Valox is also a lighter material and easier to work with giving the designers and artists a little more room to add character to the knife’s appearance and ergonomics. Blade Style: Drop-Point Benchmade doesn’t make a whole lot of spear-point folders but when they do, they cost an arm and a leg and probably result in a bit of hot temperament come checkbook balancing day with your significant other. My Review: The Nakamura is one of my personal favorites as I believe it blends the beautiful craftsmanship Benchmade is capable of with ultimate versatility and toughness. The handle is simply just an extension of the D2 steel from the blade and although I personally like that, many Adamas owners actually wrap this bad boy up in some nice paracord. Blade Length: 4.52” If you like your Freeks on the small side, check out the Mini Freek found at this link here. You can actually get the same drop-point attributes with further controllability in tight situations. Before we jump into discussing the beautiful pieces of sharp and pointy steel offered by one of our favorite companies, you need to know the pros and cons of each blade shape as well as the steel they are made of. That S30V steel is found across Benchmade’s lineup because its some of the most versatile and user-friendly steels out there and since this knife hosts a simple drop-point, you can pretty much use it for anything on anything at any time. Where the blade meets the handles on the inside is covered by steel liners, ensuring the handles cant bow or bend and eliminating the flex you see in cheaper plastic-based handles. Are Benchmade Knives Worth the Expensive Price Tag? Among hikers and backpackers, there may not be a more beloved knife than the Benchmade 550 Griptilian. Out The Front knives easily deploy and retract with one hand. Blade Length: 3.7” Blade Composition: D2 When you need a blade that is rigid, powerful, and ready to rock and roll when you need it most, the 154CM 4.5” fixed Tanto is the tried and true fighters knife. Handle Composition: Bare Skeletonized and Slotted This is not a knife that fits into that category. Blade HQ uses cookies to provide you a better user The clip is textured just like the single-piece body of the Anthem which is a very nice touch, something I’d expect from paying this much but despite the price, it still feels over the top and like they really took notice of the small details. We’ve talked about super simplistic knives earlier on in this guide and I think I’ve hit home some solid models for those of you who don’t need extra goodies. Updated by Blade HQ Staff Writer Logan Rainey on 2/06/2020. Usually, locking mechanisms are good for around 50 to 100lbs of pressure but Benchmade, of course, took things many steps further and now their absolute minimum lock strength on any AXIS equipped knife is 200lbs, with most of their knives exceeding that. Total Length: 8.33” The drop point blade of the knife is best suited for hunting and Benchmade guarantees it for life. In all reality, this knife was designed to be abused and it will withstand constant daily abuse in harsh elements with no problems and that’s why the Crooked River is a solid choice among outdoor sportsmen. 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. Oh, and if you have butterfingers and you’re always dropping your knives in the woods, only to take the next 15 minutes kicking leaves looking for your knife, you can grab this baby in some hot hunters orange and ensure you never lose your beloved Benchmade Altitude. Benchmade Saddle Mountain 15003-2 or 15003-1, Here Are the Best Tactical Benchmade Knives, Unique Benchmade Knife Designs and Notable Mentions, 30. When I heard the weight, 1.85 oz, I had to see it for myself. That good old homegrown quality and attention to detail don’t come cheap and although I don’t know the specifics, the information found here on Glassdoor indicates average wages that far exceed what I’d expect most foreign knife manufacturers to offer their employees. I�ve been looking for a good EDC for basketball shorts or running and this fits the bill perfectly. Blade Length: 6.44” We'll feature submissions on our Instagram, I will mention that the handle may sometimes catch on your pockets if it’s a real tight fit, due to the ergonomic pistol grip style design, however, I still recommend this as a solid EDC as I believe most people won’t have an issue with deploying the knife and since it’s so light, especially the carbon fiber version, it’s super comfortable and easy to carry. CPM-S30V, a Benchmade favorite stainless steel to use in their premium blades, is more than strong enough to slide right through bones and will hold an edge for many outdoor adventures. I love the lack of tang pins. They will then sharpen the blade back to its original factory specs and then perform a deep clean and shine on each and every part. Best Benchmade Folding Knives. The action that runs on bearings is not going to be ideal if you’ll be exposing your knife to loads of dust and other debris, but if you aren’t and you’re capable of keeping it relatively clean, the action is insanely smooth. You’re paying some of that price tag as a royalty for them being well known and well respected within the knife community. Open or closed its a lightweight beauty and with the no-nonsense reverse tanto folding blade it allows you … 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 couldn’t be any simpler paired up with some of the finest materials you can craft a knife out of. Update: Over two years of carry now and the knife has never malfunctioned. First, the designers they employ and the complicated craftsmanship a lot of their knives consist of. Handle Composition: Sealed Wood or Patterned G10 Still in that information gathering phase? Benchmade accomplishes this by losing the liners in the handles. The drop-point blade shape at its core is very versatile and poses a lot of use cases, especially for general outdoor activities. Those people are right when it comes to personal preference and I understand where they’re coming from, I really enjoy many of Benchmade’s premium handles that aren’t plastic-based. 