If you can't or don't have the time or patience to read all of this, listen up: the first paragraph and the list of the pros and cons tells you everything about this knife that i could think of. The link to this item's page on benchmade's website is here: http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10300
This is a VERY extensive review on the Benchmade Red Class model 10300, known as the Monochrome. To clear this up now, it is a completely manual knife; no assists or buttons. I own the silver, bead blasted, plain-edged version, so I will only be reviewing that particular one. Austrian knife maker Steirer Eisen's design. This is my absolute favorite knife. The edge came more than adequately sharp (sticks in your nail easily at a 45 degree angle, using only the knive's own weight) and it retains it relatively well. And that was the floor model that i bought, too. The blade steel is an austrian steel known at N690, which is roughly equivelant to 440C according to their online section on the blade steels they use. The handle is made of stainless steel as well (including the pocket clip), though i am not sure what type. For an all steel knife, it's actually quite light. Its slim profile translates into ease of carry, and that it is. The blade is a utilitarian drop-point, which is relatively thick, measuring at 0.125" (that's 1/8", to save you from thinking).
Pros (and there are MANY):
1-a nice and thick, not too short yet not too long, 3" bead blasted blade;
2-feels like a fixed blade when opened, meaning no blade play whatsoever;
3-the liner-lock is thick and part of the handle to provide assurance that it will not close unless you make it;
4-the full thickness of the liner-lock wedges itself firmly behind the blade, unlike some knives with their liner-locks being too thin or only putting a corner of it behind the edge (the second one makes a bit nervous);
5-easily sharpened
6-N690 stainless steel blade has a rockwell hardness at 58-60, so it's somewhat more scratch resistant than the average blade
7-a practical knife, looks as much like a weapon as it does a tool (which may very well help you avoid trouble with the law...of course, i make no guaruntees)
8-slim profile
9-very comfortable bead blasted handle, which is just "bulky" enough for my big hands, and about a half-inch longer than needed for me to get all 4 fingers around it comfortably
10-opens relatively easily with a nice quick flick of your thumb (i don't need a wrist flick to open it; although that does make it a lot easier on you and especially your thumb tip)
11-pocket clip is adequately sturdy making the knife easy to draw (unlike my new S&W S.W.A.T. knife, which its pocket clip is so tight and strong that when attempting to put it on your pocket, it feels like the clip is bolted to the handle on both ends)
12-an EXCELLENT bargain for the incredible quality of this knife
13-only costs a measily $50
14-one of the cheapest benchmades on the market, yet it lacks no quality compared to the high-end ones. only difference is: the monochrome is made in taiwan.
15-for a non-japanese, foreign made knife (the japanese really know how to make a good blade) the quality is indistinguishable from american made, aside from how little your wallet hurts after you buy it!
16-finally...there are indentations, or grooves, on the handle scales. this makes holding on to it more than twice as easy than if it were just smooth. has a makeshift "finger-guard" as part of the handle's design where the blade pivots, which may just save your fingers from sliding up onto the blades edge. yeah, that's an OUCH.
Cons. ONLY ONE
-i wish the pocket clip kept the knife clipped to my clothes just a little bit tighter, but really, that's a very small thing to condemn such a fantastic knife for. Really, all you have to do is be careful when reaching down into your pocket. Don't pull you hands out too fast. Try to pull your hand out with it touching mainly your leg and not the outside wall of your pocket. With those precautions, it probably won't ever fall off. Even if it did, you would hear quite a thunk. I wouldn't worry about it.
Hopefully this review has helped someone out with deciding if this knife is good for them. I highly, highly recommend this knife to just about everyone. In my opinion, this is the best knife i have ever owned or held. period. and it's nothing to do with the price. i even prefer this one over my boker ak-74 auto. it has replaced the boker as my main carrying knife.
My next extensive knife reviews:
-Colt brand all black knife with teflon coated tanto blade and aircraft aluminum hande. I forget the model name/number...i'll find it once i start writing it.
-Kershaw Ken Onion Design silver bead-blasted Leek, model number 1660ST with partial "needle" serrations and titanium coated handle
-Kershaw Ken Onion Design Scallion, model number 1620H3. Capable of achieving a RAZOR sharp edge...will literally shave you, though i don't recommend that's what you should use it for...
-S&W S.W.A.T. all black knife, non-reflective
-Boker Magnum- AK-74 (Automat Kalashnikov-74) design by Pohl. all black. automatic knife that i think uses tortion bars rather than springs (almost 100% sure of this).
-Authentic Italian Stiletto. White pearlex handle similar to acrylic. steel bolsters. bayonet-style blade.
-CRKT Stiff K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple) tanto fixed blade, out of production. chisel-ground edge.
My next accesory and equipment reviews, and general tips:
-Shun brand double-sided whetstone; 300/1000 grit. Review and tips.
-Ceramic stick sharpeners: Pros and cons.
-Reviving a neglected or horribly dull knife-Setting the Edge, Sharpening, Honing, and Polishing.
-Cermanic knives: pros, cons, tips, and warnings.
