Benchmade 111h20 - Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences? Why is it so rarely discussed?

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
4,765
I don't know if I've ever seen a post or thread about this model. I don't get it. They're pretty inexpensive, corrosion-resistant but with wear-resistant steel, reasonably-sized, right in the middle of weight ranges for the size, and with a utilitarian blade design - it kinda looks like a folding chef's knife, which I quite like. In fact, it would work very well for that with the corrosion resistance.

Why does it seem nobody ever discuss this model? It seems like it should be reasonably popular, but they never pop up in suggestion threads or the exchange. I've had my eye on the model for a while because of the blade shape and price range.

There aren't even very many videos about it, and most are awful quality. Please, help relieve the lack of information and experiences by sharing your own - positive and negative! If there's a reason people stray away from this model, I'd like to know before curiosity gets the better of me.

Google image search pulled up this picture, which is a handy size comparison to a full-size grip and a mini-grip.

DSCF1317.jpg
 
The liners aren't rust proof. I received one in a trade a few years ago and the liners were a little rusty. I never carried it or used it and I don't thin the previous owner did much either. Smooth action and a good blade shape on it. I only got it because I had just bought a 950 and was completely blown away by it. This one didn't live quite up to the Rift. It's not a bad knife by any means, but if corrosion resistance is your main concern the Spydie Salts are a better choice in my opinion.
 
I thought about grabbing one a few weeks ago. Haven't held one in person, just checked it out online. I agree that the blade shape is cool and I dig the green scales.
 
"dive knives" do not have a great reputation for sharpness and edge retention. Mainly because in years past they were thick knives with less than keen serrated edges better suited to prying than cutting.

That said I have seen quite a few threads on the forums concerning Spyderco's H1 and the Benchmade dive knives. Most of the opinions are very positive, but most seem to be of the opinion that unless you need the high stain resistance you will be better served day to day by other steels.

I really want one of the Spyderco H1 knives to leave tied into the canoe as a backup knife.
 
collim1 said:
"dive knives" do not have a great reputation for sharpness and edge retention. Mainly because in years past they were thick knives with less than keen serrated edges better suited to prying than cutting.

That said I have seen quite a few threads on the forums concerning Spyderco's H1 and the Benchmade dive knives. Most of the opinions are very positive, but most seem to be of the opinion that unless you need the high stain resistance you will be better served day to day by other steels.

I really want one of the Spyderco H1 knives to leave tied into the canoe as a backup knife.
Click to expand...

I don't know if this could really be called a "dive knife" as the axis lock and liners aren't rust-resistant beyond being regular stainless. The blade thickness is perfectly reasonable for cutting chores (0.114") and it's available in combo and plain edge.

I've had a Spyderco Pacific Salt for some time on my backpack as a backup knife. The H1 seems to be most like AUS8 as far as edge retention and impact resistance goes. While I understand that phosphor bronze washers are out of the question for the sake of true rust resistance, I don't really understand why they didn't spring for at least nylon washers instead of it being an FRN sandwich...

Nowadays, one could put a ceramic captive ball bearing system with an H1 or N690 blade and a CF or Ti body with a Ti frame / liner / subframe lock and have an ultralightweight completely rustproof bearing flipper knife.

JUST SAYING IN CASE SOMEONE IS READING THIS HINT HINT ZT SPYDERCO KERSHAW KIZER REATE MICROTECH CRKT HINT HINT.
 
I owned one for a few years. It had the smoothest Axis lock of any Benchmade I have ever used.

My in-laws camp along the pacific coast so I wanted a folding knife that could handle salt water. The color of the scales was kinda fun and worked great to help you keep track of the thing. The steel held up quite well and it made a wonderful camp knife because of the blade shape. The blade never rust and was the perfect size and shape for use in the kitchen. Come to think of it, I never had any rust problems at all.

If you want a knife that will never slip in your hands, this is the one. Can be a little rough if you don't wear gloves though and the texturing of the scales is murder on your clothes if you use the pocket clip.

Benchmade offers the same knife as a fixed blade dive knife and I think, over all, it is a much better knife. However, If I spent a lot of time in a kayak or white water rafting, I would want the folding 111 on my vest over any other knife I have ever owned.

Wish I had known you liked the 111. Could have loaned it to you for a trial run. I recently got rid of mine because it was heavy an I found that I was not using it much any more.

