Classic Benchmade you probably haven't heard of

Grant Lamontagne · **on:** February 15, 2012, 06:29:51 PM

This is a little story about an extinct creature called the Benchmade Panther.

Whether it's not so great specs caused it's demise, or whether the squared, not so well developed ergonomics caused sales to plummet I couldn't say, but I will say this- I saw this knife many times in the store and I never bought it until the store owner told me it was discontinued. Then I snapped it up.

Then even after I bought it I still didn't care for it and carried my 830 Ascent more- of course in those days it was still called an Eclipse and the hole was perfectly round because Benchmade was supporting Spyderco in their unsuccessful attempts to patent a hole. At that time the trend was to support Spyderco while still producing knives with what eventually became their trademark.

Still, this knife did start to make it into rotation- I bought it as a collectible, and didn't care for it enough to keep it clean and pretty, although after a bit of use it really started to grow on me. Yes the handle seemed square, but not in a bad way. The handle was only Zytel but the echo of the liner lock snapping into place inside the handle gave it a very robust sound, and the blade.... don't get me started on the blade!

The blade is like chocolate wrapped in sex beckoning from the next room- the subtle recurve is perfection in a blade on a scale I've never encountered before or since. It always presents an angle to whatever you are cutting for maximum penetration with a minimum of effort, but it's so subtle you don't even know it's there. This knife is such a joy to cut with, it should probably be illegal.

Sadly the one I bought that day went missing some time after I bought it- I never saw it again, but I spent years hunting down another. I managed to find a clip point version, but it just wasn't the same. Eventually I found this one, brand new on box and I just had to have it. Now it sits in my office under lock and key and only comes out for the occasional fondle when no one it looking!

It's mine and you can't have it....

Def

Beerplumber · **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2012, 06:37:02 PM

Soo... No pass-around?

:p what's the length on that bad boy def?

Stay multi my friends

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2012, 07:40:07 PM

I'd say about 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches. Great size for a utility blade but a little small for repelling ninja attacks.

Def

Smitty44 · **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2012, 08:37:48 PM

Thats the only Benchmade I've seen that I like,I can see why you like it.

nuphoria · **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2012, 09:39:52 PM

It is illegal... where to carry here anyway

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2012, 10:21:41 PM

Quote from: Smitty44 on February 15, 2012, 08:37:48 PM

Thats the only Benchmade I've seen that I like,I can see why you like it.

I like lots of different Benchmades, but this one is very distinctive, at least inasmuch as it's not that distinctive. It's pretty plain by BM standards, but they apparently put the effort into this one where it counted. If my house was burning down and I could only save one tactical knife (you know, since I already spent a lot of time getting the SAKs and multitools out!) this would be the one I grab.

On paper the plastic handle and (I believe) ats-34 blade it's not going to win anyone over, but there's just something special about this one and you really have to use it to appreciate it.

Def

jekostas · **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2012, 12:15:17 AM

There's one for sale on eBay right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Benchmade-Folder-BALI-SONG-ATS-34-RARE-USA-Knife-Used-/250995202922?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item3a707adb6a#ht_2185wt_1185

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2012, 12:22:22 AM

I hope someone else here grabs it so I don't have to. I could use a spare, but I don't have the funds to go after this one.

Def

Potassium Hydroxide · **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2012, 08:57:41 AM

The handle shape reminds me of the Skyline.

Beerplumber · **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2012, 04:53:00 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on February 15, 2012, 07:40:07 PM

I'd say about 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches. Great size for a utility blade but a little small for repelling ninja attacks.

Def

Unless you have mad pirate skills!

Stay multi my friends

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2012, 03:57:04 AM

I thought pirates repelled ninjas with a cannon?

Def

Styerman · **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2012, 09:25:47 PM

I scored on NIB , gave it to a childhood friend , who had worn his out .

Chris

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2012, 11:13:14 PM

I'm not surprised- this is a fantastic knife. It's one of those gems everyone overlooked and ignored when they were available and started to appreciate only long after they'd gone.

Def

jekostas · **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2012, 11:40:01 PM

Look, it ain't a ultra-jimped, mega-molded, hyper-grip handled tactical sharpened prybar with the latest CPM Japanese Supremo Orange Steel, nobody cares any more.

