Benchmade model 100 (Rescue model??)

[Richard]

I came across a neat looking Benchmade fixed blade yesterday. Its a model 100 with a modified sheepsfoot blade. It seems to me that I may have seen a picture of this knife somewhere before, but I really dont remember. Anyways, if I did then I didnt pay much attention, so for all practical purposes, I was not aware this model exsisted. The price was right (I guess) and it looks like a good utility blade, so I grabbed it up. The basics are: Blade about 3 1/4 of GIN-1 with an OAL of about 7 1/2. Handles are g10. They only had the part serrated blade, which I usually dont care for, but I liked the knife enough to deal with it. The scales are a bit smaller than the handles (made that way, not bad fit), however the edges are rounded a bit, so comfort while using should not be a problem. The edge was pretty sharp, although I stropped it a bit to get that really sharp shaving edge on it.

The sheath is ok, not great but it will do. It comes with a flimsy metal clip/loop. Its meant (according to the instructions) to mount on a PFD attachment bracket that you can buy. I dont know much about rafting or water sports, so my terms maybe wrong. Anyways, the clip on the sheath is not wide or thick enough to use on a belt, and it to flimsy to just clip to your pants. It appears to me as it could bend out of shape pretty easily. Sooo....the clip has been removed. A couple of those zip ties through the holes and around the sheath easily converts the sheath to horizontal belt carry. You will also notice an orange tab on the sheath. This is an extra security device to help hold the knife in through heavy activity. For normal use, the tab is not needed, and only serves to poke me in the belly with its sharp edges, it will be removed shortly.

The only knives I have ever had with GIN-1 are Spydercos. I have always been happy with them, so assuming Benchmade also works it right, the utility performance should be quite good for this knife. I do think Benchmade should supply a different sheath or seperate attachments to make for more versitility in carry.

Was anybody else aware of this knife, or have one? If so, what do you think of it?

 

[SALTY]

I have the same knife but in plain edge. I had the itch for a Nimravus Cub and wound up with the R&R. I guess I got sucked into the hype over a new model and all.

The knife itself is OK though tad small for my larger, but not huge, hands. The ridges at the back of the spine and the reliefs on either sides of the slab made useful indexing points and aid a secure grip in either a saber or hammer grip. I do find the reliefs off position for my comfort. Again, maybe a size thing. My knife came reasonably sharp with generally and acceptably even grind lines.

I have no idea what Benchmade had in mind with that sheath!:barf: The only thing I could think of was that they wanted something that wouldn't cost them any money and would conjure up fantasies and visions of hyper-techno rafting stuff. What I think they wound up with is a cheap looking, cheap feeling thing that honest to goodness looks like it came with one of my 3 year old's "adventure man toy sets."

The metal clip is an embarrasment, with or without the clever confused: ) popsickel stick contraption!

 

[Richard]

Nimrod, good description of the sheath.....I was trying to be polite, but you stated it perfectly Still, with the clip gone and that orange thing, you can make a usable belt sheath.

Another note on the "orange thing". When its in its "locked" position, the knife will not come out, which is good. However, on mine, if you push it to unlocked too far, it also will not come out, thats bad. Anyways, I took it off, and its no longer a problem. Still, whoever made that sheath oughta be slapped silly

 

[stjames]

Originally posted by Richard
I came across a neat looking Benchmade fixed blade yesterday. Its a model 100 with a modified sheepsfoot blade. It seems to me that I may have seen a picture of this knife somewhere before, but I really dont remember.

Rich, it was on the cover of Blade a few issues back, so it has gotten a little press

 

[Richard]

Thanks James. I dug out my stack of Blade magazines, sure enough that was where I had seen it. Guess I just didnt pay it much attention at the time.

 

[afee]

I have to say that some of your sheath concerns are a bit interesting. This thing was designed and marketed to people working on white water as a rescure knife. The sheath is designed to work with lash tabs normally found on the left shoulder of PFD's, and does so well. That position means inverted carry. Having a retaining tab and a clip designed to fit those tabs is a big plus. I have to say, after trying most of the other river knives on the market, this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Decent steel, positive retention, blind indexing for where the sharp bit is. It does what is is designed for quite well. Take it out of that enviroment, and of course it will have diffrent results.

Its not meant to ride on a belt, kayakers and raft guides don't have em. If you do want it for everyday sorts of uses, the sheath will fit one of the tec-locks, though I don't recall which size.