- Joined
- Aug 9, 2006
- Messages
- 718
I first saw this knife on a You Tube clip from the 2012 Shot Show featuring Benchmade's new knives. The knife caught my eye as it is not that common for a major player to introduce what is a relatively old fashioned style of knife. As usual there can be some delay between announcements and retail availability but I eventually got my hands on one.
What is relatively unusual about this model is the absence of thumbstud, flipper, hole in blade etc that facilitates one handed opening. The lock is the tried and tested backlock. There is more than nostalgia at play here. I live in Australia and we have recently experienced a crack down on importation of evil items like one handed openers. I can own one legally where I live but can't import one. I ordered this Benchmade from an on line dealer in the US and it passed through Customs without a second look. I might say more but this thread is about a knife, not silly laws.
The 15050 is part of the Bone Collector series - I am not really sure what that means and haven't paid much attention to it. The first thing that struck me when I opened the box was that the knife was a lot bigger than I had anticipated. My fault entirely as the seller quite clearly published the specs, but from pics I had imagined a more compact piece suited to the pocket. While on the subject, the dimensions are (from the manufacturer's website) :
Blade length: 3.73
Blade Thickness: 0.130
Handle Thickness: 0.53
Overall Length: 8.48
Closed Length: 4.75
Weight: 3.750z
Blade Hardness: 60-62HRC
The knife is made in the US
The Blade is D2 steel in drop point style and is hollow ground. The scales are cocobolo with some Bone Collector inspired decoration. I believe that a micarta option is offered but I have not seen one for sale. The bolsters and liners are alloy or brushed stainless; I am not sure which but a magnet will not stick and with the light weight of the knife, I would guess alloy. The knife does not come with a sheath but does have a pocket clip which allows for right hand, tip carry or nothing. The clip is removable. The blade has an adjustable pivot that I did not adjust as it was set just right for me. There is no provision for a lanyard.
The blade has an adjustable pivot. That is not a gap between the bolster and the scale - the edge of the bolster is angled out towards the bottom.
There is postive jimping on the blade and spring
My impressions.
As previously mentioned this is a large folder - roughly the same size as a Buck 110. For its size it feels surprisingly light in weight. Appearance is a subjective thing but I find the knife attractive. The knife locks up tight with no discernible play. It opens and closes smoothly. Somewhat surprisingly for a locker it has a half stop. The 15050 is held together with torx screws and appears to be amenable to disassembly, though I did not attempt to take it apart. Fit and finish, with one exception, is first class. Inside the frame looks almost surgically smooth and clean - no casting or grind marks anywhere in sight. The grind lines are faultless and the blade was hair popping sharp out of the box. It feels secure in the hand.
Not sure how clear it is but note the gap between the scale and frame under the pocket clip
Overall length is similar to the Buck 110. The 15050 is longer than the Griptilian but thinner in the grip
The exception issue re fit and finish might be better termed a design issue. In one section the wood scales are clear of the liner/frame. I could move the scales with finger pressure and see the gap opening and closing. A pic is included - not sure how clear it is in the photo. Tightening the screws has no effect. For a knife intended for hunting and the outdoors where blood, mud etc are likely to be encountered, the potential to get gunk under the scales is obvious and corrosion might result. This was an unfortunate discovery in what is otherwise a knife that is well designed and is built and finished to a very high standard.
What is relatively unusual about this model is the absence of thumbstud, flipper, hole in blade etc that facilitates one handed opening. The lock is the tried and tested backlock. There is more than nostalgia at play here. I live in Australia and we have recently experienced a crack down on importation of evil items like one handed openers. I can own one legally where I live but can't import one. I ordered this Benchmade from an on line dealer in the US and it passed through Customs without a second look. I might say more but this thread is about a knife, not silly laws.
The 15050 is part of the Bone Collector series - I am not really sure what that means and haven't paid much attention to it. The first thing that struck me when I opened the box was that the knife was a lot bigger than I had anticipated. My fault entirely as the seller quite clearly published the specs, but from pics I had imagined a more compact piece suited to the pocket. While on the subject, the dimensions are (from the manufacturer's website) :
Blade length: 3.73
Blade Thickness: 0.130
Handle Thickness: 0.53
Overall Length: 8.48
Closed Length: 4.75
Weight: 3.750z
Blade Hardness: 60-62HRC
The knife is made in the US
The Blade is D2 steel in drop point style and is hollow ground. The scales are cocobolo with some Bone Collector inspired decoration. I believe that a micarta option is offered but I have not seen one for sale. The bolsters and liners are alloy or brushed stainless; I am not sure which but a magnet will not stick and with the light weight of the knife, I would guess alloy. The knife does not come with a sheath but does have a pocket clip which allows for right hand, tip carry or nothing. The clip is removable. The blade has an adjustable pivot that I did not adjust as it was set just right for me. There is no provision for a lanyard.
The blade has an adjustable pivot. That is not a gap between the bolster and the scale - the edge of the bolster is angled out towards the bottom.
There is postive jimping on the blade and spring
My impressions.
As previously mentioned this is a large folder - roughly the same size as a Buck 110. For its size it feels surprisingly light in weight. Appearance is a subjective thing but I find the knife attractive. The knife locks up tight with no discernible play. It opens and closes smoothly. Somewhat surprisingly for a locker it has a half stop. The 15050 is held together with torx screws and appears to be amenable to disassembly, though I did not attempt to take it apart. Fit and finish, with one exception, is first class. Inside the frame looks almost surgically smooth and clean - no casting or grind marks anywhere in sight. The grind lines are faultless and the blade was hair popping sharp out of the box. It feels secure in the hand.
Not sure how clear it is but note the gap between the scale and frame under the pocket clip
Overall length is similar to the Buck 110. The 15050 is longer than the Griptilian but thinner in the grip
The exception issue re fit and finish might be better termed a design issue. In one section the wood scales are clear of the liner/frame. I could move the scales with finger pressure and see the gap opening and closing. A pic is included - not sure how clear it is in the photo. Tightening the screws has no effect. For a knife intended for hunting and the outdoors where blood, mud etc are likely to be encountered, the potential to get gunk under the scales is obvious and corrosion might result. This was an unfortunate discovery in what is otherwise a knife that is well designed and is built and finished to a very high standard.
