Benchmade Mini Ambush

A

AmericanPatriot

Joined
Jan 27, 2009
Messages
125
Specs:
Blade Length:2.96 inches
Blade thickness:0.118 inches
Blade material:AUS8 stainless steel
Closed length:3.98
Open length:6.95
Weight: 2.56 oz

Now on to the review. The Mini-Ambush, I believe, is one of the best edc knives. It's not too large or too small. I love the ability to open and close with one hand and without a spring. It used a rolling lock with indraft design. Basically to open it you flick it open using the stud on the blade and to close it you press down on this lever close to the blade and use your index finger to close the knife. It is a very eficent system. I bought it about a 5 months ago and within five minutes I could open and close it with one hand.
I will admit I have not yet shapened it. But with the factory edge and I can open card board boxes and cut dog food bags and any other bag you can think of. Within the next couple days I wil sharpen it and see how it is then.
It has a pocket clip towards the bottom of the handle. It is, in my opinion, a bit stiff. But I can still clip it on with no problem. It rides very securely. I usually just put it in my pocket.
The number one thing I like about this knife is the ability to open and close it with one hand. This is great because it allows you to hold an object in one hand and open your knife in the other. Plus with a self defense knife you want something you can deploy quickly. I can open and close this knife in about a second or two, if that.
I have one con that I can think of. The area between thetop back of the handle and the top front is open, save where the knife is. This leaves the locking system exposed. If you get alot of lint fuzz in there it won't open as fast. It's easy to clean off, however, so it's not that bad.
I bought mine from BassPro shop for $50. A good price considering the knife. If I had to do it all over again I would still buy this little knife.

Hope you liked my review. I hope to have pictures of my own up soon. Until then I found these off the internet.
http://swiatnozy.com.pl/gfx/artykuly/mini_ambush/mini_ambush_03.jpg

This is a picture of the knob used to close the knif with one hand.
http://swiatnozy.com.pl/gfx/artykuly/mini_ambush/mini_ambush_04.jpg

God bless.
 
I'm not a tremendous fan myself, but it's very inexpensive and has a quality build. I'm glad you're enjoying it though! Just not for me.
 
Patriot. Very good job on the review and thanks for answering the request. Much appreciated.

Alot of people won't like this knife because of the blade steel, AUS-8. And some don't like certain locking systems, or etc. etc. However, for the tasks you use it for it's more than adequate. The main thing is you are happy with it and it works for your needs.

Enjoy it and keep learning about knives. It's fun. Thanks again.

Gibby
 
gibbyx said:
Patriot. Very good job on the review and thanks for answering the request. Much appreciated.

Alot of people won't like this knife because of the blade steel, AUS-8. And some don't like certain locking systems, or etc. etc. However, for the tasks you use it for it's more than adequate. The main thing is you are happy with it and it works for your needs.

Enjoy it and keep learning about knives. It's fun. Thanks again.

Gibby
Click to expand...

No problem. Glad I could be of help.
 
AmericanPatriot said:
What problem do you have with it?
Click to expand...

The weight for the dimensions (light yet thickish), the...stickiness of initially opening it (you have to get it over a certain point for it to release into fully smooth operation) and the large thumb stud.

Nothing wrong with it at all, it's just not to my own personal preferences.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
The weight for the dimensions (light yet thickish), the...stickiness of initially opening it (you have to get it over a certain point for it to release into fully smooth operation) and the large thumb stud.

Nothing wrong with it at all, it's just not to my own personal preferences.
Click to expand...

I have those same issues with it. I was expecting to be able to release the lock and flick open the blade like a I can the arch lock on my SOG. Also it did seem to be a bit thicker than I thought it would/should be. I haven't really used the knife. I bought it as an incentive/gift for my son. If he wasn't left handed I would have gotten him something different, but the price was right $32, it was lefty friendly, and it looked interesting. I'm sure Benchmade's AUS8 will be more than serviceable.

Non the less, thanks for the review AmericanPatriot.
 
Cabela's is currently selling the ambush for 39 bucks, it was 29 bucks last week that's when i jumped on it, check it out!!!
 
I just got one in trade and was surprised that the handle is FRN, not aluminum. I actually like the FRN handle better, as its not as slippery. The rolling lock is great, and it has no blade play. The indraft acts a little like an assisted opening mechanism when opening the blade. I used the Mini-Ambush today to cut a nail out of some OSB, from the wrong side. No damage, edge flattened a little from nail contact, and no loosening of the pivot.
 
I have had my mini-ambush for several years and frequently recommend it as a budget Benchmade. Mine was $35 when I bought it.

It doesn't get much around love here due to its plasticky FRN handle and AUS-8 steel (which hasn't held an edge as well as some of the my other knives in other steels).

The AXIS lock is nice, though. I think the Mini-Ambush is actually the least expensive AXIS lock folder available.
 
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