119 Arvensis: Your Thoughts?

blades&wrenches

blades&wrenches

Joined
Jan 11, 2014
Messages
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Ive been eying the Arvensis since the first time I saw it. I want to hear some thoughts and experiences about this bad boy. Right now I use an ESEE 6 for my woods/outdoor fixed blade but want to add a stainless fixie. How comfortable is it? What are your opinions on the sheath? Pics always welcome!
 
Just handled one yesterday. If the tang didn't stand around of the scales I probably would have bought it. It's a great size, larger than I expected, but I couldn't see using it without gloves and I rarely wear gloves when I'm out and about.
 


I held this on Friday at my local dealers shop. I absolutely love this blade. I wouldn't mind owning one myself. I love the ergos, weight, blade shape. If this was made in 3V I would have bought this in a heartbeat. The sheath leaves a little to be desired for though. I like the design just not the strap and would probably end up buying a teklock *
 
I am curious to see more of these in the wild here and see what other members think. The look is just fantastic! They hit that part out of the ballpark IMO. I wish the steel was better but 154cm is fine for what I imagine the uses of this knife to be (utility). The sheath is my big question. I've said it before. Some great BM fixed blades are ruined for me by a poor sheath. The kydex will need to be very well done (retention without the strap). The attachment system is a bit of a gimmick. Those things have been on SOGs for more than a decade. It will need replacement immediately. If I have to replace the sheath and attachment system, depending how that is done, it could cost an extra $40-$100. Adding that cost on this knife puts it into another category IMO and it will be punching above its weight.
 
This is on my short list. I love everything about the knife - design, materials, etc.

The sheath doesn't look too bad other than the attachment method. With a knife this big I usually make a shoulder sling for it and carry it like that.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
This is on my short list. I love everything about the knife - design, materials, etc.

The sheath doesn't look too bad other than the attachment method. With a knife this big I usually make a shoulder sling for it and carry it like that.
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I fear that the retuntion without strap will be poor and it will rattle all over the place.
 
Looks awesome. That said, it appears to me to be more of a "tactical" knife than a "bush" knife.

YVMV

Sent from my Sero 7 Pro using Tapatalk
 
I really like my 119! The past two weekends I've been using it along side my Busse Ash 1 (.220 thick) and my Fallkniven A1. The blade geometry is surprisingly good and the heat treat seems spot on. While I didn't do anything extreme, the Benchmade preformed well and easily did any task I asked it to. I found the ergonomics to have a neutral feeling and should fit any hand size. I would buy the Avensis again!

The knife is a winner in my book but it now rides in a Spec Ops medium combat sheath. Benchmade's sheath is decent but the back plate is flimsy feeling. I wish that the back plate attachment had a more sold feeling and attached to a large Tek lok. Hopefully Benchmade will offer other sheath attachments in the future.
 
DJC72 said:
I really like my 119! The past two weekends I've been using it along side my Busse Ash 1 (.220 thick) and my Fallkniven A1. The blade geometry is surprisingly good and the heat treat seems spot on. While I didn't do anything extreme, the Benchmade preformed well and easily did any task I asked it to. I found the ergonomics to have a neutral feeling and should fit any hand size. I would buy the Avensis again!

The knife is a winner in my book but it now rides in a Spec Ops medium combat sheath. Benchmade's sheath is decent but the back plate is flimsy feeling. I wish that the back plate attachment had a more sold feeling and attached to a large Tek lok. Hopefully Benchmade will offer other sheath attachments in the future.
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Don't post TOO many comparison photos or pics of the 119 in action, you might blow up the internet.:confused:;)

Seriously, why no pics
 
To say that I have little technological knowledge would be a compliment. Ha ha. I tried to post pics once and after an hour, threw in the towel.
 
DJC72 said:
I really like my 119! The past two weekends I've been using it along side my Busse Ash 1 (.220 thick) and my Fallkniven A1. The blade geometry is surprisingly good and the heat treat seems spot on. While I didn't do anything extreme, the Benchmade preformed well and easily did any task I asked it to. I found the ergonomics to have a neutral feeling and should fit any hand size. I would buy the Avensis again!

