I would like to hear your thoughts and Im sure other readers would as well! Its extremely lightweight for a knife this capable, and due to the axis locking mechanism, its very user friendly as well. 300 Beavercreek Road Oregon City, OR 97045. Its made from 154cm stainless steel that gives it excellent edge retention. The attribute that dubs it a hunting knife is the modified drop point blade. In short, it is smoothness. If youre willing to pony up a little extra cash, and I do recommend this if you can, you can find the stylish carbon fiber version of the Benchmade Nakamura here. Check them out on our Fire Starters page here. The action that runs on bearings is not going to be ideal if youll be exposing your knife to loads of dust and other debris, but if you arent and youre capable of keeping it relatively clean, the action is insanely smooth. I wont lie to you, these arent exactly the saw-teeth youd want for camping or outdoor use, but they will cause wounds that a normal drop-point would never be able to cause, ensuring your assailant is immobilized and you are free to carry on. If breaking folding knives is a concern of yours, look to Benchmade! The 15003-1 comes with a black molded Kydex style sheath that, in my opinion, would last longer and likely give you a bit more value. The Bugout is a great knife. 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 its even there until of course, you need it! Blade Style: WharncliffeBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Slotted G10Blade Length: 1.6Total Length: 4.48Total Weight: 1.8 ounces. My Review: Benchmade made things quite easy by aptly naming this bad boy a simple and sweet EDC. Blade Style: Reverse-TantoBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Smooth Anodized 6061-T6 AluminumBlade Length: 3.40Total Length: 7.87Total Weight: 2.90 ounces. If you havent heard of Grivory handles before, never fear, I hadnt either until I came across this knife. how to pass the achiever test; macavity: the mystery cat analysis The second thing you might notice is the saw teeth on the back of the blade. Its a full circle EDC get r done kind of knife and Id feel more than comfortable recommending this to pretty much everyone and anyone. I know some users who absolutely appreciate this. A Review of the Benchmade North Fork Knife: Is it Right for You? This knife is a tad bit heavier for its size than what I would normally carry, however, the classic design is exactly what a lot of people are searching for in an EDC and as I said, its versatility can rival any of the top EDC knives around today. As a bonus, the sheath also has a space to hold a Ferro rod, which will definitely help when youre out camping. Spicy_Mex 2 yr. ago. The S30V steel takes an excellent edge, almost as good as traditional carbon steel, and it doesnt need a lot of maintenance. Mi cuenta; Carrito; Finalizar compra; Contacto Of course, if whipping this terrifying thing out doesnt scare off your attacker, it is just as easily used in disabling an attacker as it weighs nearly 6 ounces, hosts a very deadly reverse-tanto with a tight point, and is massive, coming in just under 10 when unfolded. Let us know what your favorite Benchmade knife is in the comments section below or if you think there is a knife we should add to this list. Best Arcteryx Hiking Shorts Guide: Which Is Right for You? 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. Its also rust and corrosion resistant to a great degree, and it retains a razor-sharp edge even after heavy duty. Okay, I know, that was a lead up to virtually nothing, but nowadays we have the AXIS lock which makes Benchmades folding knives exceptionally strong. The Puukko embodies what I think a lot of purist fix blade enthusiasts truly love. Red Screw Set For Benchmade Bugout 535BK Bailout 537 Scale & Pocket Clip Screw screw4you. However, some find the full-sized Griptilian a little intimidating. Youll find that the Griptilian can do every single one of them. Carrying and utilizing the Griptilian on a daily basis is extremely easy and for that reason, I believe many people would agree, the Griptilian is one of the best values and best overall EDC knives offered by Benchmade today. The opening notch and serrated thumb-rest are very efficient. 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. All of them are pretty durable, and grip depends on the shape or finish more than the material, so go for whatever youre comfortable with. My current daily carry is the SOG AE24-CP Aegis Mini, and if you are familiar with it or similar products, it is a spring loaded release and takes some thumb effort to get the blade out. Although designed for hunting this is also an excellent general-purpose blade. Blade Style: Modified Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Ultra Ergo Slotted and Textured G10Blade Length: 3.45Total Length: 8.03Total Weight: 4.24 ounces. That is fully half of the job the Axis Lock plays. This is one of the best customer care programs any knife company in the market has to offer right now. Its unique