Benchmade - Nakamura Axis 484, G10 Handle, Drop Point Blade, Plain Edge Satin Finish Knife, Made in the USA

This is a nice knife. Feels sturdy and feels good in the hand. It has a good weight. There is bad weight. This doesn't have it. It's well balanced. Overall I like the knife quite a bit. Likely due to the steel liner.The Axis lock is nice. There is worse(bug out). There's probably better locks of the same. I added a small small touch of oil to the lock to make it slide smoother. Made a noted difference. Not all axis locks are created equal. The one on the bug out, feels and is flimsier compared.Vs the 484-1 the main difference is the body. Carbon fiber vs g10. Very slight weight difference.Besides that and looks. Both have steel liners. Still blue class. The Axis is the same. Literally just the handle with some blue flare.To the blade.... The 484 has a M390 blade and the 484-1 has a S90v blade. This one has me guessing. Because in every case....M390 on par with S90v (truly depends on the heat treatment though). M390 has just as good edge retention, better corrosion Resistance, will chip LESS, and is easier to sharpen. So I'm chalking this up to some bad marketing. Cheaper knife having a better(imo) blade metal is something else.Bolher M390 is aka CMP-20cv just made by Crucible. Anyways... Get the cheaper knife and enjoy the better(imo) blade steel. S90v is in no way better vs M390, it's really just splitting hairs though. Them using so many steels is just a way to confuse customers. M390=CMP-20cv=CTS-204p. Essentially the same ingredients, different companies. CMP-M4 is kind of on it's own.... It's very tough and isn't likely to chip easy. But does hold a edge better vs S90v or M390(it's harder steel), it will rust though as it's not stainless.Now to the 698 Foray(discontinued but still for sale). This is REALLY a hard one. The foray has a 20cv blade, so the same metal, different company. Both have steel liners and are very comfortable to hold. Both weigh practically the same, same thickness handle(but not width). The forays blade is slightly thicker(.114, vs .137") the handle is 1/10 of an in longer, and the blade is slightly longer 1/5 inch). They look very different. Both have great jimping. I would call this a 100% draw. Though the Nakamura is wider. For everyday carry. The foray has the edge due to the way it's jimped and the overall width.If they where both the same price($136(nak) vs $191(foray) shipped from Amazon). I would go for the foray probably. I feel it's slightly more comfortable. The pocket clip is a deep carry and far better vs the nak(but I called Benchmade and they are shipping me one for the Nakamura).But the blade width and thickness on the Nakamura, does make it a better everyday carry. It's does better with slicing opening boxes....ECT...You truly cannot go wrong with either knife. I'm keeping both. They are both truly overall great knifes. Benchmade did a great job designing them.Vs the anthem....not going to go there.

I actually tried to cancel this order, but I'm really glad it was too late. I had just ordered two other Benchmade knives and was not at all impressed by either of them (943 Osbourne, and a 586 limited edition). I didn't like the 943 because it feels very cheap and flimsy with the aluminum handle and thin blade, and I didn't like the 586 because it didn't have a good feel and I don't think spring assist is a good idea with thumb studs (especially for such a short knife). So I figured I would stick with my Spyderco and Kershaws... I really like my Spyderco Manix 2, and Southard (both a little big for EDC though). And I love my Kershaw Leeks (I have several of these).The 484 is nearly perfect. My only real complaint is that the handle is too thick. My current EDC is a Leek and it's easily half the thickness of this 484, but nearly identical in every other dimension. I don't notice it in my pocket at all, so this 484 is very chunky in comparison. It's not too heavy (3.52 oz)... just thick (0.57 in). I'm sure I'll get used to it. The opening and closing is remarkably smooth. It doesn't seem to need any time to break in at all. Pull on the Axis lock and it easily glides / flicks open and closed, or just using the thumb stud it is SO smooth, and the lockup is rock solid. Axis lock is very easy to release -- not like a spyderco that needs thumb and index finger. One finger will easily release this one. Everything about it feels like top quality. It's an extremely well made knife. In my opinion, this knife is leagues above the 943 and 586.The description doesn't say it, but this 484 does not have assisted opening, which in my opinion is a good thing.Also, the pocket clip is the open arrow type and is silver. So I guess actually two complaints... I wish the clip was black. I prefer to not have a shiny metal clip. It looks beautiful with the contrast against the black handle, but draws too much attention for an every day carry knife.I don't think anyone could be disappointed with this knife, but I suppose that depends what you are looking for. To me, it is absolutely worth the $190 I paid for it.Here are the rest of the specs that should be in the description...Overall Length: 7.03"Blade Length: 3.08"Blade Thickness: 0.114"Blade Material: M390 Super Steel (Stainless)Blade Rockwell: 60-62HRCLock: Axis LockClosed Length: 3.95"Handle Thickness: 0.570"Handle Material: G10Liner(s): Stainless SteelClip: Stainless SteelWeight: 3.52 oz.Country of Origin: USA_________________UPDATE after one week of use:I have had a problem with the knife opening on its own when I pull it out of my pocket sometimes -- the thumb stud is catching on my pocket and coming opened. It's catching on the stud side I don't use, so if it's possible to replace the ambidextrous thumb stud with a single sided stud then it wouldn't happen. You can see in the picture, the back of the blade curves up where the thumb stud is attached, so when it's closed, the stud sticks out away from the handle quite a bit (making it easier to reach with your thumb, but also more likely to catch on your pocket). Also, because the blade opens SO easily it only has to barely contact your pocket for it to accidentally open half way. The first time it happened I was driving and took it out of my pocket to set it into the cup holder. I didn't notice until I parked the car that the blade was opened 1/3 of the way, tip up in my cup holder with my water bottle next to it in the other cup holder. That could have been bad.

Just what I was looking for. The size of the 484 fits my EDC needs exactly. I mainly use it for cutting 1/2 or 3/8 inch nylon rope, opening boxes, or that insane hard plastic new items will come packed in.Has a nice heft and weight for its size, and is nice and sharp right out of the box. And that M390 blade will hold an edge quite well.It's also nice looking. Personally, I like the shiny pocket clip.I only gave it four stars for two reasons, neither of them deal breakers.1. The thumb stud sits a little high and can get caught and can partially open the blade while removing from clipped on pocket. It doesn't happen often, but extra care should be taken.2. Opening the blade is really easy and smooth. But that same smoothness can work against you while closing. Keep your fingers clear because the blade can swing closed pretty easily. There's a review here with a photo of one wearing a bandaid because of that. And I closed it on my finger, but didn't get a cut.Well worth the price. The BM warranty and free sharpening make it worth it. One of my favorite EDC'sJust a little follow up here, tightened just a touch the six point pivot screw. Blade no longer loose enough to swing down and potentially cut poorly placed finger. :)