Of course, this doesnt exactly cover you if you snap a blade trying to pry open a locker or a knife youve ground a divet in using a power grinder, but in the event that sort of thing accidentally happens, you can still send the knife in and they will repair whatever necessary for a relatively fair price. Blade Style: TantoBlade Composition: CPM-3VHandle Composition: GrivoryBlade Length: 3.38Total Length: 8.07Total Weight: 2.05 ounces. I think the name probably sums up why its in the EDC category but lets explore what makes this one of the most popular reverse-tanto blades on the market today. Blade Style: TantoBlade Composition: 154CMHandle Composition: Rib Textured 6061-T6 AluminumBlade Length: 4.5Total Length: 9.45Total Weight: 5 ounces. When you buy it, you will see a document certifying that your purchase comes with a limited lifetime warranty. This Scandinavian inspired Puukko knife is a small, light, and nifty tool despite being fixed and needing a sheath. This puts the tang of the blade between the steel stopping pin and the AXIS spring-loaded bar, ensuring its fully locked and isnt able to retract in any manner under any usage without using the thumb button to move the tensioner bar out of the way. The Benchmade North Fork is a handsome folding knife designed for hunting, but it has all the right features to make for a great everyday carry blade as well. Pick something with a slightly lower HRC rating. The 3V depends on personal prefernce but it won't break when prying and so on despite having a thin tip. In fact, all the knives we tested are well made. Below are some excellent and affordable alternatives for the Benchmade North Fork 1503. Here Are the Best Benchmade Knives for EDC 1. The. Blade Style: Spear-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: G10Blade Length: 3.6Total Length: 8.42Total Weight: 4.11 ounces. The differences are namely quite clear. Along with fire its one of the most basic tools when you have a knife you can manufacture almost anything else youre likely to need, including shelter. Best Hiking Watches Hiking Watches for Outdoor Adventures! Aside from the somewhat unique blade shape approach, Benchmade has managed to offer you a 3.4 blade in a package that weighs less than 3 ounces and yet still manages to offer an excellent grip and a heavy-hitting S30V steel blade. By the way, Nimravus is the genus name of a long-extinct ancient saber-toothed cat that was known for its massive and ultra deadly dagger-shaped teeth, certainly a big cat youd only want to encounter if you had the knife inspired by its most lethal attributes. The hardness gives the blade incredible rigidity and strength but requires a little love and care to keep in tip-top shape. Secondly, all Benchmade knives are American made right here in Oregon City, Oregon. It does have a thicker heavier blade than the others but this in tun makes for a smooth balanced action and have little blade play. You must log in or register to reply here. You have an outdated webbrowser. As such you don't have to worry about that. Stay tuned for the first newsletter in the morning, straight to your inbox. The Bedlam features a rather massive feeling 4 Scimitar inspired blade packed into an impressively compact package all being tied together with G10 handles and equipped with the coveted AXIS Lock. These knives appear basic and simple but are extremely over-engineered and will serve you well for many years to come. Now you have a good idea of what sort of knife you should be looking for, but theres still a huge choice. If youre a fan of Benchmades assisted opening and stunning wood handles, this is it for you. Id argue that this is an excellent knife for someone looking in the premium folding Tanto section. But that is basically all they have in common. It's a more solid feeling knife than its bigger brother because the liners fill almost all of the handle area. I REALLY appreciate all the thoughts and opinions. The high end Mini Grip is probably too expensive for mainstream folks. Probably youre looking for some recommendations so heres one: The North Fork by Benchmade. However, some users did complain that the axis locking mechanism on this model wasnt as good as expected, though a little tinkering usually takes care of that. They offer some real advantages, especially when youre working blind inside a cavity; its much easier to predict where the smaller blade is going to be, so youre less likely to find it sticking in your other hand. However, if you keep it dry, these beautiful handles remain perfectly serviceable. Keep in mind that a higher HRC also means a more brittle knife, and its going to be a nightmare to sharpen. This knife doesnt offer a whole lot of versatility and it wouldnt exactly be my first choice to go camping with, but if someones primary goal was to cause me or my loved ones harm, the Contego is the folding knife Id look for to defend myself with. Most knives of such models are very compact so that you could easily carry them around while camping and hiking. These knives do not require a lot of attention or maintenance, they dont whimper in the face of harsh elements or heavy usage, and they simply get the job done every single time. I'm just a survivalist and knife lover. I think the Bailout is amazing. They are one of the widely recognized brands in the knife industry across the country. Make no mistake, these Valox handles are seriously high quality