This is an overview of what brought me back to Benchmade after a rocky start with a 551 Griptillian of 440C some nearly seven years back. I loved it's mechanical construction and size - but, still in the box, ie, I didn't inspect it at the store. It was so dull it needed heat to cut butter. Skip ahead to 12/07 -I elected to try again and I acquired from a large MO store a brand new 201 Activator+ (D2). Sadly, another nicely made butter knife. It really had no chance, a Bark River 'Huntsman' - super little convex edged shaver - arrived the same day. A small collection of B R fb's later, and I started looking at Sebbies, the Buck #172 Mayo TNT, etc. Someone posted a picture of a 630 & 635 - I was on a quest.

First stop - my Sharpmaker and that 440C Grip - hmmm, very nice knife! The Activator+ took more time, D2 is tough. Impressive knife - now. I found a 635BH locally - but our anniversay was near, I had no knife moola. My wife shocked me with that new 635BK - wow! A shaver, too. I took a chance on an Evil-bay 630 - big WOW! I was on a roll - and bought a 610 RUKUS - good grief, three in a row - shavers right out of the box. Great grinds, centered blades, great engagement - and that AXIS lock is impressive.

It didn't stop... my wife gave me a new 710D2 for my birthday while we were on vacation. My Buck 110 EDC is in jeopardy - another keeper. Last evening, I relented - and made it to the 'pusher's to 'look' at the 760BK LTi - again. It's here on my desk. Mine is perfect - even raises arm hairs with the tanto blade, something I didn't like a few months back, but 'accept' now.

This sojourn into Benchmade could have never happened, if I had kept my displeasure at two butter knives in view. In their defense, I never contacted BM. I guess my greatest advice here is, whether you got a butter knife, a 580 that breaks springs, or a poorly centered 760, etc, give BM another chance - they make a really great product. I am elated over all of mine now.

Stainz

Welcome to the forum bud. Glad the blades are working for you now.

Nice report and Welcome Stainz. On sharpening Benchmades I have trouble with dull D2 blades, and sometimes have to send them up to Benchmade for a new edge. Then touching up is farly easy. But for the other steels like 440c and 154cm my Sharpmaker does a very nice job.

Sounds like you're off to a good start, and I'd keep using that classic 110...they're still good working knives.

Stainz, congrats on the knives. I wasn't happy with how off center my 760 was, but my Rukus (I gifted it to a buddy that almost got killed when his 710 got robbed) and my Rift, which I just got, are flawless. Not the sharpest out of the box, but that doesn't bother me. The thin edges on the Rukus and Rift make great cutters, and I rebevel all of my own knives to way beyond factory sharpness levels right after I get them anyway. If you only have a Sharpmaker it is nice if the factory edge is under 15 per side, as my Rukus and Rift were. My 760 was a monstrous 35 degrees per side though.

Mike