And this post started out as a joke but now I'm kinda sad.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2012, 01:33:57 AM

Until they start making titanium belted envelopes or carbon fiber packing tape I don't see a need for most super steels!

Def

Travis Autry · **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2012, 04:39:35 AM

This thread caused me to pull out my old Benchmade AFCK. I bought it sometime in the early 90's. It's ATS-34 blade shows some wear, but it still cuts like a razor and fits well in my EDC rotation. I don't often need a one-hand opening knife, but it is a dandy.

Out of curiosity I looked on the big auction site at current prices. It almost made me wish I'd kept mine in mint condition, but I wouldn't sell it. I enjoy it too much for that.

Woz · **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2012, 06:27:30 PM

Nice knife. I like Benchmades, but the only one I really carry is a MiniGriptilian. I do not know why, but in doubt I always prefer Spyderco or SOG over Benchmade. Still, I´d love to own a Skirmish, that was an amazing knife!

David Bowen · **Reply #17 on:** November 13, 2016, 04:39:10 PM

Figured I would revive this thread. Been carrying the Benchmade Panther and showing this old knife some love. Very simple and very 90s, it reminds me of simpler times when we didn't need high end blade steels and titanium mono locks. It's right up there with my Spydero Endura is the same steel.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #18 on:** November 13, 2016, 11:22:20 PM

Such a beautiful knife- I'm glad you got it. Of it should ever need to move on, let me know. I had a hard enough time resisting it the first time, I doubt I would do it again!

Btw. ...

Def

Sea Monster · **Reply #19 on:** November 14, 2016, 03:13:00 AM

Quote

carbon fiber [...] tape

Well....

As for your OP - No, I had not heard of them. Now I have, and they're discontinued.

Do you know what they call people who show off cool discontinued gear?

F-ing Jerks

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #20 on:** November 14, 2016, 03:55:44 AM

Quote from: Sea Monster on November 14, 2016, 03:13:00 AM

Quote
carbon fiber [...] tape

Well....

As for your OP - No, I had not heard of them. Now I have, and they're discontinued.

Do you know what they call people who show off cool discontinued gear?

F-ing Jerks

They were discontinued long before I started this site, so one could argue if I never did that you'd still be blissful.

This is one of my all time favorite dedicated folders.

Def

David Bowen · **Reply #21 on:** November 17, 2016, 02:33:35 AM

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

David · **Reply #22 on:** November 17, 2016, 09:23:28 AM

I remember seeing them back in the day but was more interested in other knives at the time.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #23 on:** November 17, 2016, 11:35:40 AM

Me too, but I'm glad I got it eventually!

Def

pfrsantos · **Reply #24 on:** November 17, 2016, 12:28:25 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on February 15, 2012, 06:29:51 PM

This is a little story about an extinct creature called the Benchmade Panther.

(...)

The blade is like chocolate wrapped in sex beckoning from the next room- the subtle recurve is perfection in a blade on a scale I've never encountered before or since. It always presents an angle to whatever you are cutting for maximum penetration with a minimum of effort, but it's so subtle you don't even know it's there. This knife is such a joy to cut with, it should probably be illegal.

(...)

It's mine and you can't have it....

Def

You probably know it by now...

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When I saw what you wrote, the first thing that came to mind was...

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$:-\$ $:-\$

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #25 on:** November 17, 2016, 10:39:44 PM

Got any mileage on that knife yet Dave?

Def

David Bowen · **Reply #26 on:** November 18, 2016, 02:44:40 AM

Yeah I've used it a little bit so far, knife took a good edge when I sharpened it up. The knife is very light and easy to carry/use. The handle and style remind me a lot of my Kershaw Speedform only in zytel not titanium, really growing on me.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #27 on:** November 18, 2016, 01:49:13 PM

Yeah, you really need to carry and use this knife to appreciate it properly. The square handle feels weird at first but the weight and balance quickly make up for it.

Def

SteelRaven · **Reply #28 on:** November 22, 2016, 02:48:17 PM

Yeah Grant that's one I've never seen...or I don't REMEMBER seeing her...but I'm getting old...

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #29 on:** November 23, 2016, 02:46:45 AM

You and me both mon ami.

Def

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