Benchmade Infidel vs MOD Triton?

[ryno_the_wyno]

This is something I have been wondering about, but since my gf doesn't care to discuss OTF's*she prefers her CRKT M16 Ti and doesn't share my Benchmade penchant* I didn't have anyone else to discuss this with. If this is a tired topic, please forgive me as I am new to the forum.

Which do you prefer, the Benchmade 3300 Infidel or MOD Triton? I own both, but I would like to know what your opinion is and why.

I actually use both knives as a complement to my legally carried handgun. For this purpose, its great IMO. To me, both knives are small/easy enough to carry and large enough to be effective, should I have to use it. Before, I carried a Benchmade mini Reflex and worried that it might be "too small". The larger Benchmades weren't to my liking, which is why I bought the mini reflex in the first place.

I bought the MOD Triton first. At the time, the Infidel was unavailible so I figured I would "chance" it. I own a ton of other Blackhawk stuff, so I wasn't too worried about the quality. One thing that did concern me was that it was a 400.00 knife with a 1 year warranty and that MOD wouldn't fix it for a civilian. Nevertheless, I made the plunge and was very happy. The one I have has the dual serrations, which I really like. I also like the grippy skate board tape handle. Also, the blade pops out very fast-which I like very much.
Overall, I like the knife very much. There is some play or "slop" in the blade, but its still very tight.

That being said, the Benchmade Infidel is what I now carry everyday. I bought it after the MOD and really haven't looked back. I like that it has a lifetime warranty. I also like that it has a heavier metal frame. I was always worried that a hard enough blow*like a good drop onto pavement* would break the MOD. Also, the MOD carries funny to me. The orientation of the Benchmades clip is more "instinctive" to me. While the MOD deployment seems faster, the Benchmades seems "stronger". I have never had to "reset" my Infidel but have reset the MOD a few times, albiet none from opening against objects. If these knives were 15.00, I would probably try stuff like that, but for 400.00 I will stick with the mfg's reccomendations. Besides, if I want to launch a metal object into something I will use my Glock.

These are just a few things I noticed after carrying both of these knives for a little while...My real questions are, which one has the better blade? I know I like the MOD's serrations, but as far as blade steel goes, which one is better? Also, how long do knives like these last? How long before they wear out? Just like my Surefire flashlights, I click em on/off before packing them for the day, just to be sure...Lastly, how durable are these knives for serious work? By serious work I mean stabbing "something" hard. Will these knives have a similar tolerance to my other out the side Benchmade automatics or will the blade recess into the handle the first time I jam it into something hard?

I really appreciate your thoughts/answers/opinons.

 

[Daniel Dorn]

I would tend to think both of the companies you have purchased from will be of good quality. I can't comment on the two specific knives you own, but can talk about a Microtech OTF knife. The Scarab has the auto-out/auto-in feature, and is built like a tank. Microtech is a little bit higher up the quality scale, as far as I can tell, and would handle some rough work. All OTF knives, especially double-action, will have a problem with dust and pocket lint over time, but this can be avoided by carrying in a sheath.

I've been carrying my Scarab for about 2 years with no signs of malfunction, and it has S30V steel, like the Benchmade, if I'm not mistaken.

You should post this question over in the Automatic section (listed just a few lines under General). They can offer more first-hand experience with the two knives you own.

DD