The knife is a winner in my book but it now rides in a Spec Ops medium combat sheath. Benchmade's sheath is decent but the back plate is flimsy feeling. I wish that the back plate attachment had a more sold feeling and attached to a large Tek lok. Hopefully Benchmade will offer other sheath attachments in the future.
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That's not good about the sheath. Thanks for sharing.
 
This thread needs more pics. Preferably of non-serrated versions along side of other known knives. I nearly drove up to the factory today to handle one.
 
Cypress said:
This thread needs more pics. Preferably of non-serrated versions along side of other known knives. I nearly drove up to the factory today to handle one.
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Agreed. If you do drive up, report back! Have I mentioned the sheath? Need more info on the sheath!
 
craytab said:
Agreed. If you do drive up, report back! Have I mentioned the sheath? Need more info on the sheath!
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Cray,

I just received the 119 last night so this is an initial impression..

The knife itself is awesome! Hits the right mark on every level, weight, balance, ergo's, blade geometry. In a nut shell I love it! But more on that some other time after I've had it a bit.

To get right to your questions, the Boltaron sheath.

First impression is very positive. Excellent retention. The knife locks into the sheath without use of the retention strap. I held it upside down and shook it and the knife stayed in place. Great "detent" for lack of a better word. The retention strap then snaps snugly in place, holding the knife with no movement once in the sheath. Great retention but not overly difficult to release or deploy the knife.

As far as the back plate, I agree with the observation of one of the posters above. At first glance it does appear kind of "flimsy" but I suspect its a lot stronger then it looks. Once locked in place it does feel secure. As far as longevity and strength, only time will really tell but off the bat I do have confidence in it.

Compared to other stock sheaths I own (Ka-Bar / Becker, Cold Steel, Condor) it more then hold it's own and I'd say it's one of the better ones if not the best. I should add I don't own any custom of after market sheaths to compare it to, only other stock Kydex and nylon sheath's so take that for what it's worth.

Anyway, Like I said, this is an initial out of the box first impression and I'm sure I'll have more to add as time goes on but I hope you find it useful just the same.

All the best!
 
pbcg said:
Cray,

I just received the 119 last night so this is an initial impression..

The knife itself is awesome! Hits the right mark on every level, weight, balance, ergo's, blade geometry. In a nut shell I love it! But more on that some other time after I've had it a bit.

To get right to your questions, the Boltaron sheath.

First impression is very positive. Excellent retention. The knife locks into the sheath without use of the retention strap. I held it upside down and shook it and the knife stayed in place. Great "detent" for lack of a better word. The retention strap then snaps snugly in place, holding the knife with no movement once in the sheath. Great retention but not overly difficult to release or deploy the knife.

As far as the back plate, I agree with the observation of one of the posters above. At first glance it does appear kind of "flimsy" but I suspect its a lot stronger then it looks. Once locked in place it does feel secure. As far as longevity and strength, only time will really tell but off the bat I do have confidence in it.

Compared to other stock sheaths I own (Ka-Bar / Becker, Cold Steel, Condor) it more then hold it's own and I'd say it's one of the better ones if not the best. I should add I don't own any custom of after market sheaths to compare it to, only other stock Kydex and nylon sheath's so take that for what it's worth.

Anyway, Like I said, this is an initial out of the box first impression and I'm sure I'll have more to add as time goes on but I hope you find it useful just the same.

All the best!
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Thank you. This is very helpful and good to hear. When/if I get this knife I know already I will be replacing the back and clip so the sheath is more important. For most of my fixed blades I use an Esee 5/6 clip plate back. I must have 7 or 8 of them now. Do let us know about any ongoing experiences. Pics would be freaking awesome too!
 
Craytab, I am not sure that the Esse clip plate will fit. I'll try mine when I get home. In addition, I tried my Esee 5/6 molle back and it would not fit. The sheath really flares out at the cross guard and is a weird width.

I agree with pbcg, the stock 119 sheath has great retention and is better than most companies stock sheaths.
 
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