My name is Ethan and this is my first post so I'm sorry if it's not in the right spot haha but I am looking for a backpacking knife and was looking for some opinions or experience with these knives. I love benchmade and I have found three knives that seem like they could do the job. Just some fire and good prep and just an all around camp knife. I want a fixed blade and don't know what one to get. 162 or 140 or 375, would love some advice on which you think is best. Thanks
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Benchmade 375 vs 140 vs 162
- Thread starter Egoslin11
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2014
- Messages
- 474
I am making a similar decision as you - considering a nice camping knife. Although I haven't purchased it yet I'll be getting a 162 Bushcrafter. I've held the other 2 and thought that they were more tactical/survival than the 162. For cold weather camping I don't want a metal (140) or paracord grip. If possible find a place were you can handle all 3.
Here is an online review which I found very helpful: Rocky Mountain Bushcraft
Here is an online review which I found very helpful: Rocky Mountain Bushcraft
The 162 has a very nice blade shape for a camping knife. It is made with thick S30V - a great premium all around steel. To me the handle is a little "blocky" but not hard to get used to, and from other owners comments I'm in the minority about it being a little "blocky". I own it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It is the only one of the three you mention that I have personal experience with. I do own the 275 that is the folder version of the 375. The blade shape would work as a camping knife, but the handle on the 375 is not really designed for it, and would be uncomfortable for that task in my opinion.
You didn't list the two Benchmades below, but they are worth considering:
The Ritter RSK MK3 is a fixed blade designed by Survivalist Doug Ritter and made by Benchmade. It is designed specifically for survival and camping and uses a blade and handle shape for these tasks. It's blade is made of S30V. I own it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. A link to Ritter's website that explains the knife in detail is below. KnifeWorks has exclusive rights to sell the knife and their website is also below:
http://www.dougritter.com/dr_rsk_mk3.htm
http://www.knifeworks.com/dougritterrskmk3fixedbladeutilitysurvivalknife.aspx
Lastly, Benchmade will be releasing the 183 Contego soon. It is the fixed blade version of the highly respected 810 Contego. It's really a hybrid of an outdoor and tactical knife similar to the 140 Nimravus you mentioned, but looks like it would be fine for either purpose and it also has a S30V blade. A link to the 183 is below:
http://www.benchmade.com/products/183
You didn't list the two Benchmades below, but they are worth considering:
The Ritter RSK MK3 is a fixed blade designed by Survivalist Doug Ritter and made by Benchmade. It is designed specifically for survival and camping and uses a blade and handle shape for these tasks. It's blade is made of S30V. I own it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. A link to Ritter's website that explains the knife in detail is below. KnifeWorks has exclusive rights to sell the knife and their website is also below:
http://www.dougritter.com/dr_rsk_mk3.htm
http://www.knifeworks.com/dougritterrskmk3fixedbladeutilitysurvivalknife.aspx
Lastly, Benchmade will be releasing the 183 Contego soon. It is the fixed blade version of the highly respected 810 Contego. It's really a hybrid of an outdoor and tactical knife similar to the 140 Nimravus you mentioned, but looks like it would be fine for either purpose and it also has a S30V blade. A link to the 183 is below:
http://www.benchmade.com/products/183
Last edited:
rajincagin
BANNED
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2013
- Messages
- 636
Another vote for the 162, I'm an avid mountain biker, camper and hiker. The 162 is definitely great for any and all trips:thumbup:
the only thing I don't like about the 140 is the aluminum handle, although I have several with g10 handle, so if you do pick one up, get that one, though being out of production it'll prolly be a little more expensive.
the only thing I don't like about the 140 is the aluminum handle, although I have several with g10 handle, so if you do pick one up, get that one, though being out of production it'll prolly be a little more expensive.