a superb blade for any contingency, all that would be required for my personal idea of perfection, would be to straighten it out slightly into a more classical dagger. None of its utility potential would be lost from my point of view.0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
[...] The [581] handle worries me a bit...is it on the fatter side, like a Grip? [...]
The 581 handle has some swell to it. The catalog says the 581 and Grip are the same thickness, but the 581 handle tapers a little toward the butt, and the 581 scales are smooth under the pocket clip. I don't like big knives in my pocket, and I don't have a problem with the 581.
I really enjoy the Axis Assist myself. I didn't think I would at first, but it has really grown on me. But it can be removed.
The bolsters? Yeah, we asked Benchmade for metal (Ti to be exact) bolsters for a long time, and this is what we got. They are better than nothing, but really would like to see them anodized someway.
Actually, the Camp Perry Grip is pretty darn close to utility EDC perfection for me. All I would do is put a G-10 back spacer in it. The 551 is a really great compromise between strong and light, perfect compact size.
Another, though longer path to perfection for me would be to start with the 3550, stretch the blade out to about 3.5", give it a full flat utility grind, and Axis Assist.
Heck the 525-1101 is one of the most perfect EDC knives I've ever experienced. All it needs are G-10 scales.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Po:
Actually, the Camp Perry Grip is pretty darn close to utility EDC perfection for me. All I would do is put a G-10 back spacer in it.
Just curious: why would you prefer a G10 backspacer instead of the barrels? Durability, aesthetics, ergonomics, etc.? I rather like being able to blow out pocket lint through the barrels.0 -
I really like my 9101sbk Stryker for EDC fits my need for a knife that is not too big and extremely well built. I carried a 551 grip for a while never liked the plastic handles otherwise a fantistic knife. As mentioned earlier I would like to see an axis lock 913. 0 -
Here's a modification I wouldn't mind seeing as a new knife, based on the 710: Reduce its length to 90% of original size. That would make the blade reduce from 4" to 3.6" and the handle would come down to around 4.5". All other dimensions like height and thickness could remain unchanged.
I think a 3.6" blade would give more tip control. Yes, this is a smaller folder than the 710, but it is significantly bigger than the old 705...which was just a shrunk-down 710.
I've thought of altering the 710's blade length and handle length to these sizes, but unfortunately, the ideal location for the rear barrel spacer falls right where the lanyard hole currently exists.0 -
quote:Originally posted by kirbysdl:
...why would you prefer a G10 backspacer instead of the barrels? ...
Almost entirely esthetics. A folder without a backspacer looks half finished to me...cheap. I don't have a pocket lint problem.
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quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
Here's a modification I wouldn't mind seeing as a new knife, based on the 710: Reduce its length to 90% of original size. That would make the blade reduce from 4" to 3.6" and the handle would come down to around 4.5". All other dimensions like height and thickness could remain unchanged.
I think a 3.6" blade would give more tip control. Yes, this is a smaller folder than the 710, but it is significantly bigger than the old 705...which was just a shrunk-down 710.
I've thought of altering the 710's blade length and handle length to these sizes, but unfortunately, the ideal location for the rear barrel spacer falls right where the lanyard hole currently exists.
I second that motion (but wouldn't mind if height and thickness came down a bit also)! Similar size to a 943, but with a blade shape and handle material I prefer.0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
Here's a modification I wouldn't mind seeing as a new knife, based on the 710: Reduce its length to 90% of original size...
You know, now that you mention it I felt the same way at one time. Still think it would be a good idea.0 -
Mini AFCK w/ axis
913 w/ axis?...wouldnt that pretty much be a 730?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Patrick:
Mini AFCK w/ axis...
Hoh! Now there is a golden dream of my youth!0 -
quote:Originally posted by Po:quote:Originally posted by kirbysdl:
...why would you prefer a G10 backspacer instead of the barrels? ...
Almost entirely esthetics. A folder without a backspacer looks half finished to me...cheap. I don't have a pocket lint problem.
I agree, a knife without a backspacer looks like it is just parts slapped together. IMHO0 -
Respectfully disagree 
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Me too, but that's the whole "eye of the beholder" thing.
P.S. The Rukus family were great, great-looking open-back designs too. To me at least.0 -
The Grips look pretty good with three standoffs, but the 710 with only two ...
The 746 CF LE looked good too.0
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