So I found a first production Bedlam for a pretty decent price on BF the other day and decided to get it. Finally arrived today and I have to say, this thing is my favorite Benchmade I've gotten in a LONG time. Why isn't there more love for the 8600? It's one of the best Auto's out there easily, extremely quick, decent steel, reasonable weight, good grip and the best ergo's I've ever gotten on a blade. I absolutely love it!

+1 on that. IMHO, it's a great looking knife, feels good in the hand. Someone needs to use it in a movie...

I agree with you, it’s a great knife. I already have the serrated version and I finally saved up enough pennies to get the plain edge version, which I just ordered today

Good to hear Auto, I know that you have been wanting a PE Bedlam. They are a sweet knife, that's for sure.

Yep, mine's plain edge. This'll probably be one of the few Benchmade's I'll definitely keep. Great knife!

Ugh, wish I'd gotten one sooner. When they were first announced I fell in love with the looks of the PE one, but figured I'd never be able to carry it and was afraid I'd regret it. Now I REALLY want it and I have too many other projects I have to pay for in the next couple months.

Have to agree - it's fantastic! I'm tempted to buy another one and try to remove the spring so I could actually carry it in CA...

quote:

Originally posted by TD22057:
Have to agree - it's fantastic! I'm tempted to buy another one and try to remove the spring so I could actually carry it in CA...

As long as you're trying to be all legal and everything, is there a blade length limit in Cali? I don't know either way, but it wouldn't surprise me. Here in WA we have no length limit on folders, but half of the cities have municipal code that limits you. Good idea about removing the spring though, if an auto axis can be converted to a regular axis it would actually be a functional improvement lol. Just put the spring back in when you want to show off at home.

If we had state pre-emption here, we'd be a lot better off. State law is fixed blades must be worn openly, folders can be concealed or worn openly. Switchblades have a 2" limit for possesion in a public place or your vehicle. The problem is that Los Angeles city and county (which is bigger than some states), impose a 3" limit on openly worn folders. So if you want to clip it to your pocket, it better be under 3".

The bedlam is such a great design, it seems like a shame to never be able to carry it...

Because it's illegal in Cali and those of us who can't get one try not to talk about what is only going to be a tease.

Then there are those of us who just plain old 'gets an attitude' because it IS illegal.