Benchmade Skirmish

[Tripton]

So, my Sebenza for Xmas idea didnt exactly work out. I didnt get the Edgepro I asked for either...but it was an excellent Xmas just the same...

So, I got some cash...but not enough for a Sebenza. I really want a Ti framelock. I do not like the JYD from Kershaw....



Does anyone have a Benchmade Skirmish? I am really liking the looks of it, but I hate tip down carry. Opinions on them?

I guess I could consider a ZT0300 as well...how would they stack up to one another?

Thanks!

 

[No_b00st]

look one thread down from yours. "holy grail attained." I just picked up a Bradley Alias, a titanium framelock with S30V steel that's made by benchmade. It's what i bought myself instead of a Sebenza.

 

[Charlie Mike]

Who says the Skirmsh is tip down?

 

[jill jackson]

B/M Skirmish is a very highly regarded knife. I have the large 630 and it's all titanium handle with it's frame-lock makes for a very stout package.
Add in the large heavy blade and IMO it's one of the best, easiest to open large production folding knives made. An easy flick of the wrist and the big blade swings open and locks up solid.

Here's mine with one of my Manix another fine larger folder. (that BTW doesn't open nearly as easy)

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[StretchNM]

I prefer a tip-down carry. But that aside, I've handled the Sebenza quite extensively and, kudos to those that own and love them, I prefer my BM mini-Skirmish. The ONLY thing I could complain about, if I were of a mind to, is the recurve blade. They're not exactly my cup of tea...

A little help from a "found" rubber plug....

 

[Charlie Mike]

I'm a wave addict. I'm starting a 12 step group for people who cut waves into their knives. You're really sick when you drill and tap them for tip up so you can cut a wave.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

I have done a couple tip up mods on the 630 , wish BM offered it with a reversible clip from the get go. It's a great knife , with a nice price for what you get.

But I may be a bit biased being a Blackwood fan

 

[Tripton]

Hmm...might have to look into pickin one of these up. I suppose that I could adjust to having one tip down knife.


They sure are nice looking...I know that.

 

[carrot]

Skirmish is a nice knife but I couldn't get over the chamfered thumbhole. Way too slippery to open easily. If you are used to the way Benchmade (poorly) does thumbholes then it is really the only issue I have with an otherwise great folder.

 

[StretchNM]

I think their thumbholes are done with great precision and finesse, Carrot, they're just not designed well. They chamfer the inside edge. In order to open mine comfortably, I had to bend my thumb at the first joint so that the tip of my thumb went down into the hole. It didn;t take long to adjust to that, but I still was hankering for a stud instead of a hole. In my opinion, holes are for Spydies - they do them well.

So.... I found the rubber plug and things are sweet now ((( )))

 

[jill jackson]

The one I have will open up without touching the blade, all you have to do is give the knife a slight flick and it's open. Blade is heavy and the washers are extra smooth.

 

[No_b00st]

Who says the Skirmsh is tip down?

ahh, I think i remember seeing that knife in another thread about heavily modified knives. That thing is scary. Did you cut the wave in it with a dremel?

 

[DaveReb]

Probably more than you want too spend, but I just got a Jim Burke Pro Rockstar from Knifeworks, for $300.00. This is a Ti framelock, 3.25" blade with a nice big thumbstud. This is by far the smoothest opening knife I have ever owned, and I have had a few small Sebe's, and a Mnandi. It looks like a pretty big knife in the pic's but it is only a little longer than the Spyderco Sage, and takes up the same pocket room. This knife is rock solid and definitely overbuilt. I guess the only downside is that it is tip down, I prefer tip up, but I am getting used to it. I do like the knife enough to have a tip-up clip installed, but right now I don't think it's necesary. If you do a search there is a fairly recent thread with some great pics.

Dave

 

[steelscout30]

The Burke Rockstar does look like a heck of a knife, sir.

On the note of this particular thread, what's not to like about the Skirmish? A big blade of quality S30V steel, 6AL4V titanium handles with the inclusive frame lock, a SpyderHole opening mechanism, and it's made in the United States of America.

Barring the recurve blade, I'd say it's another almost-perfect BM design.

 

[StretchNM]

The one I have will open up without touching the blade, all you have to do is give the knife a slight flick and it's open. Blade is heavy and the washers are extra smooth.

Jill, sounds to me like there might be a problem with the ball bearing or the detent........
It should open smoothly, but there should be some resistance at the beginning, until the bearing clears the detent.

 

[knivesandguns]

I found the Skirmish to be too thin for comfortable use in my hand. The ZT 0300 that I just got for Christmas fits my hand much better and feels more solid.

Hold'em both if you can, but my vote goes for the ZT 0300.

 

[Charlie Mike]

ahh, I think i remember seeing that knife in another thread about heavily modified knives. That thing is scary. Did you cut the wave in it with a dremel?

Yes, everything was done with a dremel. Then I sent it to Richard J and he re-profiled it and put a wicked edge on top and bottom.

 

[jill jackson]

Jill, sounds to me like there might be a problem with the ball bearing or the detent........
It should open smoothly, but there should be some resistance at the beginning, until the bearing clears the detent.

It has that resistance, just I find it really easy to open with a sharp flick of my wrist. I can open a lot of knives that way, even my new Spyderco Pacific Salt lock-back.
It's just a lot easier to do with a big heavy bladed frame-lock than a lock-back.

 

[me2]

Yes, everything was done with a dremel. Then I sent it to Richard J and he re-profiled it and put a wicked edge on top and bottom.

I waved a folder once, a Boye Prophet Companion. It was the Fugliest knife I've ever seen, until now. . It did work quite well, and I'm still toying with doing it to my Cara Cara.

Ok, back on topic. I have never handled a Skirmish, but the recurve blade on very wear resistant steel doesnt really do it for me. I suppose I should just get some stick hones from Congress Tools and open up a whole new world of designs. On the other hand, if recurves are not daunting to you, then the hole opener allows for a very thin sharpening angle without ruining your thumb stud.

 

[KLJTech]

I’ve had the BM Skirmish since it first came out and use it all the time, in fact it’s in a 2 folder rotation for my EDC. I have only good things to say about the Skirmish, it is very smooth opening, lockup is fantastic and the blade has always worked wonders for me. I use a Sharpmaker on mine if it needs a touch up but it stays sharp for a very long time. It’s a big knife but is thin enough to carry in your jeans without any problem and then wide enough to do a pretty good job of filling your hand. Another poster said that it was a bit too thin in the handle (I can see where he is coming from on that) but that would depend on the size of your hands (I wear at least an XL glove) and if it were much thicker it may then be uncomfortable for pocket carry since it is already wide. Obviously how well it fits your hand is a personal thing, there is not right or wrong. All and all I love my Skirmish, it locks up as well today as the day I got it and is one of my favorite knives. If I ever lost mine I would replace it right away.
Good Luck!