-Kitchen Knife 101
-Cutting board tips, facts, and recommended materials
-What NOT to do when stopped by a LEO
This is a VERY extensive review on the Benchmade Red Class model 10300, known as the Monochrome. To clear this up now, it is a completely manual knife; no assists or buttons. I own the silver, bead blasted, plain-edged version, so I will only be reviewing that particular one. Austrian knife maker Steirer Eisen's design. This is my absolute favorite knife. The edge came more than adequately sharp (sticks in your nail easily at a 45 degree angle, using only the knive's own weight) and it retains it relatively well. And that was the floor model that i bought, too. The blade steel is an austrian steel known at N690, which is roughly equivelant to 440C according to their online section on the blade steels they use. The handle is made of stainless steel as well (including the pocket clip), though i am not sure what type. For an all steel knife, it's actually quite light. Its slim profile translates into ease of carry, and that it is. The blade is a utilitarian drop-point, which is relatively thick, measuring at 0.125" (that's 1/8", to save you from thinking).
Pros (and there are MANY):
1-a nice and thick, not too short yet not too long, 3" bead blasted blade;
2-feels like a fixed blade when opened, meaning no blade play whatsoever;
3-the liner-lock is thick and part of the handle to provide assurance that it will not close unless you make it;
4-the full thickness of the liner-lock wedges itself firmly behind the blade, unlike some knives with their liner-locks being too thin or only putting a corner of it behind the edge (the second one makes a bit nervous);
5-easily sharpened
6-N690 stainless steel blade has a rockwell hardness at 58-60, so it's somewhat more scratch resistant than the average blade
7-a practical knife, looks as much like a weapon as it does a tool (which may very well help you avoid trouble with the law...of course, i make no guaruntees)
8-slim profile
9-very comfortable bead blasted handle, which is just "bulky" enough for my big hands, and about a half-inch longer than needed for me to get all 4 fingers around it comfortably
10-opens relatively easily with a nice quick flick of your thumb (i don't need a wrist flick to open it; although that does make it a lot easier on you and especially your thumb tip)
11-pocket clip is adequately sturdy making the knife easy to draw (unlike my new S&W S.W.A.T. knife, which its pocket clip is so tight and strong that when attempting to put it on your pocket, it feels like the clip is bolted to the handle on both ends)
12-an EXCELLENT bargain for the incredible quality of this knife
13-only costs a measily $50
14-one of the cheapest benchmades on the market, yet it lacks no quality compared to the high-end ones. only difference is: the monochrome is made in taiwan.
15-for a non-japanese, foreign made knife (the japanese really know how to make a good blade) the quality is indistinguishable from american made, aside from how little your wallet hurts after you buy it!
16-finally...there are indentations, or grooves, on the handle scales. this makes holding on to it more than twice as easy than if it were just smooth. has a makeshift "finger-guard" as part of the handle's design where the blade pivots, which may just save your fingers from sliding up onto the blades edge. yeah, that's an OUCH.
Cons. ONLY ONE
-i wish the pocket clip kept the knife clipped to my clothes just a little bit tighter, but really, that's a very small thing to condemn such a fantastic knife for. Really, all you have to do is be careful when reaching down into your pocket. Don't pull you hands out too fast. Try to pull your hand out with it touching mainly your leg and not the outside wall of your pocket. With those precautions, it probably won't ever fall off. Even if it did, you would hear quite a thunk. I wouldn't worry about it.
Hopefully this review has helped someone out with deciding if this knife is good for them. I highly, highly recommend this knife to just about everyone. In my opinion, this is the best knife i have ever owned or held. period. and it's nothing to do with the price. i even prefer this one over my boker ak-74 auto. it has replaced the boker as my main carrying knife.
My next extensive knife reviews:
-Colt brand all black knife with teflon coated tanto blade and aircraft aluminum hande. I forget the model name/number...i'll find it once i start writing it.
-Kershaw Ken Onion Design silver bead-blasted Leek, model number 1660ST with partial "needle" serrations and titanium coated handle
-Kershaw Ken Onion Design Scallion, model number 1620H3. Capable of achieving a RAZOR sharp edge...will literally shave you, though i don't recommend that's what you should use it for...
-S&W S.W.A.T. all black knife, non-reflective
-Boker Magnum- AK-74 (Automat Kalashnikov-74) design by Pohl. all black. automatic knife that i think uses tortion bars rather than springs (almost 100% sure of this).
-Authentic Italian Stiletto. White pearlex handle similar to acrylic. steel bolsters. bayonet-style blade.
-CRKT Stiff K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple) tanto fixed blade, out of production. chisel-ground edge.
My next accesory and equipment reviews, and general tips:
-Shun brand double-sided whetstone; 300/1000 grit. Review and tips.
-Ceramic stick sharpeners: Pros and cons.
-Reviving a neglected or horribly dull knife-Setting the Edge, Sharpening, Honing, and Polishing.
-Cermanic knives: pros, cons, tips, and warnings.
-Kitchen Knife 101
-Cutting board tips, facts, and recommended materials
-What NOT to do when stopped by a LEO
) and a smooth finish that shouldn't be hard on clothes at all. The action of my friend's was silky smooth, lockup solid, very nicely made.