Benchmade Nagara - BKC10700

amroc

amroc

Joined
Jan 4, 2009
Messages
433
This knife got some attention a little while ago, but not enough IMO.

There are a few things I want to address that weren't brought up. The lock and the anodized Ti.

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You can see some discoloration in the scales from nice blue, to gray. I'll get to why in a little while.

IMG_0504.jpg

Close up example of how the color changes. This color change is due to how the Ti is colored. To anodize Ti, you put it in a chemical bath, and run a current though it. Depending on where the current is, you get a specific color. Benchmade did a GREAT job making sure that only one solid color shows up (not an easy task). This color is a coating on the Ti that just reflects that color.
IMG_0508.jpg

Grease (read: finger prints), water, and anything else will make this a dulled out or different color. In the case with this knife, gray.

Luckily it's fairly easy to clean with just some soap and water.

IMG_0506.jpg

The lock to me, acts like a Spyderco Compression lock. The only issue I've had with the Nak-Lok, was that it took quite a bit of force to move over. The knife I played with didn't have that issue here, and worked great.


Good knife. I like the idea, but the graying of the Ti scales from just touching it bugs me. when cleaned, it's a VERY striking knife. I just forgot to take pictures of it.

Thank you!
 
That Nak-Lok looks just like Warren Osborne's "Strap-Lock" with the only difference being the addition of the push button. I wonder, since Warren collaborates with Benchmade, if he didn't have a hand in the design of that lock.;)

Nice looking knife!

Regards,
3G
 
Of the two Nagara's I've handled, the unlocking did not present so much of an issue to me.

On one of them (the one I just returned), the force required to open it was unacceptable. The other one I just handled in a shop, seemed much better.

I really like this knife, and even spent near full retail on it ($90), but will not buy another, unless I have handled it personally.. or asked an online seller to confirm that the opening deployment is light.

I did find, as others have stated, that the angle @ which you open it helps.. but it still made my thumb sore opening and closing this knife. Just about everything else about this knife was really great. The one other issue I had on the one I bought though, was one of the clip screws stripped the thread in the handle, upon retightening. I did not overtorque it. The B&M happily refunded my money, since he did not have add'l stock on this.

At the second store, I was going to buy a replacement, but the clerk would not budge on their $100 price.
 
I pcked up one of these at a blowout price ($47 + tax) and I am quite happy with it. Some say it's heavy, but I don't think so considering that it has titanium handles and steel liners. 3.3 oz. is actually pretty good, IMO. Mine has a great working lock, and I have really enjoyed playing with it.
 
I think it's a splendid looking gentlemen knife and indeed, the quick discolouration is a bit frustrating.
No problems opening mine, it's smooth and light.
 
To get rid of the discoloration (as with any anodized Ti) is just a little bit of soap and water. It's just the light getting reflected at a slightly different angle. When it actually wares off, you need to re do it. Ti is a fun metal. That's what I've seen in my chainmaille applications at least.

Greg
 
After reading this review, just picked one up.
Striking design.
Am impressed for the $62 price.
Though I'm used to larger folders, and it feels a bit small in my hands, it is a great gentleman's folder.
Money well spent.

Thanks for the review!
 
amroc, if you have not tried it already, use some Windex to clean the titanum, and the color will pop out!:thumbup::D


BTW, great pic of the lockup, as I was not sure how it worked.
 
The lock on that knife reminds me of an old Al Mar knife I have. I think it is the "Bulldog" and it is a nested liner lock that is released by pressing on a ball bearing embedded in the zytel handle scales.
 
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