Benchmade 515 Rant vs Buck Short Nighthawk

S

soapboxpreacher

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Apr 3, 2010
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Benchmade has never stood out as a great fixed blade manufacturer. They are easily one of the most common and loved folder makers. The mini-gripitian is damn near the standard for the EDC lover, I myself carry an M390 one everyday. it is a exceptional knife that is yet to let me down. As for buck the makers of the legendary 119 they have havent really done anything earth shattering nor sought after. I am not saying that either of these blade are going to change us away from the likes of ESEE, Fallkniven and Becker but they have came up with a few people like.

I recently watch a few reviews on the RANT and the Short Nighthawk and they got me thinkin...should I get one? The Short Nighthawk can be had for 45 bucks. And the BM 515 for around 70. I like the handle of the BM alot. And the heat treating of the Buck. Even though neither steel is considered high end heat treating can up the performance to put it up with the big guys steel. The Buck is a thicker blade but the BM can be had with D2. I am not a huge fan of D2 but it is hard! Something I would worry would shatter during baton or light small chopping. BM does make the 515 in 440C and it is a HRC 58-60!!! Which is impressive. They are close in blade length. Both sheath (Current) are very similar. The BM has a better handle IMHO. But my question is which one?

I admit I have a ton of great fixed, A1, F1, S1, RC4, RC6, BK2, BK7. Is it a waste for me to want one or even both of these. This damn knife thing is addicting like crack!! DAMN IT!!
 
There are 4 Rants now. All with different blade shapes. Also, IIRC, starting this year they come in 440C which makes sense for a workhorse field knife. Check 'em out. Maybe another will catch your eye ;)

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PS with a MSRP of $85 they can be had for about $55
 
If you want one get one. You already have a GREAT fixed blade collection, but if you think getting one of these other knives would make you happy, you only get to live once. As for the knives, I have only handled the buck 650 and I loved it. It was my beater knife and I would always throw it around and use it to stab stumps while camping. Unfortunately, one of these stabs caused the last 1/4 tip to break of, but I honestly wouldn't let that worry you. It stayed very sharp, even after heavy use, and I'm sure buck would have replaced it anyway. I don't have any real experience with the rant. I have however heavily used a 710 in d2 and I would trust the steel. Good luck making your decision.
 
The Nighthawk is probably the best cheapish stainless combat knife i can think of. The only problems i feel is the square rather uncomfortable top of the handle and i think i saw a nighthawk without it's handle that noss thrashed and it broke at the blade tang transition because there was a hole in it, right where the most force is typically concentrated.
 
i have a D2 drop point rant and i love it. the handle is comfortable, the blade is stout and sharp, and i like the sheath design. some complain about how tight the belt loop is but i find that it keeps the knife tight in to your side and doesn't shift around on your belt. it's held up to some light chopping and digging around in rotting stumps with no worries. just feels real balanced in the hand.
 
They're both good knives. I've had a couple of Nighthawks and they are great for the money. If you want a stainless knife under $50 or so that you can beat to hell and it will come back for more, the Nighthawk is the one.

D2 is a tough carbon tool steel. It's not going to shatter during chopping or batoning. If you want a blade that will cut for forever and a day, then D2 is a good choice.

Like all steels, it all depends on the heat treat. As long as it's good, there are no worries.
 
Any issues with D2 in extreme cold? I know 440C handles it well. BM has since switched from D2 to 440C and the HRC are still very high!
 
never handled a nighthawk but have a 440C rant (with the old leather sheath, unfortnuately) and it's definitely comfortable. came wicked sharp and hasn't required a sharpening yet although i've been using my esee-6 more than the rant. very comfortable, very light in hand, quality build and sheath, and good price. i personally am more attracted to it than the nighthawk but you may feel otherwise.
 
I had an original Nighthawk when they first came out.
I beat the crap out of that thing for over a year, cut through a fallen tree with it once after a hurricane. It never flinched, and kept asking for more. The comfy handle material held up well also.
It was my truck knife, and filled the role well. I lost it on Ship Island after a bottle of bourbon/campfire/crawfish incident.
It was a good knife for the money, and I kinda miss it (although a Junglas is my truck knife now). If the short ones are as decent as the originals, they are a good knife for the money.

I have no experience w/ the Rant.
 
I'm gonna pipe in for ya again:D

Out of those two I'd get the Rant in 440. It seems to be an overall better shaped woods knife imo , the 440C is probably easier to sharpen than D2 , and the dropped clip point would probably stand up better for abuse than the Nighthawks' elongated clip point. I think I'd like the leather sheath better as well compared to cordura nylon. Put some Sno-Seal on it and your good.
I've considered those knives at one time or another but went for something else in the end. I got too many already so I'm getting pretty picky now! Hope that helps ya SBP :thumbup:;)
 
I own both the Buck Nighthawk (short and long) and the BM Rant 510.

It seems the question you should be asking yourself is if you want a knife that is partially serrated or not. As you know, the Buck Nighthawk short has partial serrations and the Rant does not. That aside, as far as the knives go, I feel they have two different uses. The Rant is a good knife in my option to throw on your hip if you are taking a day hike or just want basic, light use cutting tool in the tool box or car, etc. Also, the Rant would make a decent knife to have with you if you are canoeing, hanging out by the lake with friends, etc. It is a good knife and can handle more than light use if needed, but it is a light weight knife, not really what you want in the field for a heavy duty work knife in my opinion.

The Buck Knighthawk short is a small beast of a knife... and doesn't even feel that small. It is very solid and you can use it more for a hard use knife in my opinion than the Rant. It feels like more of a utility / work knife. It is actualy a relatively light knife, but feels heavy and solid in had. The sheath sucks in my opinion, but you can find another sheath on-line that will work.

So, both knives are good... guess it depends what you really envision yourself using them for... or just do what I did and buy both. It is not like you actually need another knife... Have fun!
 
Was lucky enough to find this Old style Red Class Rant at a farmer's co-op store on clearance for $35, its in N690Co, was surprised to see the metal guard and cap too, kind of a nice touch, I've liked mine so far.
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