- Joined
- Jul 27, 2005
- Messages
- 8,169
I recently visited the Eastern Sportsmans show in harrisburg, PA. One of the many vendors there sells a wide assortment of knives ranging from so-so knock offs to Benchmade/Protech and some better. I picked up a few knives and one of those was the Benchmade Nagara Nak-Lok. I got a First Production piece #232/1000. When he first brought it out and I saw that "red box" I was a bit hesitant but new benchmade makes good stuff even in there red box models.
My first impression was WOW thats a really sweet knife. It felt slightly hefty in the hand at 3.3 oz, the Fit and Finish were a great example of a Benchmade knife....very good. The blade length is 3.25 inches an spec's out at .120 inches thick. The blade is made of Benchmades 9CR13 Stainless Steel which I have not had much experience with. The handle scales are titanium with little character just a groove for your finger and a groove at the front of the scale. Opening the knife was very smooth and clean. The knife locked firm but quiet. I have wide hands and the handle felt good and filled it nicely, not too thin but certainly not thick. The Nak-Lock is a button that pushes over a liner over the back of the blade, somewhat like a Spyderco compression lock but built in with a button. Not the same but similar. The button depressed smooth and the knife closed very easily.
One thing I noticed about the knife that I thought "wow benchmade REALLY thought about this" was how it opens. When you put your finger on the thumb stud (which is ambidextrous) and press to slide it open you notice the machined groove your thumb slides over when you open the knife. Benchmade COULD have left that area flat like the rest of the handle but put the grooves on both sides in there so your thumb could easily slide the blade into the locked position. This makes opening the knife easier imho and if left flat could have made it not as comfortable to open and close.
The blade is a drop point that has a fine tip, it came hair popping sharp out of the box. I cut some steak up with it and cardboard and is still just as sharp as when I got it. Cutting with it was comfortable and it felt good and lively in my hand. It cut through the steak and cardboard easily with no issues. The tip is fine, not too fine but this is not a pry bar by any means and I woud not use the tip for anything but general piercing. It reminds me of a gents folder for sure. The grind lines are prefect on both sides.
The clip is very basic, highly polished and can be mounted on either side, it rides reasonably in the pocket. Not really low but low enough for my tastes. Taking it in and out of the pocket is smooth due to the ti-scales.
I have not had the knife long enough to evalaute the steel but I am sure it will do fine for the general EDC tasks I need it for. As for play? There is none in any direction and the blade came dead center (a pet peeve of min). As time wears on I will see how well the lock holds and if any play develops, which based on the lock I am sure none will.
Conclusion: This knife represents a great value to me and I would think to everyone else. Titanium scales, decent steel, very good fit and finish and smooth operation. For the price (around 70 dollars) its hard to beat. Dont let the red box and made in china fool you, this could easily sell for much more and if they put S30V in it I could see going for 150. I have no pictures but am showing one from knifecenter. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing one as an edc or a gents knife.
My first impression was WOW thats a really sweet knife. It felt slightly hefty in the hand at 3.3 oz, the Fit and Finish were a great example of a Benchmade knife....very good. The blade length is 3.25 inches an spec's out at .120 inches thick. The blade is made of Benchmades 9CR13 Stainless Steel which I have not had much experience with. The handle scales are titanium with little character just a groove for your finger and a groove at the front of the scale. Opening the knife was very smooth and clean. The knife locked firm but quiet. I have wide hands and the handle felt good and filled it nicely, not too thin but certainly not thick. The Nak-Lock is a button that pushes over a liner over the back of the blade, somewhat like a Spyderco compression lock but built in with a button. Not the same but similar. The button depressed smooth and the knife closed very easily.
One thing I noticed about the knife that I thought "wow benchmade REALLY thought about this" was how it opens. When you put your finger on the thumb stud (which is ambidextrous) and press to slide it open you notice the machined groove your thumb slides over when you open the knife. Benchmade COULD have left that area flat like the rest of the handle but put the grooves on both sides in there so your thumb could easily slide the blade into the locked position. This makes opening the knife easier imho and if left flat could have made it not as comfortable to open and close.
The blade is a drop point that has a fine tip, it came hair popping sharp out of the box. I cut some steak up with it and cardboard and is still just as sharp as when I got it. Cutting with it was comfortable and it felt good and lively in my hand. It cut through the steak and cardboard easily with no issues. The tip is fine, not too fine but this is not a pry bar by any means and I woud not use the tip for anything but general piercing. It reminds me of a gents folder for sure. The grind lines are prefect on both sides.
The clip is very basic, highly polished and can be mounted on either side, it rides reasonably in the pocket. Not really low but low enough for my tastes. Taking it in and out of the pocket is smooth due to the ti-scales.
I have not had the knife long enough to evalaute the steel but I am sure it will do fine for the general EDC tasks I need it for. As for play? There is none in any direction and the blade came dead center (a pet peeve of min). As time wears on I will see how well the lock holds and if any play develops, which based on the lock I am sure none will.
Conclusion: This knife represents a great value to me and I would think to everyone else. Titanium scales, decent steel, very good fit and finish and smooth operation. For the price (around 70 dollars) its hard to beat. Dont let the red box and made in china fool you, this could easily sell for much more and if they put S30V in it I could see going for 150. I have no pictures but am showing one from knifecenter. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing one as an edc or a gents knife.
