Benchmade for EDC

[Cisco Kid]

I’m wanting to buy my first Benchmade for EDC and would like your opinions and recommendations.

Needs to be a folder 3” 1/2 or less blade length.

Polished blade (don’t like coatings or satin, which is sad because I like the Shoki).

No Red Class knives.

(Yes, I know I should put this in the Benchmade Forums, but I’m not a member there.)

 

[omaha-beenglockin]

I carried either my 520 or my 525 everyday for the last 3 years---I highly recommend them.

 

[5.56]

I like the 555's

Not really a polished blade, but excellent EDC's

 

[Cisco Kid]

Ok. I should add: no serrations.

 

[derrickd803]

Mini Grip 555/556
Griptilian 550/551
707
530
940/943
There's quite a few, I dont know if you would consider them "polished" but they have shiny blades

 

[J_Curd]

551 or 530 without a doubt.

 

[gajinoz]

The mini grip has to be one of the best small knives Benchmade has ever made IMHO.

 

[ExMachina]

The Benchmade Osborne knives (930 & 940 series) have a pretty good polish to them. There are still a few machine marks left visable, but they're a big step above the brushed metal of the Griptillians and Shoki. They're fairly small and light too.

 

[dtownknifekid]

Id go with either a grip or a 930 kulgera. I the grip had a more ergonomic handle and is easier to sharpen. The 930 looks better, because of the multicolor g10 and the screws they use, and carries better because of the thinner handle IMHO. The 930 has been my primary EDC for about 15 months now.

 

[Cisco Kid]

Thanks for all of your replies. I looked and handled most, but I really liked the Mini Barrage (585) and got it today. I didn't ignore your recommendations, this one just happen to do it for now. I'm curious why nobody recommended it.

I'm also ruminating about the Mini Rukus and the Torrent. They are bigger than my usual, but nonetheless...

 

[zippin44]

HK14210 :thumbup:

 

[gajinoz]

Thanks for all of your replies. I looked and handled most, but I really liked the Mini Barrage (585) and got it today. I didn't ignore your recommendations, this one just happen to do it for now. I'm curious why nobody recommended it.

I'm also ruminating about the Mini Rukus and the Torrent. They are bigger than my usual, but nonetheless...

Different strokes for different folks. Whatever does it for you is the best knife, basically. I've got lots of different knives that I thought I'd like at the time but, these days, I find I tend to EDC the same four knives. Took me a while to work out what works for me.

 

[SteelSnob]

Mini Ritter Stonewashed Blade with custom G10 Kevin Wilkins grip. It's my personal favorite.

 

[Stainz]

I've not seen a polished Rukus/Mini Rukus. If you like those - and I have both - keepers - I'd suggest getting one where you find it as they are no longer in production. The 610 Rukus is large enough to make a decent pocketable 'bushcraft' knife, while the 615 Mini Rukus is a good EDC size.

BTW, my only polished Benchmade is my 630 Skirmish. My 635BK Mini Skirmish is black coated, but I assume a basic 635 Mini Skirmish would be polished. That pair are fine knives - S30V blades and Ti frame-lock. They have been out of production for a while, so look carefully - and quickly - for them. Benchmade.com has a 'classics' listing for more info on discontinued knives.

Stainz

 

[Buffalohump]

Ritter Grip RSK-1.

 

[Bierkameel]

The mini Skirmish is very nice, titanium handles and a S30V blade.
Mine is as smooth as a Sebenza, maybe hard to find because they don't build them anymore.

 

[Whitedog]

Any of the Griptilians. You get a good blade and still have some money left over. No fancy stuff just a good knife.