I'm in the market for a new carry knife after a rather comical twist involving my carry of the past year or so, in which the first 1/5 inch of the tip turned 90 degrees. I'm through with cheap blades, and have decided to go for quality above the choices of my past. I'm leaning toward Benchmade, with the 732 and 690 being the primay styles of interest. Any of you guys had any contact with these or Benchmades in particular? Feel free to brag or talk down any knives you have had currently or in the past. My bent tip came from a S&W 4000. Of the Spyderco, CRKT, and Gerber knives I've had, I'd still recommend Spyderco and CRKT as excellent knives, but I'm looking forward to having something nicer for once.

I'm still carring my Air Force Survival Knife from the 50's. No Stainless, and holds an edge better than Stainless.

Lee L.

My everyday pocket knife is a Remington large 3 blade stockman.

If you can locate an older Case, you can't go far wrong either. I.ve had a couple of Bucks that held an edge good. Never bent a tip, but I broke about 1/8" off the tip of one of their lock backs. Sent it in for repair, and was sent a brand new one.

Lee L.

I have carried a folding Benchmade for about 6 years now. Its the best knife I have ever owned, also the most expensive. Never thought id own a hundred dollar knife, but I guess thats about average price for quality now a days. I have several knives that I use for different things, but this one is with me all the time.

I carry a case at work, they are about the only company that makes a decent electricians knife (no, i am not an electrician, but i do some electrical work in certain instances, plus the curved blade comes in handy for cutting tubing off a barbed fitting) Broke about an 1/8" off of a schrade cliphanger once, just sharpenen the broken point, good as new

I broke a cheap knife tip once. I needed a flat screwdriver, still keep that knife in a tackle box. It worked well for tightening the handle screw on an old real my dad used.

I carry gerbers, there cheap, but I abuse knives and the little gerber easy out I have had for 8 years or so will take some abuse. I even have a little gerber made in Tiawan that I wouldn't call junk for the 30 dollars I have in it. I also have a CRKT Mnt McKinley or something. It has a good blade but isn't very easy to use, I keep it for a spare deer cleaning knife.

Old German made Buck 110 and 120 are the best knives I have ever used. They could be an every day carry knife if you wanted a big lockblade. Mine are stashed away for safe keeping, can't find that kind of blade cheap anymore.

I have a Benchmade Pinnacle, I don't think they are manufactured anymore, but I've had this knife almost 5 years now and have always had it on me. I've never even thought about buying another carrying knife since I've gotten it, partly because it is hard to step down from a benchmade and also hard to justify another $150 on a knife when I have a perfectly good one in my pocket. Though if I did it again I would go with a straight blade with the black coating. I just have the regular uncoated with half serrations.

I'm looking at the 732, with a g-10 handle and a 3.6" coated non-serrated blade. I will admit strong temptation to spend $30 more and get a beautiful 690, but I just don't see the practical nature of having a work of art in my pocket.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.asp?model=732

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.asp?model=690

I am never without a Case Medium Stockman - it does anything I ask of it.

When I'm hunting or camping I use a Buck 110. Extrememly rugged and holds a great edge.

I carry a small Swiss pen knife.

Anything larger would probably just end up getting me injured more than it would be a deterant.

Yes, the CRKT knives are fine tools for the money. I'm pretty rough on knives and don't have the heart to trash a $100 benchmade.

At work I carry a CRKT M-16 and when I'm not working I usually have a CRKT Apache.

Kershaw 1560ST...a Ken Onion design with spring assist opener...I can get it open with a mitten on.

The more pressure you pot on the blade in the open position, the deeper the lockbar sets to keep it open. Good thing since it seems pretty easy to get it wicked sharp and I would not want it closing on MY fingers. I have parted out a few large critters with it and it keeps an edge. Seems to work to whip up a PB&J also...what more does a guy need?

Scotty

CfA,
I've got both of them; niether of them are well suited for everyday carry, unless you have a thinner bladded knife as well. The 690 has a thicker blade and the Rosewood is a laminate. Sharpening some of the BM's in 154CM/ATS-34 can be a real chore. You might want to take a closer look at the mini-griptillion for everyday carry.
Dan

My constant companion is a Victorinox Swiss Officers' Model. This is a very basic knife with two sharpened blades and a couple of flat screwdriver/can/bottle opener blades. It is amazing how often I find a use for this wee beastie!

Queen 2 3/4 Trapper for everyday carry, carry a Puma folder for hunting, and use a Puma solid in the deer room. They will all keep an edge that will dry-shave.

mine is a regular red multipurpose swiss knife that i have been using for more then ten years, i had it when i was a boy scout, he folowed me everywhere i've been!!!!

I also carry the CRKT M-16. I've gotten so used to the added finger open feature that I'm not sure I could go back to just a thumb stud. Of course the other pocket carries the Swiss army "tinker" just to balance things out.

Cause for Alarm,

Where are you looking to get your knife? on gunbroker i noticed the 690 is about 120. I got mine way back when from an online knife retailer (forget who it is now though :( ) ebay has some too, you might want to check there as well. If you do have a good source for benchmades sold cheap I would be interested.

EDIT-I found these sites, pretty good prices, know nothing of the company though http://www.theknifeconnection.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=176

http://store.yahoo.com/emergencyoptions/benchmade.html

It affordable I've used it for almost three years and been really impressed with my kershaw vapor. It cost about $20. And when I say I used it I use it ,cutting hay bales all winter, then I use as my kitchen knife and often as a fork (don't like doing dishes) I've cleaned rabbits and pronghorn with it. (I forgot my 6in shrade) I've been extreamly impressed with my $20 walmart kershaw.

