The titanium liner lock engagement seems weak on the examples of Benchmade Dejavoo 740s that I’ve examined. Hey Benchmade… fix this!

Once upon a time Benchmade had the perfect, high value EDC/lightweight tactical blade: The Ascent. At just 2.4 oz the Ascent is a great design. A nicely shaped, flat ground 3.5″ 440C blade, a strong lock back, fast deployment, tight lockup, perfect stonewash finish, and an excellent reversible pocket clip are the highppoints. And there’s not too many lows here: maybe just the pointy handle that might stick out of the pocket a bit while you’re carrying the Ascent. Wisely, BM chose to NOT put …

A quick look and observation on the Satin finished SOG Aegis tactical folder. Still a great knife in any coloration but the jimping on this version, due to the polishing process, is not as sharp as the black TiNi coated blades. Some careful block sanding with some 400 to 600 grit auto sandpaper (to square the edges) might make the jimping have some “bite” again. But as it comes from the factory, the jimping kind of sucks on this version and SOG should fix that….

Weighing in a just 3.8 oz and featuring a fast, perfectly swept AUS8 blade, the SOG Tac Auto is an excellent tactial auto choice. It’s standout features include: reasonable 3.8 oz weight, PERFECT pocket clip, attractive finishing, quality AUS8 swept drop point blade, glow in the dark SOG logo (!), perfect jimping, solid and fast lockup, and thin size. It’s a lot of auto knife for around 0 and I highly recommend it. Downsides would be the slick albeit attractive and thin handle and the …

Pending //////////////// Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 9 of 10

The Benchmade Mini Barrage 585 is a great EDC choice. I love the assisted opening Axis lock mechanism. It’s fast, strong, durable, and locks up securely with no movement. The Zytel handle offers unimpressive traction but shows interesting styling. I would much prefer a high traction G10 or Micarta scaled version of these knives, especially since the Model 585 hovers around the price point. However, even as is, the handle ergos are good and the 585 places well in hand in either forward or …

If there’s a right way to make a manual folding tactical or hunting knife this is it: The outstanding Benchmade Osborne Axis 940 series of knives. All makers take note of these knives: ultra fast and easy deployment due to perfect pivot construction and balance. Who needs an auto with deployment speed like this. It really doesn’t get any better than this. Add superior construction throughout, rock solid lock up, great 154CM blade steel, a cool purple titanium spacer on the back, strong clip …

The planets have aligned in the SOG Aegis and a nearly perfect lightweight tactical and larger sized EDC blade has been created by SOG. It is no secret that I advocate LIGHTWEIGHT, well-built, fast deploying, solid folders that use good materials. Oh yeah, I want these knives to look cool, have a deep, tip-up pocket clip, and have an affordable price. It sounds like a lot to ask for but it really isn’t. In this quest to promote these design criteria I haven’t relented and indeed my high …

You will love it, the wife will hate it (well most wives). In 2009, Benchmade has issued several intriguing designs that should awaken many of its fans to spend yet again more money on their knife passion…again disconcerting many spouses. But the tractor beam of Benchmade is pulling hard in 2009. Example: The Model 890 is a beautiful US-made knife featuring smooth, matte finished G10 scales that provide contrast against the stonewashed finished 154CM blade. The Steigerwalt-designed blade …

Two of the coolest autos around. Both are ultra quality lightweight tactical autos featuring excellent blade steel, fast deployment, solid lock up, good ergonomics, and have that intangible cool factor making them so much fun to handle. Good luck finding the Microtech Amphibian auto as I think it’s bye bye. The ProTech TR3 is still available and remains one of my favorite, best-executed and tough tactical autos: great steel,solid lockup after lightning fast deployment, good handle, and light …