Benchmade Adamas Niche?

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MBG

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May 21, 2020
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I got a good deal on a Benchmade Adamas 275 (folder). I like the knife, it is smooth, I like the large washers and large axis bar. I'm excited to give Benchmade's D2 steel a try.

The problem is that it doesn't really seem like a good fit for any particular use. It is too thick for pocket carry and if I am going to use the pouch I would rather carry a fixed blade, on that note, it is heavier than a BK-16. The only way I can see it being a good fit is if you need a really beefy knife but have social/legal constraints. I think with slightly thinner blade stock and thinner scales it would be much better while still being a heavy-duty folder.

I was wondering if anyone here has a more positive take on this knife.
 
I use my Adamas for outdoor activities where I'd rather not wear my Fallkniven F1. Built like a tank but agree it's a bit much for EDC.
 
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The Benchmade Adamas belongs to the so called tank folder category, beautifully suited to cut like a wedge, pry open manhole covers and pull down your pants. You can get as much blade in an even stronger package with a blade-length-equivalent fixed blade (as you already stated).

Kidding aside, while I like long blade folders mainly for food prep, I always try to find slicy folders (think Spyderco Military, Spyderco Resilence, etc). I think I may have three knives that belong to lower spectrum of the aforementioned category (ZT 0562CF, Emerson Commander and Emerson Aftershock). And they aren't really comparable to the Adamas because are much ligther. I do carry them, but they are overkill for what I do.

Whenever I go outdoors, if there is no rope work involved, I carry a Spyderco Stretch or Centofante 3. If there is rope work involved, then Spyderco Rescue or Spyderhawk.

Mikel
 
I'm a firefighter and carried an Adamas for a little while. A lot of times I have to cut super thick and damaging materials like heavy plastics, thick zip ties, heavy duty nylon strapping, and the list goes on. I also have to pry a little bit occasionally and the stout blade of the Adamas worked well.

Now, I can hear everyone saying "why not just use a fixed blade?...the right tool for the right job...learn how to use your tools...etc".
The biggest drawbacks to carrying a fixed blade are that it requires two hands to make it safe after use, as in, two hands to sheath it. That's not always feasible when either one hand is full or time is of the essence. As an example we were called to a woman who had fallen and hit her head hard. She showed signs of a brain bleed and we had to work her quickly. Standard procedure for trauma patients is to cut their clothing off to expose them for injury assessment and for defibrillator pads and CPR if necessary. If I pulled out a fixed blade and exposed her in a moving ambulance, it would be difficult to resheath and definitely dangerous to just set down with a couple of us working in the back. It's so much easier and a lot safer to open a folder, cut what I need, and close it with one hand. Even if I just throw it on the bench seat in the back if the ambulance instead of in my pocket, it's safe since the blade isnt exposed.

I'll agree that this is a very niche use for it, but its definitely something I consider when choosing my work carry knife. I've definitely tried to EDC only a fixed blade for work and I always go back to an over built folder, which for me is currently a Strider SMF or a Benchmade Contego
 
Silvanus, I bet Benchmade was thinking about you when they designded that knife. Seems like the ticket for what you are doing. It is a quite unique situation.

Just a question (not critizicing or anything), wouldn't a blunt rounded tip be a safer tool to cut the clothing off a patient? Or even trauma sears? I would think a Spyderco Assist could be a more useful tool (although not that usefull for general knife chores).

Mikel
 
Yep, Cold Steel makes a lot of similar "Hard use knives". So heavy duty that 99% of people can't really justify it. But it's a new niche to collect, and that's enough for some.

As someone said earlier, I'm starting to appreciate thin, slicey knives more. Centofante 3 is on my list and some of my current favorites:
  • Rat II (D2)
  • Benchmade Mini Grip (w/Spydie hole = more slicey)
  • Spyderco UKPK
I only mention them because to someone who doesn't find the Subject knife useful, these might be good options.
 
Mikel_24 said:
wouldn't a blunt rounded tip be a safer tool to cut the clothing off a patient? Or even trauma sears? I would think a Spyderco Assist could be a more useful tool (although not that usefull for general knife chores)
Click to expand...

Standard issue trauma shears are pretty awful, and will bind up on thicker clothing. Proper technique is key when using a knife to expose a patient. For clothing in the torso a lot of times you can just grab it all in one handful and cut away from the patient. For pants, you can "blunt" the blade by putting your finger on the spine of the blade right at the tip. The finger isnt past the tip, but right in top of it. This allows even thick denim to be cut easily and safely. The blade of my knife is ALWAYS facing away from the patient. Patient safety is paramount, that's the whole reason we are there in the first place. If I need to use a knife near a patient, every action is taken to ensure I wont do any further harm.

The thing is that while we do take medical calls we are also firefighters, and a knife with a sharp tip is beneficial for other tasks outside of EMS. Blunt tip knives that are fully serrated are a little gimmicky. In my experience nothing beats a very sharp, non-serrated blade that is a little thicker behind the edge when it comes to a firefighter/EMT blade.

That's why I love the geometry of the Strider SMF in particular for these tasks as well as the blade to handle ratio. A large handle with a short cutting edge allows for a huge amount of control of the blade. Also, firefighting gloves are extremely thick and are comparable to welding gloves. Having a large handle makes it easier to use in bunker gloves and the relatively small cutting edge helps in making sure I dont cut anything I dont want to.
 
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