Benchmade Outbounder

USAFSP

USAFSP

Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Messages
2,357
This is the coolest fixed blade I have owned yet. I just got it yesterday, but I can already tell this one is a winner. 3.75" blade of 440C and nice rosewood handles. It also comes with a nice leather sheath. I got mine for $100.00.
W180.jpg
I'm not much at giving reviews, but I will tell you this knife is well worth the money. :D
 
USAF, where did you buy yours? I got mine for $70 from the Knifecenter. I agree that this is a nice fixed blade, though don't mind the handle being a bit longer. Love the rosewood (or whatever wood that is) and the leather sheath (though a black one would look nicer IMO :) Overall, a nice fixed blade.
 
I agree completely. Picked up one at my local B&M dealer yesterday- - a pre-pro #383/500. It's a beauty. Also like the pouch-style sheath. What it really needs now is a custom kydex neck-style sheath as well. When I can bear to part with it, I'll send it to have one made.
 
Does anyone know why Benchmade used 440C? Were they trying to keep the price reasonable? I know that it is fine for most applications, but I think some aficionados would have liked to see a steel upgrade option.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
With regards to its scales, they are removable via 2 screws. Therefore there are no adhesives that would secure them to the blades tang. Perhaps there was a concern for corrosion since this model was geared towards outdoor uses. 440C has a high chromium content that is quite suitable for such environments. Keep in mind that the blade has no protective coating either. 440 is cost effective to use as well. :)

Nakano
 
Thanks for the compliments,folks.This piece was designed to be a sturdy,light duty camping/field knife,originally we dubbed it the "Happy Camper",but alas,the name was taken.It`s an exercise in getting away from the gray/black thing,too.The idea was to make a few knives that aren`t `imposing' to the average guy,a tool not a scary weapon[don`t worry,we make plenty of those!]for a change.We were also attempting to get as much usable edge,and edge geometry in a tight package.

As to the choice of steels,this is not your Dad`s 440c,this is new stuff,USA made to strict hi-tech standards,and combines remarkable edge holding qualities with ease of resharpening.

Mel thinks its` "edginess" is spooky,seems to be better than the ATS we were using,don`t forget 440c was designed for jet motors,and then adapted to cutlery applications.Now it`s being mixed and melted for high performance again.Try it,you might be surprised,after all American manufacture of everything has gotten a lot better over the last decade.

Buy American!

Bill ;)
 
I got to handle one the other day, and I was really impressed. I have yet to own a production fixed blade, and this looks like it may be my first.

DD
 
Mr. McHenry, glad to hear that you've been getting good performance out of this "new" 440C; seems like steel manufacture and heat-treat are both important parts in getting optimal performance out of a knife. Could you clarify what you mean by getting the most edge geometry into the knife; is this a more high-performance cutting edge/different grind/different sharpening technique? Thanks.
 
My B&M local dealer tells me that the 180 will be available in a limited-production model with custom oak scales.:)
 
Hello Burke,

Edge geometry refers to the actual shape of the business part of the knife.In this case we left a deep bevel on the blade,rather than the wide `hallmark' ricasso or flat area as seen on most BKC knives.In plain English,it has much more of a wedge,allowing a narrower presentation of the cutting edge to the work at hand,and a more acute angle to do the `parting' of whatever material is being cut.The actual edge does the cutting but the wedge enhances the separating.
We also took advantage of the constant curve effect,as a cut is started at the base or choil of the edge,the diameter of the radius decreases,effectively allowing more sharpened steel to do less work.Think it through,a curve is longer than a straight line between equidistant points..It`s well known that the belly of a blade does almost all the work,and on this blade, it is actually all belly,and the curve gets greater as the cutting continues out to the point.
We deliberately combined these two effects on this knife.The wider ,underslung edge allowed us to acheive this `edge geometry'to your advantage.You get a similar action from the old Marbles Woodsman,and the LLBean Woodswalker.The Outbounder has the added advantages of modern steel ,lowered weight,compact size and a fairly decent price.
Simple,but subtle.I hope this answers your question.

B.
 
I do understand what you're getting at; thank you for that detailed explanation. I wasn't sure which design elements you were including under the heading of edge geometry, or how they would differ from a regular Benchmade.
 
i really like all the detail in this knife. one thing i noticed was the tapered tang, very nice.
 
Got mine today.:D
Pre-Production 043/500.
I can already tell this is gonna be a favorite of mine real soon.
The edge is thin ground.
The spine has a nice taper out to that very pointy tip.
The edge is quite keen, to put it lightly.:eek:

I've found that a paracord lanyard tied in a hangman's noose allows for quicker retrieval of this knife out of the pouch type sheath.
The sheath on mine needs to be wet moulded for a little more snug fit of the blade.
Aside from that minor detail, this baby is a keeper.;)
 
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