First Impressions - 757 Vicar
I have worked hard trading, selling and saving in order to buy one the 2015 new releases, and was torn between the 757 and the 484-1. A call from the nearby Army-Navy (whose knife and gun department manager knows I am a new Benchmade addict) telling me that he had a new shipment of 761s and 757s made the decision for me...a 757 it would be.
I arrived at the store to find several Vicars and I quickly picked one out and brought it home. Opening the beautiful blue box, the first thing that struck me was the weight. This is NOT a "disappear in the pocket" piece of cutlery! The blade was centered perfectly (and I do mean perfectly, as my caliper attested) and the G-10 scales were impressively "grippy." I noticed NO hot spots when grasping the knife forehand or even backhand. The edges have been smoothed and chamfered for comfort and the jimping ridges on the back - spacer were not uncomfortable. The jimping on the back of the blade matched perfectly with the jimping on the fore-end of the back of the handle. [By now I hope I am spelling "jimping" correctly.] It was obvious to me that they BM folks had paid true attention to detail with this big handful of a knife, and a handful it is, even for my extra-large mitts.
I flicked the blade open and it was flawlessly smooth. As a matter of fact, it was so smooth it sent me scurrying to the catalog to find out if this knife had the familiar bronze/phosphor washers or a ball-bearing system. The liner lock-up was early and came with a satisfying "click" (Yes I enjoy satisfying clicks except when the clicking sound is coming from my joints). This knife would be fun to open, close, open, close....
There was no, nada, zip, zero (not even a smidgen of) play in the blade up, down left or right. This is a good thing, because the scales cover the pivot screw - something I don't understand.
The grind on the blade was completely even from stem to stern. The blade itself reminds me of a kind of Bowie knife blade without the pronounced Clip point, and it is THICK and meaty. Love the balance and love the fit and finish. I hope that some day there will be another model done with the AXIS lock, though this lock-up is solid.
I would love to see a comparison video of hard-use testing against something like a ZT 301 or something similar. I love this knife. Well done Benchmade.
Jay
I arrived at the store to find several Vicars and I quickly picked one out and brought it home. Opening the beautiful blue box, the first thing that struck me was the weight. This is NOT a "disappear in the pocket" piece of cutlery! The blade was centered perfectly (and I do mean perfectly, as my caliper attested) and the G-10 scales were impressively "grippy." I noticed NO hot spots when grasping the knife forehand or even backhand. The edges have been smoothed and chamfered for comfort and the jimping ridges on the back - spacer were not uncomfortable. The jimping on the back of the blade matched perfectly with the jimping on the fore-end of the back of the handle. [By now I hope I am spelling "jimping" correctly.] It was obvious to me that they BM folks had paid true attention to detail with this big handful of a knife, and a handful it is, even for my extra-large mitts.
I flicked the blade open and it was flawlessly smooth. As a matter of fact, it was so smooth it sent me scurrying to the catalog to find out if this knife had the familiar bronze/phosphor washers or a ball-bearing system. The liner lock-up was early and came with a satisfying "click" (Yes I enjoy satisfying clicks except when the clicking sound is coming from my joints). This knife would be fun to open, close, open, close....
There was no, nada, zip, zero (not even a smidgen of) play in the blade up, down left or right. This is a good thing, because the scales cover the pivot screw - something I don't understand.
The grind on the blade was completely even from stem to stern. The blade itself reminds me of a kind of Bowie knife blade without the pronounced Clip point, and it is THICK and meaty. Love the balance and love the fit and finish. I hope that some day there will be another model done with the AXIS lock, though this lock-up is solid.
I would love to see a comparison video of hard-use testing against something like a ZT 301 or something similar. I love this knife. Well done Benchmade.
Jay
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Oh my...a fourth liner lock knife in my collection?
...it could happen.
Thanks for contributing to the delinquency of a knife collector there Shep.
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quote:Thanks for contributing to the delinquency of a knife collector there Shep.
Always glad to be of assistance. Resistance is futile.
J.0 -
Nice review thanks for posting. 0 -
Hello..new to the forum..thanks for the review on the 757. I received mine yesterday to find that is 750 of 1000 first production. I really want to EDC this knife..should I? would you? any opinions greatly appreciated 
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Being first production doesn't really add any value to the knife, IMO. In fact, plenty of guys prefer a regular production knife because it doesn't have any writing on the blade. So use the knife and have fun.
Oh, welcome to the forum, by the way.0 -
+1 to what Trailboss said.
I'd put it to use.0 -
I heard of a man who some years back purchased a brand new sledge hammer and was afraid to scratch it. Ok ..thanks for the advice:?) 0 -
advice well taken 0 -
Years ago, I read a book written by a national caliber trainer of English Pointer and English Setter field trial quail dogs...run from horseback on huge plantations in the south.
He said that when he buys a new saddle he always brings it back to the ranch and throws it in the horse trough. He says it doesn't do anything for the saddle...but from that time forward, he can use it without ever worrying about messing it up.
I came to that attitude regarding new high quality knives like Benchmade. Why should I save them just for my kids to sell at a yard sale after I'm gone? As far as investments go, I think they are low on the scale of profitability. So...you won't find very many safe-queens around here. If I buy a new knife it is usually put to use.0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
Years ago, I read a book written by a national caliber trainer of English Pointer and English Setter field trial quail dogs...run from horseback on huge plantations in the south.
He said that when he buys a new saddle he always brings it back to the ranch and throws it in the horse trough. He says it doesn't do anything for the saddle...but from that time forward, he can use it without ever worrying about messing it up.
I came to that attitude regarding new high quality knives like Benchmade. Why should I save them just for my kids to sell at a yard sale after I'm gone? As far as investments go, I think they are low on the scale of profitability. So...you won't find very many safe-queens around here. If I buy a new knife it is usually put to use.
Hunting for a review of the 757, I found your comments. I have to say, I am with you all the way. I'm not going to buy enough knives to have them pay off as an investment on any real sense, so I'm going to use them all. If I'm not comfortable enough with a knife to actually use it and have it get dirty, etc, I don't want it. Sure, I appreciate them, but as you said,my kids, wife, whoever finds these after I'm gone sure won't.
Having said that, I have a gorgeous 710-1401 that is so pretty I haven't carried it outside of my home office yet. Today I will!0 -
quote:Originally posted by Redwood25:
...I'm going to use them all. If I'm not comfortable enough with a knife to actually use it and have it get dirty, etc, I don't want it...
Precisely how I feel. I have owned a few knives that were just too valuable, or had beautiful and fragile materials. I couldn't bring myself to damage them, so I sold them.0 -
Excellent write up Po.....as usual my friend!!
Red!!!! Did he 710 see the light of day yet bro???
Had mine out tonight while walking the dog.....must've flicked it a thousand times!!! Hard to believe that with such a large blade it is so smooth!!! Flicks out super fast!! Great knife!!!0 -
Jeez I got on here cus I want a vicar and now I want a 710 too.. 0 -
Easy. Get both.
Really.
Do it.
I'm serious though.
Get 'em.
2 amazing folders right there.0 -
All in good time my friend. 0 -
But of course.
Isn't this indeed a good time though?
Muhahahaha!
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