However, make sure you dont go swimming with this in your pocket as the handle will expand and be unusable for a while. Take a look at the specific factors you need to consider before choosing the best Benchmade knife for yourself. Because often I need to use my EDC for piercing or prying, and this sturdy, capable tip means I can do that without worrying about the tip snapping off. Blade Style: Ringed DaggerBlade Composition: 440HCHandle Composition: Full-Tang Handless DesignBlade Length: 3.22Total Length: 7.25. No matter what our readers want to learn and do, our team is here to help them accomplish those goals. 3. 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. It checks all the boxes for an excellent EDC knife by utilizing high quality long lasting S30V steel, a drop-point that is technically a bit modified as it has a slight recurve within its belly, and your choice of either a sealed woodgrain finish or the ever so popular G10 handles. Not only do I enjoy supporting hard-working people in the US, I think there is a notable difference in customer service, quality assurance, and overall attention to detail. This uses an internal sprung bolt that locks into the rear of the blade when its opened. My Review: The Nimravus is host to one of the strongest penetrating points of any blade offered by Benchmade. This is one knife that even a Marine wouldnt stand much chance against. Pick a clip point. What Other Pocket Knives Should You Consider? Ever since childhood, Ive always loved to play with knives in my moms kitchen. Portability is a function of size, weight, pocket clip utility, and other carry options. 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. Now, the Fact wouldnt exactly end up at the forefront of an EDC list or really on any list, however, Im in love! The Bailout has a separate backspacer. 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. Moreover, the Tanto profile is great for piercing, and so that makes it the best Benchmade knife for self-defense in this list. It does feel small to me, and though the construction and blade are great, I'm not too happy with the closing and locking mechanism when the blade is closed. 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! Marine Approved is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. This shape allows good control and protects against the hand slipping down onto the blade. Today many EDC enthusiasts have also embraced this great pocket knife. Simple whittling would be "beneath" the capabilities of the North Fork if it weren't just so enjoyable to shave precise curlicues with the razor sharp blade. Whether your hike takes you across town or to the top of Kilimanjaro, we can help find you the best gear for your money. Just be aware of this before you buy. Created for hunting The knife's drop-point blade is ideal for the avid hunter. It's a more solid feeling knife than its bigger brother because the liners fill almost all of the handle area. I'm going to circle back and take a look at this. Folks, I really appreciate the responses so far. 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. Have some money burning a hole in your pockets and you need something that your buddies are sure to gawk at? That is why the blades contain coatings. A flick of the wrist sends the blade out, and it worries me that if I were to drop it by accident, etc. Let us know! Some people are quite partial to G10 handles, while some prefer the lightness of glass-filled nylon or Santoprene. Youre a simple old school kind of guy and you dont need no stinkin nylon in your leather sheath do ya? Well, I guess that would be up to you to decide but for me, its an obvious no brainer. I love the bugout but will be upgrading the scales. Its not only suitable for hunting but also tackles utility tasks and performs well as a cord cutter. Our advice is to go with a locking folder unless you have special requirements. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. Blade Style: WharncliffeBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Slotted G10Blade Length: 1.6Total Length: 4.48Total Weight: 1.8 ounces. I will note, when these do go dull (after ridiculous amounts of use) they can be a bit tricky to sharpen, but as with everything, patience is a virtue and so long as you keep these knives in tip-top shape, theyll glide right through anything you hunt. Lifesharp support will receive your knife and immediately disassemble it for inspection. As such you don't have to worry about that. Some of the reasons I personally prefer the Bugout over the Mini Grip include the longer blade length at 3.25" vs 2.91", the blade shape lending itself better for slicing, the weight reduction, and the awesome short carry clip. Both models are excellent, youll just need to choose what fits you the best! For carrying, of course, smaller like this is better. The spring-loaded characteristics are made possible by utilizing two omega springs custom-built in-house at Benchmade that push the locking bar into place when the tang of the blade exceeds their allotted tension. A quick last note here, the Griptilian sometimes receives a little hate because it doesnt have the G10 or carbon fiber handle. Check out the beautifully crafted hand-built Damasteel Foray here. Red Screw Set For Benchmade Bugout 535BK Bailout 537 Scale & Pocket Clip Screw screw4you. Check out our benchmade scales north fork selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The Axis Automatic mechanism is a little more aggressive than the Axis Assist and works by ejecting the blade immediately when the Axis tension bar is pressed. luke86 Joined Mar 29, 2015 Messages 825 Larger knives (to a point) are easier to use. FUCK ME NOW. 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. 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. I have all 3. 