flat top serrations are quite easy to sharpen even on a flat stone. You can actually get the same drop-point attributes with further controllability in tight situations. Its long and slender with a very high-class elegant finish that really exudes craftsmanship without being over-engineered or snarky in appearance. I will mention that the handle may sometimes catch on your pockets if its 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 wont have an issue with deploying the knife and since its so light, especially the carbon fiber version, its super comfortable and easy to carry. Whether you are planning to go hiking, camping, or a backpacking trip, the Benchmade Bugout 535 7.46-Inch Folding Knife is a great knife for EDC purposes. But what is it that makes Benchmade different from other makers of small knives? Strap this baby on with its included Boltaron sheath and youll hardly notice its there until you spring the Altitude into action. What is a Spydie hole, you ask? Designer: Benchmade Mechanism: AXIS Action: Manual-opening Blade Steel: CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) Blade Length: 2.97" (7.54cm) Blade Thickness: 0.114" (2.90mm) Open Length: 6.97" (17.70cm) Closed Length: 3.90" (9.91cm) Handle Thickness: 0.53" (13.46mm) Weight: 3.16oz. 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. Its fully ambidextrous and grippy but isnt too abrasive on the palm. If extra goodies are what you want, the Tactical Triage is worth a look. GearLab is reader-supported. Despite the manufacturer recommending this knife for hunting purposes, I actually consider this the best Benchmade knife for EDC due to its superb edge retention and sharpness as it comes out of the box. Shotgun: Comparison for a First-Time Gun Buyer, What Are The Basic Parts Of Ammunition? How To Make A Switchblade Learn With Five Steps, How to Hone a Straight Razor Use for Silky Smooth Shaving. LifeSharp service from Benchmade means whenever you need to sharpen, hone, or fix your Benchmade knives, you just send them to their factory and they fix it for you. Blade Style: Trailing Clip-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Resin Filled Wood GrainBlade Length: 4Total Length: 9.3Total Weight: 5.41. It is just a simple blade in a handle. Built on heavy-duty stainless steel liners, this is a knife to carry into the woods or around town for years to come. Theyre easier to sharpen, though. Before we evaluate the North Fork, lets establish some general evaluation criteria: The big question is what sort of knife you want to carry. Theres a lanyard hole at the pommel end, which is drilled through the liner and exposed by cutouts in the scales. As a last tidbit here, when you grab yourself the Nimravus you also get a very well made MOLLE compatible sheath. It opens smoothly, locks smoothly, and cuts smoothly. The curvature of the blade makes it rather difficult to sharpen those ultra-hard super steels and thus, I think 154CM was the right call here. 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. These knives were developed to be used by first responders and contain the tools you would expect to use to pull someone out of a wrecked vehicle. This is a greater feat. What?! #knives #north-fork #benchmade #product-overview #north-fork-axis #benchmade-north-fork-who-designed #best-benchmade-north-fork-knife #customizing-north-fork-benchmade #benchmade-north-fork-wood-edc see all. For self-propelled, wild travels, the Benchmade Bugout is arguably the best pocket knife we have tested. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Start Your Benchmade Career Today. Their edge holds well, and they do not deteriorate or rust for a long time. I'm do not hunt regularly or work in an industry which requires knife work, etc. We Are Hiring! However, we cannot call it a great value. However, the wooden handle might start to look a bit beaten up. But first, please take a few moments to sign up as a member of our EDC community below. Build Your Ultimate Bugout for National Knife Day 2023. Usually, pocket-friendly knives make use of less sturdy steel, but that is not so in this knife. Your message has been sent privately to our editorial staff for review. This may actually be one of the most well-rounded knives weve ever Marine Approved. This knife is made to deploy when you really need it most, as opposed to being abused on the daily, so it makes sense why they swapped out S30V for 3V instead. This shape allows good control and protects against the hand slipping down onto the blade. The main drive behind its design was to produce a tool with the performance for dressing out a deer in a small package. The purpose The Benchmade Bugout was originally designed as a lightweight pocket knife for hikers and others who prefer ultra-light knives. You can also check out the SOCP Rescue tool at this link here. My Review: The Anthem 781, to many, is just a pretty piece of expensive metal and thats unfortunate because I think this knife is far better than most people realize. Standard, because it is great for daily