Benchmade the 495 vector, benchmade iterative design, and neat blade shapes

[Abyss_Fish]

So recently I've been looking around at the Benchmade models, in production and not, that I hadn't heard much about. Thinks like the Nestucca Cleaver from the hunt series, and the 490 Arcane from the axis-assist line. Or, the two that got me thinking, the 707 Sequel, and the 495 Vector.

So I was on BladeHQ, goofing around in the Benchmade section, and the 495 Vector catches my eye. the blade shape is absolutely gorgeous. Benchmade is starved for interesting blade shapes so I clicked on it immediately. But oh no, another boring s30v Benchmade. oh well. if only it was a little higher end. That would make it worth the price. If only Benchmade made new versions of designs with higher end materials and refined design...

But wait! They do! I've been carrying a 485 Valet (the shinola version shown in the reference photos), a knife with the nearly the same blade shape and really exactly the same purpose as the 707 sequel! And in my opinion done better, lighter, longer, stronger, f a s t e r, and even better: not discontinued. Iterative design at it's finest, even if they don't say so explicitly.

reference photos:

So, is there a point other than that I want a non assisted 495 Vector with aluminum scales and a blade in m390? Not really no. But I want to create a discussion, have any of you seen this kind of non-direct iteration? Are there knives you'd like to see iterated upon? Am I a big nitpicking steel nerd? Am I dumb? luv u guys.

 

[Silent H]

The 495 Vector is probably my favorite Benchmade right now, it has a nice thin blade and the handle is super comfortable. I agree that they should make an upgraded version, I think it would be great with 20CV and a green and black layered G10 handle.

I think the assist scares some people away, but it shouldn't. The assisted action on the Vector feels more like a regular detent based flipper than a speedsafe assisted action. I think this is because they use a coil spring rather than the torsion bar used on the speedsafe and other assisted knives. If you like the look of the Vector, you should definitely get one, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Abyss_Fish]

One of my speedsafe kershaws actually just broke lol. And it’s not that I’m afraid of it, especially with the safety, I just love flopping around the blade on axis locks. I feel like assisting them takes away from that. Although I suppose it fits in with its tactical styling.

 

[NorthernSouthpaw]

De-assisting a Benchmade is pretty easy. There are plenty of YouTube vids on how.
I find nothing wrong with S30V. It was one of the first to be designed specifically for use in knives. Just because there is bigger & better available does not diminish It's quality. Hell, 4-ish years ago S30V was one of the top steels on the market. That's why major brands like BM and Spyderco bought a ton of it.

 

[K.O.D.]

I understand they bought a lot of S30V, but it still doesn't justify some of the prices they charge for it.

If Benchmade could get the quality control under control, as well as their pricing, I might consider one. Benchmade has become a company that mostly relies on sales at big box stores, at full retail to those who are unaware, and not really into the hobby.

I'd like to see some of the newer Spydercos be offered in better steel.

 

[goldie]

I had one early on but I just didn't think it was worth the price,given the materials used.Too bad it wasn't s35vnwith better handles than black g10....

 

[Abyss_Fish]

I agree s30v is fine. I carry an s30v panchinco dog tag on my neck everyday and that thing cuts like a dream, reasonably priced too at 60 bucks. But I agree with the pricing ussue K.O.D. brought up. I mean, why pay 200 dollars for s30v or jesus christ vg-10. When I could pay the same for m390 or something specialized like cpm-3v?

 

[Silent H]

I find nothing wrong with S30V. It was one of the first to be designed specifically for use in knives. Just because there is bigger & better available does not diminish It's quality. Hell, 4-ish years ago S30V was one of the top steels on the market. That's why major brands like BM and Spyderco bought a ton of it.

You're absolutely right, S30V is great, it can just be a bit challenging to sharpen sometimes. I find 20CV much easier to maintain on my sharpmaker, but maybe I'm just crazy. More importantly, the geometry on the Vector is great, it's nice and thin.