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 original Freek, the 560, isnt available new anymore from what I understand and since the new version, the 560-1, encompasses CPM-M4 steel instead of what was previously used, thats why this version is dubbed the Super Freek, even though its not technically called that by Benchmade. I have linked out to the version with only one edge, which is also the serrated version. Alright, that was cheesy, but the Altitude is a seriously cool knife and as much as it is cool, its actually functional. Yeah, we put it in the camping section because thats what I actually use it for most, but this is an all-around EDC badass. It might remind you of Morakniv or Mora knives with the roundish handle and stubby blade. The knifes drop-point blade is ideal for the avid hunter. My Review: The Super Freek is well-known by its ultra-hard and super tough CPM-M4 steel blades that are certainly not for a beginner knife owner. 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. 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. Below are some excellent and affordable alternatives for the Benchmade North Fork 1503. This will give you more flexibility but lower edge retention. The manual axis lock can also be released one-handedly. 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. Generally, Benchmade has a good reputation. If youre like me and you arent a huge fan of partially serrated blades, you can find this knife with a plain edge as well and that may save you a couple of extra bucks! Benchmade Foray 698 6. You can sharpen it in the field, but we recommend doing it at home and taking your time. By the way, these are so slim that when paired with the included deep pocket carry clip they virtually disappear in your pant pockets making them very covert and yet ultra fast to deploy. Traditional hunting knives have been a lot larger, but short blades like this are becoming a lot more popular. 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 My Review: Benchmade seems to love making little one-off designed utility tools and this would be the case for the Aller 380. Glass breaker, rescue hook, lanyard hole, drop-point with three different serrated or fine edge options, super light but durable G10 resin-soaked fiberglass body, and the ever so loved AXIS locking mechanism. Whatever outdoor activity youre planning, the first item on your kit list should always be a knife. Looking through the reviews, I found that the customers absolutely love the manual opening action and that the blade was perfectly centered. However, if you dont want the hassle of opening a knife, no matter how smooth the action is, you can go for a sheathed fixed blade knife. Check for Signs of Poor Workmanship and Defects. Its hard to explain, but this knife is pretty darn cool for the right person. Wrapping it all together is a very well built polymer sheath with a snap lock and that coveted Benchmade butterfly stamped on it. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, this is the biggest Benchmade folder and has a long clip point blade that will suit not only EDC tasks but also tasks during hunting and camping. The Benchmade Bailout, on the other hand, was designed for soldiers and other professionals who ask a lot from their tools. They look about as tactically cool as you can make a knife and the fixed blade variant of the original OTF is solid. Like the Editors Choice Mini Barrage, the North Fork knife is smaller than "full size". My Review: This knife was designed to get down and dirty outdoors and survive just about any environmental situation. My Review: The Grizzly Ridge is essentially the same knife as the Grizzly Creek but with an arguably better handle. 30 Best Benchmade Knives in 2023 (Ranked by Category), Here Are the Best Benchmade Knives for EDC, Here Are the Best Folding Self Defense Benchmade Knives, Here Are the Best Fixed Blade Self Defense Benchmade Knives, Here Are the Best Benchmade Folding Camping, Hiking, and Hunting Knives, Here Are the Best Benchmade Fixed Blade Camping, Hiking, and Hunting Knives, 21. You can also get any modifications made and they will only charge for the accessory, not the fixing. The Nakamura hosts one of the most comfortable grips on any knife from any manufacturer I have tested and the M390 steel really shines through here as an EDC blade because of its well-roundedness. Features AXIS lock folding mechanism Drop-point, CPM-S30V premium stainless-steel blade (58-60HRC) Blue Grivory handles with anodized aluminum barrel spacers However, this one is my favorite since this is the so-called Super Freek, due to the upgraded CPM-M4 steel and handle material. A note to my readers: These knives are designed to kill people. Made in USA. However, its not textured so you might not get as much grip as youd expect from other EDC knives. Step 3 Shape:Blade shape is a very personal choice. 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. 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. These are not an EDC style utility knife but more so something to use as a last resort in a sticky situation. From my selection, youve seen how Benchmade tends to make either straight, plain edged EDC knives or ones with a partial serration. I only have had my mini crooked river for a week and so far it is on top. I would like to hear your thoughts and Im sure other readers would as well! Reproduction of any part of this website without direct permission is prohibited. These knives appear basic and simple but are extremely over-engineered and will serve you well for many years to come. For those discerning users, the quality of the Benchmade North Fork is self-evident and will be well worth the cost. The Barrage family is a set of beautiful knives that are raw and dutiful by nature. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. 