tasks. All trademarks property of their respective owners The Benchmade Bugout; all photos by. Weve talked about super simplistic knives earlier on in this guide and I think Ive hit home some solid models for those of you who dont need extra goodies. dr james hughes psychiatrist Navigation. Both knives fit the same use case and both knives are of the same exceptional Benchmade quality. The clip isnt exactly what Id call a deep carry clip, but it is strong, sturdy, and probably one of the most comfortable overall carries in knives of this class. Benchmade - Bugout 535-191, EDC Folding Knife, Gold Class, Drop-Point Blade, Manual Open, Axis Locking Mechanism, Made in USA. So, we talked a bit why you should take special notice of the buy once cry once mentality when shopping for a new knife and we mentioned the outstanding craftsmanship, quality, materials, and designs youll find in each and every Benchmade knife, but there is one more extremely important key to why the prices seem expensive versus their competitors. You have an outdated webbrowser. 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. I have linked out to the version with only one edge, which is also the serrated version. Particularly, if youre going to swim, camp, or go backpacking, dont pick wood or Dymondwood handle as moisture will make it unsuitable for a while. The owner of this website does not guarantee offers on this site, and all offers should be viewed as recommendations only. 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. Theyre generally stronger, because theres more metal at the spine, and you can push on the back of the blade if more force is needed. Hi, this is Jason Rhodes. 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. That is, if the seller is providing real photos of the knife they are selling and not some stock photo or a picture taken from the Benchmade site. I just yesterday received my order of this knife from Amazon. These are among the strongest blades Benchmade makes and so long as youre up to the task of taking care of them, they will perform excellently and will provide you with best-in-class usage and longevity. Today many EDC enthusiasts have also embraced this great pocket knife. Gerber Sharkbelly Folding Knife- this versatile folding knife boasts a 320HC stainless steel blade for both precision cutting and for cutting remarkably tough materials.The scratch-resistant pocket clip offers a tip down carry that prevents the knifes razor sharp blade from tearing your pockets. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Even when soaking wet, you never feel like youll lose grip and the lock is so strong you could support the weight of an average man on it all day without worry. Are you 'simply' looking for a good and lightweight EDC pocket knife? Another Tanto blade knife, this Benchmade blade is for those who love a matte, understated dark knife for EDC usage. A: One of the many advantages of getting a Benchmade knife is its warranty. No matter what our readers want to learn and do, our team is here to help them accomplish those goals. In order to compare them all side-by-side, weve created this guide encompassing each and every one of our favorites. Have some money burning a hole in your pockets and you need something that your buddies are sure to gawk at? If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact TalentAcquisition@benchmade.com or 1-800-800-7427. I wouldnt suggest this as an EDC or as a knife for a beginner but more so something youd keep under your pillow or in your truck if youre traveling through a rough neighborhood. No ads. These knives appear basic and simple but are extremely over-engineered and will serve you well for many years to come. In fact, all the knives we tested are well made. My vote is for the mini grip. For those discerning users, the quality of the Benchmade North Fork is self-evident and will be well worth the cost. For installation instructions, click here. Boasting an excellent combination of handy features that suits everyday use, North Fork-1503 has proved to be a very reliable all-round knife. If you already have a solid EDC and youre looking for something with a little flair and flavor, feast your eyes upon one of the gnarliest blades Benchmade has designed to date. Imagine every little task you would expect an EDC knife to do, write it down if you need to. