Benchmade 100SH2O River Rescue Dive Knife

Guyon

Guyon

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Curious about this knife and am thinking of picking up one for kayaking.

In poking around on Google, I've seen mention of H1 in early production runs, X15 in early production, and H1 as the current steel. Correct?

Will the blade be stamped with the steel type? I'm more interested in an H1 blade than an X15 blade.

I also seem to be seeing different finishes--some a bead blast, some a combination of satin and bead blast. What's the story there?

benchmade100sh2o.jpg
 
Gunyon,

I don't believe they are still being made in H1 - that was a while ago. I'm not too impressed with the sheath that comes with it as well - and not just because I make them. What type of kayaking are you doing? I've got over 20 yrs whitewater experience and much prefer folders over fixed blades, as I can carry a more effective blade in a smaller package. Particularly like Spyderco's Tasman Salt. A folder in a sheath attached to lash tab or chest adjustment straps, stays out of the way of any movements you make.
Got some pictures in this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=458429
 
Spyderco has quite alot to offer in H1, both fixed blade and folders. Give Spyderco a look...
Roy
 
Check out the Caspian2 from Spyderco, I use it all the time for whitewater :thumbup:

Shameless review plug



BTW, about the BM, I didnt like it. Too small, not the right design for a river knife, handle was very slick.
 
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I was looking at the Benchmade because, in an emergency, a fixed blade is quicker to deploy than a folder. Draw/cut rather than draw/open/cut.

I'm aware of Spyderco's H1 line. I own the Pacific Salt and the Salt Saver. I do like the looks of the Aqua Salt and will get one eventually, but it has a pointier tip than the Benchmade show above.

Hmmm... I seem to have gotten the history wrong. According to Benchmade's site, X15 is the later steel:

Change History: Blade steel upgrade from H1 to X15 T.N
'06 catalog correction for X15 specs: 0.42C, 16.0Cr, 1.8Mo, 0.35V and 0.2N
Click to expand...
 
I'd buy the Aqua Salt and round the tip off a little. The sheath it comes with is superior to the 100SH2O's.

And it's H1 :thumbup:
 
Try the Underwater Kinetics Remora or Fusilier. These are great dive knives. Either can be attached easily to your PFD.
http://www.uwkinetics.com/catalog/category/13

Pretty inexpensive. The basic Remora is $26.95 at Leisurepro:http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_968/Context_965/Sort_Stock/DescSort_0/UKTKR.html?Hit=1
It can be had in Hydralloy or titanium as well. The basic SS model holds up well in salt water with the occasional cleaning and some silicone spray. Another option is the Gerber River Shorty.
 
There are a lot of River Shorties (and River Runners) out there, but the sheath has always been a problem that has never been fixed. Way too many people have lost their knives. Should you opt for either Gerber, I have a proven solution.
 
Guyon,

I 100% agree with Mike Sastre.
A few years ago, I bought one of the BM H20s for kayaking and whitewater rafting. I carried it with me on one kayaking trip and one whitewater rafting trip. That was enough for me to want to sell it. Why?
It certainly wasn't the knife itself - the knife is excellent! But, that sheath...horrible...
If you have the option of having a custom kydex sheath made - go for it!

Otherwise, the other posters on this thread have pointed out some excellent alternatives.
The alternative I selected was the basic Spyderco Salt.

I too was concerned about deployment time in an emergency, but you'd be surprised how quick you can get those Spydie Salts deployed when you need them. Folder or fixed...

Good luck and regards,
Mike
 
Curse,

Thank you for that link to the Spyderco Caspian 2 review, it clarified for me in a way that nothing else had yet done, the full benefits of the non pointed tip.

My boat, an Alpacka Raft Denali Llama and PFD (Personal Flotation Device, AKA Life Jacket) a Stormy Seas EXP100-Expedition are inflatable.

http://www.alpackaraft.com/store/index.cfm?CategoryID=53&do=list

http://www.stormyseas.com/vests.html

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the use of the Mini Gear Keeper RT2 and RT3 series which have a variety of base fittings and are saltwater and sand usable. No need to lose knives, lights or other kit which needs to be retained safely, yet remain accessible.

http://www.gearkeeper.com/customgearneeds.html#RT2
 
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