dano
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 1,614
Several months ago, Benchmade announced that the company was dividing its offerings into different "classes:" Black for the automatics, and law enforcement knives, Blue for the high-end Oregon made knives, Gold for the super-high end limited editions and a controversial Red class: Taiwanese made knives aimed at the introductory user.
The Red class of knives was met with grumblings from the loyal Benchmade knife community and the knife community as a whole, mainly because Benchmade, for the most part, had been an All-American company. This is a drastic step for Benchmade, I believe, aimed to compete with Columbia River Knife and Tool, amongst others, who import Taiwanese produced, high quality knives at an affordable price. Did Benchmade succeed?
The first of the Red Class knives is a Mel Pardue design named The Ambush (model: 10200). The knife features the REKAT Rolling Lock, a lock design which was bought from REKAT after REKAT had ceased making folding knives. Benchmade added a design feature to the lock called the "In-Draft" which allows for a more secure blade when the knife is closed. The lock itself works off a similar concept as the Axis Lock. A stop pin engages the blade tang to lock the blade open. To close, the spring actuated thumb stud is retracted, which releases the pin from the blade tang. The lock is on one side of the handle only (sorry left handed people).
The blade is approximately 4 inches and a modified drop point design with a minor tapered top edge. It has dual thumb studs, and is AUS-8 steel. My production sample came with a nicely polished blade, with all grind lines symmetrical, including a very sharp edge.
The knife also has cast aluminum handles, which remind me of a much larger Osbourne designed Benchmade model 941. The cast aluminum handles have a grippy texture, but the design nuances and thumb ridges could be more defined as they seem to have a melted look and feel. The pocket clip is reversible and has the standard 3-hole screw pattern. I think the clip is too small for a knife of this size, and replaced mine with a standard sized traditional pocket clip. The knife is tip-up carry, only.
Opening and closing is a breeze. The indraft does use a bit more pressure to overcome, though, and does have a small amount of gritty feel. Once open, there was no blade play, and the Rolling Lock worked as designed, without any sticking or other malfunction.
I believe Benchmade has a seriously good knife in the Ambush. Those who want a large high quality knife at an extremely affordable street price of $50.00 or so should consider the Ambush.
SPECS from Benchmade.com:
Blade Length: 3.94"
Blade Thickness: 0.12"
Blade Material: AUS-8 Stainless Steel
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Blade Style: Drop-Point
Weight: 5.5oz.
Clip: Removable Black Stainless Steel
Lock Mechanism: Rolling Lock w/ InDraft
Overall Length: 9.26"
Closed Length: 5.36"
Sheath Material: sold separately
Class: Red
--dan
The Red class of knives was met with grumblings from the loyal Benchmade knife community and the knife community as a whole, mainly because Benchmade, for the most part, had been an All-American company. This is a drastic step for Benchmade, I believe, aimed to compete with Columbia River Knife and Tool, amongst others, who import Taiwanese produced, high quality knives at an affordable price. Did Benchmade succeed?
The first of the Red Class knives is a Mel Pardue design named The Ambush (model: 10200). The knife features the REKAT Rolling Lock, a lock design which was bought from REKAT after REKAT had ceased making folding knives. Benchmade added a design feature to the lock called the "In-Draft" which allows for a more secure blade when the knife is closed. The lock itself works off a similar concept as the Axis Lock. A stop pin engages the blade tang to lock the blade open. To close, the spring actuated thumb stud is retracted, which releases the pin from the blade tang. The lock is on one side of the handle only (sorry left handed people).
The blade is approximately 4 inches and a modified drop point design with a minor tapered top edge. It has dual thumb studs, and is AUS-8 steel. My production sample came with a nicely polished blade, with all grind lines symmetrical, including a very sharp edge.
The knife also has cast aluminum handles, which remind me of a much larger Osbourne designed Benchmade model 941. The cast aluminum handles have a grippy texture, but the design nuances and thumb ridges could be more defined as they seem to have a melted look and feel. The pocket clip is reversible and has the standard 3-hole screw pattern. I think the clip is too small for a knife of this size, and replaced mine with a standard sized traditional pocket clip. The knife is tip-up carry, only.
Opening and closing is a breeze. The indraft does use a bit more pressure to overcome, though, and does have a small amount of gritty feel. Once open, there was no blade play, and the Rolling Lock worked as designed, without any sticking or other malfunction.
I believe Benchmade has a seriously good knife in the Ambush. Those who want a large high quality knife at an extremely affordable street price of $50.00 or so should consider the Ambush.
SPECS from Benchmade.com:
Blade Length: 3.94"
Blade Thickness: 0.12"
Blade Material: AUS-8 Stainless Steel
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Blade Style: Drop-Point
Weight: 5.5oz.
Clip: Removable Black Stainless Steel
Lock Mechanism: Rolling Lock w/ InDraft
Overall Length: 9.26"
Closed Length: 5.36"
Sheath Material: sold separately
Class: Red
--dan