and are only going to be found in premium knives with premium price tags. The main drive behind its design was to produce a tool with the performance for dressing out a deer in a small package. The handle also has a lanyard hole at one end. The price is quite reasonable for a Benchmade, and the performance coupled with a modern aesthetic look makes it the best Benchmade knife for giving to someone who loves knives. Another difference is that the original Freek came equipped with lower quality handles called Versaflex but the Super Freek comes with those G10 handles we all know and love so much. I was wondering if you had any recommendations for another Benchmade product, or another brand at a similar price point to the North Fork that might address some of the concerns I have. Another big factor here is that CPM-20CV is slightly easier to sharpen than other premium steels like S30V or M390 which makes this knife a bit easier to maintain for those of you that are new to the premium knife world. This website is not affiliated with the United States Marine Corps, and the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Marine Corps as a whole. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Lightly Textured G10Blade Length: 4.4Total Length: 9.15Total Weight: 7.72 ounces. Well, I guess that would be up to you to decide but for me, its an obvious no brainer. As a result, customers have reported this to be the best Benchmade knife for backpacking because it has a comfortable grip and is easy to sharpen with an ordinary knife sharpener. It will cut well for years and years, and Benchmade will sharpen it in a process that is also, well, smooth. Benchmade 560BK-1 - Freek 560-1, EDC Folding Knife, Drop-Point Blade, Manual Open, Axis Locking Mechanism, Made in USA, Coated, Straight, Gray/Black. Benchmade makes sturdy knives that are lightweight. It has a wide belly, so you can tackle heavier utility tasks without worries. If that 4 blade is a tad too much for ya, you can give the 15085-2 Mini Crooked River a look here at this link which sports a 3.4 blade and shaves off about 2 ounces of weight! The Bugout is a great knife. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Check out the beautiful Benchmade 15080BK Crooked River Gold Class. If you have the full size grip I'd double down on the Bugout, very suitable office knife and anywhere else for that matter. Its extremely lightweight for a knife this capable, and due to the axis locking mechanism, its very user friendly as well. Great in case of an emergency, although you hope to never use it. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Posted by ; royal canin yorkie dog food reviews; parkland psychiatric hospital dallas, tx . However, its not textured so you might not get as much grip as youd expect from other EDC knives. Of course, if youre not a hunter or fisherman, the gut hook likely wouldnt be of much use to you and in terms of actually using a gut hook, Id personally prefer a fixed blade, but this knife is more than usable in each and every way that the Saddle Mountain is. If extra goodies are what you want, the Tactical Triage is worth a look. These were actually designed later than the others and were requested by Benchmade enthusiasts. Its fully ambidextrous and grippy but isnt too abrasive on the palm. That point is very strong and plenty capable of penetration while the belly has a ton of slashing real-estate along with a very nasty serration near the handle that is open and easily utilized against an assailant. This will give you more flexibility but lower edge retention. These high-grip sections make it easy to control the blade for fine cutting, even when its wet or slimy if you like to hold your index finger along the spine while skinning theyll give you some extra security. Throughout the list, Ill provide my thoughts on our favorite Benchmade knives across several different categories and throughout both fixed and folding knives in those categories if applicable. Benchmade - Bugout 535-191, EDC Folding Knife, Gold Class, Drop-Point Blade, Manual Open, Axis Locking Mechanism, Made in USA. After that, assembly and accurate alignment take place with all new lube and the knife arrives at your doorstep in two weeks or less. The Fact wont be for everyone but something I noticed is that it would fit very well in a purse or handbag due to how slim it is so perhaps this would be a good way to get your girl into carrying a Benchmade! Benchmade Contego 810 10. My Review: The Nimravus is host to one of the strongest penetrating points of any blade offered by Benchmade. My Review: Oh boy Benchmade does not normally make large blades but when they do, you get something capable of fighting off the Taliban all by yourself. This is not the case here, though, as the Fact is incredibly strong and since its crafted out of billet aluminum with a premium S30V blade, itll run right up there with full-size heavy-duty knives. This is one of the best knives we have ever tested with a wooden handle, What makes a super pricey knife twice as good as one that costs half as much? Step 2 Construction:Along with size goes construction. On the other hand, serrated knives stay sharp for longer but are notoriously tough to re-sharpen. Are you going to wiggle, rock, and twist the blade often to get your job done? These blades are insanely hard, much harder than what Benchmade usually uses such as CPM-S30V, 