Benchmade 950 RIFT

M

mrng

Joined
Jul 21, 2009
Messages
54
I saw this knife at a local knife store the other day and it really caught my eye. The blade style and handle really started to grow on me.

Any owners out there have anything to say about it? (or anyone in general...) I'm looking to use it as an EDC.
 
I've had a Rift for a couple weeks (two tone handle and satin PE) and am very happy with it. The edge is nice and thin at .014" behind the edge, with a nice high hollow grind. The fit and finish is excellent, it carries nicely, and one I figured out how to remove the thumb studs I rebeveled it thin and put on a .05 micron microbevel to get it very sharp. It cuts very well for a factory grind knife, with edge retention like VG-10. I like the ergos of many Spydercos better, but it is pretty comfy and the milled scales have good grip. The Axis lock is smooth and strong with no play, it is a very nice lock. I think overall it makes a fine EDC, as it cuts very good and carries nicely. The fit and finish and nice thin edge really make me like it, and the steel seems pretty good so far. It isn't quite a value like the Manix 2 which is only $80, but it is a different knife. I guess both could be called tactical or hard use knives, but the Manix 2's thicker blade can really take a beating (it has GREAT ergos too, and the same steel) while the Rift's blade offers more cutting ability and pretty good blade strength. I prefer the thinner blade, which is why I sent my Manix 2 off to Tom Krein for a FFG to a .010"-.012" edge for some real cutting ability. Luckily the Rift came thin enough to not even need a regrind.

Mike
 
I had it but sold it. I love the handle design (esp the all black), but the blade design was a little too extraterrestrial looking for me.
 
Haha. I was cruising the benchmade displays when I saw that blade and thought "What in the name is that!". It started to grow on me and I kept coming back to look at it.
 
The Rift is a great new knife from BM. I really like the reverse tanto blade. Tanto tip strength without having to deal with the straight edge and gaunt corner of a tanto blade.
 
One thing that drew me to the Rift was the blade, as it reminds me of my Spyderco ATR. The Rift's blade may not look convential, but it's very thin edge and high hollow grind allow it to have excellent cutting ability.

Mike
 
The greatest hurdle to getting a Rift is the handle. If you like the handle (some think it is ugly) then by all means get it. It's a nice knife actually, has character.
 
bchan77 said:
The greatest hurdle to getting a Rift is the handle. If you like the handle (some think it is ugly) then by all means get it. It's a nice knife actually, has character.
Click to expand...

They have an all black handled version for anybody that doesn't like the layered black/charcoal scales. ;)
 
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