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! I use this one for projects around the house, camping, food prep, etc.�. Folders still aren’t technically as strong as a full-tang fixed blade but they are plenty strong enough to get the job done without worry. Check out our Benchmade 51 Review for more info on this great balisong! Blade Length: 3.22” Worth it? When you’re in a sticky situation you hadn’t thought you’d end up in, the Bailout with it’s slim and light design sitting comfortably in your pocket is awaiting a quick flip of the wrist to reveal the ever-so-deadly 3.38” Tanto. It works perfectly every time.�. The Aller 380 is a multi-purpose Wharncliffe knife that encompasses a screwdriver, pry tip, micro bit slot, money clip, bottle opener, and of course, that handy slicing Wharncliffe blade. Blade Composition: CPM-S30V Total Weight: 3.52 ounces. The Ridge’s handle is accented with hunters orange so that if you ever lose your grip and drop it, you won’t lose sight of it in the brush. If autos are your thing be sure to check out our Best Benchmade Automatic Knives article. This program is designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. In torture tests, it outperforms any knife who dares to compete and in comfort, the textured G10 handles are perfect for medium to large size hands. It seems like they keep bringing it back with new styles, new grips, new colors, etc and I really like that because the Bugout has a special place in my heart. Furthermore, you can find this knife with a wood or G10 handle which actually changes the appearance and feel of the overall knife significantly, so choose wisely. The Benchmade Bushcrafter is the perfect knife for someone that doesn’t worry about knicks and dings, the guy/gal that abuses their knife and really puts the craftsmanship to the test. After we break down the specs and details of each knife, find a review from one of our beloved customers. Blade Style: Clip-Point Alright, it’s not that bad. �I've owned many Benchmade knives over the years and still do. Benchmade has taken this idea and, in my opinion, refined it to be as handy and as durable as possible given the current steel and knife technology. Total Length: 6.97” I think the name probably sums up why it’s in the EDC category but let’s explore what makes this one of the most popular reverse-tanto blades on the market today. Yeah, you do, because this knife is so sharp and the way its designed will slice right through even thick and tough leather in no time at all. Blade Length: 3.95” It’s really as versatile as a 3.75” fixed blade can be without gimmicks or excess functionalities that you’ll likely never use anyways. My Review: The Barrage is an excellent EDC sized self-defense and general utility knife that sports a very well finished blade that is available with that lovely black Cerakote job Benchmade is known for or, of course, a polished satin finish. Blade Composition: D2 This knife melts away in the hand and disappears in a pocket. That exceptionally high hardness level allows this blade to retain its edge even when highly abused for an extremely long time, making this blade very low maintenance and ready to go when you need it most. This is not the case here, though, as the Fact is incredibly strong and since it’s crafted out of billet aluminum with a premium S30V blade, it’ll run right up there with full-size heavy-duty knives. My Review: The Grizzly Ridge is essentially the same knife as the Grizzly Creek but with an arguably better handle. My Review: The Foray is a “get the job done” well rounded little pocket knife that I think anyone could get some seriously good usage and value out of. My Review: As with many self-defense situations, sometimes a little deterrence in the form of striking the fear of death in someone’s eyes is all you need and I think that’s what Benchmade was going for when they designed the ominous-looking Contego. In terms of ease of carrying and usability, this may just be the knife that sits the most comfortably in between those two attributes found on the market today. Both the Grizzly Creek and Saddle Mountain knives consist of S30V steel which is arguably one of the best stainless steels around for skinning due to their incredible tensile strength, ability to hold an edge even after heavy contact with joints and bones, and exceptional resistance to corrosion. The clip-point blade has origins dating back to the deadly scimitar days so it’s very fitting that Benchmade used this blade shape to design this blade as it really does feel a lot like a modern-day scimitar! Blade Length: 3.08” As a last tidbit here, when you grab yourself the Nimravus you also get a very well made MOLLE compatible sheath. It's a pocket knife you should