Benchmade 950 Rift...how fast does it deploy?

harkamus

harkamus

Joined
Apr 23, 2007
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I'm planning on getting a 950 Rift in plain edge as an EDC for self defense. I was curious as to how quickly it can deploy using the Axis lock. I recall reading a bit about the 950 deploying slow since the blade is on the large side. I wanted to make sure what the general consensus was before ordering one.

Basically, it's either the 950 Rift or a 710d2 (which feels a bit skinny in my hands).

Thanks in advance for any reply.

Also, for those that have 950 Rifts, how do you like them? What do you like/dislike?
 
The knife will open up fast enough. In a time of high stress, you should be more focused on opening it up smoothly rather than as fast as you possibly can to ensure that it's opened completely and that you're holding it securely. Just my .02
 
In stressful situations, let alone self-defense, MOST of us lose more motor control than we'd like to think. Takes practice and repetition under adverse conditions to break that hard wired urge to back out and run for it...Millies and LEOS can do it, not all, and sometimes the cost of learning to break the "safety" is too high period.

All that in mind, I disagree about slow opening. The blade on my 950, due to the extra weight of the blade combined with the grippiness of the G-10 scales deploys as fast if not faster than my 710BKD2 which isn't slow either, just different. I think it boils down to adjusting the blade pivot to find that sweet spot and sticking with it.

I've had 710's for years and wouldn't have bought my 950 on looks alone. Actually it was the last knife from the '08 catalog I would've chosen, but after handling one for an hour at my local shop, it was the one I came home with and haven't regretted it yet.

Think of the 950 as a second cousin to both the Ritter Grip and 520, as it's about the same dimensions, and definitely in there with the 940 with that distinctive reverse Tanto blade design.

While I don't have any real dislikes, I've read some 950 owners take a file or sandpaper to the edge of the handle ridges, which in some cases can be a little sharp.

Bottom line, go try one, see what you think. You might like it as I do.
 
ginaz said:
sounds like you want a wave
Click to expand...

I don't know if you were serious or not. I don't want a Wave, thank you.:rolleyes:

The other replies helped. I will go with the 950.

EDIT: On a side note, do people with Axis locks tend to prefer to use the Axis mechanism or the thumbstud?
 
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harkamus said:
I don't know if you were serious or not. I don't want a Wave, thank you.:rolleyes:

The other replies helped. I will go with the 950.

EDIT: On a side note, do people with Axis locks tend to prefer to use he Axis mechanism or the thumbstud?
Click to expand...

Thumb stud for me.
Whats wrong with a waved knife?
A waved knife would be the fastest to draw by far.
 
Eazy_tom said:
Thumb stud for me.
Whats wrong with a waved knife?
A waved knife would be the fastest to draw by far.
Click to expand...

I rather have a fixed blade instead of a Wave in that case. I've handled Waved knives before. They weren't my cup of tea.
 
I handled the Rift in my local B&M and it is fugly and heavy IMO. The Spyderco Military is the fastest deploying knife I've ever owned. You can just grab it by the spyder hole and "spydie drop" it. My fairly extensive knife carry/use shows that a tip down knife is fastest to deploy...other than "waved." I find it more sure-gripped with less fumbling. For this purpose, I might also recommend the Benchmade Dejavoo or Spyderco Paramilitary. THe Kershaw Blur is also a fine specimen.
 
The Military CF BG-42 -has been my EDC for a long time. I just got the Rift, and almost immediately thought that it would replace the Military. And I have carried it for a few days.

In most ways, the Rift is awesome. But I'm going back to the Military. The blade of the Rift is not quite large enough for me. Today I was cutting some plastic pallet wrapping, and the Rift was a little small. I had to hack the wrapping rather than cut it with one clean sweep, as I can with the Military.

The axis lock is my favorite locking system, and the Rift flips open easily. But it's a tip-up knife, which I just don't understand. When you pull the knife from your pocket, the thumb stud is at the opposite end. With the Military, my thumb is already in the blade hole when I pull if from my pocket. The axis lock is faster than the Military, but it takes longer to get my hand in position to open it.

It's not the size of the blade that determines how fast it opens. My fastest knife is my Rukus. That heavy blade in an axis lock just flies open. For me, it's much faster than the Rift or 710.

The handle of the Rift is perfect. It gives lots of grip and looks good. I also like the reverse tanto blade shape. The steels are relatively similar: 154CM to D2 or BG-42 is going to be a close call.

The Rift would be perfect for me if it was just a bit larger and tip down. So it's going up for sale. The Military still rules, although I'm waiting for the 710 in M4. That will make an interesting test.
 
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I have a BM Snody 420 resistor with the axis lock and it is one fast opener but is a relativly small blade. The Skirmish is also fast and a big blade but it isn't an axis lock. The Rift is on my wishlist so I will get one soon.
 
Why don't you carry a gun. Does your state not allow it or something? You know the old saying... don't bring a knife to a gun fight. A man attacking another man is apt to be packing a gun. Not a knife.
 
Unbreakable said:
Why don't you carry a gun. Does your state not allow it or something? You know the old saying... don't bring a knife to a gun fight. A man attacking another man is apt to be packing a gun. Not a knife.
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Until I live in my own place, I will not have a gun. :p

Also, I'm still a student about to start my master's degree. We are not allowed to carry on campus...not yet anyway.

Go SCCC.
 
if you want a folder that is "self defense" ready as quickly as possible, you want a waved blade. that's just what is so. other than that, i don't think there is a great deal of difference in deploying an axis knife versus any other. your situational awareness will be the difference, not the type of knife you are carrying.
 
If you check out the practical tactical section the consensus seems to be that a knife is a more deadly hand to hand close combat weapon than a handgun.
A man can run 14 feet in one second from a standing start.
That gives you an idea on how you need to deploy your knife.

The most important thing to learn is not to go for your weapon immediately!
It is counter intuitive but you need to respond to the attack and get off line
first then when you have a moment that is when you get your weapon into play.

If you are distracted trying to get your weapon out at the very moment you most need to be responding to the attack you are as good as dead.

I just got my first axis lock today ,a 525 mini Presidio and I am very impressed.
I wanted a 710 because it is a classic and I need at least 1 axis lock for my collection but the 525 came as a trade.

I would say that if you want a knife for SD then bigger is better. Something like a Rukus or Military or a bit smaller if you have to EDC it and you find a big bulky knife a problem
The 710 or Spyderco stainless Police are a nice size for a fighter you can carry daily.

I had a waved Commander attempt to neuter me so I don't like the wave anymore.

When in doubt go with a classic. A knife like a 710 or a Millie is probably going to work for you since so many smart people swear by them. Look for them used.

In the smaller EDC knife size like the caly3 and my new 525 they can be a back up weapon in need but if you need a weapon i would want something bigger. They make fantastic easy to carry tools though even though the 525 is going to shred the crap out of my pockets with that stiff clipp and jagged aluminum handle.
 
The axis lock in my opinion is the best locking mechanism out there. If you practice with it enough you can open and close the blade very quickly and effectively. The wave is faster, however I traded my waved Endura because I just didnt care for it. So I guess it just comes down to personal preferance.
 
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