Benchmade 300SN beside the Spyderco Southard just my $.02

I'm carrying a 300SSN (partially serrated) right now - horizontally in a (discontinued) Benchmade snap-clip sheath. I took the clip off.

Does it flip like a Leek? No. It's not assisted. But one thing I found working outside this winter is the flipper is great when wearing heavy gloves. Using a thumb stud isn't possible. The flippper allows you to get it started, then a slight wrist flick and it's open.

I know my taste run counter to most here, and that's ok.
 
As I've said before, I'm not opposed to a little wrist flick to open a knife. My issue with the 300sn is a safety issue. The Axis-lock's detent is so weak that the blade opens very easily in my pocket. I'm not talking about the blade opening all the way, but just enough to expose the tip to my pinkies when I go to reach for it. And that's just not acceptable for me. I see that you carry your 300sn in a sheath. But that won't work for me either. So there won't be any 300sn's in my collection, I'm afraid.
 
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bld522 said:
As I've said before, I'm not opposed to a little wrist flick to open a knife. My issue with the 300sn is a safety issue. The Axis-lock's detent is so weak that the blade opens very easily in my pocket. I'm not talking about the blade opening all the way, but just enough to expose the tip to my pinkies when I go to reach for it. And that's just not acceptable for me. I see that you carry your 300sn in a sheath. But that won't work for me either. So there won't be any 300sn's in my collection, I'm afraid.
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That's interesting.

I carried a 9100 AutoStryker in Iraq and carried a Mini Barrage without the safety on and never had one open in my pocket.

How to do you carry yours?

I carry tip up with the spine of the blade against the back of my pocket. It's impossible for it to open. I've tried to open it on purpose and it won't.
 
aquaman67 said:
That's interesting.

I carried a 9100 AutoStryker in Iraq and carried a Mini Barrage without the safety on and never had one open in my pocket.

How to do you carry yours?

I carry tip up with the spine of the blade against the back of my pocket. It's impossible for it to open. I've tried to open it on purpose and it won't.
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he doesn't clip his knives.
 
I own a Southard and have only handled the 300sn, but I loved it. I didn't need any wrist flick whatsoever, nor did I need to pre-load the flipper.

I love the Benchmade personally.
 
Strigamort said:
I own a Southard and have only handled the 300sn, but I loved it. I didn't need any wrist flick whatsoever, nor did I need to pre-load the flipper.

I love the Benchmade personally.
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I got the 300sn about 3 weeks ago and it has quickly turned into one of my favorite knives. It feels super sturdy, rides very nicely in the pocket and the flipper + axis lock makes it fun to play with and open and close. To me this is one of the best benchmade knives i have seen in a very long time and they hit a home run in my eyes.
 
I'm a Benchmade fan, and I love the axis lock. I also really enjoy flippers. The 300sn just didn't do it for me, though. Between the axis detent not really being quite right for the flipper and the knife being a bit too chunky, it wasn't one of my favorites.

The other complaint I have goes for the Southard as well: IMO brown scales are really unattractive.
 
You really can't compare these two head to head......
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couldn't have said it better myself

between the two i would have to go with the spyderco just because the benchmade is a little too chunky for my own personal liking
 
The fit and finish of the Southard is one of the best of all the knive I ve handled. Well worth the money. If you want a value in a cheaper flipper, get the Buck Vantage which flips with a small hand motion and can be had with s30v steel and g10 handles. Bos heat treat and and good ergos.
 
The 300SN was definatly my smoothest knife...when I owned it :rolleyes: still wish I didn't get rid of it but planning on getting another one soon :cool: IMO the Axis lock not having a detent is a very nice detail to me :D I don't have problem with knives opening in my pocket so the smoother the better! It did take some wrist action, but it takes about the same as my Mini Grip and that little blade is crazy fast!
 
I don't get the wrist action thing. I can easily flip my 300SN without using any wrist action, either pushing down or pulling back. I can't think of any method that doesn't work. I can even do the middle finger flick with the thumb studs :)
 
I can flip it without even trying with no wrist action I let other people try it and they could not flip it all the way some people don't know how to use flippers without a strong detent I try to show them but they just dont get it. Ive only tried 3 300sn's so there might be some that I can't flip out not saying you guy dont know how to use flippers just saying that the people that tried mine and are not used to flippers could not do it.
 
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Does anyone know the reason why Benchmade's first flipper has brown G10, Sypderco's first flipper has brown G10, and ZT's first non-assisted flipper comes in brown G10?
 
RetiredGuns said:
The axis lock is a darn good device and can be deployed in so many ways that adding a flipper makes no sense to me other than BM wanting to get in on the flipper craze. I have thoroughly enjoyed every axis lock knife I've owned and I think in the end BM will enjoy more success by employing a flipper on a different platform.
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Absolutely. The best part of the knife is that it closes so easily as well. Axis lock is truly a one handed knife.
 
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