154CM, M390, etc. Absence of a reliable sheath makes it unsafe to carry around, Buffalo Horn 6.5 Custom Handmade Damascus Folding Pocket Knife Review, Kershaw Clash Black Serrated-1605CKTST Review, MTech USA Ballistic MT-A705 Folding Knife Review, 15 Must-Have Items For Your Hunting Backpack, TAC-Force Spring Assisted Opening EMT EMS Orange Rescue Folding Pocket Knife Review, Schrade SCHF36 10.4 Inch Stainless Steel Fixed Blade Knife Review. Okay, fine, I will, but only because I really enjoy saying the word triage. While Benchmade still offers knives with regular manual locking mechanisms, theyre rare and usually found on their lower-tier offerings. While this boasts a Dymondwood handle and a tough drop point blade with a serrated spine, the shining point of this knife is the folding gut hook that comes along. You can also check out the SOCP Rescue tool at this link here. Are you 'simply' looking for a good and lightweight EDC pocket knife? It is ideal for skinning and for making precision cuts. The S30V steel takes an excellent edge, almost as good as traditional carbon steel, and it doesnt need a lot of maintenance. Lastly, lets take a look at the Dymondwood handle. How to Sharpen a Machete Most Effective & Easy Way at Home. If a leather sheath has any chance of surviving the life of a Benchmade Puukko 200, it has to have some help from nylon. Benchmade calls this a hunting knife and yeah, I could understand that, but really, I think this is more of just a flat out awesome design thats refreshing and unique to the usable and functional fixed blade industry. The very first look convinces you that this knife would not slip from your grip. Our test team (and likely you) like this feature. The knife also does not need frequent sharpening at all and resists rust and corrosion like a champion. Its no secret that Benchmade knives come with a premium price tag and have many competitors that also offer fantastic knives but at lower prices. No wonder users call it the best Benchmade knife for hunting. The satin-finished 6061-T6 aluminum handle is also something Im quite fond of. For installation instructions, click here. A: One of the many advantages of getting a Benchmade knife is its warranty. I know, Ive put this knife in the EDC section and it certainly works as an excellent EDC, but with how incredibly light it is, I actually really like this knife for what its name suggests Bugout. r/Knife_Swap. And the same thing always ends up happening. JavaScript is disabled. If so the Benchmade Bugout is a great choice. COMFORTABLE: The 15031-1's lightweight design and textured handle make it comfortable to hold, use, and take anywhere. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, hiking, running, shooting guns, and reviewing gear. OnlyKnife.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Q: Does a Benchmade Knife Have a Lifetime Warranty? All Benchmade knives and other products are guaranteed for life with the companys lifetime warranty.Confirm with your knife seller whether the Benchmade North Fork 1503 folding knife you have decided to purchase is guaranteed for life with the manufacturers lifetime warranty. Blade Style: Modified Reverse-TantoBlade Composition: CPM-M4Handle Composition: Heavily Cross Textured G10Blade Length: 3.98Total Length: 9.28Total Weight: 5.92 ounces. I work at a store that sells Benchmade knives (most of which have the Axis Lock system) and I've never heard anyone say that their knife can just open without using the lock first. Knife manufacturers are always trying to change the game and expand upon existing designs and Benchmade does this often, however, in terms of the Puukko, we get a form factor that really couldnt be any simpler paired up with some of the finest materials you can craft a knife out of. Corporal Wabo is a former Infantry Squad Leader with 3rd Bn 4th Marines that specialized in Mortars. Need to do some piercing? That is why the blades contain coatings. Portability is a function of size, weight, pocket clip utility, and other carry options. A Review of the Benchmade North Fork Knife: Is it Right for You? Of course, theres more than one way to skin a cat at Benchmade and they went ahead and added in the AXIS opening method as well as an opening hole that acts similarly to a thumb stud. For example, the Benchmade Bugout 535-191 Gold Class edition consists of a Damascus steel blade thats hand folded hundreds of times and a handcrafted carbon fiber handle. The CPM-s30v stainless steel blade is built like a tank, and it can take care of skinning your hunt very easily. Blade Style: Drop-Point With Saw-Tooth SpineBlade Composition: D2Handle Composition: Bare Skeletonized and SlottedBlade Length: 4.2Total Length: 9.03Total Weight: 5.6 ounces. This program is designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. The lock ensures the knife opens and closes single-handedly. Lastly, this knife doesnt come with the typical Benchmade technologies we have come to know and love. While this bit might seem an unoriginal move on the designers part, theres no doubt that it works well. That interesting texture you see near the spine of the blade is simply laser-etched tacticoolness to help you open it up if you do happen to feel like neglecting the giant hole since it was originally designed to be a two-handed manual opener. This method of identifying fake Benchmade knives is excellent because it works in-person as well as online.