Would love to see Benchmade offer a full size Griptilian with the handle texture and color of a 111 h2o. If they offered a full size Grip with a 111 blade I would buy one.
 
I like the blade shape as well, but in a world of 940s, 470s, and Paramilitarys, I can't see carrying this one. Heck yeah it's cool, but unless you anticipate being castaway like Tom Hanks in Castaway, why would you EDC this? (Even then the liners and Axis aren't corrosion resistant) Also, the texture on the scales appears so awesomely effective that I can't imagine it's easy on the pocket. I totally want one to flip at home but don't think it's demand on pocket real estate is justifiable. I will own one before I die, but I am a lunatic and wouldn't suggest replication my purchasing habits.
 
Comeuppance said:
I don't know if this could really be called a "dive knife" as the axis lock and liners aren't rust-resistant beyond being regular stainless.
Click to expand...

I think you have sort of answered your own question here. This knife doesn't know what it wants to be. It is listed as a dive knife but it really isn't. The steel isn't the most rust resistant. The internals are far from rust resistant. The Axis lock is not all that secure in the closed position. I don't trust my Benchmades in situations where I know there will be a lot of jostling due to the weak detent. It is priced far above the true rust resistant dive type folding knives like the Salt series from Spyderco. $45 more for a dive knife that isn't a dive knife? No thanks.

It is not the best EDC knife in it's price range. $115 for frn handles is quite steep considering the myriad of options out there. In a normal EDC you will not need the huge rust resistance. Companies like Cold Steel offer a similar size knife with better materials for less. SOG has the arc-lock folders that are much like this knife (steel liners and FRN handles) for less. Spyderco has a ton of folders like this or better for less or about the same.

The only real things that sets this knife apart for the price would be the blade shape and handle design. If you have to have these for the price then go for it. Otherwise, on paper there are better options for a dive folding knife or an EDC knife for much less or the same amount of money. In the wonderful knife market we have today it seems BM has made a knife that doesn't know what it is and then they priced it right out of competition.
 
In a fit of impatience, I just picked one up at a decent discount from the bay - I'm excited, as the more I looked at it, the more I liked the folding chef knife blade profile, easily maintained edge (that's one heck of a sharpening notch), all coupled with corrosion resistance sufficient for me to carry it without any concern during Oklahoma's many humid / rainy / sweaty days.
 
craytab said:
I think you have sort of answered your own question here. This knife doesn't know what it wants to be. It is listed as a dive knife but it really isn't. The steel isn't the most rust resistant. The internals are far from rust resistant. The Axis lock is not all that secure in the closed position. I don't trust my Benchmades in situations where I know there will be a lot of jostling due to the weak detent. It is priced far above the true rust resistant dive type folding knives like the Salt series from Spyderco. $45 more for a dive knife that isn't a dive knife? No thanks.

It is not the best EDC knife in it's price range. $115 for frn handles is quite steep considering the myriad of options out there. In a normal EDC you will not need the huge rust resistance. Companies like Cold Steel offer a similar size knife with better materials for less. SOG has the arc-lock folders that are much like this knife (steel liners and FRN handles) for less. Spyderco has a ton of folders like this or better for less or about the same.

The only real things that sets this knife apart for the price would be the blade shape and handle design. If you have to have these for the price then go for it. Otherwise, on paper there are better options for a dive folding knife or an EDC knife for much less or the same amount of money. In the wonderful knife market we have today it seems BM has made a knife that doesn't know what it is and then they priced it right out of competition.
Click to expand...


Yep, I think you pretty much nailed it with this post. I looked at them several years ago for what I do but it quickly became clear that Spyderco's Salt knives were far better suited to daily use on the ocean.
 
I have toyed with getting one of these, or a custom Grip with N690 but never made the purchase. I like axis locks a lot, but I want a water knife to be fully stainless, or even stain proof. I own a boat and often vacation in tropical places like Florida so it's both water exposure and salt exposure plus humidity. Personally, I think the way to go for a dedicated dive/water knife is something with H1 steel, I prefer the serrated pacific salt.
 
I would not want my omega springs to be constantly exposed to water, even fresh water. The salt series has proven it can handle such things. That said, looks like comeu wants it for a different use so it may be perfect for him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top