be able to carry for many years, and it looks the part. Handle Composition: G10 or Carbon Fiber Usually, I’d error on the side of an automatic knife to fit the bill of a tactical rescue tool, however, with how easy and buttery smooth Benchmades single-handed opening actions are, I have absolutely no doubt in having this as a manual rescue knife. Instead, you get ALL the goodies! Total Length: 8.72” Total Length: 9.28” The Best Survival Knives to Get You Through Any Adventure or Disaster. This knife is also available with a little pizazz, offering a carbon fiber handle and beautiful accents. It's nearly impossible to pick just one when there are so many amazing options. Of course, this thing has virtually 0 self-defense properties and it wouldn’t ever be a knife I’d rely on for camping or survival but it is easy to carry on a keychain so that you always have a tiny suite of tools on hand at all times. What are your picks for best Benchmades of 2019? This is a very raw and rugged blade that actually surprised me in how utilitarian it is, despite clearly being designed to harm your enemies. The Griptilian fits in just about any pocket you slide it into and after just a few minutes, it sits so lightly and comfortably that you may forget it’s even there until of course, you need it! Wrapping it all together is a very well built polymer sheath with a snap lock and that coveted Benchmade butterfly stamped on it. Blade Style: Drop-Point Blade Composition: CPM-20CV I have linked out to the version with only one edge, which is also the serrated version. Handle Composition: G10 If Micarta and G-10 handles aren't your style, be sure to check out Flytanium scales for the Proper. My Review: This knife was designed to get down and dirty outdoors and survive just about any environmental situation. Blade Style: Drop-Point These knives are easier to maintain than many premium level steels while offering ridiculously competitive pricing and an overall fantastic user experience. The 3300 Infidel OTF Knife is primarily designed for right-handed users, with an all-black handle, bar the release catch … This knife is similar to the Griptilian, but it … To no one’s surprise, the Arvensis is probably one of the most well balanced 6-7” combat-focused fixed blades on the market that is affordable to the average person, and I’m using affordable loosely, of course. A note to my readers: These knives are designed to kill people. Blade Composition: CPM-20CV 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 you’d only want to encounter if you had the knife inspired by it’s most lethal attributes. This is one I will definitely keep. If you’re a knife enthusiast like many of us here at Marine Approved, you likely already appreciate Benchmade’s outstanding craftsmanship and customer service. |Blade Composition: CPM-S30V The blade shape is specifically designed to cause a lot of damage in one fell swoop. �This is my go-to EDC. Total Weight: 5.11 ounces. Something I think you’ll notice right out of the box is how strong and sturdy the knife feels while appearing elegant and sleek. Blade Length: 4.17” My Review: The Benchmade Bugout is a classic and has been around for quite some time. They’ve developed everything from classy everyday carry knives to purpose built tactical blades and everything in between. If you haven’t heard of Grivory handles before, never fear, I hadn’t either until I came across this knife. �I really like puukko knives. These knives are exceptionally dangerous and have very little utility value. With that said, buy the heck out of this thing. Handle Composition: Skeletonized 6061-T6 Billet Aluminum Well, I guess that would be up to you to decide but for me, it’s an obvious no brainer. Blade Style: Modified Reverse-Tanto In many cases the answer is an unequivocal yes, however, I’d say it really depends on your situation and what you need a knife for. It encompasses everything we like to see in an EDC including a versatile drop-point, the super-strong AXIS locking mechanism, a good pocket weight to size ratio, a strong and tight clip, and an overall high-quality build design that should suit you through a variety of different tasks. It feels good in the hand and is just really an all around great knife. The CLA is rock solid and ready to work. Blade Style: Gut Hook Drop-Point Check out the Benchmade’s official page for more information on the Lifesharp program here. Many people consider this the best Benchmade knife around. This is probably one of the sleekest and lightest self-defense knives on the market today that most people would also find quite handy in a wide array of non-life threatening situations. Lastly, this knife doesn’t come with the typical Benchmade technologies we have come to know and love. Benchmade knives are meticulously designed to pe rform specialized tasks when it comes to all your hunting needs. There are two main reasons to carry an OTF knife. These blades are insanely hard, much harder than what Benchmade usually uses such as CPM-S30V, 154CM, M390, etc. These are among the strongest blades Benchmade makes and so long as you’re up to the task of taking care of them, they will perform excellently and will provide you with best-in-class usage and longevity. Polymer sheath with a very well made MOLLE compatible sheath 's the 551 where start! Blade but I swear, this knife is not a knife that’s called tactical. 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