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. However, a lot of customers thought calling it Bugout is a bit of a stretch, since a true Bugout knife would ideally be more capable. Benchmade is comparable to Bentley in the knife world and a brand like that is simply going to come with a premium for the name. Understanding the shape and the steel of your future blade will be the largest deciding factor of how the blade behaves when used in your specific environment and situations! Keep a onein your pocket and a fixed blade in your pack. 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. 1. 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. The Axis Lock comes integrated with three different action flavors: Axis Assist, Axis Automatic, and Axis Dual-Action Automatic. The deep carry clip also makes it an ideal choice. 154CM is extremely well-rounded, not really excelling in any one category but providing an overall balance between durability, corrosion resistance, edge retention, and sharpening difficulty. george kovach cilka. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Benchmade North Fork 15031-2 8. My Review: First and foremost, the Saddle Mountain is more of a lineup of knives that just a single knife itself. $200 for probably the best spear-point assisted folder consisting of CPM-S30V steel is actually a pretty good deal if you really enjoy this type of thing. Good luck! My final thoughts are this: This knife is not worth the money if youre looking for a tough and durable do-it-all EDC knife. The size is such that it clips relatively unobtrusively to your pants pocket. It is this size that seems to offer the best compromise of ergonomics and portability. Benchmade is largely more expensive than a lot of other comparable knife options because of the incredible quality and unbeatable technologies theyve implemented into their knives. This is definitely not the run of the mill Benchmade experience Ive known to expect but it is a refreshing design that gives the user plenty of deployability options. BENCHMADE 15031-2 NORTH FORK FOLDER S30V NEW IN THE BOX Brand New $175.00 Seller: bugsman57 (638) 100% Buy It Now +$12.60 shipping Sponsored Benchmade HUNT North Fork Folding Knife 15031-2 Dymondwood Handle Brand New $198.00 Top Rated Plus Buy It Now Seller: premiumselectsupplies (43,502) 99.8% Free shipping Free returns 31 watchers Sponsored It has a wide belly, so you can tackle heavier utility tasks without worries. The gut hook is exceptionally sharp and perfectly angled so that it slides right through skin and hair like youre slicing paper. This knife is also available with a little pizazz, offering a carbon fiber handle and beautiful accents. I think the Bailout is amazing. 2. Flipping this open with one hand quickly becomes second nature and is, in my opinion, more satisfying than even some of the best assisted-opening knives. 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. It would need to be a fixed blade, and be more of a Survival knife type. Best Hiking Watches Hiking Watches for Outdoor Adventures! This design reduces how many different parts are used, raises the overall durability of the knife, removes the need for liners and allows for far less hardware and mounting points, and makes for an overall exceptional ergonomic experience. Its topnotch features combined with high performance ensure the folding knife suits your everyday needs.Overall, North Fork 1503 takes pride in being a product of a respectable brand and it is specially built for tackling multiple tasks.Whether you want a reliable hunting knife, a reliable outdoor companion or you want something to use for making precision cuts, this tactical folding knife is your best bet. The edge itself has a wide, almost flat grind and a slight recurve before it arcs up to the point. But first, please take a few moments to sign up as a member of our EDC community below. By far my favorite benchmade edc even over my 940's. Like you said, hunters and frequent users may have a different take on it. CPM 3V and CPM M4. Probably youre looking for some recommendations so heres one: The North Fork by Benchmade. The folding knife isnt just built for hunting, but also suitable for other uses as well.This Benchmade North Fork 1503 review explains everything about this versatile, tactical knife. UPDATE:Also, as the reader Clayton mentioned in a comment to this review, the quick release is more sensitive than most knives (and isnt spring-loaded). I recommend it for the same reason the others did not. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. Okay, fine, I will, but only because I really enjoy saying the word triage. They would find the Mini Griptilian more comfortable and compact. Its more durable and weather-resistant than a regular wooden handle, and it also provides great grip and adds to the visual appeal of the knife as a whole. First, the designers they employ and the complicated craftsmanship a lot of their knives consist of. Boasting an excellent combination of handy features that suits everyday use, North Fork-1503 has proved to be a very reliable all-round knife. Basically, following this means youre looking out for extremely high quality and durability and you save up or sell something or do whatever you gotta do to get it and then youre good to go for a very long time without the need to buy another knife anytime soon. We put this ultralight folding knife to the test for this review. How to Sharpen a Machete Most Effective & Easy Way at Home. Never underestimate a good handle, since a sturdy, ergonomic, and grippy handle can make the knife so much better. Lastly, I certainly cannot go without mentioning the beautiful leather dangler loop sheath that comes with this knife. Its so smooth that I cant help but to open it each and every time I pull it out! Blade Style: Trailing Clip-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Resin Filled Wood