3 Great Benchmade EDC folding knives...

H

Heffeb

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Mar 6, 2022
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All three (3) of these Benchmade EDC folding knives are excellent choices, but my favorite is the Mini Presidio II, with my order of preference listed below:

(1) Benchmade Mini Presidio II

(2) Benchmade Mini Griptilian

(3) Benchmade Bugout
 
I like the idea of the Bugout. Like most people here, I believe that aftermarket scales are needed.

My Mini-Grip is semi-retired. Feels just a little too small, even for me.

Never tried any iteration of the Presidio.

I was really stuck on the Adamas for a while, decided not to, but I don't remember why.

I feel like the thing that Benchmade really had going for them was the AXIS lock, and now that others can (legally) use it, there isn't a lot that sets them apart from other knives.
 
Not a fan of the axis lock either. Just personal preference. Benchmade had some cool looking knives for sure though.
 
Love some of Benchmade's designs, have owned a few the Presido, and Griptillian among others and they were OK? I guess.
I think Benchmade would be greatly improved as a company if they sourced some cheaper FRN "plastic" for the prices they charge I feel their supplier might be rippin' 'em off! And why o why do they feel the need to grind a 3" blade with the same edge geometry as a Fiskars axe, the Tin snips in my toolbox are thinner behind the edge!
Most of their designs would be vastly, vastly improved, by taking some notes on edge geometry from Mora or Opinel.
I have never been afraid of edge damage on a Benchmade but have been dissapointed when cutting stuff lighter and softer than sheet metal.
Great pieces for regrinds, custom scales, clips and fasteners, if you have deep pockets.
 
As a sophisticated knife guy (sarcasm font), I don’t want to like Benchmade. But most days a Bugout or 940-1 ends up in my pocket, beating others I have like TRM, Toor, Spyderco, and Giant Mouse.

Thankfully it’s closer to pants/jeans weather and Medford will be the go-to.

The others get rotated but the Bugout and 940 are mostly just too damn good for what I need.
 
5DoorEstate said:
As a sophisticated knife guy (sarcasm font), I don’t want to like Benchmade. But most days a Bugout or 940-1 ends up in my pocket, beating others I have like TRM, Toor, Spyderco, and Giant Mouse.

Thankfully it’s closer to pants/jeans weather and Medford will be the go-to.

The others get rotated but the Bugout and 940 are mostly just too damn good for what I need.
Click to expand...
Why don't you want to like Benchmade?
 
I think the Benchmade Presidio 2 line with the carbon fiber infused zytel (oops carbon fiber and glass reinforced nylon) scales and full stainless steel lingers is an underdog. It can satisfy both serious user and mall ninjas alike. You get a lot of value from them. They are not designed to be ultralight weight though. They are not too heavy either.

The larger one at 4.97 oz for a 3.72 inch inch blade is not too bad. It is on the big side. I include it because I like the bigger one.

The mini presidio 2 coming in at 3.19 oz for a 3.2 inch blade meets the light weight criteria of 1oz per inch of blade. Both Presidio knives are designed to fill the hand for a a good solid grip and have wide blades as well as very durable construction.

I have never handled the bugout but I am sure it's a great lightweight knife if people can stop associating the zytel (oops did it again i mean glass reinforced nylon the newer ones might use the CF infused stuff) grips with cheap plastic which they are not. They are small and ultra light at 1.85 oz for a 3.27 inch blade and an overall small, flat, concealable, and comfortable for pocket carry package. Benchmade does not give any discounts for this smaller package though and it costs about as much as a presidio 2.

Mini Griptilian 2.91 inch blade at 2.56 oz with GRN (zytel) scales and S30V blade. Ritter Mini RSK 2.9 inch blade at 2.7 oz with G10 scales and S90V Blade for close to the same price as the mini grip.

All the Benchmades come standard with S30V blades.

I would pick the Presidio 2 unless you really need something very small and ultra light. The presidio 2 is more knife for the money with the Ritter RSK being a close competitor.
 
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One of the best Benchmade designs ever was the Pat Crawford 612 Leopard Cub.
Think a slightly "beefier" Ken Onion Leek.

IMHO - Benchmade could slam a home run if they brought it back, with a flipper & assisted opening.

{{{{sigh}}} an old man can only dream..
 
The only benchmade I still own is a 531 Pardue... one of my all time favorite lightweight slicers to wear with basketball shorts in the summer time.

The only benchmade still on my radar to buy, (if I come across one at a reasonable price), is the large non-serrated HD Hardtail... had a small for a while, and liked it a lot except the handle size.
 
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