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Wish for a smaller folder

1daven

May 25, 2016 21:07

Wishlist: a thin, light Benchmade folder with a 2-2.5 inch blade.

I've got an old, cheap lockback that's almost totally useless beyond opening packages or envelopes (and it doesn't hold an edge well enough to be good at even that). Its good points are that it's very small and light (2-inch blade), so it's unnoticeable in my pocket. It's also the most non-threatening knife I've ever seen - it didn't even alarm the customer service lady at the airport once when I forgot I had it with me.

I've reached an age where I want things I carry with me all the time to have a certain level of quality, and that folder doesn't have it. If Benchmade were to make a small, light "gentleman's folder," I'd buy one in a second. I've seen the 698 described that way, but in my opinion, that one would alarm the airport lady. The 698 is my preferred EDC, but I'd like something smaller and lighter for the few times when the 698 is too much.

Comments

14 comments

po

May 25, 2016 21:16
Smaller than the Valet?

Butterfly won't fit.

Has the TSA started letting small knives go through?
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1daven

May 25, 2016 21:25
I'd like to see a Valet before saying for sure, but it's the same size blade as the Mini Grip, which is bigger than what I'm after. (We don't have a dealer anywhere near here, unless you count big box sporting goods stores that might have 2 or 3 models).

TSA won't allow small knives as far as I know. This lady from Delta Airlines very generously went flying after my checked bag, and stuck it in an outside zipper pocket, an instant before the bag went out of sight.
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billhammer

May 25, 2016 22:19
Me too! I want a 2.5" quality knife from Benchmade.
I can't recommend the Valet ( blade wiggles in lock position, plus other negatives). The Valet IMHO should go back to design board & come out as a nested liner to reduce weight, handle needs deeper contour near thumb studs, little bigger thumb studs.
I've said this before, I believe it is harder to make a great sub- 3" knife then a 4" knife.
I have tried lots of sub- 3" knives & have found several ( count on one hand with fingers left over)
If Benchmade wants the best sub-3" they should collaborate with Bob T. For his TTF3b model. As Bob not taking orders, a collaboration between Bob & Benchmade would be great for knife buyers.
Or bring back the Park Ave with dual thumb studs
Latest highly recommended sub-3" I tried & sent back was the Air.
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kh

May 25, 2016 22:28
I've wanted a" mini" 940 for years now. It would be a great size to carry most of time.
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billhammer

May 25, 2016 23:09
Me too. Warren's custom knife from which the 940 was taken, had a model that was 75% the 940's size.
Warren himself hoped Benchmade would make the 75% size knife some day & he guessed it would happen when sales of the 940 slowed down. That was at a New York Knife Show, when the show was actually in NYC.
Who knew how popular & timeless the 940 would be.
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kh

May 25, 2016 23:35
I didnt know that Bill. Maybe that 75% smaleer 940 would be part of the osborne tribute. I think it would really sell well, especially in the right colors.
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mattr

May 26, 2016 00:03
You need a 770 Osborne
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billhammer

May 26, 2016 00:14
Sorry Matt 770 not high on my list of small knives
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mattr

May 26, 2016 00:33
quote:

Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
Sorry Matt 770 not high on my list of small knives

That was more of a suggestion for the OP for another of the smallest models they've done with an axis lock.
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applerod

May 26, 2016 00:40
quote:

Originally posted by 1DaveN:
Wishlist: a thin, light Benchmade folder with a 2-2.5 inch blade.
(...)If Benchmade were to make a small, light "gentleman's folder," I'd buy one in a second.(...)

The 482 Megumi is still on the market:
Benchmade 482

I don't own one, but it is a small, light, gentleman's folder with a sub-2.5 inch blade. The only knocks against it I can think of are:
1) It's not cheap.
2) Some people aren't crazy about the Nak-Lok.
3) It may (MAY) not be the sturdiest small knife available.

Other than that, I find it very attractive.
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billhammer

May 26, 2016 01:46
Thanks for the suggestion, but being left handed I don't buy anything that can't be open by either hand.
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1daven

May 26, 2016 02:19
Thanks. I had forgotten about the 482, but it looks like pretty much exactly what I had in mind. Lots of great reviews, too.
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kenmade

May 26, 2016 04:45
I guess the BM McHenry & Williams 310 Benchmite is too small.

It came in a auto 3100 or manual folder 310 with 154CM 2" blade.

Great little knife but easy to loss.
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1daven

June 11, 2016 01:48
Applerod, thanks for the great suggestion. Just pulled my 482 out of the mailbox an hour ago, and I really like it. The wood is a little darker that I expected, with sort of a reddish tint - it's a great looking knife. I've seen one or two people complain about the lanyard loop, but I'm neutral to it at worst. I don't need it but I also don't mind it.

I've recently gotten a 698 and a 556-1, and now this one. The 482 is as well built as the other two, and the blade is centered as well. Out of the box, it's the sharpest of the three. All three of these show the quality control I'd expect in what, at least for me, is the high end of the price range.

The Nak-Lok is going to take a little getting used to, but only because I've become so accustomed to Axis locks - I want to slide it rather than pushing it. I'll get used to that though. It's a little tighter than I like it, and you have to be sure you open it far enough for it to lock. My 698 was tight like that too, and it's just a matter of working it a little and maybe a drop or two of oil.

I started looking for a small knife because a bigger one (even the 698) might make some in my office uncomfortable. This is going to be fine with them, partly because it's small, and partly because the beautiful design makes it look very non-threatening. I'm happy.
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