GrainBlade Length: 4Total Length: 9.3Total Weight: 5.41. Got feedback? Some of our team have accomplished amazing feats like climbing 6000 feet to the top of mountains, others have explored every dirt trail they could find and we even have some people that have backpacked solo on various continents. Were glad you dig this post! Do you want random dudes to smile in awe and quickly ask Bro, is that a Benchmade? Maybe you do, maybe you dont, but thats the kind of brand recognition Benchmade has earned by delivering exceptional customer loyalty and overall quality. My Review: Adding a little flavor to the list is the SOCP dagger and trainer combo offered by Benchmade. The very name Puukko simply stands for a small Finnish full-tang belt knife that hosts a single elegantly curved edge and a mostly flat spine. Its lightweight and might feel flimsy at first. Home Knives 30 Best Benchmade Knives in 2023 (Ranked by Category). Most knives of such models are very compact so that you could easily carry them around while camping and hiking. I don't like the flimsy scales. Best Arcteryx Hiking Shorts Guide: Which Is Right for You? I have all 3 and they're pretty different. Free shipping for many products! Copyright 2017 - 2023 ProHunting Knife | All Rights Reserved. All things considered, this is the best Benchmade pocket knife Ive come across. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Textured G10Blade Length: 3.7Total Length: 8.6Total Weight: 5.81 ounces. This particular steel is especially strong in terms of tensile strength which allows this knife to be heavily abused and put through the wringer whether youre a camper, fisherman, or using the knife to work. Whats important is that you pick a knife according to what you need and you like, and youll definitely love what you end up buying. Typically, I wouldnt ever recommend something like this to someone new to handling knives but this little kit is an excellent way to introduce a dagger style knife for self-defense. Shop around the Knife Exchange or Fleabay and you can easily find a slightly used CPM-20CV 555/556-1 with G10 scales for not much more than a new Bugout and less than a new North Fork with some patience. 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. The high end Mini Grip is probably too expensive for mainstream folks. How can we improve GearLab? 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. 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. You might be asking yourself, there are so many factors to consider, how could you ever choose just one? 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. First, even right out of the box, there are different definitions of "sharp." A large knife pretty much needs to be fixed blade, but with the size, were looking at theres a choice. For the handle, you have a choice between traditional materials like wood or horn, modern composites, or even an all-metal handle. The only two folding knives I own are the Bugout and a full size Grip. 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 has wisely kept the Mini Bugout's clip plain and simple. Benchmade 15031 North Fork is a compact hunting knife thats also perfect for everyday carry. This is a great mechanism for those of you who dont like the feeling of the blade springing out of its handle but more so would rather a bit of control and a bit of automatic spring action. Despite being pricey, Benchmade North Fork 1503 still remains a high quality and extremely durable all-round folding knife. Well, thats what this guide is for, to help you find the best Benchmade knife for your intended uses. 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. I have both but usually find myself carrying the Griptilian 551. While you might be thinking this will be your next EDC of choice, Im thinking this would make a great gift! And they share the same opening and locking mechanisms. Although designed for hunting this is also an excellent general-purpose blade. A Review of the Benchmade North Fork Knife: Is it Right for You? 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. What are the differences, Spyderco Delica 4 vs Spyderco Paramilitary 2, Spyderco Endura 4 vs Spyderco Paramilitary 2, Spyderco Paramilitary 2 VS Benchmade 940 Osborne, Spyderco Para 3 vs Benchmade 945 Mini Osborne. 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. The clip makes it easy to secure in a pocket or on your belt although it doesnt allow point-down carriage and if youre after some extra security the lanyard hole makes it easy to fasten it to yourself. This program is designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. I just yesterday received my order of this knife from Amazon. While this bit might seem an unoriginal move on the designers part, theres no doubt that it works well. We are pocket knife experts that understand that you don't Pocket knife shopping is daunting. 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. For the blade, you have a choice between carbon steel or stainless. Despite preferring folding knives when it comes to Benchmade, I sure do appreciate their fixed blades. 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. Benchmade Barrage Knife 583SBK - Part Serrated Black Tanto - Black Valox - AXIS Assist - USA Made $198.00 MODIFIED Benchmade Bugout 535 + AWT Anodized Cobalt Blue Aluminum Scales $229.99 MODIFIED Benchmade Bugout 535BK Knife + AWT Archon Custom Anodized Scales $259.99 MODIFIED Benchmade Bugout 535 Knife + AWT Archon Custom Anodized Scales $249.99 Basically, if you click on a product link on this site and buy that product we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Tanto is specifically designed to be extremely lethal as its point is among the strongest of all blade shapes, giving it superior penetration and stabbing capabilities while also hosting a sharp and straight belly for slashing.