I carry a Gerber LST, its pretty small, but for everyday use, it works for me. I am on my 5th, have broken one, thrown one in the river by accident, dropped one into a hole, etc. I would be afraid of carrying one of my more expensive knives. I do have larger knives I use, but not everyday.
Andy

I carry either my Leatherman Supertool or my Winchester buck knife.

Leatherman or Cold Steel can't beat em join em.

Thanks for all the replies guys. Never held a Cold Steel yet, and for that matter never held either of the benchmade's I'm looking at. Won't consider Leatherman after a recent political showing on their behalf, but I don't care for multi-tools anyways.
Dan K,
What factors led to your views on the 690 and 732. The 690's blade is a bit thick, and the 732 is a good sized knife for carry usage, but I prefer the larger 3.6" blade of the 732 over the past 3" and 3.5" blades I've had before. I'm actually leaning towards owning my first non-serrated knife.
I will say that for EDC, nothing beats the Spyderco Delica full serrated that my dad carries, but it just doesn't appeal to me.

my first choice is a leatherman,its got blades, saws, screwdrivers and scissors you wouldnt beleive how many times you need the scissors or screwdrivers, i had a leatherman pulse until i lost it a couple of weeks ago, after that for just a knife is a buck 112 ive used one for alot of years until i got the leatherman but i broke the tip off it the other day now ive got to send it back to them

I carry 3 fairly cheap pocket knives all the time.

When hunting I carry 1 or 2 cheap ($5-$15) knives, that way when I lose them as I seem to like to do it is no big deal, LOL

Michael Grace

I carry a Benchmade 350 in ATS-34 on a daily basis. I don't agree on it being difficult to sharpen ATS-34. I keep all my knives sharp enough to shave and find this steel exceptional in retension and ability to easily sharpen on one of my stones or simply strope on a piece of cardboard.

Over the last few years I have gone through several different type of knives, but all on them folders.

From left to right:
1. CRKT model M16-03. Nice light knife, but too big
2. Spyderco Delica. Semi serrated, very good cutter, light. Quality Knife.
3. Gerber mini Applegate/Fairburn folder. This one by far is my everyday carry round knife. I recently used it as a screwdriver [duh] and subsequently arced the blade 'agiin a soleniod, so she's been heat treated...:(
4. Another Spyderco, this one a stainless pro-grip. Heavy knife but a good skinner and cutter on game due to the fact that the blade is the same thickness thruout it's length.
5. Last but not least, The "gentleman's knife" from Klein tools.

While working for Mercedes, I found a gold bracelet between the seat and console of a car I was servicing. I turned it in to the Service Mgr, who gave it back to the owner. Well it seems the owner of the car, and also a big wig with Klein tools was so pleased with finding his wifes lost bracelet, he gave me this as a thank you. It's just a great little pocket knife. It is all stainless with a mohogany inlaid stripe.


http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL326/682422/1127617/69808085.jpg

I've been carrying a Schrade/Old Timer/Uncle Henery since I was 14 years old. I've gone through different models over the years, but eventually settled on a single lock blade. I usually carry, I believe, a model 8OT, but I can't find that model down here, so I will carry the 55UH. Been many a critter skinned and gutted with just a pocket knife.

I plan on buying a Spyderco Sharpmaker with my next purchase, and will practice on my old blades until I have the proficiency to work on the new knife. Any of you guys use this particular sharpener?

I have a gatco sharpener that i absolutely love, its probably 6 or 7 years old and the coarse stone is starting to wear a bit, but it puts a great edge on my knifes.

I plan on buying a Spyderco Sharpmaker with my next purchase, and will practice on my old blades until I have the proficiency to work on the new knife. Any of you guys use this particular sharpener?

I use the Lansky system to sharpen straight blades.

I have the Prof. Hunter from Blade-tech. They are used by The Alaskan Game and Fish, Wa St Troopers and prof guides from all over. I happen to work about a mile away from the factory so I saved on the shipping.
www.blade-tech.com


Cajun

My everyday carry is a Spyderco Jess Horn...love it. When I'm in the field, My carry is a 30 yr old Buck 110. That old blade just holds an edge great.

Update if you care to know, I ended up buying a Benchmade 732, and so far I am very impressed. Great fit for my hand, dual thumb studs so I can open with either hand with ease, and solid construction. Smooth locking system, the AXIS is simple yet seems to be stronger than the liner locks I've had in the past. Blade is 154 cm, and came with the best factory edge I've had. No hard use yet, so I can't tell anything but that its a strong push cutter with excellent slicing ability. Opening is fast, but slower than my broken-tipped S&W, which I can open with a clean wrist flick without stud contact. That opening style might be stressful to the lock, but even the lock on the cheap S&W shows no sign of dangerous weakness yet. At this point I've got the confidence of a spokesman in the Benchmade, I'll post any possible problems if they come along.

Congrats your your new knife. I don't have an axis-lock yet, but my monolock can be opened with a flick of the wrist. Your thread got me looking at benchmades again and so I have a couple on order for my fiancee and me. DARN YOU!!!!! I bought her a purple 556 (griptilian) so we'll see how the axis lock works with that one.