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: M390Handle Composition: G10 or Carbon FiberBlade Length: 3.08Total Length: 7.03Total Weight: 3.52 ounces. It's always handy this way, and largely unobtrusive except in the most formal of situations. What Other Pocket Knives Should You Consider? Now, there is some controversy here as many people will cry and whine about how Valox is really just a fancy word for plastic and that it doesnt encompass that Benchmade solid quality feel. In all reality, this knife was designed to be abused and it will withstand constant daily abuse in harsh elements with no problems and thats why the Crooked River is a solid choice among outdoor sportsmen. I have all 3 and they're pretty different. Most knives of such models are very compact so that you could easily carry them around while camping and hiking. Smaller knives (with no limit, really) are more portable. The North Fork's handle is made from wood that's been vacuum-impregnated with resin to increase durability. Benchmade North Fork Review February 5, 2015 GEAR INSTITUTE RATINGS 98 Construction & Materials 10 Ease of Use Steel Quality & Edge Retention 10 Durability 10 The Good Good value Well made Dymondwood handle scales Works well as back-up or secondary hunting knife The Bad Blade is too small to be a primary hunting tool Feels a bit small in hand As such you don't have to worry about that. For steller cutting, piercing, and prying tasks, this is the best Benchmade knife you can hope to find. With the purchase of a Benchmade knife, you have the option to mail in your knife when it gets dull or requires maintenance and Benchmade will have it back to you in less than two weeks looking and performing as if it was brand new. He started this website while transitioning out of the Marines, and since has recruited several other Marines to help him work on the Marine Approved website. My Review: Do I need to explain how Tactical a knife thats called the Tactical Triage is? The Fact is everything I love about slender pocket knives while still being one lean mean little blade. Lets talk about some of the best technologies theyve designed and implemented over the years. My Review: This knife is hard to use, not because its not versatile or strong but because its so dang beautiful! 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,274) $ 13.99. Suggested Alternatives to the Benchmade North Fork, Black Friday / Cyber Monday Camping Deals: Gear, Hiking, Survival, Outdoor Deals. While Ive tried to point out which knife in this list is good for which set of tasks, Im going to break things down a little bit more. My Review: As with many self-defense situations, sometimes a little deterrence in the form of striking the fear of death in someones eyes is all you need and I think thats what Benchmade was going for when they designed the ominous-looking Contego. Now you have a good idea of what sort of knife you should be looking for, but theres still a huge choice. The blades are crafted from the same ultra high-quality CPM-S30V and have the same versatile drop-point design but the Ridge encompasses a synthetic handle called a Dual-Durometer handle while the Creek has an old school nylon filled wooden handle. It might remind you of Morakniv or Mora knives with the roundish handle and stubby blade. A steeper angle may very well be sharp, but it doesn't cut very well because the faces must force the material apart further after making the initial cut. My Review: Before we get started its important to note that the Infidel 133 was originally an out the front automatic knife (OTF) whereas the knife I am reviewing is a fixed blade. The blade is carefully tuned and consists of excellent materials. And it is ergonomics that set the Mini Barrage apart from other high-end knives we tested. Check out the beautiful Benchmade 15080BK Crooked River Gold Class. For the vast majority of tasks, though, this size is just right. To no ones 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 Im using affordable loosely, of course. Step 2 Construction:Along with size goes construction. A lot of glass breakers you find as a kind of throw in function on many knives usually feels pretty lame but not this one, Im absolutely terrified to let it even look at a piece of glass and on top of that, its ultra-tiny and doesnt get in the way. 3. The Anthem is one of the best general-purpose knives you can buy for under $500. Okay, fine, I will, but only because I really enjoy saying the word triage. Blade Style: Spear-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: G10Blade Length: 3.6Total Length: 8.42Total Weight: 4.11 ounces. Take a look at the specific factors you need to consider before choosing the best Benchmade knife for yourself. The blade shape is specifically designed to cause a lot of damage in one fell swoop. I wont talk too much on this knife as I believe the differences between the two are going to come down to personal preference. This program is designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. 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. Part of that is making sure you have the right gear and information when its time to go out and have fun. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-20CVHandle Composition: Slightly Textured G10Blade Length: 3.22Total Length: 7.34Total Weight: 3.46 ounces. Kershaw 1660 Review - The Ultimate EDC Knife? The Drop: Cloud Defensive MCH Dual Fuel Flashlights, The Top 15 BEST Spyderco Knives: Reviews and Buying Guide in 2023, The Drop: aroundsquare Manipulation Tools and Apparel February Release. If you want to spend even more money on some of the worlds finest custom blades, check out Benchmades Gold Class custom built blades here.