Benchmade/ Harley Davidson Hardtail = EDC Awesomeness

Kaizen1

Kaizen1

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I was at a gun show recently where I was able to handle both of the sizes for the HD/ BM Hardtail. I didn't realize how much I would like that knife. I imagine that we don't read too much about them because the prices are pretty high. Axis locks are great but many of the designs just don't appeal to me very much. The Hardtail became an instant axis favorite for me. Extremely smooth, nice ergos and it looks outstanding. If you can handle one of these and you like axis locks, I'm telling you, you want to check them out. This one's on my list for sure. I'm just going to have to wait til the price drops a little. I liked the smaller version better, it's closer to my preferred EDC size. But the large one was really nice. It felt like a lighter Rukus but with a better detent. Great job Benchmade.

Does anyone here EDC one?
 
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Haven't seen one except in a picture, but I definately love the 110 influence on it's design. Like you though, the price is a little steep at the moment, but I don't know if it will drop with all the chatter that's been going on about BM saling direct.
 
Quinn said that was a BM/HD 13100 Hardtail - no price suggested. You can order a custom 110 in S30V and jigged waterbuffalo scales for ~$135 - from Buck's Custom Shop, if you like the traditional lockback 110. I have one in BG-42 and finger grooved - from last year, when they were a bit cheaper. It's a beauty... but doesn't say HD anywhere on it. Gotta admit, the Axis-Lock is nice.

I keep thinking, who'd want a 'traditional' HD knife? It seems it would come dull, out of line (Need a trip back to the dealer...), and fall apart with use. Oh, that's right... they are better now....

I just told a HD nut about it - he's drooling over it... who carries them, HD dealers?

Stainz
 
STR said:
I like my mini enough to have kept it. Its a Buck 110 updated and modernized to one hand opening with a pocket clip, better blade steel and lighter weight as far as I'm concerned.
Click to expand...

Cold Steel Voyager fits this description as well.

I love the look of the hardtail, just a bit on the pricey side for me.
 
Harley Davidson screams second (fourth) grade to me. Their bikes may be good but all the biproducts look and feel extra cheap.

I am dissappointed in Benchmade to have associated themselfs with these Harley biproducts.
 
I would buy one of these Hardtail models in a heartbeat if they didn't feature such obvious Harley Davidson marketing all over them. There is only one Harley bike that I would really love to own, and that would be what they call the Night Rod. It would give me an excuse, I guess, to buy the knife. :D It looks like a well thought-out design.

I might've still bought it with all the obvious logos and marketing if it was at a slightly lower price point. You can get a very nice Custom Shop 110 for a much lower price of admission.
 
Posted by lorise:
Harley Davidson screams second (fourth) grade to me. Their bikes may be good but all the biproducts look and feel extra cheap.

I am dissappointed in Benchmade to have associated themselfs with these Harley biproducts
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Harley Davidson on the other hand is quite happy to have BenchMade step in and take the quality of the knives with their logo up many times over to finally put them on the level of 'top shelf where they belong'. I have noticed what you say above about things being sold with the Harley logo myself and initially it did cause me to hesitate to buy the Hard Tail folder. However, once it arrived I saw immediately that it is typical BenchMade quality and everything you'd expect in a folder for this price point. Simply put this is one of the best BenchMades I've owned since the company formed. I like it that much. The only other one I like as much as this one is the HK 14205 BenchMade folder.
 
I would think that the coated blade would be mandatory for D2 steel due to the rust issue when used everyday.

I've never used a D2 blade so I don't really know.

What kind of rusting should I expect from an uncoated D2 hardtail?

And, very nice work STR.

Thank you.

oregon
 
D2 is technically a 'non stainless' steel but it has a high amount of chromium in it which makes it by far the most stainless like of the non stainless or carbon steels. Generally speaking its a very trouble free steel with a very good corrosion resistance compared to other non stainless high carbon steels. I know several makers including myself that have bead blasted D2 blades on occasion with no problems reported from doing this. I forget the exact amount of chromium it has in it but if it were just a little bit higher it would be stainless steel. The coating certainly won't hurt anything and in fact probably helps on any steel but you know, looking around the industry you don't hear many reports of problems with D2 regarding spots or rusting that doesn't wipe off with a bit of Simi Chrome polish or something similar.

STR
 
I've access to the large Hardtail for $156 and the mini for $130 (both before shipping) but can't decide whether to go with the black coating or without it. The vast majority of my blades are uncovered but then they are all stainless steels and not D2.

I'm leaning toward the larger model.

Is there an easy fix to make the clip clasp the pocket rim more tightly?

STR, if you were to buy another hardtail would it be coated or uncoated?

Thank you.

oregon
 
Since I already own a black blade model I'd go with the satin blade next. I really don't mind black blades so much. The big writing bothers me more than anything personally but then I've always liked 'sterile' blades.

You can bend BM clips quite easily. Just bend it down a bit like I did mine to make it grab better.

STR
 
I like the look of black blades but they show scratches really bad so I prefer satin.

I ride a Honda and a Kawi but Harley makes good quality bikes and Benchmade is a lot closer to the type of workmanship than United.
 
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