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Benchmade Resistor

longbeachguy

longbeachguy

Joined
Oct 11, 2005
Messages
2,533
I've got about a hundred bucks burning a hole in my pocket (i.e. sitting in my Paypal account) and I'm thinking about a Benchmade Resistor. My only other Benchmade is a Mini Skirmish, so I don't have anything with the Axis lock.

Can anyone who's used a Resistor let me know your opinion? Does anyone think I should get something else in this price range, or a different Benchmade?

I want something kind of sharp looking as well as tough and high quality.

Thanks

Jim
 
I've owned a Resistor and its a superb knife. However for a few bucks more I feel the HK34 also by BM is a slightly better knife. Both are great though.

You won't regret either of them but the HK is really the next step up IMO. You can tell easily when you look at both that they are kind of from the same mold and both are Snody designs.

STR
 
Both my BM420 Resistor and Spyderco Manix are major beefy- tank tough, but are also smooth as silk and very fast to open, toss a coin or better yet plan on both in your future purchases...William
 
The HK34 has a shorter blade and the scales are cast aluminum, like all the other Benchmade/HK folders. The Resistor scales are forged aluminum with VG-10 overlays. It is also a larger knife overall. The entire handle is the largest of any Benchmade I have seen yet. It is a lot of knife. I narrowed my choices down to the 420, 520 and the HK34. It came down to the 420 and 520 and I chose the 420. I will probably end up with the 520 also.
 
Sulaco, I think you mean G-10 overlays and not VG10.

The difference I see in the two knives is not that great size wise. The HK is 8" open. The Resistor is 8" open. But the Resistor is 4.66" closed vs 4.5" for the HK. The blade length is 3.75" for the 420 and 3.4" for the HK according to the paper work but I get over 3.5" on my HK. (more like 3 and 5/8")
Both weigh about the same according to my scales but the paperwork from BM says the 420 is slightly heavier. Its close though all across the board.

The Resistor is the thickest folding knife I've ever owned. Several times I contemplated getting rid of the G10 part of the handles because of the undue thickness in the pocket. I like the guard on the HK better and the stainless liners and bolster give it a classier look over the 420 in my opinon and it is thinner feeling especially where it counts: in the pocket.

I also really like the grippyness of the black rubber like sanoprene material on the HK handle over the slick finish of the G10 on the Resistor.

By the way, the only cast aluminum on the HK is the bolsters. I can see where you would get the idea that they are aluminum from the description of the 34 but that is not right. If they were aluminum a magnet wouldn't stick to them. The HK34 and 14210 have full length 410 stainless steel liners. They tell you this on the new 14210 model. On the HK34 they are .065 thick which to me is a step up in both looks and strength over the 420. At that thickess, (mine actually measure .068 so they may be listed somewhere as .070) they are incredibly strong liners.


The 420 does have one of the better low rider factory clips though. I do like the clip better on the 420. Also the 420 has a lanyard hole so if that is important to anyone it may be the deciding factor.

The liners of the 420 are anodized aluminum with steel inserts at the axis lock, pivot and blade stop area only. I have never read that they are forged and it doesn't say that in the description.
As I said though both are really good and I'm not meaning to sound picky but I wanted to clarify the details vs hearsay. Having had both in hand to compare I think the HK wins hands down. It almost looks to me like the HK is from the same original design as the 420 only with improvements.

STR
 
Well originally I was going to get a Manix but I have lots of Spydercos with that same basic shape and lock. Since I don't have a knife with an Axis lock I more or less decided on a Benchmade. However I do want a knife that's bigger than my Mini Skirmish. It's starting to sound like the 420 might be the best compromise.

And before anyone comes to the defense of the Manix, I'm not deciding against it, I'm just postponing my purchase of one. :D

Same with the HK for that matter.

Thanks you guys. I'll let you know once I've "taken the plunge".

P.S. STR, I wasn't disregarding your last post, I was typing this while you were posting it. Since I was originally hankering for a big beefy Manix, it sounds like the 420 might be the one to scratch the itch. I can tell just by looking at the HK that it's the more refined knife.
 
I think their new "Rukus" is even bigger than the 420. I have not handled one yet but the measurements indicate it is huge at 10.12" open with a .150 thick blade.

STR
 
You're right that things huge. 6" closed! Little more than I wanted to spend though.

Thanks again.
 
i have a 420 and i love it, its a beast but its still practical size. another really cool thing about it is the design in the G10 onlay actuall fits the pads of your palm, a nice touch, the Rukus is a very cool peice. if it had been out, i wouldve gotten that instead, but i have big hands so size is not a concern for me.

in conclusion though, u cant go wrong with a resistor! a very smoothe action and built like a tank! :D good luck!
 
The first words out of your mouth when you pull it out of the box will be WOW! But then when you open the blade you are going to shout HOLY $hit Man! Prepare yourself to experience one of the the most buttery smoooooth openings you've ever tried out in a folding knife. These HK knives by BM are top of the line knives I'm telling you. Mine is one of the top three knives I've purchased in my whole life and my hairs been gray for a good while.:D

STR
 
STR, the HK came today, and it's every bit as good as you said. I swear I could hear the angels singing as I looked upon it for the first time.

Seriously, this is just what I was looking for, i.e. a hefty rugged folder but with some refinement to it. I need not have had any concern that it wasn't big enough. It's a big handful of knife, that's for damn sure. Everything about it inspires confidence, and it feels incredible in the hand. It's also at least tied for sharpest out of the box knife that I've ever bought.

Thanks again for steering me to this fantastic knife. I couldn't be happier with it.
 
I told ya. It will make even the guys carrying a $500 folder think they bought the wrong knife. Its that good. Best thing about it is the grip. It is one of the best feeling knives in the hand I have ever bought.

Glad to hear you are happy with it. Its good to know someone listens to me out there from all this spouting off I do. :D

STR
 
By the way. That HK34 Waves oh sooooo sweet. Perhaps one of the best ones I've done yet. The super smooth action of the Axis lock combines with the Wave to make it about as good as it gets.

STR
 
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